Welcome to Fizzville! Indie supergroup FIZZ has added so much joy and whimsy to our playlists since they first emerged as a band last June–and we’ve fallen in love with the unique sonic landscapes of their songs and the vibrant creative direction of their project. Consisting of longtime friends dodie, Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac, and Martin Luke Brown, the band formed out of the need to find escapism from the high-pressure world of their respective solo careers, and they’ve taken us along on their ride into the fantastical.
We had the chance to attend a press conference with FIZZ ahead of the release of their debut album, The Secret To Life, and our conversation truly unlocked the gates to the world of their record. Join us as we tour the buildings of Fizzville (which are listed as channels in their discord server!), and explore the importance of the band’s connection along the way.
Embracing Found Family In The Farmyard
Exploring Fizzville’s farmyard, we’re reminded of how The Secret To Life was written and recorded over two separate weeks as the band embarked on a pair of musical retreats to Middle Farm Studios. Taking a much-needed break from the pressure of their solo careers, the group reflects fondly on their time at the farm and notes the confidence they found in leaning on each other both creatively, and as a found family throughout the process.
“Singing together, breathing at the same time, sort of going on this journey together and looking at each other in between singing lines…there’s such magic there,” Isaac states. “It just feels really spiritual.”
This sense of camaraderie between the group is evident in the ten-year bond they share and provides an incredible launchpad for a project that is equally full of joy. Enthusing “we just love music so much and we love each other so much,” dodie cuts straight to what is at the heart of the band–and this joy and love echoes through every track of their project.
Exploring Creative Direction in the Art Studio
We’re obsessed with all of the stunning art in Fizzville, and believe the creative direction of this album campaign highlights the “maximalist whirlwind” of the record in the best way. Everything from the album artwork to the music videos and visualizers work together to make us feel like we are official residents of Fizzville (and we even have the I.D. cards to prove it!). The concept of the city itself adds so much to the album’s escapism, and we love engaging with the world the band has built around their album online.
“I think naturally when we started to think about the visual world that would kind of mirror (the way the album was made) we did sort of reference a lot of films that we grew up watching, like Willy Wonka, Tim Burton Films, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz,” Isaac says. “Something I’ve realized is that…all of those films start off in normal life and then kind of go off to these whimsical places that people go on a journey to find out more about themselves, and their lives, and the people they surround themselves with—which is such a direct reference to how the making of the album was.”
Reflecting On Collaboration In The Town Hall
“It’s so simple. It’s like the reason why you start doing music in the first place, is to just make some noise and have a laugh…and expressing yourself and not overthinking how you’re being perceived.”
– Martin Luke Brown on The Secret To Life
Stepping into the town hall, it’s clear to see that the new setting of making music as a band pushes each of these artists out of their comfort zone and given them a new sense of freedom in their art. While the process of delegating tasks has taken some getting used to, listening to the band describe the happiness and ease they found in their collaboration is so heartwarming.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned… is being okay with handing things over, trusting, and learning to listen and communicate, but it’s been amazing and I wouldn’t be able to do this without anyone else,” Gartland states. “The guitar solos I played (in recording the album) were my hands, but also an extension of everyone else gassing me up and giving me guidance. It takes some pushing slightly out of your comfort zone to get to where all the fun stuff lies.”
Working with producer Peter Miles and turning the fast-paced worlds of their individual music careers on their heads, it’s clear that the joy that emanates from the group has paved the way to the success of their project.
“That’s the main thing, just play and having a laugh,” Brown says. “It’s so simple. It’s like the reason why you start doing music in the first place, is to just make some noise and have a laugh…and expressing yourself and not overthinking how you’re being perceived. Totally back to basics, full circle.”
Finding Joy In Expression At The Boutique
The whimsical nature of this album is definitely reflected in how each member is styled, and we know you’ll find so many fun pieces to add to your closet in the Fizzville Boutique. Orla, Greta, Martin, and dodie rock such outlandish and authentic ensembles and makeup looks in everything we see from FIZZ, and we can’t get enough!
“In my own project, I’ve thought about my gender a lot and that’s been a real struggle when it comes to styling, and also hair and makeup,” dodie said. “But with the boundarylessness of FIZZ… it feels so great to not stick to a box. Sometimes I want to wear a massive tulle skirt and have my hair in bunches and have fairy wings and sort of explode onstage, and other times I want to be in boxy trousers and vests. I’ve worn it all with FIZZ.”
Looking Ahead To Live Shows At The Music Venue
“I’m really excited to just bring it all into the real world and see people’s faces and reactions and see what parts they laugh at and cry at (and) just grounding it in real experiences.”
– Orla Gartland On The Secret To Life
Music venues across Fizzville are sure to fill up quickly as the band embarks on a record store tour through the middle of November, and a UK headline tour next February. As their music celebrates the small moments in life in a big way, we love the combination of both intimate gigs and big shows that they have planned. We can’t wait to see how their music hits differently in each venue. You can buy tickets to see FIZZ live here!
“I’m really excited to just bring it all into the real world and see people’s faces and reactions and see what parts they laugh at and cry at (and) just grounding it in real experiences,” Gartland states. “I think (that) will happen hopefully in both tours, but I think the acoustic in-stores we’ll really be able to see people as there’s nothing to hide behind, they’re small shops, and there’s no drums and production. I think it will feel really wholesome and good to just sing in those spaces.”
We couldn’t be more excited about everything FIZZ is doing; their sound and overall energy is like nothing we’ve seen before, and the love they share for each other and for the music is infectious. We are absolutely in love with everything about their new record, and it was such a joy to speak with them and hear all the details! In living loudly and honoring themselves and their friendship, it’s clear that the band has unlocked the secret to life.
“I think the range of the album and bouncing from the high energy kind of giddy kind of manic excitable moments and these more tactile vulnerable moments that feel like an arm around you, to me that’s what ten years of friendship is,” Isaac says. “Being in your mid-twenties is celebrating the full spectrum of life, the good and the bad… it’s allowing yourself to feel fully the full spectrum of being in this time in our lives and the album is a direct sonic mirror of that.”
Do you love FIZZ as much as we do? Let us know your favorite song on The Secret To Life in the comments or by tweeting us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram or chat with us on our Discord!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FIZZ:
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