English electropop band
Fenech-Soler were an English electropop band from King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England, that formed in 2006 and consists of two members: Ross Duffy and Ben Duffy. Founding members Daniel Fenech-Soler and Andrew Lindsay left the band in 2016.[1] The name Fenech-Soler is taken from Daniel Soler's full surname, which is Maltese.[2][3] The band's sound has been compared to Friendly Fires and Delphic for their "hybrid of summery indie and big dance-inflected melodies".[4] Fenech-Soler are signed to So Recordings.[5]
Career
Fenech-Soler's self-titled debut studio album was released in 2010 and included three singles. The single "Stop and Stare" was named by BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James as 'Record of the Week' and 'Weekend Anthem' and Dutch public broadcaster NOS used "Demons" as an anthem for their 2010–11 UEFA Champions League broadcasts.[6] Both "Lies" and "Demons" were playlisted by Radio 1. The band recorded a Radio 1 Live Lounge session for Jo Whiley in February 2011.[7]
On 13 March 2011, it was announced that Ben Duffy had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would have to undergo a course of chemotherapy. This caused the cancellation of the nine-date UK tour.[8] The cancer was diagnosed in its early stages[9] and two months later it was announced that the treatment was '100% successful' and Duffy was 'now in complete remission'. The band returned to a busy summer schedule of 23 festivals including Glastonbury and V Festival.[10] Fenech-Soler donated all proceeds from their 18 April 2011 single "Stop and Stare" to the Teenage Cancer Trust.[8] That same year, the band was a supporting act for the White Lies, Kelis,[11] Robyn[12] and Example.[13]
The band released their second album, Rituals, on 30 September 2013. The release of the album was announced following the announcement of a UK tour,[14] which coincided with the release of the single "Magnetic" in March. The album's second single, "Last Forever", was released early in September prior to the album.[citation needed]
In 2014, Fenech-Soler performed at a medal awards ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.[15] In addition to their own work, they are also known for their remix work, including a remix of "Self Control" by Sunday Girl, "Kickstarts" by Example,"MY KZ, YR BF" by Everything Everything and "Hollywood" by Marina and the Diamonds.[16]
Fenech-Soler co-wrote and featured on the Groove Armada track "Paper Romance", taken from their album Black Light (2010). Fenech-Soler have appeared on Channel 4's EVO Rooms, NME Takeover[2] and BBC Switch.[17]
