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]

Fenech-Soler
Background information
OriginKing's Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England
Genres
Years active2006–2017
Labels
Members
  • Ross Duffy
  • Ben Duffy
Past members
  • Daniel Fenech-Soler
  • Andrew Lindsay
Websitewww.fenechsoler.co.uk

Career

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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]

Awards and nominations

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  • 2010: Q Award nomination[18]
  • 2011: Nomination for the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards under the "Dance/Electronica" category for "Lies".[19]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album details Peak chart positions
UK
2010 Fenech-Soler 85
[20]
2013 Rituals
  • Released: 30 September 2013
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Formats: LP, CD, download
120
[21]
2017 Zilla -

Extended plays

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Year EP details
2009 The Cult of Romance
  • Released: 10 May 2009
  • Label: Vulture
  • Formats: 12" vinyl, download
2011 White Versions
  • Released: 28 February 2011
  • Label: (self-released)
  • Formats: Download
2013 iTunes Festival: London 2013
  • Released: 5 September 2013
  • Label: B-Unique
  • Formats: Download
2014 Stop and Stare EP
  • Released: 25 March 2014 (US)
  • Label: SBMC
  • Formats: Download
2014 Remix EP
  • Released: 19 April 2014 (UK)
  • Label: So
  • Formats: Limited-edition 12" vinyl
2014 Glow EP
  • Released: 5 June 2014
  • Label: (self-released)
  • Formats: Download
2016 Kaleidoscope EP
  • Released: 16 September 2016
  • Label: So
  • Formats: Download
2017 Covers EP

Singles

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As lead artist

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
2009 "Lies" Non-album singles[a]
2010 "Stop and Stare" 106
[22]
"Lies" 126
[23]
Fenech-Soler
2011 "Demons" 162
[24]
"Stop and Stare"
2012 "All I Know" Rituals
2013 "Magnetic"
"Last Forever"

As featuring artist

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
2010 "Paper Romance"
(Groove Armada featuring Fenech-Soler and SaintSaviour)
196
[25]
Black Light

Promotional singles

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Year Title Album
2013 "Maiyu" Rituals
"In Our Blood"

Notes

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  1. ^ Original independently-released Moda Music releases. Both tracks feature on self-titled album and were later re-released with new remixes.

References

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  1. ^ "Hey guys, thanks so much for your support and patience". Facebook.com. 9 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Planet Notion » BOTW: Fenech-Soler – Interview". Planetnotion.com.
  3. ^ "Manchesteracademy.net: Fenech Soler". Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  4. ^ Cragg, Michael (10 May 2013). "Fenech-Soler - Magnetic: New Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Electric atmosphere at Fenech-Soler's Peterborough show". Peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Fenech-Soler - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC.
  7. ^ Fenech Soler (18 February 2011). "Fenech-Soler - Do It Like A Dude (Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Fenech-Soler singer Ben Duffy says he's battling cancer - BBC Newsbeat". BBC News. 14 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Fenech-Soler cancel UK tour as singer is diagnosed with cancer". Nme.com. 14 March 2011.
  10. ^ "Fenech-Soler talk about a busy summer of festivals, battling cancer and album number two". Northamptonchron.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Fenech-Soler website: Fenech-Soler support White Lies and Kelis". Fenechsoler.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  12. ^ "Fenech-Soler website: Bristol and Manchester Robyn shows announced". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Example confirms Fenech-Soler as UK tour support". Digitalspy.co.uk. 5 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Stereoboard.com: Fenech Soler confirm November UK tour dates". StereoBoard.com. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Fenech-Soler on Making Music, Touring and Their New 'Kaleidoscope' EP". Provenancemag.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Fenech-Soler". Kdnd.tunegenie.com.
  17. ^ "BBC - Switch Videos - The 5:19 Show - Fenech-Soler". BBC.co.uk.
  18. ^ "Fenech Soler". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  19. ^ "Fenech-Soler". Independentmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  20. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 9.10.2010 (wk39)". Zobbel.de.
  21. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 12.10.2013 (wk40)". Zobbel.de.
  22. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 1.05.2010 (wk16)". Zobbel.de.
  23. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 2.10.2010 (wk38)". Zobbel.de.
  24. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 19.02.2011 (wk6)". Zobbel.de.
  25. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 13.03.2010 (wk9)". Zobbel.de.
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