THE UMBRELLAS
Share new single “Gone”
New album ‘Fairweather Friend’ out Jan 26th on Tough Love/Slumberland
UK tour in March
With their album, ‘Fairweather Friend’, set for release on 26th January via Tough Love/Slumberland, San Francisco four piece The Umbrellas share a final pre-release single today, entitled “Gone”.
The Umbrellas are four renegade romantics crafting irresistible indie pop hymns. The band’s self-titled 2021 debut album became a breakout moment, winning critical praise and sparking an international tour. Follow-up LP ‘Fairweather Friend’ goes a step further – absorbing the sonic attack of their live shows, it balances this with studio finesse, allowing the San Francisco four-piece to become the band they’ve always aspired to be.
The album was announced in October with the candyfloss melodies of lead single “Three Cheers!”, followed by the wistful malaise of “Echoes”, in which they joyfully mourn what might have been. Today, they give another glimpse at the record with the unbridled power-pop glory of “Gone”.
“Gone talks about feeling stuck on trivial matters and chasing escapism to cope, even though you might not know what you’re looking for/what will help you yet” the band explain. “The song never really finds an answer to the question of what to do when you’re feeling stuck, but it does build some acceptance of the feeling, making the “rut” feel all the more human and universal. We’re excited to add this song to our live set, since it’s one of our more power-pop songs and we think it really highlights Keith’s heroic drumming stylings and Matt/Morgan’s duo harmonious vocals.”
The Umbrellas release another blissful creation. Belting into action with this formidable drum beat and tonality that just melts through the landscape, the rolling rhythms soar as the harmonies then come into play. The compelling composition lifts the listener with the dual vocals, at times acting as a call and response, the melodies simply shine. With “Gone”, this track busting with hooks and addictive qualities rings the essence of something familiar to something new.
The Umbrellas recently announced European tour dates for this Spring. Dates are:
Mar 2nd – Madrid, ES – Madrid Pop Fest
Mar 5th – Newport – Le Pub
Mar 6th – Coventry – Just Dropped In Records
Mar 7th – Manchester – Gullivers
Mar 8th – Leeds – Wharf Chambers
Mar 9th – Glasgow – Mono
Mar 10th – Newcastle – Bobiks
Mar 11th – York – The Fulford Arms
Mar 12th – Nottingham – JT Soar
Mar 13th – London – Oslo
Mar 14th – Oxford – Common Ground
Mar 16th – Paris, FR – Supersonic Records
Ticket information here.
A lean 10 track affair, ‘Fairweather Friend’ grasps towards beatific pop while fuelled by a sense of risk, and the precision that comes from long months on the road.
The Umbrellas coalesced around a group of musicians who would frequent legendary San Francisco record emporium Amoeba Music. Singer and guitarist Matt Ferrera links with bassist Nick Oka, while Keith Frerichs is the powerhouse drummer. A chance encounter with Morgan Stanley singing karaoke at a Fourth of July party cemented the line-up around an avowed thirst for melody. “All of us love really earnest pop songs,” Nick points out. “I guess we got to a point in our lives where we wanted to be genuine.”
Playing shows at San Francisco’s vital DIY redoubt Hit Gallery, The Umbrellas would share line-ups with local heroes such as April Magazine and Cindy. Recording their debut album across a two-day spell at Matt’s parents’ house, the results won a devoted cult following. Yet the experience of touring bonded them tightly and allowed the volume to tick up a little higher, and higher, and higher. “I think we got tired of people saying, oh you’re so much louder than I thought you’d be!” laughs Matt. “Our early recordings are sweet and earnest… and we wanted it to be louder.”
Kicking off sessions in November 2022, the band used an ad hoc space Matt created in his basement, working across a four-month period. Sessions were a little more relaxed in terms of timescale than their debut, but The Umbrellas were incredibly focussed on the project. “We gave ourselves more space for this album,” says Keith. “We wanted time to sit on the songs, and really work on them.”
Allowing their live dynamic to bleed out on tape, The Umbrellas are at once more physical and yet also more controlled on their new album.
Taken as a whole ‘Fairweather Friend’ is a bold indie pop triumph, crafted with purpose and attention. Taking their time over each note, the four-piece have strengthened their song-writing, adding depth and assurance while unlocking their potential. Some bonds last a lifetime – The Umbrellas are ready to capture your heart.
‘Fairweather Friend’ is out January 26th on Slumberland (North America/Japan) and Tough Love (R.O.W) Pre-order here.
‘Fairweather Friend’ track list:
1. Three Cheers
2. Goodbye
3. Toe the Line
4. Echoes
5. Say What You Mean
6. Games
7. Gone
8. When You Find Out
9. Blue
10. PM
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