In·flu·ence – noun
1. The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.
Inspiration is a key driving element in the creation of all things. Influence is the force that shapes and refines that raw inspiration into a polished, finished product. Inspiration is a dream. Influence is a blueprint. If inspiration initiates the journey, influence is the sherpa that guides the process. While both are equally important parts in the chemistry of what makes an artist or band successful, I personally believe there is no better way for young talent to evolve than by learning from the lessons taught by those that have come before, and those that they aspire to be.
The gentlemen of Lady Fortune are a perfect example of my theory personified. When sending their single and biography to P&P, Nick Robison (vocals, guitar) stated simply, “…we like listening to bands like The Strokes, Blur and Belle & Sebastian.” One listen to “I Feel So Slightly Strange” and the band’s admiration for, and the influences by, these established acts is obvious. In a good way. I hear a lot of Arctic Monkeys and some Ramones, which to me is another plus.
Stream “I Feel So Slightly Strange” below. This single will be released May 23, 2011 on Moorhouse Records via download and limited CD. Hit the jump to read a full biography on Lady Fortune. Additional tracks can be found on their SoundCloud page.
I Feel So Slightly Strange – Lady Fortune by Moorhouse Records
About Lady Fortune:
Hailing from the suburban sprawl of A-Roads and roundabouts that is Telford, the three members of Lady Fortune (Nick Robinson – Vocals, guitar; Paul Pugh – bass; Lyndon Henry Thompson – drums) came together through a love of infectious tunes and indelibly catchy indie-pop. Within months they were playing across the UK and in the space of a year had released 7″ EPs through independent labels Wanderlust Records, This is Fake DIY.
With praises sung by the likes of Huw Stephens and Steve Lamacq, and Topshop adding them to their in-store playlist, word began to spread further a field and Japan’s Magnetic Records offered to release their debut album. Recorded by Brian Shaughnessy (My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream) ‘Manner’s Darling’s success came out of the blue, with a variety of blog mentions, mainstream airplay and HMV Japan making it their album of the week, with prominent displays in all their stores.
The band figured it best not to rest on their laurels and stepped up their touring, sharing the stage with the likes of The Pigeon Detectives, The Automatic, The Paddingtons, Bromhead’s Jacket, The Young Knives, The Rumble Strips, Everything Everything, The Chapman Family and Mika Miko. Such an exhausting touring regime saw their sound come to fruition in the form of EPs ‘It Ends And It Starts In A Dark Room’ & ‘The Light From The Television’ released on Moorhouse Records. Both accomplished slices of infectious indie-pop with sing-along hooks, the releases subsequently saw them being invited to play the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival. Dev from Radio 1 tipped Lady Fortune for success at the festival, interviewing them in the run up to the weekend and introducing them at Reading Festival. With swelling crowds at both sites and lines of fans singing along to every word at the front, not to mention throwing roses onstage, it was a performance that demonstrated their ability to hook people in through an original style and socially acute song writing.
Lady Fortune are set to release new single ‘I Feel So Slightly Strange’ in May 2011 on Moorhouse Records. A furious three minutes of guitar pop that leaves the listener delightfully bruised and winded. Lady Fortune are showing off their heavy side whilst keeping to their catchy melodies and hooks that have we have come to expect from the trio.
