London-based quintet Red Light Company have been favourites of Clash for some while, playing a succession of live events for us and receiving words of praise for their debut album, ‘Fine Fascination’, out March 2.
The album – reviewed HERE – is the culmination of the band’s hard work to date. And its sounds will be heard around the country in March when they tour – check below for details.
Ahead of the release of ‘Fine Fascination’, Red Light Company frontman Richard Frenneaux provided ClashMusic.com with a track-by-track guide to the album.
‘With Lights Out’
I had a childhood friend who committed suicide. He folded his clothes up neatly by the side of a lake, overdosed on sleeping pills, then just walked in. The song is based around a letter you would write, if you could still communicate with them, covering the denial as well as acceptance of their departure and loss. The little toy soldier line is a reminder of youth, and the fact that we were still so young.
‘Meccano’
It’s based around an imaginary conversation between two old friends and the distance growing between them as their lives go on. It’s about the regret of a passing friendship.
‘Scheme Eugene’
The song reflects my attraction, and the natural human fascination, with the darker side of life – it’s a song partly inspired by the film Christiane F and partly inspired by a car crash relationship between a boy with an addiction to sex and a girl with an addiction to drugs.
‘Words Of Spectacular’
The song has strong references to drugs, overdosing. For me, the poignancy of it is in the first verse. It’s writing and love that are the two things that are important and help you to be remembered…
“As long as there’s some time to write
Scribble my thoughts tonight
And steal a kiss alright
I’ll still survive”
I think every writer, or creative person, has a desire to be remembered in their own way; I was trying to express that from the beginning. It was a statement of intent for the rest of the record, that’s why it was important for me to keep this as the first track.
‘Arts & Crafts’
‘Arts and Crafts’ was a song based upon insecurities in relationships, when you start comparing yourself to others. It was something I was going through at the time and I think everyone has a stage in a relationship like that. These can be the seeds for the end of a relationship too…insecurities… “Your testimony shakes and all you want, it breaks.”
‘First We Land’
‘First We Land’ was written about the end of a friendship. It’s one of the oldest Red Light Company songs and it was written while my friend was passed out on the coach after a heavy night on cocaine. It’s somewhat influenced by him.
‘New Jersey Television’
‘New Jersey Television’ was based on my relationship with Anna at the time. She was always out of the country. I wanted it to be very photographic lyrically, like snap shots of events from places far away.
‘The Architect’
The Architect was written when I first met Anna. I was living out of a different hotel every night and it was a really significant point in both my life, and my writing. There was a lot of references of finding a new infatuation while losing something from the past.
‘When Everyone Is Everybody Else’
I plead the fifth amendment on this…
‘The Alamo’
‘The Alamo’ was an experiment in creating a musical landscape. The lyrics focus on themes of despair, loneliness and addiction.
‘Fine Fascination’ is released on March 2 and is reviewed HERE. ‘Arts & Crafts’ is released as a single on March 2.
See the band live as follows:
March
7 Liverpool Korova
8 Hull Adelphi
9 Dundee Fat Sams
10 Glasgow Nice & Sleazy
11 Newcastle Cluny
13 Sheffield Leadmill
14 York Fibbers
15 Leeds Cockpit
16 Nottingham Bodega
17 Birmingham Academy 3
18 Manchester Roadhouse
20 Southampton Joiners
21 Cheltenham Frog & Fiddle
22 Bristol Thekla
23 Cardiff Barfly
24 London Borderline
25 Norwich Arts Centre
27 Milton Keynes Sno! Bar!
