Special Friend is a Paris-based American/French indie-noise-pop duo formed by Erica Ashleson (drums, vocals) and Guillaume Siracusa (guitar, vocals). Formed in Paris in 2018 when Erica was just starting to learn drums while Guillaume accompanied her on the guitar, the two friends have been composing & playing non-stop ever since, citing influences such as Yo La Tengo, Duster, Galaxie 500 & Elliott Smith. After releasing a self-titled EP in 2019 and a first album Ennemi Commun in 2021, the duo spent most of 2022 composing and recording their next album. An honest, rhythmic and mesmerising brand of modern pop, still in line with their unique, spontaneous, minimalistic sound, the band has stretched further allowing more arrangements including keyboards and violin, marked by their signature: harmonising, unobtrusive vocals that blend with the rest of the instruments in a restlessly inventive, exquisitely melodic sound. Ten tracks sung both in French (Bête, Inertie, Ami spécial) and English. Wait Until The Flames Come Rushing In comes out June 30th on UK label Skep Wax and French labels Howlin’ Banana and Hidden Bay Records.

What They Say: “Bête, our first single, is also the first song we’ve attempted to sing fully in French, there are 3 others on the album. A “tom” heavy song with guitar loops and occasional synth, about the decline of human civilization. Fun joyful stuff!“

“Selkie is also our first song featuring some violin (thank you Thomas Carpenter), possibly the most intricate of our songs, and probably our favorite off the album“

Their Mixtape:

Galaxie 500 – Tell Me

Galaxie 500 – Live 1990 MTV interview:
-“What is the actual aim, when you’re making your records. What kind of atmospheres are you looking for?”
-“Wimpy. Wimpiness. 2 parts wimpy, 1 part atmospheric, fragility, a little dash of pastoral imagery.

 

The Reds, Pinks and Purples – Summer At Land’s End

A more recent jangle-pop band from San Francisco. The slow paced, melancholy & simplicity of this 7 minute song that pierces straight to the spleen.

 

Duster – Echo, Bravo

Slowcore, distorted guitars, soft dry distant vocals, the drum rhythms… all that is Duster. 

Dummy – Daffodils

We were listening a lot to this album in 2022 while working on the album, definitely a recent favorite. 

The Stroppies – Up To My Elbows

Another recent favorite we were both obsessed with in 2022. Australia’s finest indie pop! 

Yo La Tengo – Let’s Save Tony Orlando House

YLT is definitely our top influence in Special Friend, and this song is one of the favorites.

Leoni Leoni – Easy Jet

DIY, steamy lo-fi song, too beautiful. From Switzrerland.

Caroline – Dark Blue

The whole album is magnificent, I can’t get that guitar riff out of my head (in a great way).

The Lost Days – For Today

Echos the 90s Guided By Voices and Elliott Smith (and the Beatles!) in this song that’s as beautiful as it is short.

Nick Wheeldon – Paint The Town

Parisian indie hero from Sheffield, probably the most prolific musician we know.

Wait until the flames come rushing in is out tomorrow on Skep Wax Records, Howlin’ Banana Records and Hidden Bay Records. Look HERE for more information on Special Friend.