Sunderland’s rising indie pop star Faye Fantarrow will release her second single of 2021, ‘Kola Kiss’ – a dreamy folk-infused pop banger about breaking away from societal norms.
Regarded as one of the North East’s most promising talents following her epic debut release ‘Boom’ and her coveted 2021 Alan Hull award for writing (formely won by the likes of Marty Longstaff of Lake Poets and Joe Hammill of Cattle and Cane), Fantarrow’s latest offering sees her reject the ideals that many women are expected to strive for: to find a man and settle down.
Faye says she wrote Kola Kiss for young women who lack confidence in themselves and as a thank you to the women in her personal life who have empowered her.
“I’ve always felt quite comfortable in myself and the independence I have,” she said. “I found it hard to watch close friends expecting that the natural progression for them to grow involved finding a man.
“I didn’t realise how lucky I was to have such strong beautiful women surrounding me, teaching me how to be strong and aware of the power I can hold on my own as a young female.”
Influenced by the likes of Brittney Howard, Leon Bridges, Paulo Nutini, Tracy Chapman and Sam Fender, Fantarrow wants her observational songwriting to be an outlet for her listeners.
Faye continues: “I want my music to be something that is relatable and can transcend boundaries,”
“I feel like anyone, regardless of gender, who is bored of the same old depiction of what love and happiness supposedly should look like will feel that this song is for them.
“I hope it can be the kind of song that allows people to sing at the top of their lungs and completely relate to and feel understood by.”
Kola Kiss was produced by the legendary North East producer John Ashton, who has toured as a musician and sound engineer with internationally renowned artists, including Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala and Prodigy.
The track was mixed by Barny Barnicott, an in-demand mix engineer whose esteemed list of colloborations includes the likes of Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club and M.I.A.
“Kola really feels like it was a collaborative effort to make the song the best it could be. I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who worked on the song, helping to not only nurture the message I wanted to convey but also creating a quality I feel proud of,” explains Faye.
“Working with John was incredible; he completely understands what you want and takes the time to make sure it’s exactly how you want it. He also creates an environment where you as an artist feel empowered by your own work; something I feel is so important for a producer to encourage!”
The eighteen-year-old released her debut single ‘Boom’ in 2019, earning widespread acclaim and plaudits from the likes of BBC Introducing’s Nick Roberts, NARC Magazine and Tipping Point, the leading North East talent development programme powered by Generator.
From then, the young artist has had a meteoric rise, establishing herself as one to watch on the North East’s burgeoning indie scene.
As lockdown restrictions ease, Faye Fantarrow is preparing for a busy live schedule.
In August she will open Sunderland’s inaugural Lamplight Festival, a huge outdoor post-lockdown gathering event to be headlined by indie rock giants, Kaiser Chiefs, Deacon Blue and fellow Scottish icon Lulu.
Faye added: “To be given the opportunity to open Lamplight in my home town is so surreal! It’s incredible to see my home have such a great cultural opportunity and to have been asked to be a part of it is so special.
“I can’t wait to see a crowd full of faces and be back up on a stage for the biggest gig of my career to date!”
Kola Kiss will be released Thursday 28th May across all digital platforms.
