Fräulein

Hotly tipped new duo Fräulein are releasing their debut EP ‘A Small Taste’ digitally today (27th May) with limited edition vinyl to follow on 18th August. The EP features previous singles ‘Drag Behind’ and ‘And I Go (La La La)’ and was recorded and mixed by Joshua Rumble (The Clockworks, Black Country, New Road).
 

Two years ago, Irish/Dutch duo Fräulein were newcomers to the Bristol alternative scene, initially making their mark by performing at a weekly open mic night at the local pub. When the pandemic forced us all to slow down, Joni Samuels and Karsten van der Tol used this as an opportunity to hone their craft and develop their unique, raucous sound. Moving to London in 2021, the duo began again, quickly joining forces with tastemaker label Practise Music (Squid, deep tan etc). 

In 2021, the duo threw down the gauntlet by releasing their first three singles: ‘Pretty People’, ‘Belly’ and ‘By The Water’. With these tracks Fräulein solidified their signature sound; cathartic 90’s flavoured alt rock influenced by the likes of The Breeders, PJ Harvey and Big Thief that also incorporates cavernous grooves, intricate melodies and sharply observational lyrics punctuated by a unique brand of direct yet surrealist imagery. These initial efforts won widespread support from the likes of Spotify, CLASH, DIY Magazine, KEXP and BBC Radio 1. The band built on this new momentum by starting to establish themselves as a ferocious live act. Highlights of a busy concert year included playing at their first post-covid festival Sound City, a sold out debut headline show at iconic Brixton venue The Windmill, plus performances alongside the likes of Goat Girl, Folly Group, Skating Polly, Talk Show and Dream Nails. 

2022 seems to have started in a similarly industrious vein, with the band wasting no time in returning to the studio in order to complete work on their debut EP ‘A Small Taste’, this time alongside the creative talents of producer Joshua Rumble (ANTEROS). ‘Drag Behind’ - the first single taken from the EP - was released in February, earning continued acclaim from So Young Magazine, BBC Introducing London (Jess Iszatt) and BBC 6 Music (Tom Robinson) amongst others. Fräulein then embarked on a further string of shows - including a sold-out tour in March supporting The Mysterines across the UK and Ireland and 3 official showcases at The Great Escape festival. For a newly minted band their output has quickly taken on a confident flare, with a sonic bombardment that defies the usual boundaries of the two piece trope both on record and in concert.