Biography
Originating in Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, siblings Ben on vocals and Ross Duffy on guitar had experimented with music via their family computer from adolescence onward, yet 2006 prompted them to assemble a proper group. They added Daniel Soler on bass and Andrew Lindsay on drums, choosing the name Fenech-Soler from Soler’s complete surname, and developed a fusion of electro-funk with sharp techno pop that resonated equally with club audiences and the alternative scene. Michael Jackson’s Dangerous served as their chief inspiration, resulting in material the band labeled “glam, psychedelic, zouk pop.” An early EP, overseen by Moloko’s Mark Brydon, tied them to the surrounding indie disco circuit populated by Delphic, Klaxons, and Friendly Fires. After joining Moda Music, Fenech-Soler supplied remixes for Marina & the Diamonds and Example, while Ben sang on “Paper Romance” from Groove Armada’s Black Light. Their self-titled debut album appeared in 2010, spotlighting the singles “The Cult of Romance,” “Stop and Stare,” and “Lies.” In 2011 Ben Duffy learned he had testicular cancer, from which he fortunately recovered, though the necessary treatment placed the band on hiatus. Fenech-Soler resurfaced in 2013 by signing with Warner Bros. and issuing the follow-up Rituals, which contained the singles “Magnetic” and “Last Forever.” Prolonged touring afterward led Soler and Lindsay to depart amicably, restoring the lineup to the two brothers. Intent on eclipsing earlier work, they relocated temporarily to L.A. to work with Jacknife Lee, but ideas remained elusive. Returning instead to their childhood village, the pair rediscovered their original keyboard and completed most of a new album within weeks, producing it themselves. The Kaleidoscope EP surfaced in September 2016 as an initial glimpse, followed in early 2017 by Zilla on So Recordings, an album of bright, breezy pop filled with big melodies.
Albums
Singles
