Biography
Comprising invigorating, ebullient vocals with kinetic, summery guitar work and pronounced electro percussion, the Fontaines operate as an alternative pop/rock outfit based in Los Angeles. The project is fronted by siblings Charlotte on vocals and Hank on guitar, while its live lineup incorporates drummer Chrystian Kaplan and bassist Daniel Zuker. The brother-and-sister duo, who characterize their approach as “new-wop,” spent their formative years in Texas immersed in an eclectic range of influences spanning Blondie and the Cars, the Smiths and Joy Division, and the organic soul stylings of Sam Cooke and Dusty Springfield. As they matured they delved deeper into music and eventually began composing original material rooted in the sounds that had defined their youth. Assisted by friends, they staged their inaugural performance on the eve of graduation; the immediate excitement of playing live prompted them to commit seriously to a music career.
Hank moved to Los Angeles to realize his wish to “live in a culturally important city where I could be in warm weather and still go out and hear rock ’n’ roll at night,” and Charlotte soon joined him with her own ambition to enter the industry. Drawing on accumulated song ideas, the pair established the Fontaines—taking the name from Tripp Fontaine in Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides and Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather. Once they reassembled a performing ensemble the group played any available venue, steadily expanding an audience through strong turnout at shows. Their first release, the self-titled 2015 EP, climbed the upper reaches of specialty radio charts and led to appearances at international music festivals. In early 2016 they issued the follow-up EP ii, which included a cover of Cold War Kids’ hit “Hang Me Up to Dry.” The recording earned praise, like its predecessor, for blending doo wop-inspired vocals, bright soulful melodies, and sleek polished production. They continued with the single “Evaporate” in early 2017.
Hank moved to Los Angeles to realize his wish to “live in a culturally important city where I could be in warm weather and still go out and hear rock ’n’ roll at night,” and Charlotte soon joined him with her own ambition to enter the industry. Drawing on accumulated song ideas, the pair established the Fontaines—taking the name from Tripp Fontaine in Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides and Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather. Once they reassembled a performing ensemble the group played any available venue, steadily expanding an audience through strong turnout at shows. Their first release, the self-titled 2015 EP, climbed the upper reaches of specialty radio charts and led to appearances at international music festivals. In early 2016 they issued the follow-up EP ii, which included a cover of Cold War Kids’ hit “Hang Me Up to Dry.” The recording earned praise, like its predecessor, for blending doo wop-inspired vocals, bright soulful melodies, and sleek polished production. They continued with the single “Evaporate” in early 2017.
Albums
