FRKST’s new signings STRANGE BONES and CALVA LOUISE have joined forces to unveil their seismic new single NINE LIVES. The track, which is a statement of intent and determination for both bands, was produced in lockdown at their HQ just outside of Blackpool, with Strange Bones frontman Bobby Bentham on production duties.
“Bobby and I decided to create a song that represents a source of new energy for us”, explains Calva Louise vocalist and guitarist Jess Allanic. “‘Nine Lives’ captures our vision in an impeccable way, to honestly say who we are and what we do.”
Strange Bones’s Bobby continues “the track is a tool against threatening ideas, the ones that are constantly involving us in society’s sordid games. We believe we always need to be ready to act with creativity as we feel every blow we receive. Instead of accepting feelings of dismay, as if we’ve been kicked, we realised that we are paying to sacrifice (instead of living) our dreams, so we decided to stay authentic”.
Strange Bones and Calva Louise come as one very loud package. After crossing paths a few years back in the UK’s live circuit, they’ve since formed an indestructible bond which has only strengthened in 2020. Both bands are based in a creative hub just outside of Blackpool, where they’ve utilised lockdown to write new music, create their own cinematic visuals, and sign a double-record deal with FRKST – an imprint of 300 Entertainment (Megan Thee Stallion, The Hunna, Young Thug) ran by Highly Suspect frontman Johnny Stevens.
“Bobby and I have a great similarity in our musical careers and in our creative processes“, explains Jess. “We also realised that working together doesn’t just help us individually, but helps the team as a whole move forward. We participate together in everything that we do, which allows us to go at things with a better approach and attitude“, adds Bobby.
With roots in Venezuela, France and New Zealand, Calva Louise formed in 2016 and have since shared stages with the likes of Albert Hammond Jr, Spring King, The Blinders, and Razorlight. Their music encompasses a sound as eclectic as their nationalities – clanging indie, dark pop, hypnotic electronica, frenzied punk, dosed with a healthy influence of 80s Sci-Fi soundtracks and visuals. It’s a molotov cocktail that really works, with BBC Radio 1, DIY, Clash and Radio X singing their praises.
Comprising of the Bentham brothers – Bobby on songwriting, vocal and production duties, Jack on guitars and Will on bass – and close friend Nathan Sanderson on drums, Strange Bones grew up on a diet of pure-punk. With this backbone, Strange Bones take influence from artists such as The Prodigy and Death Grips to create a sound that’s full-throttled and unhinged. The four-piece have received plaudits from NME, Rock Sound, Kerrang!, Radio X and BBC Radio 1. Their adrenaline-soaked live show is second to none, with highlights including support to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Reading & Leeds, Download and Isle Of Wight Festival.
Playing by their own rules, Nine Lives is a glimpse of what’s next to come from Strange Bones and Calva Louise in 2021.