This is what we like to call good news. Two of our favorite bands are releasing a split single covering each other. From one side, the amazing Brooklyn duo Holy Ghost! and on the other the threesome from St. Albans, Friendly Fires.

The idea came when the boys met backstage at a festival that both bands played in the middle of '09. This release has been delayed by tours, album recordings and even death, but now it's finally seeing the light of day.

The first cover was delivered by Friendly Fires. The band chose the incredible debut single 'Hold On' and gave it a stronger bass line, more cowbell and also used the great original synth line. Although the result is quite good, I'm having some problems with the vocal (which I'm almost sure is the original one) as it seems out of sync - or just in a very weird position to be.

On other hand, Holy Ghost chose 'On Board' and gave it a DFA touch. Actually, the DFA Celestial Choir touch. Angelical synths and vocals that emanate with a calm disco vibration on this cover. And yet some people doubt that Holy Ghost! can do no wrong.

The single will be released on March 8th as download and 12" vinyl.

Phoenix

Friendly Fires have taken their hot little hands to Phoenix's 'Fences', turning the original track's glowing synths and warm guitars into a swinging, housey remix complete with piano chords, token diva vocal, airy electronic drums and whistling highlights.

It seems the Friendly Fires boys were quite cautious with this one, as I found the remix to be a little bit dated in it's atmosephere; not bringing anything particularly new to the song - but it's a inoffensive effort nevertheless.

If you think you can do better, or just want to have a play, Phoenix are again giving away the multi-track for you to take a crack at remixing 'Fences' for yourself HERE. Check the Friendly Fires version below first though:

Getting Friendly

Friendly Fires are dropping another single called 'Kiss of Life', which they've played out at recent gigs Glastonbury and T in the Park. According the NME, this track didn't feature on last year's eponymous debut album but is going to be features on an expanded version of the band's debut album which will have a remix disc of all the singles and a live DVD.

I used to have this prejudice thing against Friendly Fires from a couple of years back; when they first dropped 'Paris'. I thought it was a fantastic single, and I also loved 'Ex-Lover'. So I wanted to go see them support the Mystery Jets in Bloomsbury, London - and I actually hated the gig and held a little grudge in my heart about it. They quickly wormed their way back in though with their album, which I still enjoy.

I love this new track. It relays the feeling of twirling around in abandon in a wind tunnel, running around scantily clad in zig zag patterns holding a bunch of streamers - well, that sounds really fun to me at least. In this my little mise-en-scéne, it might also be storming. The song feels raw, elemental and I think it's more interesting and less predictable than say, 'Paris'.

Cop a weird rip I found of it below, get your gear off and run in zig zags with it pumping.

The Girls

Illustration by Christel Escosa

Everyone seems to have a bit of a crush on all-girl keyboard trio Au Revoir Simone; consisting of pretty girls that epitomise geek and their self-proclaimed ‘sandbox’ chic. 

They're like a perfectly whipped pavlova: light, fluffy and crunchy, topped with some smooth cream and a bit of tangy fruit. As leggy and willowy as their music are Annie, Erika and Heather. With 5 keyboards, an omni-chord, a drum machine and a glockenspiel amongst other miscellaneous electronic paraphernalia, their synth-driven compositions are quite delectable.

After meeting on a train home to New York City, Annie (keys and vox) and Erika (ditto) bonded over keyboards. Whilst previously in a band called ‘Dirty On Purpose’, Heather (on the drum machine, keyboards and vocals) bought her first synth and it apparently changed her life. Their combined ambition for triple keyboard action culminated in a regular bedroom bash around on the keys that inevitably progressed from the girls just jamming together, to a more concerted effort.

For some reason, despite being from America - whatever you might define ‘American’ female indie-pop as sounding like – Au Revoir Simone don’t come across as ‘American’. Daydreamy and romantic in both music and appearance, listening to them gets one feeling rather sentimental. Their songs are strangely conflicting; with melancholic lyrics yet warm and airy melodies, twirled gracefully into wistful Casio concoctions.

Often minimal and lo-fi, Au Revoir Simone somehow comes across as quite orchestral, with delicately woven soundscapes that are both ponderous and playful. This ménage a trois of keyboards will warm the cockles of every Casio-tone aficionado’s heart with their speculative and candy-coloured music. Blushingly flirtatious, Au Revoir Simone is a winsome trio producing lucid and luminous pop.

Photography by Richard Kelly

Here's the interview we did with Annie after the jump!