The final release in our 2011 "Commercial Suicide" EP series comes in the shape of a two part split EP from Fighting Kites and a returning Broken Shoulder.

North London’s Fighting Kites formed in their definitive 4-piece line-up in 2009. Their looping, layered, soulful art-rock waltzes have won them spots on bills with the likes of Male Bonding, Nisennenmondai, Shield Your Eyes, Benjamin Shaw and Nitkowski.

What makes FK hard to define is the absence of that which generally characterises modern instrumental rock music, the “quiet-loud” dynamic, “epic soundscapes” or bloated dissonance. FK’s music simply has a unique, infectious and often overwhelming beauty. Taking their influences from the likes of The Shadows and Booker T & The MGs, they offer scattered layers with melody reminiscent of ‘Rather Ripped’ period Sonic Youth, warmth akin to that of ‘Rock Action’ Mogwai, post-rock classics from Dianogah and Tortoise, the unconventional artistry of alt. neoclassical artists like Lucky Dragons and the innovation found on labels like Kranky and Upset The Rhythm.

Broken Shoulder, although an alias for FK co-founder Neil Debnam, is a different beast entirely. This project began when Debnam broke his shoulder (oh) and found himself unable to perform with the group. This led to him toying with the abstract dirges and minimalist lo-fi electronic music (LO-TRON) that would define the Broken Shoulder sound…effectively creating a twisted cousin to his work with FK.

He released his acclaimed ‘BROKEN SHOULDERRR’ debut through Audio Antihero in March 2011. It was hailed by The 405 as “an instant classic” and described by one reviewer as “the sound of the summer but at a sub-atomic level.”

‘Split’ is a powerfully contrasting record; the lively and majestic build of Part 1 clashes heavily with the darkness of Part 2. There are points where FK let loose and soar while Broken Shoulder hypnotises with guttural rumbles, glitchy murmurs and crushing buzz. The EP’s building sense of suffocation still leaves you hanging in uncertainty on just one warm note.

Press for Broken Shoulder's Audio Antihero debut:

"The effect is hypnotic and the minimal composition somehow turns it into something almost symphonic… - Right Where You Are Sitting Now

“Has a uniqueness which will push you to your limits.” – Resonance UK

“An inaccessible yet gorgeous record that will catch people off guard.” – Bubblegunked

“Echoing the kind of noise pursued by artists such as Tim Hecker, Chihei Hatakeyama and hollAnd, Debnam’s work sounds loose and improvisational, even chaotic on occasion, with half-fluffed notes confidently taking place alongside deft musicianship.” – Fluid

“An instant classic” – The 405