aaamusic | On 05, Oct 2010

Francis Neve celebrates the release of ‘The Second Time We First Met,’ his seven-track debut mini album, with a handful of dates in London. On Sept 16 he plays Camden Rock followed by spots at the Good Ship, The Wilmington Arms and the Abbey Tavern. Further dates are to be added.

With influences including Roger Walters, God Speed, Mogwai, A Silver Mount Zion, Mice Parade and Cinematic Orchestra, ‘The Second Time We First Met’ is an intimate collection of emotive lo-fi pop, narrating the lifespan of a relationship. Yes, it’s a concept album, but only if you insist.

“Each song is a different stage of the relationship,” says Francis (not his real name). “I’m not addressing why it doesn’t work though, it’s more about documenting the flow.”

The album opens with the fragile ‘Brian’s Drying Up’ – a downbeat account on the trials and temptations of Brian, our protagonist. This is followed by the uplifting ‘Come Near,’ in which he meets his girlfriend-to-be for the first time. Their quiet intimacy in ‘Invisible Robes’ is rocked by bittersweet (but radio-friendly) lead single ‘I Won’t Make You Better’, which ponders our characters’ future, aided by an African bedouin blues-inspired guitar hook and subtle folk textures.

The cracks are starting to show by the time we disembark at fictional seaside town ‘Winterbury,’ the album’s only duet with vocalist Lucy Randell, whilst things are well and truly over in ‘The Woman in the High Castle.’ ‘You Must Be Somewhere’ nails the coffin with the disturbing declaration: “Make no mistake I’ll get you back/ Make no mistake, I’ll freak you out.”

“The last track’s the introspective one,” says Francis, with a cheeky smile. “It deals with losing someone and deciding on retribution. Quite sinister, in fact.”

Born and raised in Hornchurch, Essex, Francis started playing the guitar and writing songs at the age of 12, forming his first band, Next Of Six, at 16. A brief stint in indie outfit The Last followed, with Chris Hayden (Florence & The Machine) on drums, before Francis decided to concentrate on solo material and a career in sound-engineering. He opened his FRR studio in East London in early 2009 and ‘The Second Time We First Met,’ was recorded with Francis singing lead vocals and playing almost all instruments, including guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.

His sound-engineering skills mean, of course, that Francis is confident about his own live shows. “We’re planning on full band shows, airing the album in its entirety,” he says. “The tunes seem to work better live. And if nothing else, I can guarantee the sound will be flawless.”

DEBUT LONDON LIVE DATES JUST ANNOUNCED

OCT 20 THE GOOD SHIP, Kilburn, NW6 7JR

NOV 2 THE WILMINGTON ARMS, EC1R 4RL

DEC 1 THE ABBEY TAVERN, NW1 9QB

04 I Wont Make You Better by Emms Publicity

His album ‘The Second Time We First Met’ is out September 20.

http://www.francisneve.co.uk/ http://www.myspace.com/francisneve