The Fiery Furnaces

When Danish brother sister duo Matt and Eleanor Freidberger decided to form a band playing unusual songs with blues tinged riffs they risked obvious comparisons. But unlike the are they aren’t they saga of the White Stripes this pair are definitely related.

Releasing their debut album Gallowsbird’s Bark on Rough Trade Records in 2003 they are deliberately left-field. However, their quirky keyboard led singles Tropical Iceland and Crystal Clear attracted serious attention.

They quickly built up a following touring smaller venues throughout the UK and supporting Franz Ferdinand. Songs like ‘Single Again’ dealt with issues like domestic abuse in an off-kilter downbeat way. This was followed by album Blueberry Boat also on Rough Trade that was less well received.

Their live performances are an intimate affair and provide an insight into the dreamy world of this sibling duo. Matt demands perfection from their performances and has been known to stop songs mid-way and tell his sister off for getting it wrong. Eleanor is meant to be currently dating Franz frontman Alex Kapranos although there are rumours abound that their relationship may have turned sour with slaggings off on myspace.com and some catty song lyrics.

Currently they have released albums Rehearsing My Choir and Bitter Tea in quick succession. Bitter Tea features performances from their grandmother Olga Sarantos. Matt is also set to release a double solo album in summer 2006 called ‘Winter Women/ Holy Ghost Language School.’