Friends Electric refers to two seperate entities: a Welsh electro band, and an English production duo. Friends Electric the band are a four-piece electro outfit from South Wales. Formed in 2007 and aged between 21-22, the line up is Dan Thomas (vocals/guitar/synth), Matthew Fry (bass/synth/vocals), Dean Gorno (drums/electronics) and Ritchard Lavis-Williams (synth/guitar/vocals). They have yet to release any material, but have already received strong support from BBC Radio 1, a nomination for a Pop Factory Award, and a showcase at In The City in October 2008. Having built a loyal and ever-expanding following, they have recently played with Alphabeat, Ladyhawke and The Whip. Influenced by acts such as Talking Heads, Daft Punk, Toyshop Murders and Mew, they are currently cooped up in their home studio in Neath, finishing demos for their first album. The band will be playing SWN Festival in Cardiff (curated by Huw Stephens) in November, and a BBC Introducing show in December. Friends Electric the producers were initiated in 2002 as a freestyle, no rules production project. The team is primarily made up of 2 people, Sam Rice-Edwards & Bill Robin Fuller, who met while in their teens at a party in Notting Hill Gate. They have been producing music together on & off since the early 90’s & after writing dance music in various genres, & being at least slightly dissatisfied with most of the results, they decided to start a project with little or no rules pertaining to genre, groove or bpm. The result of this decision was Friends Electric. ‘Seed’ ideas are formed by Sam & Bill, & rough mixes are circulated to various musical friends around the world, who are left free to improvise with them. The recorded parts from these improv sessions are then assembled, re-structured, combined & processed by Sam & Bill in order to arrive at a finished piece. They have performed live at parties & music festivals all around Europe as well as Africa & South America. They recently remixed Pitch Black & are working on an album. Sam is based in London, Bill is now based in Berlin. Listen at Last.fm