Shameless Records Canada

F&M

“They hit me like a very gentle and sincere steam-train, but hit me they did.” ~ SnC 184, United Kingdom

F&M cannot complain of writer’s block. Hot on the heels of last year’s Sincerely, F&M release the trio of Rebecca and Ryan Anderson and Bryan Reichert (warmly dubbed the ampersand) are back with Wish You Were Here, a collection of 8 discerningly subtle songs that revel in life’s smallest losses and gains. Out on Shameless Records on August 30th, F&M will follow the release with a series of Canadian dates kicking off the tour in Saskatoon on August 17th.

“This album didn’t begin as a full length. We definitely wanted to record new versions of “Walk To You”, “I Pray For the Fog” and “Amsterdam.” These songs had slowly reshaped themselves in our trio performances and backstage practices and we found it exciting how the songs took on a life of their own, morphing with the feelings each of us brought to the performance. Once in the studio, we realized that we had some beautiful new songs that would fit this subtle recording. We had the time and the space so just went with it. A few of the songs were done in 1–2 takes, “Walk To You” and “Amsterdam” were done off the floor. I think this is evidence of how comfortable the 3 of us have become with each other, and the faith we had in the songs themselves. There was no need to build up layers of sound.” – Rebecca

Wish You Were Here continues the argument for substance and seeking where their critically lauded third album, Sincerely, F&M (2010) left off – albeit more softly. While on tour, F&M were inspired by their more intimate performances throughout Canada and Europe. Back in Edmonton, Rebecca, Ryan, and Bryan Reichert yearned to recreate the relaxed amity of their live shows and captured their road-seasoned musical empathy in home-based studio, The Rhythm Egg. Listen closely and you’ll hear Audrey the cat’s vocals, a chorus of birds, creaky chairs, fingers feeling their way through melodies, and an accordion’s gentle breathing.

“I was interested in how to make a sparse album still sound like a band and not your regular singer/songwriter album… I feel we achieved this. It’s sparse but on purpose… another reminder that a rest is a note. It breathes without dragging. It’s meant to be enjoyed. Like a great book, painting or film we’re creating a world to escape in.” – Ryan.

Wish You Were Here is an intimately dashed-off aural postcard, pure feeling and meaning, distilled, and a reminder of the power of emotion, which is what brought F&M out of their homes and into the world many roads ago.

”“Becky and Ryan create something so different that you have to sit up and take notice… Where Ryan is darkness. Becky is light. Together they make a listening experience that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else.” ~ Mossip!, USA