Three track demo

Sunderland twee-pop outfit Frankie and the Heartstrings only performed their first gig in December, at Independent’s Christmas party, but are already making it relatively big in the area. The three tracks on this EP were performed that night, and were considerably accomplished given their lack of live experience. Opening track Books by Fitzgerald is an intelligent piece of pop, with a group singsong for an intro and name checks to F. Scott of The Great Gatsby fame, and Pink Champagne notches things up a bit in the band’s punchiest moment. Fragile suits its name perfectly, a tender paean that fits well with the Heartstrings’ love, lust and heartbreak ethic, their influences including the Smiths and novelist Charles Bukowski, and Frankie’s vocals often reminiscent of the sardonic drawl of the Wedding Present’s David Gedge. Expect to see Frankie and the Heartstrings on several bills across north-east venues.