A well-known Huddersfield band that’s been going for 14 years is just about to release their second album.
Quirky folk pop band Fishing4Compliments have forged a fine reputation over the years with the sound weaved around singer Eileen Wattam’s songs which have been described as enigmatic and intriguing.
The Colne Valley-based band shares a passion for developing and creating the uplifting, harmony and hook-laden folk-pop they like to call their own which has emerged through the eclectic mix of influences on which they draw including The Sundays, The Cure, The Cranberries, The Smiths, The Beatles, XTC, Mark Knopfler and Tom Petty.
Their debut album in 2020 called Off The Isle Of Somewhere was enthusiastically received by audiences and reviewers alike and led to a nomination for Best Folk/Acoustic Act as part of the world-famous Radio Wigwam awards which showcase the very best of the grassroots and independent music.
The new 10-track album, Lost In Good Intentions, will be officially released at Turntable Coffee & Vinyl on New Street in Huddersfield town centre on Saturday, October 25 at 3pm where the band will be playing it live. The event is free.
Both albums have been produced by Joseph and David Dunwell from Leeds indie folk band The Dunwells.
Fishing4Compliments is singer songwriter Eileen Wattam and husband rhythm guitarist Ashley Wattam – who live in Golcar – lead guitarist James Alexander from Meltham and bassist Steve Dyson from Slaithwaite.
Drummer David Sharp from Shepley played on the new album and he has since left the band to be replaced by new drummer Dave Simpson from Wetherby.
Eileen is originally from London but when she came to the University of Huddersfield to study she loved the area and never went back.
Her parents, Mary and Jimmy, were both Irish so there was a lot of Irish music in the house growing up and Mary loved leading singalongs.
Eileen sadly lost her dad when she was just 10 which she feels has had an impact on her songwriting.
“Losing dad so young has had a big influence on my life,” said Eileen. “My songwriting has helped me to deal with my feelings and emotions.
“When I was in my 20s I joined an originals band as the singer and the guitarist/songwriter of the band called Benoit encouraged me to develop songs with him for the band at the time and that’s where the love of songwriting all began for me.
“Three of the songs written during that period of my life are actually included in our new album.”
The band has played at Loafers Vinyl & Coffee in The Piece Hall, Halifax, a few times and its owner, Mark Richardson, said: “Fishing4Compliments are a great band who love playing live and the audience can’t do anything but enjoy it and want to hear more.
“They play dreamy melodies and harmonies, weaved together with great musicianship and songs that take you away from everyday life.”
Peter Cowley from online acoustic music magazine FATEA added: “Fishing4Compliments specialise in catchy, hook-laden folk pop songs written by Eileen which features her clear, natural voice, sometimes with vibrato, which gives the band’s music a distinctive unique sound.
“Eileen is also a fine songwriter who is able to combine intriguing personal lyrics with a shiny pop sensibility.”
On Sunday, October 26, Fishing4Compliments will be playing a free gig at The Grayston Unity pub on Horton Street in Halifax town centre at 4pm.
For more on the band go to their website at https://www.fishing4compliments.co.uk/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fish4compliments/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fishingforcomplimentsband/
To listen to their music go to https://fishing4compliments.bandcamp.com/
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.
