Number (3)

Inspired by a love of A Certain Ratio, Talking Heads, P funk and scratchy dub, NUMBER is a new forward-thinking sound machine fronted by Ali Friend and Rich Thair – the co-founders and rhythm section of electronic music pioneers and musical renegades, Red Snapper. The duo’s debut single ‘Face Down in Ecstasy’, released 12th April via Sunday Best Recordings, is primed with dirty-disco bass, slicing live drums, jagged guitar melodies and Ali’s urgent, catchy vocals. Written, performed and produced by Ali and Rich, the track is lyrically very much a reflection of our times, with a nod in the direction of the alt disco moments of A Certain Ratio and Talking Heads. The track is supported by a ground-breaking animated video, produced and directed by Leo Nicholson (Fantastic Mr Fox). “Face Down was inspired by our love of late 70’s and early 80’s dirty disco and funk, combined with the do-it -yourself art school approach of some new wave bands like A Certain Ratio, Magazine etc,” says Ali. “For us it was a fresh look at those times, but very much re-appraised through a pair of 2019 vari-focals. We enjoy the clash of old ideas with new ones; old sounds with new ones.; acoustic with electronic.” Rich and Ali started NUMBER as a means of rediscovering something of what they grew up with; the dirty disco bass lines, noisy drum machines, wonky percussion, leering live drums, jagged guitar melodies and uplifting soulful song of the 80’s and with the help of vocalists Dan carney (Astronauts), Luisa Tunstall-Behrens and Heloise Gerstein (Landshapes), Byron Wallen (trumpet) and John Metcalfe (strings), the duo create a compelling collision of sonic textures and found sound. Sharing a deep musical heritage and bond, the pair formed the electronic fusion band Red Snapper in 1993. Known for their pioneering synthesis of acoustic instruments and electronic textures, the band were signed to Warp Records and Lo Recordings and over a 25-year career, released 8 studio albums including the iconic ‘Prince Blimey’ (1996) and ‘Hyena’ (2015), the ground-breaking soundtrack to accompany the Senegalese film ‘Touki Bouki’ (1973). The duo’s persistence is a testament to their abilities and desire to constantly question and re-define their musical sensibilities. In addition to Red Snapper, Ali and Rich have also been involved in numerous other projects. Ali worked with Clayhill from 2004-2009, co-writes and performs with Beth Orton and is a member of folk musical project, The Imagined Village. Rich formed lo-fi duo Toob with Jakeone and also performs with electronic act Petwo Evans with long term collaborator Jake Williams. Ali and Rich have performed all over the world including collaborating live with such electronic luminaries as The Prodigy, Björk and Massive Attack. They have remixed the likes of The Sugarhill Gang and Songhoy Blues. NUMBER are Ali Friend (electric bass, guitars, gato drum, xylophone, MOOG, voice), Rich Thair (drums, percussion, drum machines, synths), Dan Carney (vocals), Heloise Gerstein (vocals), Luisa Tunstall-Behrens (vocals), John Metcalfe (strings) and Byron Wallen (trumpet).