HOME is the debut EP from Gold Coast outfit TH’FIKA (pronounced ‘fee-ka’), whose impressive emergence we premiered back in April, its sharp, jagged guitar work and skittering drums contrasting beautifully with powerful, undulating vocal performances from the pair.
Their first record follows through on that early promise, delivering a refreshing mix pop and alt-rock sensibilities with a distinctive ambience. The band have gone into detail about each track on the EP, which you can listen to below.
Stranger
‘Stranger’ explores the feelings of what it’s like to become a stranger in somebody else’s eyes, a brooding response of disappointment and anger to a one-sided relationship. It was never meant to be a song for us, but an emotional vent to gain closure. When Michael heard Lily sing ‘Stranger’ in its raw essence, we decided to re-write the song from two perspectives, as a back-and-forth argument.
This being one out of the two alt-rock songs on the EP, it really came together when drummer Mitch Clark got involved. ‘Stranger’ is the harsh reality of growing apart which you get to hear from the vulnerable exchange of vocals.
Billy
There is a point in our lives, and maybe many more than one, where we all want to be, know, or love the lead singer of a band – to have them sing to you and to look down from the stage and glance only into your eyes. This song is about just that… or at least the lust for it.
Although ‘Billy’ isn’t about any particular person, it is to all the Billy’s out there who we all have loved and have dreamed about. It’s pop – energetic and catchy – it has an “OOH” section, and all it asks is that you sing along and dance to it.
Falling
‘Falling’, the second of the two alt-rock songs on the EP, is about the lingering emotional state of getting over a relationship and ‘falling with or without you’… no, we’re not U2. The electronic and acoustic elements in this track are a true representation of our soundscape potential.
‘Falling’ is Limbo; that post-relationship status when neither getting back with your ex or moving on both seem like the real answer. With sweet harmonies, hard-hitting choruses and a floating, dreamy bridge, this song is full of flavour and will leave you in a food coma.
Merry Go
‘Merry Go’ is a song about the outdated expectations of what a girl’s ‘dream guy’ is. In this case, it’s also about brushing them off, just as long as he can lead you to the dance floor to boogie the night away.
Taken from the lyrics of ‘Merry Go Round’, it was intended to get the punters moving their feet. Short, sharp and sweet, this song moves steadily and encapsulates an interesting combination of surf, Spanish and pop vibes.
Home
This was the second single off our debut EP, written about coming back to the gold Coast after Lily and Michael spent four months living and working in Japan for the winter season. It was like nothing they had experienced before. Winter in stunning surroundings, new culture, endless downpour of snow and, in general, a time spent with new friendships and embraces.
‘Home’ is where they can relive this. It’s meant to beautiful, nostalgic and, in essence, a thank you to the time they shared there – the beginning of TH’FIKA.
