When a band pares down its membership and refines its sound, a new name is warranted — hence the birth of Fortune Killers.
The pop/electronica trio from Victoria, B.C., which performs Wednesday, June 21, at Red Deer’s International Beer Haus, has risen out of the ashes of Isobel Trigger, which once featured five musicians.
Fortune Killers has fewer players, but its music isn’t as slimmed down as this loss of musicians might suggest, said singer/keyboardist Felicia Harding.
Harding, along with drummer Ariel Tseng and guitarist Brett Faulkner, play instruments that are augmented with electronic devices that create a tonal diversity.
Tseng has a standard drum kit, as well as a drum machine that can record and replay sample beats. Faulkner’s electric guitar pedal allows him to create the sound of a guitar and a bass, while Harding’s keyboards allow her to experiment with overlapping melody lines.
Despite all the electronica, Fortune Killer still plays spontaneously at shows. “We’re not knocking other bands, but we don’t play pre-recorded tracks. We play everything live. It’s a personal challenge,” said Harding.
The band that’s been compared to Metric and Lana Del Ray is planning to build on the success of 2014 album (as Isobel Trigger), Nocturnal, with the up-coming LP, Temper, Temper.
Two new singles were already successfully released to radio across Canada.
Fool’s Gold, a tune about the fun of “the chase,” and the disappointment that can come from expectations, was produced by Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara). Since it’s done particularly well in Quebec, “we can’t wait to tour out there!” said Harding.
Domino, a slower relationship song produced by Tom Dobrzanski (Zolas), was just released last week, “but it’s received a great response already. It’s taking off really well,” she added.
Harding believes the new album, to be released in the fall, will be moodier than Nocturnal. But she hopes fans will enjoy its “dark, glittery synths… and sultry tones.”
Her musical partnership with Faulkner started when they were both music students at Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C. She believes the “great turning point” was when they met Tseng, “an amazing player who brought a great new energy level to the band.”
For more information about the show, please contact the venue.