This is the 25th entry in the Mayhem Virgins series where we showcase artists that have never featured in these pages before. This time it is the turn of Fishing 4 Compliments’ a five-piece band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Their music revolves around the impassioned, soulful and emotional songs of lead singer–songwriter Eileen Wattam with support from rhythm guitarist Ashley Wattam, lead guitarist and backing vocalist James Alexander, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Steve Dyson, and now former drummer David Sharp. Their music is a fabulous lively mix of blend of folk and pop, with occasional happy tinged jangly indie style guitar sounds. The tunes have excellent melodies and hooks that will catch plenty of compliments (apologies for that terrible pun on the name!). The songs, the music and particularly Eileen’s voice conveys every emotion from introspective and sad, to anger and passion, via ecstatic happiness.
The band members have an eclectic range of influences which include The Beatles, XTC, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, The Smiths, The Sundays and The Cranberries to name but a few. I can definitely hear a few of those influences in their songs, but there is also so much originality in this band and their music. Dave Beech of RGM Magazine once referred to them as “utterly irresistible” and frankly it is hard not to agree with that.
Their rather splendid debut album, ‘Off The Isle of Somewhere’ was released in April 2020. That was after ten years of playing gigs across the north of England. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Joseph and David Dunwell of The Dunwells, a Leeds based indie-folk band, who also contributed backing vocals on some tracks. That album explores folksy sounds as well as a rockier seam in some songs.
Eileen kindly sent me their new album for review; it is out on 30th September and is titled ‘Lost In Good Intentions’. Based on the two tracks from the collection released so far, “Ghosts” and “Hard To Please” it will be a corker. Will be? What am I saying it is a bloody corker, there will be a fuller review on these pages next month! The new album was also produced by Joseph and David Dunwell. If you like Beautiful South, Paul Heaton or Eddie Reader you will love Fishing 4 Compliments, but if you just love good music give Fishing 4 Compliments a spin! Check out some of their fine tunes on Spotify (below) while you wait for the new album.
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