Friko

“[‘Crimson To Chrome’] perfectly demonstrates [Friko’s] endearingly earnest take on rock music, here balancing the rousing melodies of big-venue anthems with the recklessness of a tiny DIY space.” – FLOOD

Friko, one of the most exciting acts to recently emerge from the Chicago music scene, present a new single/video, “Crimson To Chrome,” via Fire Talk’s imprint Open Tab. Led by Niko Kapetan alongside drummer Bailey Minzenberger and bassist Luke Stamos, Friko “thread together heart-on-sleeve folk, tense, smoldering post punk, and soaring, melodramatic chamber pop rooted in 2000s indie” (Chicago Reader). Today’s “Crimson To Chrome” is an anthemic offering, Kapetan’s vocals incendiary like a live wire: “I’m sitting here writing the same sad song // With the cogs on fire // Spinning on and on // Till I’m old and tired // Even then I’m on fire // We’re either too old, too bold or stupid to move I guess we’re // Caught on the wrong side of the shoe again.” The accompanying video, directed by Friko, Alice Avery, and Alejandro Quiles, collages together charming clips offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the band’s first headline tour.

The band elaborates: “‘Crimson To Chrome’ is one of those songs that feel like they’re at the heart of who we are as a band and the kind of music we try to make. We’re so grateful we could make a video with friends to reflect that and that everyone involved in making this song and video were just extensions of the Friko family.”

Fire Talk’s Open Tab is a discovery tool for listeners worldwide, simultaneously giving a platform to artists whose work Fire Talk is enthusiastic about. Each month, they release one previously unreleased track from an artist, in conjunction with a short Q&A profile and mix created by the artist. Check out Friko’s here.

Friko’s self-released debut EP, Whenever Forever, earned collective support amongst the local music community, bolstered by their peers Horsegirl, Lifeguard, Free Range, and more. The trio’s music is complex and dynamic, flickering between explosive rock, chamber pop, and serene sonics. It becomes even more pronounced in their live performances, where a crowd frenzied by wailing guitars finds itself minutes later collectively holding its breath, enamored by hypnotic strings and Kapetan’s emotive vocals.

The band will make their SXSW debut later this week, and then bring their cathartic live show north and west to cities not yet played in North America, including Vancouver, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and beyond. A full list of dates can be found below and tickets for all shows are available now.