Tandem Felix

After a number of abortive attempts, Dublin-based Tandem Felix formed when its members were just fourteen years old. After 4 years, the group expanded from three to four. Their sound began to change. So did their attitude. Old songs were abandoned and the group took on a new life, fleeing the safety of the standard rock sound under which so many young musicians take shelter. Written in direct response to a hometown tragedy, the song ‘Canyons’ would signal the beginning of a prolific period of song-writing and recording for this new, more thoughtful incarnation of the group. In late 2010, this collection of songs was made available to download online for free. They titled it “Tweedledee” and watched as it was appreciated by friends and fellow musicians.

“Expansive and astral, every track here flickers beneath the surface in its own peculiar manner, with each listen revealing another intriguing layer and moment of interest.” – Bryan O’Hanlon, Stop the Lights, Introducing: Tandem Felix.
Larger venues, bigger crowds and longer sets followed, as the group struck up a friendship with fellow Dublin ensemble ‘Spies’. This inspired the idea for a second collection of songs to be called “Tweedledum” - a sister of the first collection. Written and recorded in similar fashion, the two collections share structural and lyrical elements and the band were delighted to find that ‘Tweedledee’ and ‘Tweedledum’ complemented each other well during live performances.

“The dreamy ‘Canyons’ is, as always, a highlight. The hushed intro to (deep breath) ‘And We Could Just Hold Each Other in Fear of the Lord’ is spoiled slightly by the music audible from the smoking area, but thankfully the band go on to drown out that racket with aplomb, bringing their short set to a triumphant close.” – Oliver Nolan, University Times, Spies/Tandem Felix Live at the Bernard Shaw Review.

In 2011, the group was approached to record an EP in Dublin’s Windmill Lane Studios. The sessions were exhaustive and exhausting, but all the more rewarding for that. The sessions gave birth to their first physical pressing entitled ‘Popcorn’ to be released in early 2013, backed by a 7” single ‘Tell Yer Loved Ones/Third Degree Burns’, to be released subsequently. In summer 2012 the group played shows in New York City and San Francisco. Upon their return to Dublin, they played the Hard Working Class Heroes festival in a packed Grand Social to great critical acclaim. In the final months of 2012, the gigs have become more numerous, the reviews more complimentary and the exposure more far-reaching.

“Over in the Grand Social, Dublin outfit Tandem Felix’s dreamy psychedelic sound – complemented perfectly by the singer’s haunting falsetto – has punters (including your humble reviewer) enchanted, tingly keys and a guest trumpet solo adding layers to an already accomplished sound. Keep yer eyes peeled for more from these guys in future.” – Celina Murphy and Maeve Heslin, Hotpress, Hard Working Class Heroes.