Two of Isle of Wight’s music talents, Froglands PK, are poised to disrupt the local music scene with their unique fusion of lofi rock, psych, and folk with a splash of warbled electronica.
The pair, consisting of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Fox Rawding and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Max Perry, have been steadily recording their first releases in Rawding’s cosy seaside home studio over the past year.
Their debut release, “That’s My Boy”, is set to hit the airwaves on Friday, 4th August 2023 (pre-save the track here).
Genesis of Froglands PK
Froglands PK finds its roots in the ashes of Fox Rawding’s former teenage bedroom recording project “Goo Lagoon”, which came to a halt in 2020.
Fox and Max, friends for several years, decided to combine their musical talents after Max filled in on drums for Goo Lagoon at several gigs. This led to Max being invited to work on a few demos with Fox, birthing Froglands PK and beginning a partnership that has only grown tighter over time.
Entwined in the IW music scene
Both Fox and Max have long been entwined with the Isle of Wight’s vibrant music scene.
Fox had previously self-released an album as Goo Lagoon and now plays as part of Plastic Mermaids, while Max drummed for Lauran Hibberd on tour for many years until 2022.
Max’s brother, Joe Perry, a lead guitarist in Coach Party, is just one example of the interconnected music network on the Island.
Artistic influences and notable performances
Musical influences that have shaped Froglands PK’s distinctive sound range from Mac DeMarco, Twin Peaks, and Connan Mockisan, to The Flaming Lips, Bob Dylan, and The Orielles.
Their burgeoning reputation has earned them the opportunity to support renowned bands like Coach Party and Plastic Mermaids at popular South Coast venues such as The Joiners and The Wedgewood Rooms. Not only did they perform at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2023, but they also managed a sold-out headline show on the Island.
Froglands PK’s traditions and eccentricities
The past two years have seen Max and Fox take the helm of the annual Christmas gig/party at the Island’s main venue, Strings Bar and Venue.
The event, brimming with musical talent and lively energy, has become a cherished tradition for the duo.
It typically involves gathering as many of their musically-inclined friends as possible to perform Christmas songs while joyously serving cups of Baileys.
Creation of “That’s My Boy”
As for their debut single, “That’s My Boy” (pre-save it here), it emerged from the hours spent in Fox’s home studio. Its drum track was recorded at Studio 5A, home to Coach Party’s drummer/producer – Guy Page.
In describing the song, Fox said,
“The song’s a simple ode to old friends. I wrote it a few years ago and it’s changed forms a few times but settled into this version as we’ve played it live over the last couple years.
“It’s about the past, the future, the elusive line between familiarity and overfamiliarity.”
Max added,
“The bass part was played by an angel of a man, Craig Wheeler. He came round Fox’s just to retrieve his phone charger from the night before, and then in a zen-like state he laid down this melodic take that you hear on the record.”
He went on to say,
“It’s been great to take these tunes to crowds and give them a sort of trial run in a live setting, tweaking them and then bringing that back into the recordings. This sounds funny but if I imagine someone in a crowd getting engrossed in the song, like whilst I’m recording drums, it seems to help me. It’s the goal really.”
Evidently, Froglands PK is carving out its niche in the vibrant Isle of Wight music scene, promising to deliver more captivating performances and music as it grows.
Follow the band on Instagram for the latest news.
