Fosca (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Peter Theobalds, Dickon Edwards, David Gray |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Indie pop, synthpop music, studio albums, live albums, EPs |
Fosca was a UK-based ensemble that combined the melodic sensibilities of indie pop songwriting with the electronic textures typical of synthpop. The group was initiated by bassist Peter Theobalds and Orlando's guitarist and lyricist Dickon Edwards (who later joined Spearmint), together with drummer David Gray. Over time, Fosca became primarily a platform for Edwards' compositions. Throughout more than ten years, Edwards steered multiple mainly female lineups, featuring musicians like guitarist Charley Stone (formerly of Gay Dad and subsequently The Priscillas). Between 2000 and 2008, Fosca produced three studio albums. The band's name was inspired by the central character in Stephen Sondheim's musical Passion, and they garnered attention from publications such as The Independent.
History
Fosca originated in the summer of 1997 as a hard rock side venture led by Dickon Edwards, then serving as guitarist and lyricist for the Romo band Orlando, alongside drummer David Gray and bassist Peter Theobalds. Initially, Edwards brought aboard lead singer Sav for an experimental formation that performed five shows between September 1997 and February 1998; Charley Stone appeared as a guest during their final concert. They recorded four tracks intended for an EP; one of these, The Leopard Of Lime Street, was included on Bluefire Records' 1998 "Snakebite City" compilation. In February 1998, Edwards decided to part ways with Sav, believing Sav's style did not align with Fosca's direction. By April of that year, Theobalds and Gray had joined Akercocke, while Stone was engaged with Gay Dad.
After a period of inactivity lasting several months, Fosca returned on 25 September 1998 at Queeruption in London, this time with Edwards taking the role of frontman. The group's size varied significantly, ranging from seven members at their debut performance down to three by the end of that year. Early in 1999, they attempted to record their debut album On Earth To Make The Numbers Up at Riverside Studios; however, financial constraints halted the process, resulting in the loss of one track titled Storytelling Johnny. Despite this setback, the song File Under Forsaken from these sessions became the lead track on their first single Nervous, London, which featured Rachel Stevenson on vocals.
In 2000, Fosca revisited eight tracks from their album sessions, reworking them with a synthesizer-driven sound reminiscent of Orlando’s style. This version of On Earth To Make The Numbers Up was released through Shinkansen Recordings and was preceded by the single The Agony Without the Ecstasy. By this time, the lineup had stabilized to include Edwards (vocals/guitar), Rachel Stevenson (keyboards/vocals), Alex Sharkey (keyboards/vocals), and Sheila B (cello). In 2001, they issued the single Supine On The Astroturf from their second album. By 2002’s release of single Secret Crush On Third Trombone and the album Diary Of An Antibody, Kate Dornan had taken over keyboard duties from Sharkey.
Following the collapse of Shinkansen Recordings and a subsequent six-year break, Fosca signed with Swedish indie label But Is It Art?, releasing a live album in 2007 alongside their third studio album The Painted Side of the Rocket, which debuted in Sweden in March 2008 and in the UK in April. This label also published Dickon Edwards' anthology of lyrics entitled The Portable Dickon Edwards. Lyrics and Other Alibis 1993-2008. At this stage, the band featured Edwards, Stevenson, Dornan, Tom Edwards on guitar, with Charley Stone returning for live performances. Later in 2008 came another single: "The Man I'm Not Today" / "My Diogenes Heart". Fosca concluded their activities in March 2009 after performing a final show in Norrköping, Sweden.
Studio albums
- On Earth to Make the Numbers Up (Shrinkhansen, 2000)
- Diary of an Antibody (Shrinkhansen, 2002)
- The Painted Side of the Rocket (But Is It Art?, 2008)
Live albums
- Fosca in Concert (But Is It Art?, 2007)
EPs
- Nervous, London (Something Velvet, 1999)
- The Agony Without the Ecstasy (Shrinkhansen, 2000)
- Supine on the Astroturf (Shrinkhansen, 2001)
- Secret Crush on the Third Trombone (Shrinkhansen, 2002)
- The Man I'm Not Today (But Is It Art?, 2008)
Compilations
- Snakebite City (Bluefire, 1998)
- 1. The Leopard of Lime Street