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Standard Fare

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Standard Fare, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Standard Fare
Company typeIndie pop trio
IndustryMusic
Founded2005
FounderEmma Kupa, Danny How, Andy Beswick
Headquarters
Sheffield
,
United Kingdom
ProductsIndie pop music, albums, singles

Standard Fare was a British indie pop trio originating from Sheffield, formed in 2005 by Emma Kupa, Danny How, and Andy Beswick. Their name was inspired by a bus sign Emma noticed in Newcastle. Musically, they combined elements of soft rock and punk, often drawing comparisons to the C86 era.

History

Hailing from north Derbyshire, the group initially rehearsed in Buxton before moving to Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield in 2007. Their demo Get On Board gained national radio exposure early in 2008 when BBC presenter Huw Stephens played it. Subsequently, they performed a showcase gig for Stephens at The Social venue in London.

In the summer of 2008, Standard Fare signed with the Sheffield-based indie label Thee SPC. Their debut release was a split 7” vinyl single with Slow Down Tallahassee featuring the track "Dancing" in March 2009. This was succeeded by the single "Fifteen" released in January 2010. Collaborating with Manchester's Melodic Records, they co-issued their first album The Noyelle Beat in March 2010, which was also distributed in the United States via Bar None Records. The album’s recordings took place at LP Studios in Stockport and 2Fly Studios in Sheffield under producer Alan Smyth. Following this, they released the 7” single "Philadelphia."

In January 2011, they put out a second split single alongside Boston’s One Happy Island.

Their sophomore album, Out Of Sight, Out Of Town, was released in December 2011 to favorable critiques. The BBC labeled it as "clear cut fun," while Drowned In Sound highlighted its "maturity," and musicOMH considered it "a late contender for indiepop album of the year."

After nine years performing together, Standard Fare announced their amicable breakup in January 2013, scheduling two farewell shows in Sheffield and London before disbanding.

Critical acclaim

  • “The best and most enjoyable aspects of indie guitar music” – The Sunday Times
  • “Close to perfection” – Artrocker
  • “The Noyelle Beat is one of the best indiepop records of the year.” – Brooklyn Vegan
  • "Best Album and Best Live Act of 2010" – Sounds XP
  • 'Dancing' – listed among The New York Times' best songs of 2010
  • 'Fifteen' – recognized as one of Drowned in Sound’s singles of the year 2010

Touring and festivals

Between 2008 and 2010, Standard Fare toured extensively throughout the UK. In March 2010, they embarked on a US East Coast tour culminating with a performance at SXSW in Austin, Texas. They returned stateside that September to participate in Athens Popfest, Georgia. Their festival appearances also include London Popfest, Les Sons du Nord (France), Latitude Festival, Indietracks, Tramlines, In The City, and Farmfest.

The Noyelle Beat (2010)

  1. "Love Doesn't Just Stop"
  2. "Nuit Avec Une Ami"
  3. "Philadelphia"
  4. "Wrong Kind of Trouble"
  5. "Fifteen"
  6. "Lets Get Back Together"
  7. "Secret Little Sweetheart"
  8. "I Know it's Hard"
  9. "Married"
  10. "Edges & Corners"
  11. "Dancing"
  12. "Be into Us"
  13. "Wow"

Out of Sight, Out of Town (2011)

  1. "The Look of Lust"
  2. "051107"
  3. "Suitcase"
  4. "Dead Future"
  5. "Kicking Puddles"
  6. "Darth Vader"
  7. "Bad Temper"
  8. "Older Women"
  9. "Call Me Up"
  10. "Half Sister"
  11. "Early That Night"
  12. "Crystal Palatial"

Singles

  • "Fifteen" - Thee SPC, 7", MP3 (January 2010) (paired with "Understand")
  • "Philadelphia" - Thee SPC, 7", MP3 (July 2010) (paired with "Don't Tell")
  • "Suitcase" - Thee SPC, 7", MP3 (March 2011) (paired with "Nine Days"; digital edition features the exclusive track "Marker Pens")
  • "At The Lake" - WIAIWYA, 7", MP3 (June 2012) (paired with "Girlfriend" and "Keeps Me Going")
  • "Rumours" - Kingfisher Bluez, 7", MP3 (April 2013) (paired with "Out of Sight")

Split releases

  • "Dancing" - Thee SPC, 7", MP3 (2009) (split single alongside Slow Down Tallahassee)
  • "Standard Fare on One Happy Island" - Thee SPC, 7", MP3 (January 2011) (split release with One Happy Island)

Music videos

  • Video for "Philadelphia"
  • "Vaya Vaya Mexico" (official World Cup track)
  • Live performance of "Dancing"

Band members

  • Emma Kupa
  • Danny How
  • Andy Beswick
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