former friend | ja

"Like" former friend on Facebook & stay in the loop:
http://www.facebook.com/formerfriend

Listen to former friend music on Bandcamp, which has a simpler interface:
http://formerfriend.bandcamp.com

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Simple version:
Just a couple of geeks attempting to create their own indie pop maaagic.
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Way-too-wordy version:
former friend is Mark Reid and Liana Ahn.

Based in Orange County, California, former friend is an accidental band that first began in the year 2000. What started out as playing mostly indie covers eventually led to writing original songs and exploring their own sound. In the summer of 2001, Mark and Liana decided to record a couple of their original songs, which turned into – oops – an entire album, which turned out to be – oops – a rather long and arduous task, but a great learning experience. Oh, and fun too, right? A diverse collection of sounds entitled Unexpectations was released in early 2002.

So, then what?

Since the creation of the so-called band, Mark and Liana had been consumed with an ongoing exploration of flowery shit that sounds good. They achieved a subtle encounter with their collective musical ideals in their first effort, Unexpectations, but the satisfaction of the album was brief, because they both felt that the material did not convey their full potential, nor did it adequately express the band's creative aspirations.

So Mark and Liana began writing and recording new songs with a fresher, more conscious outlook. They took more risks with the writing and arrangements, while preserving simplicity to retain a certain organic quality. And sincerity. The two members truly collaborated this time, and the result was Smiling In Treats, an EP that was terrifyingly fun to make.

Released in the fall of 2002, Smiling In Treats was a big step in the right direction for former friend, but while attempting to make sense of the obscure and appreciate every day, their sights continued to evolve, and the possibilities kept unfolding.

So, then what?

They scratched their intention for a second full-length album, and released their second consecutive EP in 2003. Bill was a small collection of carefully crafted pop songs, inspired by blue skies and road trips accompanied by their little, lamb-like pal. With a nod to the past, but a distinct handle on the present, those were songs to make themselves feel good. And maybe the listener, too.

So, then what?

former friend spent the subsequent two year dealing largely with "real life," but managed to release the Forever Ago/Like Winter 7" single in 2005 – two simple songs to reflect two complicated years; a dabble of texture and basic harmony.

So, what?

Considering the inherent simplicity of the forms they obviously admire, they seem to enjoy tailoring some unique aspect into each song. While their songs owe a lot to many different styles and influences, their love of genuine pop is a constant in their musical explorations. With catchy hooks, memorable melodies, unique boy/girl vocals, and rich harmonies, it's clear they're after a sound that is both cool and fun, while remaining true to the 60s pop ideals that inspire them.

Lyrically, each song is a portrait of some mysterious and elusive character or emotion, not unlike an artist's rendering of a suspect. The listener's job is to try to correlate the meaning with one's own experience, and hopefully come up with a match. But, then again, through such a purely subjective and impressionistic window on life, can one ever be sure it's not just a sarcastic mirage?

So, now what?

During the four years since their last release, Mark and Liana have been, and still are, secretly brewing a batch of fresh songs. former friend is an unwavering fixture in their lives, ever thinking, writing, recording, tweaking, discussing, loving, and even hating. So while they continue to be entwined in more of "real life" at the present, Mark and Liana insist that you hold on for the future.

– March 2009 .