12 September 2024
Marco Gandolfi
Today, Friedberg share vigorous new single Hardcore Workout Queen, the title track of their upcoming debut album of the same name’. The track comes alongside an absurdly fun, stylish 80s-inspired music video, directed by the Nüesch Sisters, where fitness magazine covers spring to life and their stars break free from their glossy pages. Friedberg will also be performing their first UK headline show to celebrate their album release on 4th November at The 100 Club in London.
The album’s title track is a thrilling example of the band’s live spark, with it’s driving bass line, dreamy production and Anna’s clear-cut vocals, it’s a track that both evokes festival legends like Wolf Alice or Wet Leg, as well as being classically Friedberg. Written by Anna of Friedberg when she was in “a wake and bake mood”, she says “It’s about being the Champion of the slobs, whilst cheering for the Hardcore Workout Queens, who run past your bedroom window early morning, when you’re just tucking into your second breakfast. It’s kind of you do you and I do me and maybe one day we’ll switch. It’s the perfect song to listen to whether you’ve got a protein shake or a beer in your hand, whether you’ve got a popcorn machine or a rowing machine in your home, whether you’re a wake and baker or a record breaker.”
Following up on their previous work for the band for My Best Friend, the Nüesch Sisters have outdone themselves with the new music video for Hardcore Workout Queen. This time, the band takes the spotlight on the covers of fitness and health magazines, but with a twist - they’re showing off workout routines that involve doing absolutely nothing. “The idea was that it’s muscle beach without the muscle. It’s a fitness video for lazy people”, explain Kim and Florine Nüesch. “The only problem? There’s one real Hardcore Workout Queen in the bunch, and as she starts to flex her actual workout skills, the other cover stars get a little... jealous. They start breaking free from their magazine prisons, hopping from one cover to another, causing absolute comedic mayhem.”
The band returned on the scene earlier this year and have had a jam-packed year already, including a performance at this year’s SXSW, Great Escape Festival, a support slot with German indie rock band Giant Rooks on their month-long U.S tour and recently supporting rising Black Country duo Big Special in May. As well as supporting British alt-rock band Placebo at a handful of their UK shows in June. They finished the summer playing Lost Village Festival in Lincolnshire alongside acts like Royel Otis and Floating Points. The band will also be playing a headline show at London’s 100 Club on 4th November.
Friedberg have garnered widespread support so far this year from the likes of The Observer, DORK, DIY, and 6 Music with Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens, Chris Hawkins, Jess Izsatt at BBC Introducing
and playlist on Radio X.
Formed in 2019 by the Austrian-born Anna Friedberg (writer, vocals, guitar, cowbells and percussion), the line up is completed by London/Berlin-based Emily Linden (guitar, vocals), Cheryl Pinero (bass, vocals) and Fifi Dewey (drums). Friedberg’s early success came from single ‘Go Wild’ – a runaway hit that featured on the FIFA 2020 soundtrack, and in BBC's Normal People – and their stellar debut EP ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’, a razor-sharp collection of belters designed for the live stage.
The band has made major waves in Europe with performances at Eurosonic (Holland), Open Air St. Gallen (Switzerland), headlined Popfest (Austria), Haldern Pop (Germany), U.S tour with Hot Chip and support at their x3 Brixton Academy shows in London, supports with Placebo and high profile stadium support shows with AnnenMayKantereit in Germany last Summer.
‘Hardcore Workout Queen’ TRACKLIST:
100 Times
The Greatest
Venice 142
Hardcore Workout Queen
So Dope
I Sometimes Do (But Mostly Might)
My Best Friend
Better Than We Are
Hello
Pull Me Of The Passing Line
London show 2024
4th November - 100 Club, London
