The formation of supergroups can serve as an effective marketing strategy for multiple artists trying to grow their fanbases at once - but the ones with an authentic connection and drive are always the most successful. In the indie alternative scene, powerhouse quartet FIZZ posses all the qualities that music fans look for in their favorite artists. At the end of the day, this organically formed group really just consists of four best friends trying to make music in West London.
Image credit: Universal Music Group, graphic created by Karly Ramnani
The members of FIZZ - Orla Gartland, dodie, Greta Isaac, and Martin Luke Brown - already had massive cult followings by themselves, and their debut album The Secret To Life highlights their individual and collective strengths. In their early days as a band, FIZZ bonded over the beautiful, yet chaotic process of experimenting with a new sound. In a recent press conference with FIZZ, dodie shared with Playlists & Polaroids how fun it was to “sing random shit, and make up stupid songs constantly.” We would like the argue that FIZZ’s songs are not stupid; they are masterpieces. However, it’s the willingness to take risks and find new directions to bring their artistry that sets this band apart.
Another defining characteristic of FIZZ is the members’ mutual admiration of each other. The fan-to-professional pipeline is finally being discussed more these days, but it’s happened very commonly for years - and a prime example includes dodie herself. “I was a massive Orla Gartland fan. Like, massive. I did multiple covers of her songs on my second tour, and then I met Orla at a gig. She was like ‘Aww, I know you, vaguely.’ And I was like ‘I love you!’” If nothing else does, this anecdote should truly demonstrate the fact that dodie is all of us. Orla added that the formation of FIZZ was a case of “the universe bringing people together.”
Image credit: Universal Music Group
FIZZ’s strategy to world building has been extremely deliberate, with pure happiness and escapism remaining at the center of “FIZZ-ville.” The band’s members exited their teenage years some time ago, but a search for joy and fun prompted them to return to that pivotal time in their lives. Much of the creative process for The Secret To Life took place over the pandemic, and FIZZ combatted their quarantine-induced boredom by finding significance in the little things, by finding vibrance in the mundane. Overall, the album exists in the space between fantasy and reality.
Despite the big band aspects to FIZZ’s musical style (prominent in tracks like “Strawberry Jam,” “Rocket League,” and “The Grand Finale”) they’re primarily inspired by the genres of folk and Americana. Greta cites the popular 90s band Jellyfish as an artistic inspiration, though their sound has hints of Elton John and The Temptations as well. dodie brings a true singer/songwriter perspective to FIZZ, building on the success of solo hits like “Hate Myself” and “Secret for the Mad.” The cathartic nature of Orla’s vocals and lyricism shines through in her own “Flatline,” as well as FIZZ’s “As Good As It Gets.”
FIZZ’s approach is nostalgic and forward-looking at the same time, a refreshing quality that we rarely see in artists these days. The members of this band have had quite the journeys individually, and will undoubtedly go even farther together. If you feel inspired to continue exploring “FIZZ-ville” after getting to know the band, we’ve curated just the playlist for you!
YOU'LL LOVE FIZZ IF YOU LISTEN TO: Jellyfish, Ashe, Chappell Roan, The Temptations, Diana Ross, Olivia Rodrigo
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