We caught up with UK indie rock duo Fitzsimon and Brogan (FaB), who are riding a wave of creative momentum with their second single release of the year. Following the well-received ‘Flowers At Her Door’ in August, which was noted for its striking sonic and lyrical achievements, FaB has just unveiled their brand new track, ‘The Hourglass Girl’. Released this week through Booster Music WTPL France, the new single is a sharp, indie-rock commentary on modern-day dating, focusing on the calculated charm of a ‘black widow’ figure. We sit down with the duo to discuss this latest track, their distinctive power pop sound, and what’s next for FaB as they continue to make their mark.
FaB crafts remarkable, contemporary power pop that skillfully fuses the soulful songwriting of the ’60s and ’70s with a modern sensibility. Their collaborative history consistently features an impressive roster of world-class musicians, solidifying their standing in the music scene. The band’s critically acclaimed albums—including “This Wicked Pantomime”, co-produced by Pat Collier (known for his work with Primal Scream)—have featured the rhythmic talents of David Bowie’s drummer, Woody Woodmansey, and Elvis Costello’s drummer, Pete Thomas. This elite company extends to musicians associated with other legends, such as Eric Clapton bassist Dave Bronze, and personnel from The Moody Blues and The Art of Noise, establishing FaB as a magnet for top-tier musical expertise. Their recent single, ‘Flowers at Her Door,’ further benefited from the experience of Martin Smith (Electric Light Orchestra), who co-produced, mixed, and mastered the track.
Beyond their studio achievements, which include a string of well-received albums like “Big Blue World” and “Venus in Reverse”, FaB demonstrates creative depth across multiple media. They have successfully toured nationally, secured placements in film and television, and even authored the musical Jack Dagger, which was showcased at major London theaters. The band’s influence is truly global, evidenced by their chart success in territories including France, Belgium, and South Africa. Whether composing emotive and lighthearted music, collaborating with rock legends, or creating theatrical works, FaB is a prolific and powerful creative force that is making significant waves internationally.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
First of all, how did the two of you first meet and decide to make music together?
Bee answered an advert for a lead vocalist for studio work. Came to the auditions and she was the one. We then started getting interest which meant we’d have to do live work. Bee was extremely anxious and didn’t want to do anything live. Thankfully, I got her to change her mind and the rest is history.
What inspired your new single “Flowers At Her Door”, musically and lyrically?
We thought it would be an interesting idea to merge power pop lyrically with the Ridley Scott film, The Duellists, which was a mixture of glamour, cruelty and decadence.
How would you describe the sound of “Flowers At Her Door” in your own words?
It’s a cross between Elvis Costello, Blondie and The Bangles..
What do you hope listeners feel when they hear this track?
That they engage with it and most importantly appreciate the oblique angle that the lyrics are coming from. Hopefully, it will encourage them to listen to more of our music which is available on all social platforms.
Was this song written quickly, or did it take a long time to develop?
This song was written very quickly, unlike some others which can take a lot of work before being satisfied with the end result.
Neil, you’ve said you often write with a guitar and a blank page—what is your favorite part of the songwriting process?
The melody, because without a strong tune, the lyrics will mean nothing.
Bee, how do you approach singing Neil’s lyrics—do you add your own interpretation?
Neil gives me the general idea of what the song is about and then leaves it to me to interpret it in my own way.
How do you decide which songs make it onto a record or as singles?
We generally pick the ones that we think will have a wider appeal to our audience but to be honest, we never write a song that could ever be considered as a ‘filler’.
What was it like working with Martin Smith on mixing and mastering this track?
Martin is a consummate professional with a dry wit. We met him through David Bowie’s drummer, Woody Woodmansey, and we were very fortunate to find him after the sad passing of our long-time producer, and dear friend, Pat Collier.
How do you balance keeping your sound classic while also making it modern?
We have our own sound and style and don’t ever set out to copy latest trends. We just try to write good music and hope that other people appreciate it.
Do you enjoy the studio process, or do you find it stressful?
We enjoy the end product but sometimes recording can be extremely frustrating especially in this digital age when there always seems to be a gremlin lurking in the background, waiting to strike. Sometimes, the atmosphere becomes somewhat fraught between us as we are both so passionate about our music.
Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Both our mums and dads were huge Beatles fans, and The Beatles are the standard by which every other musician must strive to attain. That’s what we try to do. We’re also heavily influenced by Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Blondie, Jaques Brel, Jimmy Webb and Abba.
How does your past with Pretty Blue Gun affect the way you make music now?
We would say that the two of us working together has allowed us to explore different avenues of music. Sometimes working with people that aren’t as like-minded as yourself, can be a drawback. We now feel free to discover new horizons. Of course, we are grateful for our time with Pretty Blue Gun because this is where we achieved our first recording/publishing deal.
Do you think the spirit of 60s and 70s pop/rock still inspires today’s younger bands?
In the UK, I would say it’s pretty non-existent. The UK gave the rest of the world The Beatles but sadly our type of music has now become niche whereas in the USA music like ours is still revered.
What makes your partnership work so well after all these years?
From day one, we just clicked and it’s been the same ever since through all of the many line-ups and musicians that we’ve been involved with.
You’ve worked with some legendary musicians—what was the most memorable collaboration so far?
Well, first of all, working with our hero, Pat Collier, was an honour. Also working with Woody Woodmansey, who has now become a friend, add in the fact that he worked with David Bowie in the original Spiders From Mars, is something we could only ever have dreamed of. And as for Pete Thomas, Elvis Costello’s drummer, we consider him to be one of the finest drummers to ever come out of the UK.
What advice would you give to new musicians starting out in today’s industry?
To be honest, the world has changed since we were first signed to a record label. In those days it was only 6% of bands that ever got signed. Unfortunately, the digital age has swamped the music business and it seems now that young bands do not get the encouragement and support that we received from the indie label we signed to.
What can fans expect in terms of your next release after “Flowers At Her Door”?
Our next release is called The Hourglass Girl and will be released through Booster Music WTPL France in October 2025.
If you could describe the journey of Fitzsimon and Brogan in one word, what would it be?
Extreme highs and extreme lows which you have to accept if you want to get anywhere in the music business.
Would you like to share a special message with our readers?
Thanks for taking the time in reading this interview and for all of the support you have given us throughout our musical journey. Keep music real.
