flamingods - head of pomegranate

AT RADIO NOW

Bahrain-raised, London-based Flamingods share ‘Adana’ today, the newest single to be lifted from their Head of Pomegranate album which will release independently this Friday, October 13th via The Liquid Label. The album was recorded in Atlanta with Grammy award-winning producer Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, M.I.A), and sees the band traverse themes of grief, spirituality, culture, identity and recovery. Their first release following 2019s Levitation, the band have unveiled the project over a series of dynamic tracks including ‘Dirty Money,’ ‘Tall Glass,’  ‘Gutterball’ and ‘Dreams (On The Strip).’ A joyous return from the much loved quartet, the band will further celebrate the release of Head of Pomegranate with their first headline UK tour in four years this November. 

The krautrock-psych inspired ‘Adana’ is the perfect final teaser ahead of Head of Pomegranate’s release, its big riffs and infectious groove capturing Flamingods’ quintessence. Part inspired by the band’s love of Can, Television and UK new wave, it also owes its origins to frontperson Kamal Rasool’s Turkish roots and vast collection of Turkish rock records which span the likes of Erkin Koray, Barış Manço and Selda Bağcan to more obscure artists like Mustafa Özkent and Neşe Karaböcek. Speaking on the track Rasool shares; “Adana has existed in demo form for over 7 years. It was a demo for both of our previous albums until we finally re-shaped it to work for this record. The track is inspired in equal parts by krautrock, UK new wave and Turkish psychedelia. Having grown up together, there’s a brotherly bond that comes through on the track. We’ve been playing music together under various guises since the age of sixteen and there is a near telepathic level of musicality that extends into the music we create these days. Lyrically, this shines through and I get to share some memories of times we’ve had on tour from our decade plus as a band. “

The Head of Pomegranate album title comes from the Arabic translation of Ras Rumman رأس الرمان; the name of the Bahraini village where frontperson Kamal Rasool’s late Father grew up, a place where pomegranates were once cultivated. Kamal lost his dad to Covid during the writing process, which had a notable impact on the LP’s directions, with tributes scattered throughout it. Travelling to balmy Atlanta, Georgia - the band spent a month in the studio with Ben H. Allen - with the sunny location paralleling the heat they grew up with in Bahrain. Rasool reflects that after a period of questioning the band’s future, the experience was a timely reminder of their roots, representing their“redemption moment”  and only strengthened by the guidance of longtime hero Allen. 

Alongside Rasool, Flamingods are made whole by Charles Prest, Sam Rowe and Karthik Poduval. Although still barely 30 years old individually, the band's origins are grounded in their shared youth growing up and jamming in Bahrain. Relocating to London, together they built their reputation as a singular fixture in the UK scene across their four albums and wider discography. Fiercely independent, the band have released through prolific indie imprints including Moshi Moshi, Soundway and Dan Carey’s Speedy Wunderground. Together they’ve toured their highly-praised live show extensively across the globe, including showcasing at SXSW, Iceland Airwaves, and appearances at End of the Road, Field Day, Greenman and Glastonbury. As long standing favourites of BBC 6Music, Flamingods have hit the playlist multiple times, with sessions under their belt for Lauren Laverne, Giles Peterson and Vic Galloway. More widely, they’ve also appeared in sessions for KEXP and Boiler Room. With the release of Head of Pomegranate this Friday, Flamingods firmly plant the seeds for what’s to come next, an era set to blossom with the collective at the the height of their craft.