Album Notes

"Sadness is a Bridge to Love is the long awaited debut album by the extraordinary Society of Imaginary Friends (SOIF). Simultaneously described as 'avant folk' and 'advanced indie-pop', this debut is 'the work of a mighty trio of wicked talents: Louise Kleboe, Alfie Thomas and Chris Brierley. Louise's opera-based vocals just have to be heard to be believed. Her singing is utterly singular; one of the most beautiful voices you will ever experience. Alfie Thomas' rabid accordion workouts add extreme vitality and heft, while the spectral fury of Brierley's violin makes the whole affair wondrously surreal." (Mike Pearlstein, The Big Takeover)

SOIF's dark yet amazingly uplifting music has mesmerized and thrilled audiences at venues as diverse as the Virtual Opera season at the Battersea Arts Centre to the Institute of Contemporary Arts to a headlining spot at the finale of the world renowned Camden Crawl Rock Festival in London.

The cinematically gargantuan sound of SOIF have led them to work with film directors Luke Scott, Martin Jones, Chris Newby and Julien Temple. Their song 'Sleepytime Donald' features in the award winning 'McLibel', by Franny Armstrong and was critics' pick for featured music in the New York Times. But while creating a sound which envelopes you on a grand scale, SOIF maintain an intimacy and vulnerability in their music which sucks you into glorious abandonment. The effect is powerful and genuine.

Sadness is a Bridge to Love will take you on a sweet yet intense journey. SOIF are very, very good. Their music is intelligent and open and though this album is long overdue, it is in the same breath way ahead of its time. The world may not know it yet but it needs this music.