{{Short description|American indie rock band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | background = group_or_band | name = LoveLikeFire | image = LoveLikeFire 2009.jpg | caption = LoveLikeFire, 2009. Left to right: Eric Amerman, David Farrell, Ann Yu, Marty Mattern | origin = {{flagicon|USA}} San Francisco, California, United States | genre = Indie rock<ref name="amg-bio"/> | years_active = 2006-present | label = Heist Or Hit Records<ref name="myspace">{{cite web | url = http://www.myspace.com/lovelikefire | title = LoveLikeFire | publisher = MySpace | accessdate = 2008-12-20 }}</ref> | website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509085948/http://www.lovelikefire.com/ lovelikefire.com] | current_members = Ann Yu (vocals, guitar)<br>David Farrell (drums)<br>Marty Mattern (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals)<br>Eric Amerman (bass, guitar, backing vocals)<ref name="llf-bio"/> | past_members = Jesse Hayes (bass)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/events/lovelikefire/ |title=LoveLikeFire |first=Nina |last=Garin |work=Entertainment Guide |publisher=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=2007-08-29 |accessdate=2008-07-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018223057/http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/events/lovelikefire/ |archivedate=October 18, 2007 }}</ref><br>Ted Parker (guitar)<br>Robert Kissinger (bass) }}
'''LoveLikeFire''' is a San Francisco-based indie rock band. The group was formed in 2006 and whilst an unsigned artist they independently released two EPs, ''Bed of Gold'' (2006) and ''An Ocean in the Air'' (2007), as well as mounted a self-organized national tour to promote the latter release. The band then signed to Heist Or Hit Records and a full-length album was released in the UK in Autumn 2009. This album ''Tear Ourselves Away'' was released in the US in early 2010.{{update after|2010|06|30}} LoveLikeFire has received significant media and critical coverage in San Francisco Bay Area publications (''San Francisco'' magazine,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.sanfranmag.com/node/2360#story_top | title = 10. Discovery: Band about to blow | work = San Francisco | first = Allison | last = Bethurem | author2 = Pamela Feinsilber | author3 = Scott Hocker | author4 = Naiomi Kaufman | author5 = Jonathon Keats | author6 = James Levy | author7 = Sarah | date = March 2007 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | archive-date = 2011-07-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716004815/http://www.sanfranmag.com/node/2360#story_top | url-status = dead }}</ref> ''East Bay Express'',<ref name="ebe"/> ''SFist'',<ref name="sfist">{{cite web | url = http://sfist.com/2008/04/21/this_week_in_le_22.php | title = This Week in Le Rock: April 21–27 | date = 2008-04-21 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | work = SFist | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080610213752/http://sfist.com/2008/04/21/this_week_in_le_22.php | archivedate = 2008-06-10 }}</ref> ''SF Weekly'',<ref name="sf_weekly">{{cite news | url = http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-10-03/music/love-like-fire/ | work = SF Weekly | title = LoveLikeFire: An Ocean in the Air (Black Ludella) | first = David | last = Downs | date = 2007-10-03 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | archive-date = 2008-05-07 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080507042651/http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-10-03/music/love-like-fire/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> ''Palo Alto Daily News'',<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.paloaltodailynews.com/article/2008-5-23-hot-new-web-music | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120906230515/http://www.paloaltodailynews.com/article/2008-5-23-hot-new-web-music | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-09-06 | title = Web hotbed of intriguing new music: Acts burn for your love, online | first = Paul | last = Freeman | work = Palo Alto Daily News | date = 2008-05-23 | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> ''San Francisco Chronicle''<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.sanfranciscochronicle.info/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/06/19/NSBQ119MEE.DTL&type=printable | title = Bandwidth: LoveLikeFire | first = Delfin | last = Vigil | date = 2008-06-19 | work = San Francisco Chronicle | accessdate = 2008-07-02 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20120910020716/http://www.sanfranciscochronicle.info/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/06/19/NSBQ119MEE.DTL&type=printable | archivedate = 2012-09-10 }}</ref>) as well as in the national and out-of-town media (''Spin'',<ref name="spin-balderston">{{cite news | url = https://www.spin.com/2007/09/lovelikefire/s-dizzying-carnival-trip | title = LoveLikeFire's Dizzying Carnival Trip | first = Adele | last = Balderston | work = Spin | date = 2007-11-13 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 }}</ref><ref name="spin-lamey">{{cite web | url = https://www.spin.com/2007/09/lovelikefire/ | title = Artist of the Day: LoveLikeFire | work = Spin | first = Miriam | last = Lamey | date = 2007-09-20 | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> ''The A.V. Club'',<ref name="a.v."/> LimeWire Music Blog,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.limewire.com/posts/1192-SXSW-Band-LoveLikeFire |title=SXSW Band: LoveLikeFire |first=Mike |last=Frankel |date=2008-02-07 |work=LimeWire Music Blog |accessdate=2008-05-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418215437/http://blog.limewire.com/posts/1192-SXSW-Band-LoveLikeFire |archivedate=April 18, 2008 }}</ref> WOXY.com,<ref name="woxy"/> ''LA Weekly''<ref name="la_weekly"/>), and has stylistically been identified as exhibiting Britpop, dream pop, indie pop, and shoegazing influences.
== Career == The group considers itself to have officially formed in January 2006, when its first lineup came together.<ref name="apa">{{cite news | url = http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=59583 | title = Fanning the Flames | first = Larry | last = Kao | work = Asia Pacific Arts | publisher = UCLA Asia Institute | date = 2006-12-20 | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070218044747/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=59583 | archivedate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> Vocalist Ann Yu and drummer/keyboardist David Farrell, who had previously played together in several bands, were preparing to relocate to Los Angeles, California because, according to Yu, "it's a lot easier to find other musicians that are serious about making a career out of [music]" there.<ref name="trojan">{{cite news | url = http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2007/10/08/Lifestyle/Fiery.San.Francisco.Band.Is.Worth.Loving-3016641.shtml | title = Fiery San Francisco band is worth loving | first = Philiana | last = Ng | date = 2007-10-08 | work = Daily Trojan | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080224075448/http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2007/10/08/Lifestyle/Fiery.San.Francisco.Band.Is.Worth.Loving-3016641.shtml | archivedate = 2008-02-24 }}</ref> The move was abruptly canceled as the band began to form. Bassist and friend Jesse Hayes became available when his punk rock band Time in Malta split up;<ref name="apa"/> then, in January, Yu and Farrell met guitarist Ted Parker through a Craigslist classified advertisement.<ref name="spin-lamey" /><ref name="woxy">{{cite web | url = http://woxy.lala.com/music/loungeacts/index.php?id=167 | title = LoveLikeFire | publisher = WOXY.com | date = 2007-03-03 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20070326235222/http://woxy.lala.com/music/loungeacts/index.php?id=167 | archivedate = 2007-03-26 }}</ref> A few weeks later, the band played its first gig in Los Angeles.<ref name="trojan"/>
The group released its first recording on August 15, 2006,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QZU0KE | title = Bed of Gold by LoveLikeFire | website = Amazon | accessdate = 2008-07-01 }}</ref> only seven months after having formed. According to Yu, the six-track EP ''Bed of Gold'' was recorded before LoveLikeFire had "fully developed its identity as a band."<ref name="trojan"/> Nevertheless, the album received critical praise from ''The A.V. Club'' San Francisco,<ref name="a.v.">{{cite web | url = http://www.lovelikefire.com/press.php | title = Press | work = LoveLikeFire.com | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080512001547/http://www.lovelikefire.com/press.php | archivedate = 2008-05-12 }}</ref> ''LA Weekly'',<ref name="la_weekly">{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/rock-picks/16360/ |title=Rock Picks |date=2007-05-09 |work=LA Weekly |first=Libby |last=Molyneaux |accessdate=2008-05-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922032707/http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/rock-picks/16360/ |archivedate=2007-09-22 }}</ref> and the ''East Bay Express''.<ref name="ebe">{{cite news | url = http://www.eastbayexpress.com/music/critic_s_choice_for_the_week_of_september_13_19__2006/Content?oid=291423 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120728125036/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/music/critic_s_choice_for_the_week_of_september_13_19__2006/Content?oid=291423 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-07-28 | title = Critic's Choice for the week of September 13–19, 2006: Jungle screaming, country guitar, and hieroglyphic jazz | first = j. | last = poet | author2 = David Downs | author3 = Kathleen Richards | author4 = Jesse Varela | author5 = Larry Kelp | date = 2006-09-13 | accessdate = 2008-05-07 | work = East Bay Express }}</ref> The group continued touring, performing alongside bands such as Morningwood, The Brian Jonestown Massacre,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.performermag.com/wcp.recordedreviews.0701.php |title=LoveLikeFire - Bed of Gold |first=Michael |last=Fortes |date=January 2007 |work=Performer Mag: West Coast Performer |accessdate=2008-07-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015182101/http://www.performermag.com/wcp.recordedreviews.0701.php |archivedate=October 15, 2007 }}</ref> and Favourite Sons.<ref name="ebe"/>
[[File:LoveLikeFire live 2008-03-27.jpg|thumb|left|LoveLikeFire live in Portland, Oregon, March 27, 2008.]]
The band followed its debut album with the seven-track sophomore effort ''An Ocean in the Air'', which was released on August 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VFS330 | title = An Ocean in the Air by LoveLikeFire | website = Amazon | accessdate = 2008-07-01 }}</ref> The record brought further critical praise from publications such as ''Spin''<ref name="spin-balderston"/><ref name="spin-lamey"/> and ''SF Weekly'',<ref name="sf_weekly"/> and made several best-of-2007 album or single lists, including associate producer Andrew Ross Rowe at MTV News<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575533/20071130/west_kanye.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071207064358/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575533/20071130/west_kanye.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 7, 2007 | title = Kanye West, Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem Shine On MTV News Staffers' Top Albums Lists: Members of the news team pick their 10 (or 11 or seven) favorite albums of 2007 | date = 2007-12-03 | work = MTV News | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> and Muhammad Asranur at ''Ground Control Mag''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.groundcontrolmag.com/detail/1/729/1 | title = Features: 2007 Year-End Mix Tape | work = Ground Control Mag | date = 2007-12-11 | accessdate = 2008-07-02 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080524093455/http://www.groundcontrolmag.com/detail/1/729/1 | archivedate = 2008-05-24 }}</ref> The band recorded music videos for three of the album's tracks, "Wish You Dead,"<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu-IiiVdCGs | title = lovelikefire "wish you dead" | date = 2007-12-18 | publisher = YouTube | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> "From a Tower,"<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRTc0KLB1jQ | title = From A Tower | date = 2007-10-04 | publisher = YouTube | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> and "I Will".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyaH0pk6Y_0 | title = Love Like Fire "I Will" | date = 2007-11-02 | publisher = YouTube | accessdate = 2008-07-02 }}</ref> The latter, a carnival-themed music video shot on 16 mm film and produced by Thomas Barndt and Samara St. Croix (Tom and Samara), was chosen as an Official Selection of SXSW 2008 Film Festival.<ref name="sfist"/>
Robert Kissinger replaced original bassist Jesse Hayes in mid-2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.performermag.com/wcp.spot03.0802.php |title=LoveLikeFire |first=Jackie |last=Miehls |work=Performer Mag |accessdate=2008-07-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205015925/http://www.performermag.com/wcp.spot03.0802.php |archivedate=December 5, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = LoveLikeFire | title = Blog: LA Weekly Rock Picks | date = 2007-05-19 | publisher = MySpace }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = LoveLikeFire | title = Blog: Review of our New York show | date = 2007-11-06 | publisher = MySpace }}</ref> The group followed up the release of ''An Ocean in the Air'' with a self-organized and self-financed national tour.<ref name="llf-bio">{{cite web | url = http://www.lovelikefire.com/bio.php | title = Bio | work = LoveLikeFire.com | accessdate = 2009-04-19 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20071021032534/http://www.lovelikefire.com/bio.php | archivedate = 2007-10-21 }}</ref> In October 2008, Kissinger and guitarist Ted Parker were replaced by Eric Amerman and Marty Mattern, respectively.
The band released a full-length album ''Tear Ourselves Away'' on August 10, 2009 on Heist Or Hit Records (The Answering Machine, Pomegranates) in the UK to some good press Two rough demos, "Signs" and "William", were released in May 2008 on the band's MySpace profile as an indication of "songs we'll be working on for the full length".<ref>{{cite news | title = Blog: New Demos!!! | author = LoveLikeFire | publisher = MySpace | date = 2008-05-31 }}</ref> A single for the song "William" was released on April 6, 2009 in the UK. Following this the tracks Stand In Your Shoes and Boredom were released in the UK. The band have toured twice in the UK playing all over the country. The latest album was promoted on another nationwide tour.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://lovelikefire.com/ | title = News: Until We Meet Again | date = 2008-06-22 | publisher = LoveLikeFire.com | quote = We'll be at Tiny Telephone Studios for 36 days beginning August 1st with our most awesome producer Bill Racine... When we are done, we'll have our debut full length for you and we'll be hitting the road hard beginning in September. | accessdate = 2008-06-27 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080709052018/http://lovelikefire.com/ | archivedate = 2008-07-09 }}</ref> The album was released in America in early 2010 <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/EarBud/archives/2010/03/10/lovelikefire-new-album-play-show-tomorrow-night |title=LoveLikeFire New Album Launch Show March 10, 2010 |access-date=September 21, 2010 |archive-date=March 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313033223/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/EarBud/archives/2010/03/10/lovelikefire-new-album-play-show-tomorrow-night |url-status=dead }}</ref> and promoted with a full tour.
== Style and influences == {{Listen | filename = LoveLikeFire - From a Tower sample.ogg | title = "From a Tower" | description = A sample of "From a Tower", the second track from the band's 2007 ''An Ocean in the Air''.}}
The band's style has been described as indie rock<ref name="amg-bio">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p842877|pure_url=yes}} | title = LoveLikeFire: Biography | work = Allmusic | first = Kenyon | last = Hopkin | accessdate = 2008-05-07 }}</ref><ref name="music_for_kids">{{cite news | url = http://musicforants.com/blog?p=582 | title = Love Like Fire / Facebook Music Blogs App | author = Taylor | date = 2007-11-12 | work = Music for Kids Who Can't Read Good | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080316070609/http://musicforants.com/blog/?p=582 | archive-date = 2008-03-16 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="ri">{{cite news | url = http://www.rockinsider.com/2007/11/video-lovelikefire-i-will.html | title = Video: LoveLikeFire - I Will | date = 2007-11-19 | author = JAX | work = Rock Insider | accessdate = 2008-07-01 }}</ref> as well as shoegazing,<ref name="ebe"/><ref name="sf_weekly"/> Britpop,<ref name="ebe"/><ref name="apa"/> power pop,<ref name="music_for_kids"/> alternative rock,<ref name="ebe"/> indie pop,<ref name="jt">{{cite news|url=https://ctsdrums.blogspot.com/2007/12/love-like-fire.html |title=Love Like Fire |work=The Other James Taylor |first=James |last=Taylor |date=2007-12-14 |accessdate=2008-07-01 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and dream pop.<ref name="ri"/> Ann Yu's singing style has invited comparisons to Bianca Leilani Casady (CocoRosie),<ref name="spin-balderston"/> Beth Gibbons (Portishead),<ref name="spin-balderston"/> Shirley Manson (Garbage),<ref name="thefirenote">{{cite news | first = Aidan | last = Rox | url = https://thefirenote.blogspot.com/2007/08/love-like-fire-ocean-in-air-ep.html | title = Love Like Fire: An Ocean In The Air EP | date = 2007-08-31 | work = The Fire Note | accessdate = 2008-07-01 }}</ref> Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs),<ref name="spin-balderston"/><ref name="thefirenote"/> Emily Haines (Metric),<ref name="a.v."/> Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries),<ref name="tasty">{{cite web | url = http://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk/singles56%20nov06.htm#LoveLikeFire%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9CBed%20of%20Gold%20EP%E2%80%9D | title = Singles - November 2006 LoveLikeFire – "Bed of Gold EP" | first = Will | last = Columbine | work = Tasty Fanzine | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | archive-date = 2006-12-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061220190636/http://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk/singles56%20nov06.htm#LoveLikeFire%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9CBed%20of%20Gold%20EP%E2%80%9D | url-status = dead }}</ref> and PJ Harvey.<ref name="tasty"/>
The band members' stated influences include Curve, Radiohead, Ride, Blonde Redhead, The Beatles, Siouxsie and the Banshees,<ref name="apa"/> U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, New Order, My Bloody Valentine, and Arcade Fire.<ref name="woxy"/> Other suggestions of stylistic similarity have included Pixies (''Bossanova'' and ''Trompe le Monde''), The Cure,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.3hive.com/2007/08/lovelikefire_1.php | title = LoveLikeFire | date = 2007-08-11 | work = 3hive | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516101600/http://www.3hive.com/2007/08/lovelikefire_1.php | archivedate = 2008-05-16 }}</ref> Rilo Kiley,<ref name="music_for_kids"/> Lush,<ref name="apa"/><ref name="tasty"/> Echobelly,<ref name="apa"/> Giant Drag, Land of Talk,<ref>{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p842877|pure_url=yes}} | title = LoveLikeFire: Overview | work = Allmusic | accessdate = 2008-07-01 }}</ref> Muse,<ref name="sf_weekly"/> The Stills, The National,<ref name="jt"/> Pink Floyd, The Dandy Warhols, and Dinosaur Jr.<ref name="tasty"/>
==Discography== * ''Bed of Gold'' (2006) * ''An Ocean in the Air'' (2007) * ''Tear Ourselves Away'' (August 10, 2009) * ''Dust'' (2011)
==Side projects== Ann Yu is in a band called Silver Swans with Jon Waters which released an album called ''Realize The Ghost'' in 2010 on San Francisco Independent Label, Tricycle Records.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tricycle Records Artist: Silver Swans|date=6 July 2010 |url=http://www.tricycle-records.com/artist/silverswans/|publisher=Tricycle Records}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links == {{commons category|LoveLikeFire}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509085948/http://www.lovelikefire.com/ LoveLikeFire.com] * [http://www.myspace.com/lovelikefire LoveLikeFire MySpace] * {{Cite news | url = https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080623/ap_en_mu/touring_on_empty | title = High fuel prices put brakes on indie band tours | first = Jason | last = Dearen | date = 2008-06-22 | agency = Associated Press | publisher = Yahoo! News }}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lovelikefire}} Category:Indie rock musical groups from California Category:Musical groups established in 2006 Category:Musical groups from San Francisco