Little Fish are set to publish a book in collaboration with writer Miranda Ward. The New Original Little Fish Paper Club™ Handbook – a collection of essays about rock’n’roll, independence, and what it means to be in a band – will be released in hardback by new crowdfunding-based publishing company Unbound.
The band are looking to get at least 400 fans to order the book in advance; in return, supporters will have their names printed in the back of the book and receive various rewards based on their level of contribution – from access to exclusive downloads and updates to an invitation to join the band in the studio.
Launched earlier this year, Unbound is seeking to revolutionise the publishing industry by giving power to readers, who can choose which projects they want to see made by pledging their support. Authors, in turn, get to pitch ideas for the projects they really want to write. This model appeals to Little Fish, who left label Custard Records earlier this year in order to pursue an independent career.
“We have loads of stories to tell, about life, and about what it’s like to be in a band going from a major label to being totally independent, and about dealing with the changes in the industry,” says singer and guitarist Juju.
Collaboration is a big part of the Little Fish ethos, and independence has allowed them the opportunity to explore different ways of working with other creatives – many of them also in Oxford. They first discussed the book over a drink with Ward in a local pub; a few months later they met the founders of Unbound while busking in Hay-on-Wye, and the idea became a reality.
“We’re writing a book because we love books, we love paper. We’ve been doing stuff on vinyl, and vinyl used to come with these great stories and liner notes. We want to recapture that,” Juju says.
“It’s like liner notes for the process of being in a band,” says Ben, who plays the Hammond. “It’s not a biography, it’s not a history. It’s just using us [Little Fish] as a springboard to talk about what’s going on with culture, the internet, music, DIY, labels, celebrity.”
Announcement of the book comes at the start of a new chapter in Little Fish history. Longtime drummer Nez has just left the band to focus on his family, and so, as a two-piece, Little Fish continue to evolve, developing a new, raw sound while maintaining their eclectic spirit. They released their new single, “Wonderful”, on Monday the 10th of October with a gig at the Camden Barfly, where they were supported by Black Casino and The Ghost as well as poet, compère and fellow Unbound author George Chopping.
They recently recorded an acoustic YouTube version of ‘Wonderful’, with Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes (who produced the single) on guitar, and will be in Singapore for a few gigs in November.
At time of writing, Little Fish need roughly 150 more supporters to ensure their book gets made.
- For more information about The New Original Little Fish Paper Club™ Handbook, please visit http://www.unbound.co.uk/books/12
- For more information about the release of “Wonderful”, please visit http://littlefishmusic.com/wonderful
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