Pete Fij

Pete Fij’s debut solo album, ‘Up’s The New Down’ is released on 25th September 2026 via Tip Top Recordings. 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Probably aged about 4 listening to Pinky & Perky’s Hit Parade LP on the stereo in the living room. ‘Yummy Yummy Yummy’ was a particular favourite – bubblegum pop on helium.

When did you begin songwriting?

T’was in back of my dad’s car on long journeys in France.  Me & my brother would write songs, mainly involving driving. “Don’t Forget To Drive On The Right” was my early classic. Catchy (to the tune of ‘Pop Goes The Weasel’) AND with a safety message. My brother’s songs were more experimental – ‘Man In A Sportscar’ was a bit new wave/punky. He was Lennon, I was McCartney.

You have your debut album ‘Up’s The New Down’  being released on 25th September 2026. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

A lot of the time, I went into the studio with just a vague outline of a song, and I really enjoyed the process of writing in the studio, and seeing what developed…it’s like throwing paint at a canvass, and then working with the drips. By and large the drips went in the right direction, though there’s a couple of lost abstracts.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

It was recorded at Church Road Studios in Hove with Julian Tardo. Julian was in Insides who were on 4AD inprint Guernica a fair few moons ago. 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Julian and me would often drop references of what we thought the tracks were sounding like. “this has got The Kills vibe..that’s a bit LCD Soundsystem-ish…” etc . We knew we’d gone down the wrong road when Julian said “It’s all gone a bit Billy idol”. Abrupt handbrake and slammed into reverse. 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

It’s Fender guitar & Fender amp for most of my sounds. Sam Fender offered to play some guitar on the album, but I thought that was one Fender too far.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest is probably ‘Loves Coming Back’, it’s a heart’s return to the light after a long winter. Not sure there’s anger as such on the LP, though ‘Complicated’ has wired anxiety in it’s veins. The final track ‘Fragment’s is probably the most reflective, and willfully obtuse. Who doesn’t like a bit of willfully obtuse reflection?

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

Julian did some programming of drums & electronics, but everything else is me. It was nice to be let loose on everything, and have the freedom to express myself. I was like a small child let loose in a toyshop after hours.

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

After years of writing very reflective downbeat melancholic music, I wanted to write stuff that had a bit of positivity to it. Of course I always have to place elements of doubt amongst the joy, but by and large both musically and lyrically this feels a reflection of where I am in my life.

Was it a difficult album to write?

I found it really easy. Perhaps because it’s such a long time since I wrote an electric album, it felt very liberating.

Who designed the album artwork?

I worked with photographer Lorna Allan to re-create the 60’s op-art vibe of  some of the photos I’d seen of British artist Bridget Riley. My step dog Iris gate crashed the photo session, and stole the show. All the singles have been photos taken by me, and I slave over laptops into the dead of the night doing sleeve designs. I really enjoy that creative aspect, as well as directing videos.

One of the tracks is the new single ‘Wake Up Honey’ released on 4th September 2026.  What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

I just had the idea of someone who was so wrapped up in their small world they were oblivious to the fact that everything was falling apart around them. In the song I hear it as a guy so lost in his computer game he doesn’t realise his girlfriend has walked out on him, but it could as much about a self absorbed musician who doesn’t realise that his whole relationship is shot to the pieces… hmmm.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Worthing. A few years ago I’d have just used 3 words ‘Everyday’s Like Sunday’, but nowadays Small, Positive, Community.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

I’m off on tour in UK in October, and Europe awaits at start of 2027. Then hopefully US in 2028, and the moon in 2029

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Entertained the audience, entertained myself. That & having fulfilled all contractual obligations

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love my whammy bar on my guitar. I couldn’t imagine playing a guitar without one

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

‘Ripley’s Game’ by Patricia Highsmith. There’s been 2 filmed versions of it, but here’s hoping I get approached for the 3rd.  I love the dark brooding malevolence of it

How do you look after your voice? 

I don’t. I sometimes work for promoters as their rep for concerts – making sure the show runs smoothly and that the artist has everything they need etc. Pretty much all of them always have honey and lemon on their rider as a throat protection thing, but no-one ever uses it, so it always gets left behind, and I often have a plentiful supply of honey to last me several months. I have taken great pleasure in eating Julian Cope’s discarded honey, or a slice of Phil Oakey’s rejected lemon.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Going back it was Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs, The Sound, & The Mary Chain.. then dEUS, Sparklehorse, Beck, Kills, LCD Soundsystem, Ladytron…I listen to a lot of contemporary music.. I really like DIIV, Wet Leg, Courtney Barnett, Anna Erhard, RVG, Charlotte Adigéry, Liz Lawrence, Sorry, Baxter Dury, Zo Lief, Bodega…

What makes Pete Fij happy and what makes you unhappy?

happy – Sunny days & starry nights with my wife, being creative.

unhappy – Battling technology

Feature Image Photo Credit: Lorna Allen

Pete Fij’s debut solo album, ‘Up’s The New Down’ is released on 25th September via Tip Top Recordings.

The single ‘Wake Up Honey’ is released on 4th September 2026.