FLIGHT FACILITIES SHARE NEW SINGLE ‘LIGHTS UP’ FEAT. CHANNEL TRES, OUT NOW VIA FUTURE CLASSIC/GLASSNOTE
Today, ARIA-award winning artist duo Flight Facilities return to their beloved fanbase, delivering a new single immersed in a feeling of West-Coast Californian cool imparted by guest vocalist, Channel Tres. Released on Future Classic & Glassnote, “Lights Up” marks the band’s first release of 2021 following the launch of their app, Flight Deck late last year.
“Lights Up” is the first track to be released in over a year from the applauded songwriters, who have been working together for over a decade, creating timeless, genre-defying classics drenched in a sense of nostalgia. “Lights Up” is a continuation of this philosophy, aided by Channel Tres' propensity for crossing genres and drawing inspiration from eras like 90s Detroit house and West-Coast hip-hop. The result is a track that belongs to these moments in time as much as it represents what’s next for Flight Facilities’ in their own journey of sound, a confluence of feeling and style.
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Hugo Gruzman and Jimmy Lyell say of the track and collaboration with Channel Tres:
“We’ve always loved the sound of the early Detroit House scene that crossed over with the Paradise Garage era. Combined with our love for Channel’s voice, it seemed like a perfect fit. His voice has a magical ability to make songs that are made for strutting. We felt it was important to keep enough of our sound and influence in the track, to avoid it sounding too derivative, so we wanted to include some 90s and 00s elements to give the song its own character.”
The latest release also marks a highly anticipated return to North America for the duo, who will perform alongside RÜFÜS DU SOL for three nights at Downtown Los Angeles’ Banc of California stadium. 50,000 additional tickets were added to keep up with demand after the first show sold out in mere minutes.
As forthcoming performances at New Zealand’s Snow Machine and abroad approach, Gruzman and Lyell continue to uphold their steady flow of prestige releases. A recent disco-forward remix of “Vintage”for New York bassist, Blu DeTiger followed a brand new 1962-72 Decades Mix, and the launch of their very own app, Flight Deck in November. The free iOS and Android compatible app, built to celebrate 10 years of Flight Facilities magic, is a one-stop shop that houses a treasure trove of the duo’s hugely-requested edits, mixtapes, hidden secrets, and unofficial remixes from countless live shows and DJ appearances.
Initially gaining recognition in 2010 for singles like “Crave You” feat. Giselle Rosselli and “Foreign Language”, Flight Facilities have sold more than 100,000 tickets and accumulated over half a billion streams globally, and scored three ARIA nominations and gold certification for their debut and only full-length album to date Down To Earth in 2014. The pair have seen eight Hottest 100 placings, an ARIA-Award for their 2015 live album Live With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and widespread appreciation for their feel-good, dance floor beckoning tunes that have seen them collaborate with superstars and blazing up-and-comers alike, including Aloe Blacc, Kylie Minogue and Reggie Watts. Following Down To Earth’s release, the duo had a multi-year run of singles which included "Need You" feat. NÏKA, “Arty Boy” feat. Emma Louise, "Stranded" feat. Broods, Reggie Watts, Broods & Saro, “All Your Love” feat. Dustin Tebbutt, and “Better Than Ever” feat. Aloe Blacc.
Between the studio and stage, Flight Facilities remain fluid and confident as they defy trends, and seamlessly move between genres. From their humble DJ booth beginnings, to live stages, featuring world renowned orchestras, their own headline shows and appearances at prestigious festivals like Coachella in America, Fuji Rock in Japan, and Bestival in the UK, no matter the format, the delivery is always stratospheric.
LA’s Channel Tres has been steadily continuing on his unstoppable trajectory, having most recently released his I Can’t Go Outside EP, an introspective mixtape which boasted a sexy blend of classic house and West Coast rap and featured collaborations with the likes of Tinashe and Tyler the Creator. He also featured on further major hits including “Impact” with SG Lewis and Robyn, and “Recap”, a collaboration alongside Kito and VanJess.
“Lights Up” marks an eagerly awaited homecoming for Flight Facilities, who remain two of Australia’s most recognisable and unstoppable forces in music. As they prepare to once again resume center stage, it is clear that Gruzman and Lyell are ready to build upon the soul-lifting and comforting sounds that remain at the core of their journey.