High Up is a collaboration between sisters Orenda and Christine Fink that mixes elements of indie, punk and soul which showcases Christine’s powerful vocals and Orenda’s seasoned songwriting. The band, which includes Josh Soto, Todd Fink (The Faint) and Matt Focht (Head of Femur, Bright Eyes) draws from a wide variety of influences- from Janis Joplin, Sam Cooke, and Screaming Jay Hawkins to Dead Kennedys and The Birthday Party...

There was something instantly accessible about You Are Here... and I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first... A lot of these songs sounded very similar to more well known tracks. It's almost as though these classic songs were used as the foundations to build something new. It could be coincidence, but I'm always skeptical when I enjoy an album on the first play through and subconsciously know I've heard the tracks somewhere before... like in a dream.

The most obvious is 'Blue Moon' which opens not unlike Bob Dylan's 'Knocking on Heaven's Door' (1973)... I'll leave you to place the others yourself.

'Make a Plan to Love Me' is a more funked up punky version of Bright Eyes single from their 2007 album Cassadaga.

You can't get away from the fact that Orenda can write songs that lodge in your mind, while Christine has an incredibly engaging vocal range that brings to mind some of Soul's finest.

9

Nick Smithson