Friko: 2024

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Founded in 2019, Friko is a band built on friendship with a history that dates back to high school. It was those halls where vocalist/guitarist Niko Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger first crossed paths, later building upon creative chemistry and shared sources of inspiration to form what — following the February drop of their debut full-length, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here — has established the Chicago duo as one of indie-rock’s buzziest bands.

Where we’ve been, Where we go from here began as a DIY endeavor—and ended with a record deal. Written, recorded and produced by Friko and friends, the album feels honest, organic and dynamic. It’s a labor of love infused with moments of improvisation — a testament to Niko and Bailey’s musical bond — and group vocals that make the listener feel like they’re already at a Friko show, singing and dancing (and maybe crying) along with the crowd. And that crowd could be on any matter of continents.

Since its release on ATO, Where we’ve been, Where we go from from here has landed high spots on some big music media’s best-of-2024 rock lists, such as Pitchfork (and my FUV Best of 2024), while the band has spent the year making waves around the world. They’ve toured the US, played shows in Europe and become fixtures on the summer festival circuit, crossing oceans and combating jet lag to play back-to-back sets at Japan's Fuji Rock then the Newport Folk Festival in just one weekend, before returning home to Chicago to make their Lollapalooza debut.

On the New York City stop of one tour, supporting Royel Otis at Brooklyn Steel, the Friko crew — Kapetan, Minzenberger, bassist David Fuller, and guitarist Korgan Robb — swung by Studio A to play three songs from their album — “Where We’ve Been," “Get Numb To It!," and “Crashing Through” — and to talk about classical influences, musical families and — à la the album title — both where the band has been and where they go from here.

Friko is on tour this winter and returns to New York to play Music Hall of Willamsburg on March 7, 2025.

[Recorded: 9/26/24; Engineered by Jim O'Hara with Nadia Garriga and Matthew Ellersick; Produced by Meghan Offtermatt; Videographers: Bella Lipayon, Olivia Wahlert, Therese Burgo, and Adithi Vimalanathan.]