“The first ever collaboration between William D. Drake, Sharron Saddington (Fortnam) and Craig Fortnam with Chin Keeler and Bernie Holden. They lived a fleeting life but it was bright enough to beam into 2024”.

They did play for us on Organ bills a time or two back there around the turn of the century and they were of our Cardiacs And Affectionate Friends album back in 2001 and then they quietly went away and now, after all this time, those Lake of Puppies recordings are to finally beam out….

Here’s the Bandcamp

“When William D. Drake and Sharron Fortnam became friends in 1987, it was obvious they would have to make music together, even if they didn’t know it yet.They were riding the same wave…

After leaving Cardiacs in 1991, William D.Drake played with many bands but it was Lake of Puppies where he would find the perfect outlet for his solo work. With heart-wrenching piano and vocal melodies and Fortnam’s unforced, bell-like voice shredding even the toughest veneers, the resulting songs were arresting and caressing in equal measure.

With Sharron Fortnam also on bass, the pair spent months perfecting melodies and harmonies in a Spitalfields basement to produce music that is forceful in its vulnerability and emotionally impactful.

Originally intended to be a trio with Nervous bandmate, Bernie Holden, on clarinet, they expanded to include Chin Keeler (Milk, Quickspace, Dark Captain) on drums and Craig Fortnam (North Sea Radio Orchestra, Shrubbies) on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. Fortnam’s response to the music was truly empathetic and his intricate finger-picking style perfectly matched Drake’s songwriting; Drake’s piano reciprocated in kind. This, and their finely-tuned harmonies, made for mesmerising shows but the band was short-lived and their collaboration ceased within a year.

Sometimes, good things don’t last but if music stands the test of time it will find its way out. For Drake, Saddington and Fortnam Lake of Puppies was a meeting point and a starting point.

The Lake of Puppies EP features four songs recorded, produced and mixed by Tim Smith at his Apollo 8 studio in 1996″. 

releases December 6, 2024

Lake of Puppies are:

William D. Drake: piano, harmonium and vocals
Sharron Fortnam: bass guitar and vocals
Craig Fortnam: Guitar and vocals
Bernie Holden: Clarinet
Chin Keeler: Drums and percussion