BOTH members of Liverpool band Her’s have died in a car crash in the US during their tour, their label has confirmed.
Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laadig were on their way to a gig in Santa Ana, California, on Wednesday when they were involved in a car accident.
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The pair both died along with their tour manager, Trevor Engelbrektson.
Local reports suggest the accident was caused by a ‘head-on’ collision, causing a fourth unknown fatality.
Stephen, from Barrow in Furness and Audun, from Norway, met at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the band’s label Heist Or Hit wrote: “We are all heartbroken. Their energy, vibrancy and talent came to define our label.
“As humans, they were warm, gentle and hilarious. Each time they stopped by the office made for an uplifting experience.
“To say they were close would be an underestimation of a friendship that was genuinely beautiful to witness; they loved one another like brothers.
“Musically, Her’s were astonishing. An aptitude for melody, fun, and entertainment combined with a complexity that was as sophisticated as it was stylish.”
In a heartbreaking Instagram post on Monday, said they were “almost home” following their second tour of the US.
To say they were close would be an underestimation of a friendship that was genuinely beautiful to witness; they loved one another like brothers
Label Heist Or Hit
Their label’s statement continued: “They were in America playing to thousands of adoring fans. Fans they made a point of meeting and spending time with, such was their passion and humbleness.
“The world was at their feet. Everyone here at the label is overwhelmed and distraught. We have lost our friends and the world has been denied their talent.”
Her’s perform alternative pop, similar to the likes of Ariel Pink and Mac Demarco.
Using synths, funky guitar riffs and catchy beats, the fun and personable boys were picking up a dedicated following.
They released their debut album ‘Invitation To Her’s’ in 2018, which followed on from their 2017 compilation, ‘Songs Of Her’s’.
Writing about the band in 2017, NME said: “Her’s are not a group to stand still. Each song they produce, from the lo-fi bedroom pop power of debut track to ‘Dorothy’ to the duo’s equally melodic take on slacker-rock on ‘Marcel’, sees the Liverpool-based duo shift and float between sounds, never really fitting into one genre, but somehow nailing whatever they end up doing.”
Three years ago all four members of the band Viola Beach died when their car crashed into a bridge and fell into a canal.
The band, aged between 19-27 and from Warrington, had been touring Sweden in February 2016 at the time.
Fans and fellow musicians have paid tribute on social media to the popular band whose songs include “Love on the line” and “She Needs Him”.
Craig MacDonald tweeted: “I’m in utter shock and disbelief.
“The world is a cruel place sometimes.
“Stephen and Auden were wonderful people and fantastic musicians. All thoughts with their friends and family RIP xx.”
Jessie Atkinson wrote: “I’m so appalled by the news that Her’s and their tour manager have passed away. Impossible to comprehend.”
Adam said: “Absolutely devastating news about Her’s. So talented, so young, going places. Loved them.”
Another twitter user wrote: “Her’s were a band that soundtracked last summer for me and I massively associate with really happy times – genuinely so upset they’ve passed away”.
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