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.

Released on Bandcamp after being unavailable for some years.

William D. Drake is a genius. If you disagree I’ll fight you.