Friko
{{Short description|American rock duo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Friko
| image = Friko in 2025.jpg
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| alt = Four rock musicians perform on a stage, illuminated by purple lights and a red cardinal projected on the backdrop
| caption = Friko in 2025
| origin = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| discography =
| years_active = {{start date|2019}}–present
| label = ATO Records
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of =
| current_members = *Niko Kapetan
- Bailey Minzenberger
| past_members = *Luke Stamos
| website = {{URL|https://whoisfriko.com/}}
}}Friko is an American indie rock duo from Chicago, Illinois. The duo is currently signed to ATO Records.
History
Friko began in 2019 as a project consisting of Niko Kapetan, Luke Stamos and Bailey Minzenberger.{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Matt |title=Friko’s World Inside a Song |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/friko/friko-where-weve-been-where-we-go-from-here-interview |publisher=Paste |access-date=16 February 2024}} All three members were graduates of Evanston Township High School.{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Emma |title=Friko, an indie-rock band of ETHS grads, is building a name for itself |url=https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/04/23/friko-music-eths-grads/ |publisher=Evanston RoundTable |access-date=16 February 2024}} After releasing their first EP in 2020, the trio released their second EP Whenever Forever in 2022.{{cite web |last1=Gleadow |first1=Ewan |title=Friko – Whenever Forever Review |url=https://cultfollowing.co.uk/2022/12/22/friko-whenever-forever-review/ |publisher=Cult Following |access-date=16 February 2024}} In August 2023, Friko signed with the label ATO Records and announced they were to be just a duo with Kapetan and Minzenberger.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Tommy |title=Friko Signs With ATO, Re-Release "Crimson To Chrome" |url=https://ghettoblastermagazine.com/features/friko-signs-with-ato-re-release-crimson-to-chrome/ |publisher=Ghettoblaster Magazine |access-date=16 February 2024}}
In November 2023, the duo announced plans to release their debut album.{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Tyler |title=Friko announce debut album, Where we've been, Where we go from here |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/friko-announce-debut-album-where-weve-been-where-we-go-from-here |publisher=The Line of Best Fit |access-date=16 February 2024}} The album, Where We've Been, Where We Go from Here, was released on February 16, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Chelosky |first1=Danielle |title=Friko – "Crashing Through" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2242650/friko-crashing-through/music/ |publisher=Stereogum |access-date=16 February 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Droke |first1=Carolyn |title=Indie Mixtape 20: Friko’s Whip-Smart Debut Album Is Centered Around Honesty |url=https://uproxx.com/indie/friko-interview-where-weve-been-indie-mixtape-20/ |publisher=Uproxx |access-date=16 February 2024}} The band cited MewithoutYou, Mitski, and The Beach Boys as inspiration for the album.{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=Friko on how Mitski, The Beach Boys, mewithoutYou & more influenced their great debut album |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/friko-on-how-mitski-the-beach-boys-mewithoutyou-more-influenced-their-great-debut-album/ |publisher=BrooklynVegan |access-date=16 February 2024}} Upon release of the album, the song "Get Numb To It!" was named "Today's Top Tune" by KCRW and one of "9 New Albums You Should Listen to Now" by Pitchfork.{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=9 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Idles, Caroline Polachek, Serpentwithfeet, and More |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/9-new-albums-you-should-listen-to-now-idles-caroline-polachek-serpentwithfeet/ |publisher=Pitchfork |access-date=16 February 2024}}{{cite web |title=Friko: ‘Get Numb To It!’ |url=https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/todays-top-tune/friko-get-numb-to-it |publisher=KCRW |access-date=16 February 2024}} The album received positive reviews.{{cite web |last1=Natanawan |first1=Grace |title=Friko Leave You Breathless on Where we’ve been, Where we go from here |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/friko/friko-leave-you-breathless-on-where-weve-been-where-we-go-from-here |publisher=Paste |access-date=16 February 2024}}