The story so far...

Former Miss America is essentially an expansion of the homespun works of Anthony Carter. In order to avoid the old “bassdrum on your back / cymbals on your knees” scenario, the enlisting of Christian Needham and Ged Hawksworth (along with a local group of VJs) has meant that their live show sees a blend of electronic and acoustic elements with a backdrop of interactive VJ landscapes that help to add another dimension to the whole love affair.

Hailing from Liverpool, Former Miss America have been making waves across the UK with their diverse blend of songwriting. Their music is a dark reflective blend of folk, electronica and shuffling dance beats. Their debut release,“The Acid Folk EP” received much critical acclaim and was described by The Independent as “a massive breath of fresh air”. The band has become synonymous with originality and style.

Following the EP, FMA released their debut album, Carnivalism, in July 2004 on Robot! Records. This has already received high praise and built on the earlier success.

The band have been busy with live performances, appearing all over the UK and Europe and have just returned from Popkomm, after a hugely successful concert at the British Embassy as musical hosts at the BPI/AIM party showcasing the cream of new British talent. Most recently, they have performed a homecoming gig for The Janice Long Show (BBC Radio 2)

FMA live have been and are endlessly compared to such contemporaries as Sparklehorse, Grandaddy, Mojave 3 and Kraftwerk. Live magazine described their live shows as “a rich and complex tuneladen tapestry of ethereal, engrossing, imposing whispers. Add to this four screens of visuals in the live arena- including live, on the spot visual editing of films and images that pull you deeper into their dark dark world.”

The Band have received excellent reviews in magazines such as The Times, Q, The Fly, The Observer, NME, Mojo, Flux and Logo to name but a few:

“Liverpudlian duo with a gentle mix of slowly shuffling folk and low slung electro that hangs together like a drifting cloud and sucks you into a long daydream.”
The Observer

“Far removed from their home city’s current penchant for Coral/Zutons scally psychedelia, Former Miss America specialize in neatly barbed indie-electronica of surprising panache.”

“Never was a band more aptly named; there’s a tattered loveliness here that is compelling, classy and somehow frayed round the edges.”
The Fly

“FMA are weaving a tapestry out of mist and fog, a swirling melismatic brew of acoustic guitars, almost-there electronica and a string quartet on loan from the gates of heaven. All life is here, and it’s a place you’ll want to be.” Mojo

“FMA’s mature songwriting makes for a heady, nostalgic, subtle, misfit, geeky-cool melange. It’s a gorgeously blended electro/acoustic malt of cracked up, cinematic, subversive, insidious beauty.”
The Big Issue

“With Anthony Carter’s voice recalling the whispered gruffness of Sparklehorse and Chris Needham`s perfect instinct of when to deploy a heart-melting keyboard line, Norwegian Wouldn’t is the song Granddaddy would write if they were lost in the big city after a debauched night out.’’
ManchesterOnline.co.uk

“This is a band for whom the world is reflected through a hall-of-mirrors, allowing them to create a sublime emotional soudscape.’’
BBC Liverpool music online

“Buy this album, buy it now.”
Logo Magazine.com

“At a time when Liverpool is making some of the most cutting edge music around, Former Miss America stand proudly in its midst.”
Live Magazine.co.uk