Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading were the members of the hit Liverpool band known as Her’s. Their nostalgic, dreamy indie rock sound achieved worldwide acclaim and attracted a loyal fanbase before their tragic deaths in 2019.
On March 27, 2019, Fitzpatrick, Laading and their tour manager, Trevor Engelbrektson, were tragically killed in a motor accident in Phoenix, Ariz. while leaving a performance. Engelbrektson was 37, Laading was 25 and Fitzpatrick was 24. News of the incident deeply struck their devoted family and fans; however, to this day — six years later on the anniversary of their deaths — their music still reverberates across the globe.
Fitzpatrick (the band’s guitar and vocals) and Laading (the band’s bass and backing vocalist) explained in an interview with Rob Hakimian in 2018 that the name “Her’s” doesn’t carry a specific meaning and that the two spontaneously came up with it at 5 a.m. when they posted a video to their YouTube channel. Following this, they came to love the name and how it matched their music’s aesthetic and they stuck with it.
Her’s was an upcoming band associated with the dream pop and indie pop/rock categories. What truly set the band apart from the rest at the time was their fun inside jokes and silly interactions, with Fitzpatrick and Laading’s bromance leading the band to fun directions.
The dynamic duo met at Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 2013, with Laading coming from Norway and Fitzpatrick moving in from Barrow-in-Furness, a coastal English town. The two became friends over Fitzpatrick’s recommendation of Ariel Pink’s music and Laading giving Fitzpatrick an origami lesson.
“It was slow and steady and we weren’t really taking it seriously,” Fitzpatrick explained in a 2017 interview with The Skinny. “We had the same schedule for a year and began to hang out. Eighteen months later we were like, ‘Maybe we should play some guitar together,’ and that’s what we do most days now.”
Following their earliest encounter, the two were in separate bands until they released their first song teaser together on Oct. 28, 2014, titled “Poolwater (teaser).” This short video contains an instrumental song with what would become their signature otherworldly guitar sound. It also showcases their silly personalities, as they run around a town at night in the teaser.
Once they graduated, Laading and Fitzpatrick began to make more music together, releasing three songs on Fitzpatrick’s SoundCloud account. “Need Them To See” is a short upbeat song of the two’s harmonic singing about losing a pair of sunglasses. “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows (Cover)” is an echoey and more surreal cover of the cheerful 1964 song by Lesley Gore. “Baby (I Love It)” is the last of the SoundCloud song test run and the most similar to the work they produced later on. The song’s use of Steven’s higher and lower singing, creative use of a drum machine and a more stylized sound illustrates their last step before their true debut song.
A notable trait of their music was their heavy inspiration from the 1990-1991 cult classic “Twin Peaks,” created by director David Lynch. The series is a murder mystery that took place in a mysterious, forested town in the Pacific Northwest. The duo has explained in several interviews that several songs they’ve produced took inspiration from the show and its strange tones.
“We try to live like the ‘Twin Peaks’ lifestyle as much as possible,” Laading said in a 2018 interview with 3voor12 Radio. Fitzpatrick added that the lifestyle is “walking in the woods at night being a bit emotional … [and going through] strange, uncomfortable situations.”
Songs of Her’s
On April 8, 2016, Fitzpatrick and Laading released their first official song of Her’s: “Dorothy.” Through an energetic bass and drum with low-tone singing, the song tells the story of a person longing for a relationship that’s shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. Their debut single received praise, which encouraged them to make another single.
Twenty-one days after “Dorothy,” Her’s released “What Once Was.” This song would go on to become their first smash hit and be their most popular song even to this day with over 300 million plays on Spotify. The low-beat melancholic song paints themes of love, memory and loss with an overall theme of grieving a family member.
The song’s lyrics and hypnotic rhythm takes listeners through a grieving process, describing different types of reactions to loss, words of grief that should stay unsaid, innocent questions to get to know the lost person better and hanging on but still waiting for what once was. A key part of the tune is the interlude in the song, which is a beautiful instrumental section of the song that contains strong overlapping bass and guitar riffs. It allows the listener to sit and reflect on memories of someone they hold dear.
It was around this time that Her’s was brought to the attention of Heist or Hit, the independent record label Her’s was later signed onto.
Pat Fogarty, the Heist or Hit’s Licensing and Social Media Manager, wrote in an email interview with The Statesman that a friend of the label told them about Her’s and that it was “What Once Was” that drove their interest in the dynamic duo.
“It was obvious (to our ears at least) that ‘What Once Was’ was a special track…At the time the band were an unknown entity — but what they became marked it out as a turning point & it’s when we really started to double down on signing talent from the Northwest of England whereas previously we’d a more international philosophy,” wrote Fogarty.
After the overwhelming success of “What Once Was,” Fitzpatrick and Laading went on to release another single, “Marcel,” in October of the same year. This single had an upbeat beach feeling with a story of wanting to ride the wave of love with someone again, but hesitating over an uncertain future together.
The song’s name carries great significance. In an interview with HRMNY Presents, the two explained they were exploring a vintage shop when they discovered a wallet with an early 1980s ID card belonging to a man named Marcel Müller, whom they dedicated the song to after learning he passed away. The original intended name for the single was “Seaman”/“Seamen.”
On the first day of 2017, Her’s released “Loving You,” a cover of the 1974 song with the same title by Minnie Riperton. The original has an acoustic nature sound, while Her’s brings an elegant and heartful cover with their classic dream-like sound. Their cover of this song remains a single and was re-released in 2023.
Their next two singles in 2017 were “Speed Racer” and “I’ll Try.” With a fast-paced rhythm, “Speed Racer” tells the story of wanting speed dates and one-night stands. “I’ll try,” the last of Her’s initial singles, has a nice melodic tune and tells the story about self-improvement for someone you care about. The song’s bridge features Laading speaking fluent French.
On Her’s official YouTube channel meant for music releases, “Speed Racer” was the first song to be turned into a music video on March 8, 2017. The music video, directed by Samuel O’Brien, took place in a 1980s-style diner similar to the one prominent in “Twin Peaks.” The music video stands out for its high-quality camera work as well as the fact that Fitzpatrick, Laading and the actress in the video all shaved their heads for it.
In a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA), the two responded to a question about the music video.
“We wanted our first video to be something special[,] so we planned both shaving our hair (For the first time in years!) in it a couple weeks in advance!.. Incredibly enough though the director knew of a girl going to India the next week looking to shave her head beforehand. Very lucky. It was intense though because we only had one shot at the scene!,” Her’s replied.
In that same AMA, Fitzpatrick confirmed all the cover art for the singles was made by Laading.
On May 12, 2017, Her’s released a compilation album titled “Songs of Her’s,” consisting of the five original singles they released so far, as well as three new songs and an interlude consisting of “Cool with You,” “Medieval,” “You Don’t Know This Guy” and “Cop Theme,”
“Our manager said to call it ‘a collection of songs,’” Laading said in the interview with The Skinny. “It’s everything we’ve put out so far but it’s not a full stop. We’ll still play them live and they might end up on our first proper record!”
This was the first big step for Her’s, however the two insisted it didn’t count as a debut album since it was just a collage of their work. Their true debut was still on the way.
Invitation to Her’s
On March 24, 2018, Her’s posted a phone number to their Instagram account that, when called, would play an ad with a sex hotline jingle. This was a teaser for their new single “Love on the Line (Call Now),” which would be released four days later. “Love on the Line (Call Now)” is an upbeat song about a fictional person falling in love with a sex hotline worker.
Two months later, Her’s then released the single “Low Beam,” a song designed to invoke the feeling of being a biker. In a 2018 interview with GoldenPlec, the two explained the song is a commentary on modern-day masculinity.
The song was likely inspired by the character James Hurley in “Twin Peaks,” as well as the biker bar present in the show.
“Harvey,” their next single released and became their second most popular song, was released on July 5, 2018. The song contains an uplifting and joyful tune that surrounds the theme of pure friendship. The song and title are based on a 1950 film directed by Henry Koster, also titled “Harvey.”
The song parallels the film’s story of a man who becomes best friends with an imaginary six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey, with lyrics referencing parts of the film: “Harvey / Nobody knows what I see / Everyone thinks I’m crazy.”
The single’s cover art also contains a small portion of a poster that eventually became the album’s cover.
The last single they released was “Under Wraps” in August 2018. It is a more relaxed song with a theme of offering support and empathy to someone close who is trying to find themselves and struggling to express their true emotions.
Her’s released their true debut album on Aug. 24, 2018, titled “Invitation to Her’s,” which is a reference to a running sitcom in the world of “Twin Peaks” titled “Invitation to Love.” This album consists of all four singles released post-“Songs of Her’s,” as well as seven new tracks.
Notable mentions include “She Needs Him,” a classic Her’s-style tune of an upbeat rhythm mixed with melancholic lyrics portraying a story of a person’s unrequited love for someone in a relationship. The end of the song delves into a peaceful and more ethereal sound mixed with tragic lyrics begging her to know “He don’t have it all.” A stylized music video by Sébastien Séjourné was released by Heist or Hit following Fitzpatrick and Laading’s passing, with a stellar use of neon-colored animation and cinematography of the duo.
Fitzpatrick said in the AMA, as well as at concerts, that “Mannies Smile” is his favorite song due to it being dedicated to his cat, who his family gave away to an older man who lost his wife. In his song, he also speaks about how he is unsure if his cat is still alive.
Overall, the album was a massive success with the two touring following its release, kicking off numerous concerts and interviews to celebrate the completed project.
A notable feature of the Her’s concerts was the two members’ larger-than-life personalities, making each show a lively and unique experience. Their wild dancing on stage, fun banter with the audience and small technical difficulties brought a fun spirit to every performance. Moments like Laading handing out pieces of his birthday cake to the audience during a 2018 performance and the two playing while lying on the floor during a small 2017 show are what made a Her’s concert an experience to remember.
The shows were also known for their signature third member: Laading’s drum machine, nicknamed Pierce Brosnan, best known for his time as the English James Bond.
In the same aforementioned interview with The Skinny, Fitzpatrick said that the nickname originated when a university friend handed him a printed picture of the actor. They later put the picture on the drum machine Laading had since he was young. The joke evolved to the two bringing a life-size cut out of Brosnan onto the stage for performances, keeping him with them for the entire show.
Following Fitzpatrick and Laading’s passing, Brosnan, who only knew of the joke through his son, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to pay his respects.
In October 2018, a second music video was released to the YouTube channel titled “Under Wraps.” Directed by Jorge A. Ramos, the video compliments the song with a story of two people going on a date in a roller rink, with both having a blank expression due to unsaid feelings. The video’s stellar cinematography, mixed with the 1980s aesthetic of the roller rink and the stellar shot of the two slow dancing in the middle of the rink, gives the video a dreamlike look. A reference to the album is included with the boy giving the same flowers from the album’s cover art.
On Feb. 28, 2019, Her’s released their last music video for “Harvey,” which was directed by James Embrey. The video shows Fitzpatrick and Laading going to rob a haunted mansion after a performance. They encounter several frightening sights, until the end, where they are given a cake by monsters and alternate versions of themselves. The cake’s frosting spelling out “Invitation to Her’s” signifies that the video is a celebration of the debut album. “Harvey” was the album’s first track and a perfect kick-off to what would have been a new era for the two.
Legacy
After the success of their album, Fitzpatrick and Laading went on a 19-gig tour across North America. Following a Rebel Lounge performance in Phoenix, Ariz., the two got into their tour van with Engelbrektson. Around 1 a.m., they had a head-on collision with a truck driving on the wrong side of the road. Police later found an empty alcohol bottle, implying the truck driver was drunk driving. The incident killed all four people involved.
Following this tragedy, fans spoke out in grief and remorse for the situation.
On May 16, 2019, a memorial service for Her’s was held in the Bombed Out Church in Liverpool, England in honor of Her’s. This event was run by “Friends of Her’s,” a project started by their label in honor of the duo. The project is a fundraiser that planned to provide aid to the homeless in cities, a cause the program states was important to both members.
The “Friends of Her’s” project is still ongoing with a recent post on their Instagram on March 5, 2025, announcing that in honor of International Women’s Day, display stations were built around Liverpool to shed light on women’s experiences and stories of homelessness to spread awareness.
“These projects are intended to complement Liverpool’s existing services and contribute to wider efforts to promote independent living and personal empowerment…These will serve as a focal point for family, friends, and fans to come together in memory of Stephen and Audun, and carry forward their legacy of warmth, kindness, and concern for the wellbeing of others,” wrote Fogarty.
Heist or Hit released a ‘Songs of Her’s’ 7″ Boxset in October 2024 containing the band’s original singles, as well as several items referencing parts of the band. One item is a pink and white striped pair of Her’s panties featured on their “Speed Racer” and “I’ll Try” cover art that couldn’t be made at the time, despite the duo’s attempts, but is now brought to life. All proceeds from the limited edition box set were donated to Friends of Her’s.
General merchandise for Her’s, with approved designs from the duo, is still being sold on the Heist or Hit website. In his email, Fogarty explained that proceeds from worldwide merch sales are given directly to their families. He also mentioned the possibility of working alongside Laading’s family to finish up some of his art for future designs.
To this day, fans are still showing their love and dedication to Her’s with posts on social media and covers of their discography. On June 30, 2024, fans held a “Her’s Memorial Tribute” in the same Rebel Lounge where Her’s did their last performance, with local bands performing tributes.
Despite “Invitation to Her’s” being the last of their officially released music, fans have found one unreleased song. “Some Nights,” a sweet ballot of restless nights thinking about a loved one, was seemingly only played once in a 2016 performance at 2ube Fest but was never given an official single or album release. The recording of the song, as well as fan-made audio-improved versions can be found on YouTube for those craving just one more tune from them.
The support Fitzpatrick and Laading receive years later is a beautiful illustration of how true passionate art is immortal. People lucky enough to come across this talented duo are still able to enjoy their craft despite them not being with us anymore.
On March 26, 2019, a day before their passing, BBC Music posted a video of Fitzpatrick and Leading performing an acoustic version of “Harvey” aboard a boat sailing on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.
It’s nice to imagine that the two set off in that boat playing their tunes. Their music, heartwarming personalities and stand-out nature will truly stand the test of time.
Rest well, boys.
