Thursday, May 31, 2012

May Singles Round-Up

Here comes the May music box packed with the selection of best singles released during this month. The Irrepressibles are back with a new single "Arrow" to be taken from their forthcoming album 'Nude' released on the October 1st. You will not have to wait that long for the new albums by Twin Shadow and Metric as of both album 'Confess' and 'Synthetica' are announced to be released in June. Their new singles, Twins Shadow's "Five Seconds" and Metric' "Youth Without Youth" were released on the May Day. "Kill" is just another chapter for iamamiwhoami on the road to the new album 'Kin' which is out next month. Saint Etienne and Niki and the Dove have both released second singles from their latest albums. Saint Etienne reveal cheerful synth-pop with "I've Got Your Music" while Niki and The Dove deliver electro harmony with "In Our Eyes". Men Without Hats release their first single after the re-release of "The Safety Dance" in 1995. The new single is entitled "Head Above Water" and it is featured on their latest album 'Love in The Age of War' out now. Dexy's Midnight Runners who shortened their name to Dexys return with their first single in ten years entitled "She Got A Wiggle". The Russian electro pop outfit issue "Fantasy", their first release since 2010 and the german dance-pop queen Sandra reveals her latest single "Maybe Tonight" which was produced by Blank and Jones. Last but not least, the finish group Pepe Deluxé release their second single and will certainly put you on your feet with the "Go Supersonic"
So much to dance to in May. Get on your feet!
See you in June with the new singles selection.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Lost Videos: Kym Amps- You Don't Know My Name

Kym Amps released "You Don't Know My Name" in 1981 through Diversion Records. The song was produced by David Watts and David Folster and remained her only release. The video for the song was directed by Hazel Chandler and featured one off wonder about a girl stalker. 
In 2001 the song was revived, after it was featured on Minimal Wave's compilation 'The Hidden Tapes'. 

Monday, May 28, 2012

Next Wave: Featureless Ghost

Featureless Ghost is an Atlanta based synth-pop duo consisting of Matt Weiner and Elise Tippins. Performing and recording music together since 2007, Matt and Elise relocated from Brooklyn to Atlanta and spontaneously formed "Featureless Ghost. The music of Featureless Ghost gives a new landmark to the dark electronic synth-pop with their retro futuristic sound driven by analogue synthesizers and electro beats complemented with visual aesthetics and vintage collages. 
The prolific duo has released 2 full lengths, 3 singles, and an EP. They have releases on Crash Symbols, Ruralfaune, and Double Phantom Digital and just released a cassette EP on Night-People. This will be followed by a vinyl LP this summer(2012), also on Night-People records. 
More about Featureless Ghost, coming soon, stay tuned!  

www.featurelessghost.com
www.facebook.com/featurelessghost
www.soundcloud.com/featurelessghost
 

Next Wave: Honeydrum

Honeydrum are a New Bro'nswick based lo-fi retro pop group consisting of Joseph Black (voice & guitar), Raymond “Ray” Schwab (guitar & keys), Erik ‘Dougal’ Sandberg (bass guitar)and Marc ‘Klein-Goldblatt’ Esterow (drums & magic act). They deliver joyfull sounds bursting with coconut and ananas smells diffusing behind a dimmed tv screen of forbidden nooks and alleys, that could have existed in plans of Cpt. Hook for his fellow mallrats in the destiny mall called Sunrisepolis. Their brand new vinyl Stranger Calls 7'' & 'Do U Party?' EP was released on May 9th as a limited edition on opaque pink vinyl with CD. All songs written, produced & recorded by Honeydrum.  

http://soundcloud.com/amdiscs/sets/honeydrum-stranger-calls
http://honeydrum.tumblr.com
www.amdiscs.com

 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

B-Movie Return with Echoes EP

B-Movie are back with a new single EP! This is their first single in thirty years and includes the tracks "So far Away", "Echoes" and "For the Dreamers". The songs are available on  itunes but you can also listen to them on http://soundcloud.com/b-movie/sets/echoes-e-p. B-Movie are also about to embark on a Pledge campaign www.pledgemusic.com to raise funds to record a new album. The singer Steve Hovington has written ten songs for a solo album, tentatively entitled 51 to be recorded this summer. 

More info:
www.b-movie.co.uk
  

Section 25 to Reissue 'From The Hip' on Vinyl

Factory Records Ltd present a brand new vinyl edition of 'From The Hip' by Section 25, originally issued in the summer of 1984. The album was produced by Bernard Sumner of New Order an it marked band's  bold step toward the mainstream, combining smooth synthpop with seamless electro beats. Digitally re-mastered, this deluxe double vinyl edition features the original FACT 90 album plus a bonus 12” 45 rpm single coupling two versions of seminal single "Looking From A Hilltop". The album will be out on May 28, 2012. 

www.facebook.com/section25
 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Instant Hit: The Electronic Circus- Direct Lines

Chris Payne was one of the members of Gary Numan's backing band, later known as Dramtis, and he was also a co-writer on Visage's biggest hit "Fade to Gray". He released one single under the name The Electronic Circus in 1981. The 7 " single was entitled "Direct Lines" and was backed by "Le Chorale". It was recorded by Tony Nod Harris for Scratch Records. 


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Durutti Column Announce The Release of 'Short Stories For Pauline' for June

The Durutti Column have announced that Short Stories For Pauline, the legendary shelved album is set to be released, complete with original FBN 36 catalogue number, on 18 June 2012. The album was originally recorded in Brussels in 1983 and was set to be the fourth album, after 'Another Setting', but was never released. The 14 tracks include "College", "Take Some Time Out" and "Duet". The latter was recorded with Blaine L. Reininger (Tuxedomoon viola player). New artwork has been prepared with the help of Crépuscule designer Benoit Hennebert and each purchase of the vinyl album comes with a free digital download.  

news.thedurutticolumn.com
 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Edsel to Reissue Albums by Bronski Beat and The Communards

Edsel Records have announced the brand new Bronski Beat/ The Communards reissues for this summer. The reissue package will include the first album by Bronski Beat, Age of Consent and Hundreds And Thousands as a remix album. It will also include both albums by the Communards, their self titled debut and Red and their live album Storm Paris, originally released on three 12” singles. The albums will be released as slip-cased 2 CD edition and some tracks will be available on CD for the first time. The booklet will contain the lyrics, photos, singles sleeves, and a note from Jimmy. 

www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/Artist/Communards
www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/Artist/BronskiBeat
 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Out This Week: Saint Etienne- Words and Music

Saint Etienne are releasing their eighth studio album this week. The album includes the single "Tonight" which was released in January and it features collaborations from long-time Saint Etienne associate Ian Catt as well as producer Richard X and Nick Coler. The album will be available on CD, 2-CD deluxe edition and vinyl LP. It's officially out today, May 21st. 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Retrovision: Soft Cell- Torch

Thirty years ago Soft Cell reached number 2 in the UK charts with "Torch". The song was written by Marc and David and featured guest vocals by Cindy Ecstasy whom Marc and David met during their time in New York. She appeared in the video for "Torch" and they performed the song together on 'Top of the Pops'. 

Friday, May 18, 2012

John Foxx, The Soft Moon and The Evidence

John Foxx & The Maths have collaborated with contemporary darkwave juggernaut The Soft Moon on a new track. The song is entitled "Evidence" and it will be released on 7″ by Brooklyn’s Captured Tracks label on June 26. John Foxx & The Maths will be performing live at London’s Cargo on September 5, and at Bestival on September 6. You can stream and download ‘Evidence’ free via the Soundcloud player above. 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Donna Summer Dies at 63

Donna Summer died this morning after a battle with cancer at the age 63. She was a five-time Grammy Award winner and was one of the most popular artists of the disco movement. Her collaborations with producer Giorgio Moroder helped define the genre, as well as having a huge influence on the synth pop sound. She had 29 UK top 40 singles during her career including the hits: "I Feel Love", "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls", "She Works Hard for The Money" and many more. 
R.I.P. Donna, you will be missed. 

Lost Videos: Combo Audio- Romanticide

"Romanticide" is one of the alternative New Wave classics by Combo Audio which was released in 1981 through Secret Records. It was their only single release which featured two videos. The first was played on the RockAmerica cable music subscription service while the second went into MTV rotation in early 1983. During the same year the song was issued as EP by EMI America. 

New Encyclopedia of New Wave for Your Bookshelf

The successful Encyclopedia series has the brand new addition. The new book celebrates the hugely influential New Wave musical movement of the late 1970s and 80s. Originating as a less-aggressive sister movement to punk, New Wave encompassed a wide range of styles, from Brit pub-rock to electronica, synth-pop, and even ska. 'The Encyclopedia of New Wave' which was written by Daniel Bukszpan comprehensively captures this eclectic music. With its tendency toward romantic minimalism, dark dance beats, and gender-bending antics, New Wave changed the course of popular musical history, as well as fashion and art which is one of the main subjects of the book. The book was released on May 1st and it is available on Amazon. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Vicious Pink on Cherry Red- The Reissues

Cherry Red Records have announced the release Vicious Pink's self titled debut album. The album was originally released internationally in 1986 and it will be available for the first time on CD worldwide. The CD features the nine tracks of the original album release and seven bonus tracks taken from the band's four singles during their spell with 'Parlophone'. 
This release has been made with the full co-operation of Brian Moss - one half of Vicious Pink. Brian has supplied rare photographs, press cuttings, gig flyers for inclusion within the CD booklet. Brian Moss has written sleeve notes for the album. The CD booklet features many of the original sleeves + full UK discography. The album will be out on June 18, 2012.
Back in 2009, we did an interview with Brian Moss and you can read here what he had to say about his time with Vicious Pink. 

More info: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/cherrypop
 

Ultravox Tour Dates Announced

Following the release of their brand new studio album 'Brilliant' Ultravox will embark on UK tour this Autumn. The tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday 18th May. They have also launched album microsite which features the tour dates, track previews and various competitions. 'Brilliant' is scheduled to be released on May 28, 2012.  

www.ultravoxbrilliant.com
 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Next Wave: Linea Aspera

Linea Aspera is a London based synth-pop duo consisting of Ryan Ambridge(Synths/Programming) and Alison Lewis(Vocals /Synths). Their music is influenced by early 80's underground synth-pop and features dark tones and minimal structures. Their self titled debut EP will be out on Dark Entries by the end of July. Check out the video for "Malarone" which was conceptualized, filmed and edited by Alison Lewis.

Find out more about Linea Aspera: 
www.facebook.com/lineaaspera
http://lineaaspera.bandcamp.com
 

Instant Hit: Dramatis- Ex Luna Scientia

Dramatis was Gary Numan's backing band which was formed around the core of Ced Sharpley and Chris Payne. They released a couple of singles and one album before disbanding in 1982. Both, their debut single "Ex Luna Scientia" (From the Moon) and their only album For Future Reference were released in 1981 on 'The Rocket Record Co'. The single was backed bu "Lady D.J." which didn't appear on their album. Gary Numan provided vocals for the song "Love Needs No Disguise" which reached No. 33 in the UK Charts.    
 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Iggy Pop Goes French on 'Après'

Iggy Pop has released a brand new album on which he pays tribute to French culture and heritage. The album is entitled 'Après' and features his covers of French classics by Serge Gainsbourg, Georges Brassens, Edith Piaf, Joe Dassin, Henri Salvador and also the Beatles and Frank Sinatra. 'Après' is officially out May 9th and it is available as a digital download via 'believe digital'.  

www.iggypop.com
 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dexy's Midnight Runners to Release a New Album as Dexys

Dexy's Midnight Runners are back. The band will release a brand new album under a name Dexys. Their new record is entitled 'One Day I'm Going To Soar' and it is their first studio release in 27 years. The track "Nowhere Is Home" was played on the radio for the first time on Radcliffe and Maconie's 6music show on 9 March 2012, as well as being made available for free download via the band's Soundcloud page. "She Got a Wiggle" is the first single to be taken from the album and it will be released on 28 May 2012 while the album is scheduled to be released a week later on June 4, 2012. 

Retrovision: Republica- Drop Dead Gorgeous

Republica enjoyed some chart success in the 90's with the singles "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous". Both songs reached the Top Ten of the UK charts. "Drop Dead Gorgeous" hit the chart 15 years ago while "Ready to Go" was reissued during the same year. Both songs were featured on the band's self titled debut album which was released in 1996 on Deconstruction label in the UK. 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Public Image Ltd. Announce the Release of 'This is PiL'

Public Image Ltd. will release their first album in twenty years. The new album will be called 'This is Pil' and it is a follow-up to the 'One Drop' EP which was released on Record Store Day. The 12 track album will be released on digi-pack CD, double vinyl LP, and it will be available digital. There is also a very special limited edition deluxe hardback 2 disc set including a bonus DVD of the now legendary live performance at London, Heaven Nightclub, April 2nd 2012 along with expanded inner booklet. The album will be officially released on May, 28, 2012 and it is available on pre-order through all major record stores.  

www.pilofficial.com/thisispil
 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Parade Ground To Release 'The 15th Floor'

Following the issue of 'The Golden Years' compilation which was released last year through Dark Entries Records, Parade Ground have returned with a new album entitled 'The 15th Floor'. The album was originally recorded in 1989, but it was never released. 'The 15th Floor' features 12 tracks and it comes as in a limited edition of 520 hand-numbered copies, 180 gram vinyl plus insert with notes from Colin Newman (Wire) and Patrick Codenys (Front 242). The album is available on pre-order and it will released on May 25, 2012. 
 
www.reverbnation.com/
 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Lost Videos: Pauline Murray & The Invisible Girls - Mr X

Here is one of the rare music videos we stumbled upon recently. It is by Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls who released it in 1980. "Mister X" was the second single which was also appeared on their self titled debut album released during the same year. The single was backed by "Two Shots" and it was written by Martin Hannett. Sadly there is no info about the video. Poor quality fragment, but still great to have it around on YouTube.

 

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Colourbox To Release 4 CD Box Set

Colourbox are celebrating the 30th anniversary this year. On this occasion 4AD is to release the ultimate Colourbox compilation. Entitled simply 'Colourbox' it is a 4 CD box set of all their released studio recordings and mixes which has been sequenced by Martyn Young. CD1 is the 1985 album, 'Colourbox', and includes all the tracks from the free album that was included with the original 10,000 LPs. The second disc is the 7" singles and the third is the 12" mixes. The final disc has the 4 track mini-album, 'Colourbox', an unreleased early mix of Arena and eight tracks recorded in session for the BBC. More info here

 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Next Wave: Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Cancer is essentially the solo project of LA-based Camella Lobo, with contributions from John Mendez and Taylor Burch. They have released two records for labels 'Blackest Ever Black' and 'Downwards' and established themselves in the modern post-punk and darkwave scene. The sound of Tropic of Cancer is always referred as gothic, cold wave, drone pop or anything else you can imagine. They will release a brand new three track EP entitled "Permissions Of Love 12"" on Mannequin. The EP is available digital through the Orchard in the most important digital stores. Official release date is set for May 28, 2012.
 http://www.facebook.com/tropicofcancer

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Next Wave: Part Time

Part Time is a project of San Francisco based musician David Speck. His music can be described as bedroom pop with a major influences from the musical styles of the 80's decade, lo-fi electronic beats and and soft drum machines suitable for nightclubbing as well as for a beach party. In the recent years, David has released two studio albums and he is back with a new single "Visions of the Future" released earlier this year for the Loglady records. Part Time is currently touring with Craft Spells and The Drums. 



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