Sunday, September 30, 2012

Bananarama, New EP, Pinktober Tour and more...

Bananarama are back with a brand new digital EP entitled 'Now or Never'. Your dancing shoes should be ready for this new four track EP which is out now. To promote this EP and to celebrate their 30th Anniversary Sara and Karen will tour in the US as part of Hard Rock International’s 'Pinktober' series, which aims to raise awareness of breast cancer. 


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Deacon Blue Are Back

Deacon Blue are back with their first album in eleven years. This release also marks the 25 anniversary of their debut release 'Raintown'. The album is ironically titled 'The Hipsters' and its release is preceded by the title track, as the lead-off single, with its brilliant accompanying promo-video. The band will be undertaking a nationwide promotional campaign and will be on a 15-date tour from 4th-22nd October, with two additional concerts in Scotland in December. 

 http://www.deaconblue.com
 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Out This Week: Clockwork Orchestra- Friends Without Names

'Friends Without Names' is the exciting debut album by Clockwork Orchestra (aka Irish songwriter Paul Mangan) set for release on White Label Music, an independent record label based in Windsor which is co-run by Ann Shenton, a founding member of art rockers Add N To (X). 
A chocolate box of melodic treasures, the album was recorded entirely within the confines of Mangan's bedroom studio and demonstrates his love of nursery rhymes, vintage keyboard instruments and lyrical storytelling. 'Friends Without Names' takes the listener on a unique journey through a frenzied world of vibrant colours, songs within songs, eccentric characters and chronic symphonies. 
The live incarnation of Clockwork Orchestra have recently returned from performing a series of shows in Germany and have an album launch set for November 3nd at the Twisted Pepper in Dublin to celebrate the release of Friends Without Names on compact disc. The digital album is released this week. 


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

John Taylor- In The Pleasure Groove- New Book

New item for the Duran Duran fans is out now, in particular for John Taylor fans. His latest book is entitled 'In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran' and in his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs and troubles during his career with Duran Duran. Told with humour, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, 'In the Pleasure Groove' is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire... and came through the other side. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-The-Pleasure-Groove-Death

 

In Conversation: Detachments

Detachments is the creation of London-based musician and songwriter, Bastien Marshal. Along with drummer, Peter Dawson, and a cast of musicians and producers, Marshal has been the driving force behind the band since the mid-2000's. The sound is an intoxicating blend of 80's post-punk, synthpop, new wave, and even hints of darkwave in some places. Not to be clumped in with the wave of bands recreating these sounds as of late, Marshal and company do it very well and with an ultramodern feel in tow. The listener is mentally, physically, and rhythmically drowned in mood, atmosphere, and all that tugs at the heartstrings. Following a string of singles, the band released their self-tilted debut LP in September of 2010. 
Largely produced and performed by Marshal, Dawson, and producer James Ford ( Simian Mobile Disco), it offered more synth driven reworkings of previous singles as well as new and unheard tracks. Since that release, Marshal and Dawson have been touring, intermittently, to further promote the album and band while gaining many a new fan along the way. On September 3, 2012 the digital release of the "Fade EP" saw the light of day on UK-based Hacienda Records. The label has mainly been a vehicle for the output of Peter Hook (New Order / Joy Division) and are now taking on the task of releasing the work of new and established artists. With a follow up LP in the works, where will we see the band go from here? Who better to ask than Marshal himself? He kindly agreed to answer a batch of questions that i happily whipped up for him.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Yazoo and Duran Duran Release Late Summer Best ofs

The brand new Yazoo collection of hits has been released by Music Club Deluxe. It marks the 30th anniversary of hits such as "Don't Go" and "Situation" which filled the 80's dance floors. This two CD compilation features Yazoo's biggest hits as well as 12" versions and stunning dance remixes. 
 Duran Duran have also released a new best of compilation entitled Duran Duran 'The Biggest And The Best'. This 2CD collection focuses on the period 1981-1990 and features some key album tracks, alongside 20 Top 40 hits and twelve Top 10 hits. 


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Retrovision: Boy George- The Crying Game

Boy George hit the charts twenty year ago with "The Crying Game". The song was originally performed by Dave Berry and it reached #5 in the UK charts in 1964. Both songs appeared in the movie of the same name which was directed by Neil Jordan. Boy George's version of this song was produced by Pet Shop Boys and entered the charts at #22. The song was also covered bu the Associates and Kylie Minogue. 

Daybehavior- Follow That Car

The Swedish electro-pop trio Daybehavior are back with their third album 'Follow That Car'. This time they have chosen to do all by themselves, in full control and no obligations to other record companies. The album is described as suggestive and cinematic and features 12 brand new tracks including the single releases "It's a Game" and "Silent Dawn". The album was officially released on September 14th through Graplur.  

www.daybehavior.com
 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Instant Hit: Microdisney- Pink Skinned Man

"Pink Skinned Man" was the second single release for the Irish indie pop group Microdisney. It was released in 1983 through Kabuki and featured the wonderful and acoustic "Fiction Land" as a b-side. Perfect soundtrack to the late summer. 
 

Next Wave: Glitter

Glitter is a Philadelphia based indie pop group fronted by Jaymie Guokas. The music of Glitter was influenced by the carefree swing of the pastels and Aussie love songs of the Go Betweens. Their songs are the soundtrack to strange science fiction dreams where love and heartbreak are filtered through the AM radio of subconscious. Their brand new album 'WYLD HRTS' is out now. 
More about the band and their music:  

http://glitter.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/glitterphiladelphia
 

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Out This Week: The Raveonettes- Observator

The Danish indie rock duo The Raveonettes have released their sixth studio album this week. The album is entitled 'Observator' and it was issued on Vice Records. It features three singles, "Observations" and "She Owns The Streets" were released earlier this summer, while their third single "The Enemy" is due on September 24th. 


Saturday, September 15, 2012

Heaven 17- 'The Luxury Gap' Reissues and Tour

Heaven 17 have announced the reissue of their second album 'The Luxury Gap' in October. This will be another expanded reissue which will feature three-disc (2CD and DVD). The original album from 1983 will be on one CD along with a second CD of remixes and a DVD of promo videos and live performances. 
The band will also go on tour and perform the classic album in its entirety including the hits "Temptation" and "Let Me Go". Several tour dates have been confirmed for October, November and December in the UK and Germany. 

More info via Heaven 17 official

 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

WAW: Trust- Dressed for Space

Trust is back with a brand new video for the song "Dressed for Space" from the debut album 'TRST'. This clip recalls some of the best videos from the late 80's and early 90's choreographed with neon lights. It was premiered on Pitchfork TV today.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Bill Nelson's 'Trial by Intimacy' to be Reissued

A limited edition reissue of Bill Nelson's 4 disc ambient boxed set 'Trial By Intimacy (The Book of Splendours)' has been announced for reissue. Originally released on Bill's Cocteau Records label in October 1984, 'Trial By Intimacy' comprised recordings made by Bill at his Echo Observatory home studio. Containing around eighty pieces of music, the work presented examples of Bill Nelson's Ambient experiments. 
This newly re-mastered Cocteau Discs edition restores the original elements of the 'Trial By Intimacy' box and is an exact facsimile, reproducing the 48 page book and eight art postcards that featured in the original set. Available on pre-order for 29th October.  

www.burningshed.com
 

Monday, September 10, 2012

Factory Dance Series Continue with 'Factory. Dance 02'

Strut records will release the second album in the ‘Fac. Dance’ series bringing together sought after 12” versions and rarities from Manchester’s revered Factory Records imprint. Revisiting the peerless studio work of Martin Hannett, Be Music and ACR drummer Donald Johnson, among others, Fac. Dance 02 fleshes out Factory’s varied early forays into dance territory, widening the spectrum yet further from Volume One. The CD and LP packages feature detailed track notes by Factory biographer James Nice, together with rare photos and they are officially out on September 17th. 


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Label Spot: Anna Logue Records

Anna  Logue Records is an independent record label based in Germany. It was founded by Marc Schaffer in March 2005 in order to release previously unreleased material by original early 80's bands that made a special kind of electronic music generally described as "Electropop", "Technopop", "Synth-pop", "Minimal Electronics" or "Cold Wave" spanning a period from 1979 to 1984. Label's intention is not commercial, their goal is to satisfy the small amount of passionate music fans and collectors who love such music.
Anna Logue Records releases include: Camera Obscura- 'Horizons of Suburbia' LP, Poeme Electronique 'The Echoes Fade' LP/CD, Car Crash Set 'Join the Car Crash Set' LP and many more.
For all the info about the past and upcoming releases and all the contact details check out this site

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Deux- Golden Dreams EP Out Soon

Minimal Wave has announced the release of 'Golden Dreams' EP by the French duo Deux. This is the their second release for this label. Already in 2010 Minimal Wave released 'Decadence', a compilation of previously unreleased tracks. This follow up EP features four previously unreleased newly remastered studio and demo tracks, pressed on 180 gram gold vinyl. 'Golden Dreams' is due for release on October 6th while the highly sought 'Decadence' compilation is going to be repressed and released in 2013.

http://minimalwave.com

 

WAW: Sally Dige- Doppelgänger

Sally Dige is back with a brand new video for a German titled "Doppelgänger", a b-side of her debut single which is due for release this autumn. This is her second video and a follow up to "Immaculate Deception" which was also featured here a year ago. The single will be issued as a limited 7" on Fabrika Records.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

David Bowie's Retrospective Art Exhibition to Open in London Next Year

The Victoria and Albert museum have announced the opening dates of the first international retrospective David Bowie exhibition entitled "David Bowie is" The exhibition will feature handwritten lyrics, original costumes and set designs alongside the 65-year-old star's own instruments.The V&A said it would explore Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon. More than 60 stage costumes will be on display, including original Ziggy Stardust bodysuits from 1972 and outfits designed for his Aladdin Sane and Thin White Duke characters. Bowie distanced himself from the show and added that he will not participate in any decisions relating to the exhibition. 'David Bowie Is' is due to open early next year from March 23rd to July 28th. 

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Next Wave: Ice Choir

A Brooklyn based musician Kurt Feldman, originally a member of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, has a new band project called Ice Choir. Ice Choir's smooth and glossy retro synth-pop reminds of Scritti Politti, late OMD and even Johnny Hates Jazz. Just close your eyes to their music and you will dream of 1985.  
Ice Choir is from Brooklyn, it was formed in 2010 and consists of Kurt Feldman, Raphael Radna, Avery Brooks and Patrick South. Their debut album 'Afar' was released on July 31st and it is available on CD and LP.

More info here:
www.icechoir.com
http://www.facebook.com/theicechoir
 

Monday, September 3, 2012

Wired for Sound- The New Book About 80's Music Childhood

This summer Simon & Schuster Ltd have released 'Wired for Sound' by Tom Bromley who is know for his mixture of fiction and non-fiction, mainly with a pop culture slant. 
'Wired For Sound' chronicles the rise and fall of eighties music, from the Band Aid highs of Duran Duran, Wham! and U2 to the Band Aid II lows of Bros, Jason Donovan and Wet Wet Wet. In loving detail, it explores the themes that defined the charts of the time: from music videos to VW badges, synthesisers to stadium rock and from Radio One to Frankie saying "Relax". 
Tom Bromley captures, too, the experiences of the small town boys and girls who grew up listening to the music: a generation of 'Smash Hits' readers and Sony Walkman owners, 'Top of the Pops' viewers and C90 cassette compilers. Evoking an era when it really mattered who was number one, Wired for Sound is an affectionate celebration of both a musical youth and the decade when young guns really went for it.  

www.tombromley.co.uk
 

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Instant Hit: Vogue- Sahara

Vogue was a Los Angeles based group consisting of Aret Michel Madilian, Julie Kubat and Teresa Kubat. They released their only single, a wonderfully synth driven and very atmospheric "Sahara" in 1983. The song was issued as 12" for Aret Records and featured "Shattered Peace" on a B-side. The song appeared on A.A.V.V. Your Silent Face compilation which was released in 2010.  

 

Retrovision: Marquis de Sade- Wanda's Loving Boy

French post punk group Marquis de Sade fronted by singer Philippe Pascal and guitarist Franck Darcel released "Wanda's Loving Boy" in 1981. The song was the last release for the group in the early 80's before they split. The song appeared on their second album 'Rue de Siam', released during the same year.

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