Showing posts with label Experimental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Experimental. Show all posts

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Flying Lizards Reissue

Two two key albums by the Flying Lizards will be reissued during November on Cherry Red Records. Founded in 1978 by avant-garde composer and producer David Cunningham as an experimental pop band, The Flying Lizards rode the crest of the New Wave peaking with the international hit single Money. Both, the self titled debut album and 'Fourth Wall' will also feature bonus tracks. Check out the full track listing here.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Laurie Anderson- Homeland

Laurie Anderson will release her first studio album since 2001. The album is entitled 'Homeland' and it is scheduled for release on June 22, 2010. The record was produced by Anderson, Lou Reed and Roma Baran. At 66 minutes, it is to be Anderson's longest studio album.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Paul Haig

Paul Haig is a multifaceted Scottish artist recognized as the frontman of the early 80s Post-punk group Josef K. Following the band's dissolution, Haig transitioned into a solo career, where he established himself as a composer, producer, and singer. Throughout the 80s, he released numerous albums and singles, all while nurturing his enduring Rhythm of Life organization, which continues to thrive today.

Haig's early career starts are connected to Edinburgh's independent record label Rational which released his early work. This included his first singles, as well as the experimental album Drama. The album was released in 700 copies as limited edition cassette only set of home recorded electronica featuring Franz Kafka texts set to music.
In the early 1982, Haig teamed up up with the Belgian independent record label Les Disques du Crepuscule and relocated to Brussels for an intensive recording schedule. This resulted in two new singles, showcasing a departure from the sound associated with his previous work with Josef K. 
Later this year Haig signed the deal with Island Records for a new album, the first recorded in a studio, in New York. His first Island single was a newly arranged "Heaven Sent" announcing the new album Rhythm of Life and a short tour promotion. The album sold respectably, but the Josef K. fans could not follow here anymore. Simple bad luck seems to have prevented all three singles providing solid hits which might have allowed Haig to cross over to a new, wider audience. Inexplicably 'Island' failed even to release the album or the singles in the US, the very market to which they had been tailored. While Haig stayed in the USA Les Disques du Crepuscule went on releasing his music around Europe. 

In 1984 Haig teamed up with Alan Rankine in London to produce a new album. The first and only single from the album was the song "The Only Truth" co-produced with Bernard Sumner and Donald Johnson. It failed to chart which led to disconnection between Island Records' and Les Disques du Crepuscule, resulting in a shelved  album. Rather than release the cancelled set on Crepuscule, it was decided to combine half the album with new songs recorded throughout 1985. Haig launched his fightback later in the year with a powerful single, "Heaven Help You Now", and the excellent album The Warp Of Pure Fun


Unhappy with Crepuscule, Haig left seeking a new record deal. During 1986 he mostly spent time writing new songs and recording with Billy Mackenzie, the other Associate. In the early 1988, Haig financed recording of a new new album Chains himself on the Virgin offshoot Circa. The album featured the song "Something Good" one of the highlights of Haig 80's era songs. Both the album and the song broke commercially and no tour followed.
In the early 90's, Circa financed the recording of another album that was dance orientated with Curtis Mantronik and Lil Louis as producers. During the 90's he also released Cinematique, an instrumental set of imaginary film themes as well as Memory Place, an album compiled by the songs Billy Mackenzie and Paul Haig recorded. In 2001 Haig released another two volumes of Cinematique on his ROL Imprint.

In 2007 Haig released his first album and single in 14 years. The album Electonik Audience was influenced by Kraftwerk and Cabaret Voltaire. Another album followed in 2008, Go Out Tonight. It marked Paul returning to his roots and tracks such as "Trouble Maker" which are very reminiscent of early solo recordings such as "Chance". Haig also embarked on his first tour since 1989 when he promoted both old and new tracks. 2009 saw the release of the critically-acclaimed album, Relive, during December. The album marked a return to form with some songs such as "Ambition" and "Trip Out The Rider" evoking the energy displayed on earlier albums.
Going through the ups and downs of his career which last for almost 30 years. Haig has never released a record with his own face on the front cover. For me personally, remaining as one of the most underrated artists of all time.

The main source: 

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Thick Pigeon

One of the forgotten links in the story of Manchester, England's Factory label, Thick Pigeon was an arty duo from New York that consisted of Stanton Miranda (bass, vocals) and Carter Burwell (percussion, effects, vocals). Prior to forming the group, Miranda was a background member in the New York music scene, and played with Kim Gordon in CKM and with Rhys Chatham's Arsenal.

A series of three 1982 singles — two for Crepuscule and one for Operation Twilight — predated their debut album, most notably, "The Subway". Miranda and Burwell recorded the album, Too Crazy Cowboys for Factory in 1983, with key assistance from New Order's Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris. After the album's late 1984 release, Burwell went into a successful career as a soundtrack composer, starting with the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple. Sadly none of the singles could gain prominent success.

 
Though they never used the Thick Pigeon name again, Miranda and Burwell worked together on a 1991 album for Crepuscule, which was released under the name Miranda Dali. Stanton Miranda also released her only single "Wheels over Indian Trails" in 1986.

"As well as her work with Thick Pigeon, Miranda has been an active participant in the kaleidoscopic New York music scene. having worked with members of NY bands Arsenal, Sonic Youth and SleepingDogs, she is currently collaborating with Michael Dieckman in Lt 70, and also contributing to Hit By a Truck." J.Nice, Feb 2003

In addition to writing music, Stanton Miranda has acted in feature films by Jonathan Demme worked off- Broadway with John Leguezamo, and given art performances at The Kitchen (NYC). She also recorded a cover version of Joy Division's “Love Will Tear Us Apart” for the Virgin/Hut compilation A Means to an End, and was the featured singer on two tracks (Red Shoes and When the World) on The Guitar and Other Machines by Durutti Column. Carter Burwell has scored approximately 50 major motion pictures, including Gods and Monsters, Adaptation, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Being John Malkovich, as well as almost every feature made by Joel and Ethan Coen. On his soundtrack for Psycho III, Stanton Miranda was a featured singer.

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