Instant Hit: Hysterica Passio- Grey Over Life

Hysterica Passio, a NY downtown 4 piece group, released their only single "Grey Over Life" in 1982 for the Fire in Heart records. The band only lasted about 3 years but they managed to gain a good following playing at all the local venues such as Danceteria, The Pyramid Lounge, The Mudd Club & Maxwells. 

Next Wave: Inhalt

Inhalt is a San Francisco based synth trio consisting of Matia Simovich, Bryan Gibbs, and Philip Winiger. Their music employs the best of vintage electronics and modern technologies and techniques and transforms it into the system of Inahalt's dark analogue beats and cold rhythms. Inhalt's debut EP 'Vehicle' was released through Dark Entries Records on May 8, 2012.All tracks were written, produced and mixed by the band at The Bunker Studio, San Francisco, California between 2009 and 2011.

www.inhalt.us
www.facebook.com/INHALT
 

Reissue: Drinking Electricity- Overload + Singles

Drinking Electricity's debut and only album 'Overload' has been reissued by Medical Records this August. The album was originally released by Survival Records which was founded by the band's members Anne-Marie Heighway and David Rome in 1981. This double LP collection showcases Drinking Electricity's full LP 'Overload' while the second LP contains the singles released during the 1980-1982 period. The LP is presented in a double gatefold jacket with custom Drinking Electricity inspired artwork. Inner gatefold jacket features a variety of pictures of the band during this period. The release also features a bonus 2-sided insert with liner notes and interview of the band by Dave Segal. 

For more info click here

In Conversation: 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 futurstic 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.
Find out more about Featureless Ghost and hear what Elise and Matt said about their musical influences, live performances and future plans in music in the Q-A below.

WAW: Soft Riot- You Can't Please Everyone

Soft Riot is back with a new promo video for the song "You Can't Please Everyone", taken from their debut EP 'Another Drone in Your Head' which was released earlier this year on Tundra Dubs. This song is also included on 'Hyperbolic Masses', a limited edition cassette released in May. The cassette will be available at live shows over the coming months as well by mail order through their official site. More info about the forthcoming live shows in June. here

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
 

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/
 

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

Reissue: Paul Nova- Trees Without Leaves

The German record label Vinyl on Demand (VOD Records) has reissued Paul Nova's debut album "Trees Without Leaves". The albums is considered as one of the Holy Grails of Minimal/Synth/80’s-Cold Wave music and it was originally released in 1984 his own label Exhibit One Records. The reissue also features the singles "Famous Boys" and "Julie-Ann", unreleased tracks as well as demos which were released on the same label. It is out as a limited edition of 500 copies. Click the link for more info.

 www.vinyl-on-demand.com/releases
 

Lost Videos: Nini Raviolette - Suis-Je Normale?

Nini Raviolette made her debut 32 years ago with her only single release "Suis-Je Normale?". This minimal-synth gem appeared on a compilation album 'So Young But So Cold: Underground French Music 1977-1983'. Enjoy the artwork of squares, hearts, lips and blips.

Led Er Est- The Diver

Led Er Est have announced the release date of their second studio album entitled The Diver . The album features eleven new tracks and it will be released on May 8th. This is a follow up to their brilliant debut album 'Dust on Common' which was released in 2009 on Wierd Records. "Bladiator", one of the songs from the upcoming album was premiered on their final installment of Room 205. The album was mixed by Chris Coady and will be released courtesy of Sacred Bones Records.

  www.musicdirect.com

Reissue: Twilight Ritual- The Factory Scream

Ten years after the CD release Twilight Ritual will release their album 'The Factory Scream' on LP. This will be a limited edition 16 track LP released through the Belgian label Onderstroom Records on February 21, 2012. All tracks on the album were written and produced by Geert Coppens and Peter Bonne. More details soon!

Instant Hit: League of Nations- Fade

League of Nations was a Los Angeles based synth pop duo consisting of David Sinfield and Laurie Jean. They released one single and EP between 1982 and 1984. "Fade" was the title track of the only single release from 1982. Two years later, it was also included in the compilation Music For The New Depression with five other songs. 

Reissue: Passion Polka- Obsessions EP

Anna Logue Records have reissued "Obsessions" EP by Passion Polka which was originally released in 1982. The EP has been remastered by Marc Senasac with an addition of two previously unreleased 1983 tracks 'Lying next to You' and 'Fighting Alone'. A classic analogue synth-pop one must have!

http://annaloguerecords.blogspot.com/p/releases.html

  

In Conversation: Claps

Claps are back! After two great EPs from last year, they have released their fantastic debut album entitled 'Wreck'. They might be the next Experimental Products singing and producing music for modern living in the 00's. A modern take on classic minimal synth. Let's hear what Pat, Sara and Jed said about their music, their influences and more.

Reissue: Beograd-TV

One of the first synth-pop acts of the former Yugoslavia Beograd, named after the capital Belgrade has been reissued on CD for the very first time. Their debut  EP features the title track "TV" and three other minimal style synth-pop tracks and it is out on Anna Logue Records. This year also marks the 30 year anniversary of its original release.

  www.annaloguerecords.com

Retrovision: Laurie Anderson- O Superman

Laurie Anderson released "O Superman" thirty years ago and entered the UK charts unexpectedly at number 2. Half-sung, half-spoken and in minimal and experimental style, it brought something new to the music world. The songs was later covered by David Bowie and elements of this song also inspired Army Lovers to record "Obsession", one of their biggest hits.

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Xeno And Oaklander- Sets and Lights

Xeno and Oaklander's new album 'Sets and Lights' is out this week. This is their second release for the New York based label Wierd Records. Their latest single is also entitled "Sets and Lights" and it was released in September. You can stream the whole album here. Xeno and Oaklander will be joining John Foxx And The Maths for two shows on the forthcoming UK Tour – at London XOYO on 27 October, followed by Holmfirth (near Sheffield) on 28th October. 

  http://xenoandoaklander.com

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Next Wave: Soft Riot

Soft Riot is a one man band and a musical creation of Jack Duckworth also known as JJD and a member of the post-punk outfit Savage Furs. The concept of his music is ambient punk with elements of drone-y post-rock, minimal wave electronics and synthesizer-based cinema soundtracks. Soft Riot made a debut in 2010 with "No Longer A Stranger" on the Panospria label which featured six minimal, pulsing pop songs, the lyrics drawing from science fiction, isolation, politics, romance and psychedelia with an element of wry black humor. JJD is currently working on new material which will be released soon. Stay tuned for more info!

http://www.facebook.com/softriot
http://softriot.com

Eleven Pond's 'Bas Releief' on CD

A Rochester based darkwave electro band Eleven Pond will see their only album 'Bas Relief' reissued on CD for the first time. The album was originally released as 500 copies limited edition in 1986 and it was reissued on vinyl by Dark Entries in 2009. Find out more about the latest release by clicking on the link below. 

  www.othervoicesrecords.com/pages/vox10.htm