Next Wave: Porcelain Raft

Porcelain Raft is a stage name for Mauro Remidi who has recently joined Secretly Canadian. Prior to this, back in 1999 he played his own composition at La Mama Theatre in New York as part of the tap dance show 'Vaudeville 2000' and in 2008, he collaborated with Filthy Dukes, singing on the track "Somewhere at Sea". His debut album 'Strange Weekend' reflects Mauro's new musical formula. Even if it has been made in a small place, it is hypnotizing dream-pop, with melodies and synths billowing out in all directions. The music of Porcelain Raft stands confidently on a high hill between the sounds of M83 and Beach House. 'Strange Weekend' is out now and good news is the Porcelain raft will support M83 during the European tour.

http://porcelainraft.com
http://www.facebook.com/porcelainraft

Reissue: Hard Coprs- Clean Tables Have To Be Burnt

Minimal Wave Records will release a full length LP release entitled Clean Tables Have To Be Burnt by UK legends Hard Corps. This the first time ever that rare unreleased versions of Hard Corps tracks from the 1980s have been remastered and are being made available. The album comes as a 180 gram vinyl pressing limited to 999 copies with double sided inner sleeve featuring a beautiful group shot and all of Regine’s lyrics. The album will be available in early April. More Hard Corps news to come in March. Stay tuned for that.   

http://minimalwave.com/hard-corps

Lost Videos: Act- Snobbery and Decay

"Snobbery and Decay" was the first single for Act, a short lived collaboration between Propaganda vocalist, Claudia Brücken and cult favourite Electro pioneer, Thomas Leer. The single also featured a cover of "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You" from the musical Evita. The song was released by ZTT Records and it also appeared on their only album Laughter Tears & Rage from the year 1988.

   

Steve Strange Has A New Formation

New Romantic vocalist Steve Strange of 'Visage' and 'Blitz Kids' fame is back with a new project called Detroit Starrzz. The collective includes artists, producers and remixers such as Patrick Ruane from chart-topping dance duo 'The Nightstylers', amazing remixstress producer and guitar virtuoso Rachel Ellektra and the highly talented and charismatic DJ Little Andy (TOTP Star Bar). They have launched their unique brand of breaks and beats-inspired synth-pop. Their new album is expected to be released soon.

www.facebook.com/pages/Detroit-Starrzz

Reissue: Die Doraus und die Marinas First Two Albums

The first two albums by Andreas Dorau's very own Die Doraus and Marinas have been reissued for the first time on CD and Vinyl. Their debut album 'Blumen und Narzissen' was originally released in 1981 and featured their huge hit "Fred From Jupiter" which Andreas wrote when he was 16. It also remained an all time NDW classic. The second album 'Die Doraus Und Die Marinas Geben Offenherzige Antworten Auf Brennende Fragen' was released two years later in 1983 and on this album Andres carried on where he left off with "Blumen und Narzissen": Pop hits in quick succession, but this time professionally produced and radio-friendly. Both albums were released in January on Bureau B. 

www.bureau-b.com

Instant Hit: Spectral Display- There's A Virus Going Round

"There's a Virus Going Round" was a first release for a Dutch group Spectral Display in 1982. This smooth synth pop gem which featured Arianne Kraak on vocals was released as 7" and 12" with "Hang Ups" as a B-side. Both songs were also included on their self titled debut album released in the same year. Their biggest hit "It Takes a Muscle to Fall in Love" was covered by M.I.A. on her last album. 

WAW: Azure Blue- Seasons

Azure Blue are back with a new single this month. It is a double A-sided single which features the songs 'Season' and 'Dreamy Eyes' both taken from Azure Blue's debut Rule of Thirds which was released last year in November. There is also a brand new video for the song 'Season' which was directed by Mattias Erik Johansson.

 

The Spirit of Talk Talk Updates

New updates on the Talk Talk tribute project! "The Spirit of Talk Talk" will be the name of this pompous new project which will mark Talk Talk's 30th anniversary. It will feature 30 artists and acts and personalities including King Creosote, Alan Wilder, Jason Lytle, Zero 7, Crispin Hunt, Linton Kwesi Johnson, White Belt Yellow Tag, Electric Soft Parade, Joan As Policewoman, White Lies, Goldheart Assembly and many, many more guesting cats from Bon Iver to Arcade Fire covering 30 Talk Talk tunes from 'Today' to ‘Life’s What You Make It’ to ‘After The Flood’ in their own inimitable style. 

The album is slated for release on September 3rd, 2012 on double CD and download and as part of the whole tribute-themed narrative arc the record will be accompanied by a lavish book, also called 'Spirit Of Talk Talk' which features eulogies from, among others, the smitten likes of Guy Garvey, Richard Wright (Pink Floyd), Karl Hyde (Underworld), Wild Beasts and James Lavelle from UNKLE. The artwork for both artefacts is by original Talk Talk illustrator James Marsh and the book features all manner of Mark Hollis-related delights for music lovers old and new alike to swoon over such as lost photos and handwritten lyric sheets. 

Source:
http://fiercepanda.co.uk

Kraftwerk Eight Day Stand in New York

Kraftwerk will give a series of eight performances, each devoted to one of its albums, as part of a Museum of Modern Art retrospective of the electronic music pioneers in April, museum officials said. The performances during “Kraftwerk-Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8,” on consecutive evenings starting April 10, will not only feature tracks from one of Kraftwerk’s albums, but also other original compositions intended to showcase the group’s influence on contemporary culture. Projected images, including 3-D ones, will accompany the music. The albums will be performed in chronological order, one each night, starting with “Autobahn” from 1974 and working up through “Tour de France” from 2003. 

Source:
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1257

LP Covers Bricked Up

The British artist Aaron Savage with experience in Photography, Print, Web and Logo design came to the idea to reconstruct a host of music’s finest album covers using only Lego. The collection includes album cover from all decades throughout the music history from Elvis to lily Allen, all bricked up in Lego.

Artist info:

http://www.aaronsavage.co.uk/portfolio/brick-the-lp/

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!

Retrovision: Depeche Mode- See You

"See You" was released on this date 30 years ago. It was the fourth single release for Depeche Mode which reached #6 in the UK Charts. The song was included on the band's second album 'A Broken Frame'. Martin Gore debuted here as a songwriter and Alan Wildler appeared for the first time in a DM video. The video was directed by Julien Temple. The band did not like, and it did not show up on the 1985 video compilation 'Some Great Videos', which included the band's videos up to 1985 except the 'A Broken Frame' singles and "Get the Balance Right".

Out This Week: Islands- A Sleep and A Forgetting

Island are releasing their fourth studio album this week. The album is entitled 'A Sleep & a Forgetting', lifted from a William Wordsworth poem. The lead singer Nicholas Thorburn explained that the this album is far more personal than any he has made before and added that it deals with loss, with memory and forgetting and with dreaming. The album is out on ANTI-, tomorrow, on Valentine's Day. 

More info:
 www.anti.com

Next Wave: TRUST

TRUST is a Toronto based duo consisting of Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski. The duo was formed in 2009 when Robert and Maya began writing songs and working on their first recording material. As a result came the first singles which were released in 2011 by Sacred Bones Records. Their musical style combines dark synth waves with heavy drum beats and tends to techno at some points. TRUST have already begun to draw huge support in their home-town of Toronto where they have opened for Glass Candy, Hercules & Love Affair, Washed Out, and Zola Jesus. Their debut album which includes singles "Bulbform" and "Candy Walls" is due to be released on February 28, 2012.

http://www.ttrustt.com
http://www.facebook.com

Whitney Houston Dead at age 48

Whitney Houston, winner of multiple music awards, singer of 11 chart-topping hits on the Hot 100 and one of the biggest superstars to emerge from the 1980s, has died at the age of 48, it has been reported. No cause of death has been announced yet. Houston will mostly be remembered for her unique voice and her hits "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "I Will Always Love You". RIP Whitney.

WAW: Chromatics- Into the Black

Chromatic have announced a new single, their second from the upcoming album 'Kill For Love'. The single is called "Into The Black" and it was written and performed by Neil Young. The video for it was directed by Alberto Rossini in Gemini Vision for 'Italian do it better' films.

Dalis Car- In Glad Aloness

The long awaited Dalis Car EP entitled "In Glad Aloneness" which was recorded during the last five months Mick Karn's life in the late 2010 will be released this spring. Initiated by Peter Murphy, Karn's final work during his lifetime saw the unexpected resurrection of the duo's cult mid-1980s project, Dali's Car. The five track EP recalls the exotic Eastern-tinged Art Pop sensibility of Dali's Car's fondly remembered 1984 album 'The Waking Hour'. The album features significant contributions from friends and regular musical collaborators Steve Jansen, Jakko M Jakszyk and Theo Travis. The album will be released on April 4, 2012 and it is now available on pre-order via Burningshed. 

 www.burningshed.com/store/mickkarn

The Jesus and Mary Chain New Tour Dates

Jesus and the Mary Chain have reunited for a four dates tour in the USA. The tour will kick off in March and it will include an appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas. This will be the first time since 2008 that the band has performed in North America. 

 The revitalized Jesus And Mary Chain are then something of a miracle – a perfect combination of their earliest incendiary nihilism, and their later musical perfection. Underpinning the Reid brothers’ three-chord assault on these 2012 dates will be (sometimes drummer and guitarist from the Psychocandy and Darklands tours) John Moore on guitar, Phil King on bass and a drummer to be announced. Go to the tour dates page for venue and date info.

http://thejesusandmarychain.co.uk  

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. 

VCMG- 'Ssss' Release Announced

Vince Clark and Martin L Gore who have recently reunited for a musical project VCMG and who are one of the most anticipated musical collaborations of 2012 will release their debut album in March. Their album is entitled 'Ssss' and it was written and produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore mixed by Timothy “Q” Wiles, recorded and engineered by Sie Medway Smith and Vince Clarke and mastered by Stefan Betke (aka Pole). The album includes the recent 12” EP "Spock" plus the forthcoming EP 2 / Single "Blip". The album is out on Mute March 13, 2012. 

  http://mute.com/vcmg

Mute Presents Fad Gadget Exhibition in New York

Envoy enterprises, in collaboration with NP Contemporary Art Center and Mute, is pleased to present FGFt, a three-part project series in homage to Frank Tovey – founder of the 1970's/1980's British electronic group Fad Gadget, marking the 10 year anniversary of the pioneer’s death. Summoning a diverse group of artists and musicians who have been both directly and indirectly influenced by Tovey, the series will take place from March 1st through to April 8th, 2012 featuring a group exhibition, live music performances, and a film screening.

The group exhibition, on view at envoy enterprises from March 1st through April 8th, will feature new work inspired by Frank Tovey and specifically made for FGFt. The opening reception is on March 1st from 6-8pm. On March 3 at 10:30pm, Xeno & Oaklander and Ike Yard will each give live performances at Dixon Place as part of the music program. Additionally, Fad Gadget by Frank Tovey will make it’s US premiere at Anthology Film Archives on March 10th at 8:00pm, alongside short films from artists in the exhibition. All events are free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. 

More info here

Electronic Rumors Bring You The Best in Electro

Electronic rumors blog (electronicrumors.com) that has been serving up the latest and greatest news and tracks in the world of Electro/Disco/Indie/Dreamwave/Synth/Stuff/Thing/Pop has teamed up with respected Us ElectroPop label Ninthwave Records (Heaven17/White Town/The Modern) to release electronic rumors Volume 1, featuring of some of the best artists making Dreamwave, Nu-Disco, ElectroPop and Indie-Electro in the last twelve months including exclusive tracks from Ride The Universe (Dreamwave supergroup acclaimed, for their reMixes, with their début original), the much hyped Show Your Shoe, Futurecop!, beaumont, Substatic and Echoes and the first time on CD for Queen Of Hearts and Ronika, both tipped by the mainstream press for chart dominance in 2012. They feature alongside some of the most exciting electronic music that broke out in 2011.

  

Lost Videos: Corect Spelling- Love Me Today

Corect Spelling released "Love Me Today" thirty years ago. Sadly the single failed to land a hit and remained the only release for a band which was later dropped from the label. They were also known as SUSHI (Europe) and Cold Fish(UK). This song was produced by non other than Midge Ure and you can imagine what Ultravox could have sounded like if the were lead by a female vocalist. The video for the song is low budget and focuses on Michelle McAdorey's flooded floor scene.  

 

Out This Week: Air- Le Voyage Dans La Lune

The French electronic duo Air are releasing their seventh studio album today February 6, 2012. The album is entitled Le Voyage Dans La Lune and it is out on 'Astralwerks'. According to a press release, the album takes its inspiration from the classic 1902 silent film 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune' (A Trip To The Moon) by Georges Méliès. The first single from the album "Seven Stars" which features Victoria Legrand on vocals was released in January.

Out This Week: Goldfrapp- 'The Singles'

Goldfrapp are releasing their first best of compilation this week entitled 'The Singles'. The compilation album is out today February 6, 2012 and includes 14 singles from the Goldfrapp's five studio albums including "Train", "Utopia", "Happiness" and many more. There are also two new songs included on this compilation. "Melancholy Sky" which was released as a single in January and "Yellow Sky". The album is out on Mute and Parlophone.

David Sylvian- A Victim of Stars, 1982-2012

The new David Sylvian collection album "A Victim of Stars, 1982-2012" will be released on February 29, 2012. "A Victim of Stars" picks the best from David Sylvain 30-year musical career, from '80s pop-funk via jazz in the 90s to the 2000s leaning to electronica. The compilation features 30 tracks – one of which, ‘Where’s Your Gravity’, is new. Last year, released David Sylvian "Sleepwalkers", also a compilation album, but focused on the songs released in the last decade, with guest appearances by musicians such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tweaker, Nine Horses and Steve Jansen. 

  www.davidsylvian.net/the-news

Retrovision: Bow Wow Wow- Go Wild In The Country

Bow Wow Wow released one of their biggest hits "Go Wild in The Country" thirty years ago. The band really went wild in the country and the song reached #7 in the UK charts. It was their first top ten hit in the UK. The song was taken from the album 'See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang, Yeah. City All Over! Go Ape Crazy' which was produced by Malcolm McLaren and released in 1981. Enjoy their TOTP performance!

 

The Mary Onettes- Love Forever EP

The Mary Onettes will release a brand new EP this February, their last release since 2010. They have teamed up with Dan Lissvik for their new "Love Forever" EP which contains four songs. The first track from the EP 'Love’s Taking Strange Ways' is available as a full stream. More info about this release here.

Next Wave: Chairlift

Chairlift is New York based indie pop electro outfit consisting of Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly. Originally they were a three piece group when they released their debut album. Last year Chairlift returned with the brilliant new single/video "Amanaemonesia". Their music is a cosmic fantasy, it shifts between analog and digital beats, it's pastoral and gothic at the same time. Their second album 'Everything' was released on January 24, 2011 through Columbia Records. 

http://www.chairlifted.com

Mirrors- 'This Year, Next Year, Sometime . . . ?'

Mirrors have released a brand new 7 track EP entitled 'This Year, Next Year, Sometime . . . ?' This EP includes two brand new tracks "Dust" and "Shooting Stars" as well as 5 home demos. It was recorded and produced by the band. Mirrors have also announced that they have more new tracks in the pipeline which will be released in the next few months. By buying this EP you will be directly helping us get back into the studio to record more Mirrors music. 

http://mirrorsofficial.bandcamp.com

Instant Hit: Philip Jap- Total Erasure

Philip Jap enjoyed some brief success with his only album which was released in 1983 thanks to the singles "Save Us" and "Total Erasure" which reached the UK charts in 1982."Total Erasure", his third single, was released in 1982 through A&M Records. The song was available as 7" and 12" inch and featured "Brave Lights" as B-side. Both songs were produced by Tony Mansfield. 

January Singles Round-Up

Our first monthly round-up of the best single releases is here. We already gave you some updates on Limahl who returned to the music scene with the brand new single 1983. Five years have past since the release of 'Wincing The Night Away' which was one of the best albums in 2007 for the Shins, they are back now with the brand new single "A Simple Song" which announces the new album 'Port of Morrow' which is due to be released in March. The French electronic duo Air are back with a new single "Seven Stars" which features Victoria Legrand, new album coming up in February. Goldfrapp have released "Melancholy Sky" which is one of two new songs on their first best of Singles compilation album. Florence and the Machine have released "No Light, No Light", a third single from their second album 'Ceremonials' which was released last year. School of Seven Bells have released "Lafaye", a new single which is available digital. Last but not list, Saint Etienne are back with their first single in seven years. It's entitled "Tonight" and it is, as they say "All about the primal and atavistic pull that all good pop music exerts". Don't forget to leave your vote!

WAW: Papermaps- Complicate Things

Toronto based group Papermaps have recorded a video for their second single from their self titled debut album which was released last year. The brilliant video for the song "Complicate Things" was directed by Sammy Ray Welch and filmed in Toronto. The lead singer of the group Dean Marino has previously worked with acts as Tokyo Police Club, C'Mon, and the Black Keys.

 

Reissue: Mick Milk- Half Lives

One of the New York's underground acts and synth-masters known as Mick Milk who played experimental synth pop and technology-inspired dance music, has announced the first reissues via his website. The most of his previously unreleased recording material including the album 'Song for Citizens' and the only single release "Half Life" are scheduled to be released on Anna Logue Records as a compilation entitled 'Half Lives'. The LP will come on 180 grams milk-white vinyl with Hansaboard sleeve, printed inner sleeve (with photos, lyrics, infos), DIN A3 colour poster and DIN A6 colour postcard.  

http://www.mickmilk.com/

Rewind Festival 2012 Line-up Announced

Due to the outstanding success of the first “Rewind Scotland – The 80s Festival” in Perth during July 2011, the festival returns for the second year in a row. As with last year’s unforgettable concert performances and audience participation celebrations, this year’s Rewind Scotland boasts another massive live outdoor line-up of the crème de la crème of 80s recording artists/performers. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 20th January. Full details on ticket outlets and prices are available from the website www.rewindfestival.com. This year’s line-up is headlined by Ali Campbell’s UB40 and Holly Johnson. Other highlights include a rare appearance from Village People, Scottish icons Midge Ure, Jimmy Somerville, Altered Images and Average White Band, as well as the reformed original line-up of Five Star, Squeeze, Lightning Seeds, Marc Almond, Chesney Hawkes, Roland Gift and many more! 

http://www.rewindfestival.com/

As in 2011, the organisers have announced that Rewind Scotland will once again take place at the historic setting of Scone Palace in Perthshire – the home of The Earls of Mansfield and the crowning palace of the Kings of Scotland. The festival takes place on the weekend of the 20th-22nd July and, as well as the massive line-up of 80s artists, features loads of other festival fun from Silent Discos to Live Karaoke bars along with Camping and Glamping (Glamorous Camping) options.

Lost Videos: DeFilm- Bitter Surprise

The Danish band DeFilm enjoyed some moderate success and popularity within their home country, and some parts of Europe during the1980s.They released two studio albums and singles between 1985 and 1987. This is a rare video for the song “Bitter Surprise” which was never released as a single. It was a second track on their self titled debut album released in 1985.More about the band hopefully coming soon, so the official site. 

www.defilm.dk

The Maccabees- Given To The Wild

The Maccabees have released their third album earlier this January. The album is entitled 'Given To The Wild' and it features the hit single "Pelican" which was released in November. The band have said they took inspiration from The Stone Roses, Kate Bush and David Bowie during the recording of the LP. The album has reached #4 in the UK album chats.

New Order Mojo Special

The February issue of Mojo has New Order on the cover and a 12 page feature inside. The Manchester godfathers of electronic music are back, restored and strengthened, to add another chapter to their grand saga. Ian Harrison speaks to the band and their estranged bassist to find a new vitality charging through the old circuits.

http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/

Simple Minds 5x5 Tour

Simple Minds are pleased to announce a very rare and exciting opportunity to see them perform material from their first five albums in February and March 2012. These landmark shows, lasting over two and half hours, will be part of a 16-date European tour beginning in Portugal on 14th February. The band will exclusively play five songs from each of their first five albums including 'New Gold Dream (81, 82, 83, 84)' which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year – which were released in a prolific period from 1979 to 1982. These five albums have had a massive cultural impact from the time of their release during the birth of the new wave electro scene in the late 1970;s, through the dance revolution of the 80's and 90's, to the music of the Manic Street Preachers and the recent sound of The Horrors’ Skying album, making them five of the most vital albums of the post-punk period and the last 35 years.

February 
14th Coliseum, Lisbon, Portugal
15th Riviera, Madrid, Spain
16th Razzamatazz, Barcelona, Spain
18th Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
19th Admiralpalast, Berlin, Germany
20th Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
21st Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
23rd Cirque Royal, Brussels, Belgium
24th Birmingham Academy
25th Glasgow Barrowland
27th Casino De Paris, France
28th Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
29th Komplex 457, Zurich, Switzerland
March 
2nd London Roundhouse
3rd Manchester Ritz
4th Olympia Theatre, Dublin

 http://www.simpleminds.com/

Vintage Print: OMD in Smash Hits (1982)

In January 1982, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark were featured on the cover of Smash Hits music magazine. During the same month they also released one of their biggest hit to date "Maid of Orleans". This edition of Smash hit also featured among others an OMD interview.

We Are Watching: The Ropes- Lack of Technology Made Me A Killer

The latest video for the Ropes has been revealed on Youtube. It's the video for the song "Lack of Technology Made Me A Killer" which was released last year as an EP with the same name.

 

Next Wave: Dot Dash

Dot Dash was formed out of the ashes of the punky power pop outfit Julie Ocean. The Washington based group consists of guitarist/singer Terry Banks and bassist Hunter Bennett who were later joined by Enlisting Danny Ingram on drums and Bill Crandall on guitar. The band took its name from a Wire song, but rather than leaning toward Wire's jagged art-damaged punk, Dot Dash bore more similarities to the jangly, mod-inflected sounds of unofficial ringleader Terry Banks' former groups Glo-Worm and the Saturday People. The summer of 2011 saw the release of the band's first full-length endeavor, Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash, a 14-song collection recorded in three afternoons. The album is available via iTunes, eMusic and Amazon.

www.facebook.com/dotdashdc
Album info:
http://thebeautifulmusic.com/?p=1

Instant Hit: 'Lectric Workers- Robot is Systematic

'Lectric Workers were an Italian dance act consisting of Franco Rago, Gigi Farina, X. Monneret. They made their debut with "Robot is Systematic" in 1982. It was their only hit which was released in several different remix versions in 2001. It remained a dance floor classic in the clubs throughout Europe.

Retrovision: Mobiles- Drowning in Berlin

Thirty years ago Mobiles released "Drowning in Berlin" which remained their biggest hit to date. The song entered the UK Charts at #9. Mobiles performed this song on TOTP and the original video version has remained a fixture on MTV to this day.

 

In Conversation: Howard Jones

Howard Jones, one of the true eighties icons and godfathers of modern electronic dance music will embark on a nationwide UK tour on Wednesday 11th April at the O2 Academy Bristol. This will be the first time that Howard will perform his first two studio albums 'Human’s Lib' and 'Dream Into Action' back to back, live in their entirety, on a full-scale nationwide UK tour. In this small interview for Burning Flame, he reveals more information about the upcoming tour, career highlights and further plans in music.

Howard Jones Interview

1.Your recent North American Tour turned out to be very successful. The promoters were hoping for 1500 ticket sales but it turned out to be a complete sell out with 2,750 tickets sold. Did you expect this kind of success?
I know from my point of view, the stage that the gigs were well attended and the audiences were really enthusiastic. We played club type venues mainly with people standing. I think this is a great way to enjoy the show.

2.You will embark on a nationwide 8-date UK tour in April. Do you see yourself performing in your home country as a bigger challenge?
I am very excited about taking the HL, DIA tour around the UK. I love touring in the UK you don't have to fly every day and i have such dedicated fans that make it such a pleasure

3.Where do you think your biggest fan base is located?
 I suppose the U.S. is my biggest fan base.

 4.Two years ago, you performed your first two albums in their entirety. They were also reissued for the first time in Europe. Do you wish you could have re-recorded any of the songs? 
November 2010 was the first performance of the DIA/HL tour which we filmed and recorded. This coincided with licensing my first 5 albums from Warner Bros. which meant we could re-master them and get them sounding as good as possible. I have no regrets about the recordings they were the way I wanted them to be at the time and I'm happy with that.

 5.What kind of songs do you prefer to record and perform these days? More acoustic or electronic style?
 I'm really enjoying the electronic shows at the moment. I did tour acoustically for quite a while which was fun but I am mad for the electronic shows now.

 6.Do you still get pleasure from the music you grew up listening to? If yes why? If no, why not? 
I like music from all ages and genres. I have 1200 songs on my iPod which covers everything from classical choral music to rap. there is something to enjoy and learn from all music.

 7.Do you miss the days of being famous and a pin-up in teen mags? 
No, my ambition was not to be famous but to be able to do the things I loved, which was writing recording and performing music. I am very happy being known by the people who care about my music, and that suits me very well.

 8.Looking back over your career, can you instantly spot highlights?
Live Aid, headlining Madison Square Garden NY, Jamming with Stevie Wonder, me and him for 30 minutes. Recording Hide and Seek at Abbey Road with a 100 piece orchestra, Doing the Grammy's with a band of Tom Dolby, Herbie Hancock , and Stevie Wonder. Spending 2 hours chatting with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker.

 9.Your last album ‘Ordinary Heroes’ was very well received even though it was a not typical Howard Jones record. Do you think of it as an exception or would you like to continue in this direction? 
I was very pleased with O.H. I think the next album will be very electronic, and will have the electronic touring band in mind.

10.Do you have your own favourite kind of music and is it any different to what you play now? 
I am really into choral music I am the musical Director and writer for a choir "The Glorious Life Chorus "which is a Buddhist choir of about 100 people that meets to rehearse once a month.

11.What was the last CD you bought?
 Light and Gold - Eric Whitacre

12.Have you been up to date to what your contemporaries like OMD, Thomas Dolby and Heaven 17 have been up to in music in the previous two years? 
Yes I try to keep up with my contemporaries

 13.Your favourite Kate Bush song?
 Moments of Pleasure

 14.Which band would you like to see reunited or which musician would you like see releasing new material?
 I'd like to see the surviving members of Japan get together, and Scritti. I wish Paul Buchanan of Blue Nile would release some new things.

 15.Which artist, living or dead would you like to duet with?
Paul McCartney

16.Anything else exciting on the horizon of Howard Jones in 2012, any tour dates around Europe?
Japan in February, South Africa, UK tour in April, another trip to the US in the summer and Autumn. Some new recordings starting in March.

 Howard Jones performs the entirety of his albums “Human’s Lib and “Dream Into Action” in the UK during April 2012. Ticket Hotline: 0844 477 2000, www.ticketweb.co.uk. 

Dates include:
O2 Academy Bristol (April 11) 
O2 Academy Sheffield (April 12) 
O2 Academy Liverpool (April 13)
O2 Academy Birmingham (April 14)
O2 Academy Newcastle (April 17)
O2 ABC Glasgow (April 18) 
O2 Academy Bournemouth (April 20)
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (April 21)

 More info: www.howardjones.com

Billy Mackenzie and The Associates Mixtape

Billy Mackenzie was a Scottish singer who teamed up with Alan Rankine in the late 70's to form The Associates. As The Associates they had several hits and released three excellent albums. Alan Rankine left The Associates around 1985 and Billy Mackenzie continued to release under the name The Associates. On 22 January 1997, depression and the death of his mother are believed to have contributed to Mackenzie's suicide. He was 39 years old. He will mostly be remembered for his unique voice which shifted effortlessly from bass blues to falsetto diva posturing. His life was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle 'The Glamour Chase' released in 1998. This is a very special mixtape starting Billy Mackenzie, his friends and the associates.

WAW: Dirty Beaches- Lord Knows Best

Ever got lost inside the world of Alex Zhang Hungtai aka Dirty Beaches? If not, now is the time! Here is the video for the song "Lord Knows Best" from his album 'Badlands' which was released last year. This video was directed by Zoe Kirk-Gushowaty and features Aja Emma, Ariel Kirk-Gushowaty and Tara Codrington on backing vocals.

DIRTY BEACHES - Lord Knows Best (Official Video) from Brightersummerday on Vimeo.

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

  

Limahl Returns with a New Single!

Limahl is back with a new single giving us the flashback to the year 1983. "1983" is also the name of his brand new single which is due to be released on January 10, 2012. The song was co-written/produced with Norwegians Tommy Olsen, Rune Maurtvedt and Stig Antonsen. The track will be released worldwide by Dig Music (Norway). The release date is the same as "Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo 29 years earlier.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983

Welcome to 1982!

Welcome to 1982! The Gold Dream continues!