WAW: No Ceremony ///- Heartbreaker

"Heartbreaker" is another track by the enigmatic Manchester based group or artist known by the name No Ceremony /// also NOC ///. The video shows baby dolls glowing in the dark in the play of neon lights. The music is noisy synth-pop electro lost in the shoegaze darkness. 

Duran Duran- A Diamond In The Mind (Live Video)

Duran Duran will release 'A Diamond in the Mind', a stunning live performance filmed at the Men Arena in Manchester on December 16, 2011. This performance combines great music with amazing visuals and iconic style which has been the band’s trademark throughout their career The live set includes new songs from their latest album 'All You Need is Now' as well as classic Duran Duran hits. The release date is set for July. 

www.duranduranmusic.com
 

Reissue: The Chameleons- Script Of The Bridge

The Chameleons seminal debut album Script of the Bridge has been restored and re-mastered for vinyl at Abbey Road Studios, London. The gatefold package contains two heavyweight (180g) vinyl discs and also includes a CD, produced without the use of a 'limiter', which greatly increases the dynamic range of the recordings. 

 The restoration project was undertaken by production team Guy Massey and Steve Rooke, who received a Grammy Award last year for their work on the Beatles Box Set. This is the first time Script has been made available as a 'double album'. By dividing the tracks onto two 12" discs, the sound quality greatly increases with none of the compression that hampered the original vinyl. 

 www.blueapplemusic.co.uk

 

Out This Week: Rufus Wainwright- Out of the Game

Rufus Wainwright will release his seventh studio album this week. The album is entitled 'Out of the Game' and it was produced by Mark Ronson. Songs appearing on the album were influenced by the music of David Bowie, Elton John and Queen. To promote the album, Wainwright will begin touring in late–April 2012. He will perform songs from the album during a six-date European tour including performances in Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Spain. 

Retrovision: Kim Wilde- View From The Bridge (Rare Video)

Thirty years ago Kim Wilde had a hit with "View Form The Bridge". It was the second single to be released from her second album 'Select'. The song was produced by Ricky Wilde and told a story of a girl committing suicide by jumping off a bridge. "View From The Bridge" reached the top ten in Australia and in several European countries including Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Germany. 

Men Without Hats Are Back

Men Without Hats will return with a brand new album next month. This will be their first release in almost ten years and the follow-up to their 2003 record 'No Hats Beyond This Point'. The new album is entitled Love in the Age of War and it is scheduled for release on May 22, 2012. The first single from the album "Head Above Water" was premiered on CHOM-FM Montreal and you can stream the song below. The song starts after a short interview segment. Stay tuned for  more info.

It's The Record Store Day!

The original idea for Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, and was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.

This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists  in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Metallica officially kicked off Record Store Day at Rasputin Music in San Francisco on April 19, 2008 and Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.

Here is our selection of some of the fines records released today:

Arcade Fire- Sprawl II Ready to Start

Simple Minds- Theme for Great Cities (Moby Remix)

The Black Angels- Watch Out Boy

Belle And Sebastien- Crash

Beach House- Lazuli

Public Image Ltd- One Drop

Kate Bush- Lake Tahoe

Neon Indian- Hex Girlfriend

School of Seven Bells- Kiss Them for Me

Dirty Beaches/ Xiu Xiu- Tu Ne Dis Rien
Richard Hell and the Voidoids- Blank Generation
O Children- PT Cruiser

The Primitives Return with a New Album

The Primitives will return after 17 years away with a brand new studio album. The album will be called 'Echoes and Rhymes' and it will feature cover songs from semi-obscure bands from the 60s with women lead singers. 'Echoes and Rhymes' is available on pre-order and it will be released on Elefant Records on April 30th.  

The video for the new single "Turn Off The Moon" which is out this month.

Everything But The Girl To Reissue The First Four Albums

The British sophisti pop duo Everything But The Girl will reissue first four albums which were originally released from 1984-1988. The expanded, two-disc editions of Eden (1984), Love Not Money (1985), Baby the Stars Shine Bright (1986) and Idlewild (1988), come repackaged in case bound, book-style packaging with new liner notes from the duo and all original lyrics. It will also feature bonus discs littered with excellent treats for hardcore fans, including single-only A and B-sides. EBTG albums are reissued by Edsel/Demon and will be available from May 28th.  

http://www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk

Next Wave: Sylver Tongue

The former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley is back with a new project. Her new moniker is Sylver Tongue, she has dismissed the guitar pop and switched over to the synth department. "Purple Rain" obsessed girl was also inspired by 70s sci-fi movies, psychedelic pop and the prowling grooves of Grace Jones and her warm leatherette. She released the first single "Hook You Up" in January and her next single "Creatures" is announced for May. Both songs were produced by James Rutledge who worked with Everything Everything and Fever Ray.

 

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.

Instant Hit: The Names- Calcutta

The Names released their last single "Calcutta" in 1982 on Factory Benelux. The song was written by M.Smordynia and produced by M.Hannett. The single was issued as both 7" and 12" with "Postcards" as a b-side. This song and other single releases were included on a remastered edition of the album 'Swimming' from 1982 which was reissued in 2000 by LTM Publishing. 

Reissue: Robin Crutchfield's Dark Day- Exterminating Angel

Dark Entries will reissue Exterminating Angel by Dark Day in April. The record was originally released in 1980 and featured 13 experimental tracks written and produced by Robin Crutchfield. The album was originally released on Vinyl and featured the single "Trapped" which was released in 1981. Now it's available through amazon.com and it will also be reissued on Vinyl.

Mute Tribute: Fad Gadget / Frank Tovey 1956 - 2002

Ten years have passed since Frank Tovey aka Fad Gadget passed away in April 2002. Tovey was regarded alongside Cabaret Voltaire and Human League as one of the finest exponents of the early 80's electronic dance movement in the UK. Daniel Miller said that Frank was the first artist he has ever worked with on Mute and added that he made some very special and influential records and that he was an exceptional live performer. His former label is honoring its famed first signee with a new video tribute, which we’ve posted above. The label writes: “We miss him dearly. Play your favourite Fad Gadget or Frank Tovey tune really loud today. In loving memory.”

    

WAW: Morten Harket - Scared Of Heights

Morten Harket has recorded a video for the single 'Scared of Heights' from his new solo album 'Out of My Hands' which is out on April 13th. The video was shot in Berlin and directed by Wolf Gresenz, and produced by Mutter & Vater Filmproduktion.

 

Out This Week: Bear in Heaven- I Love You, It's Cool

Bear in Heaven are releasing their third studio album this week. The brand new album is entitled I Love You, It's Cool and it is a follow up to 'Beast Rest Forth Mouth' which was released two years ago. 'I Love You, It's Cool' features the hit single "The Reflection of You" and the song “Sinful Nature” has been announced as the next single. The album is out on April 4th on Dead Oceans.

www.deadoceans.com

And Also The Trees Are Back with a New Album

And Also The Trees are back with a new album entitled 'Hunter Not The Hunted'. Their brand new studio release features 13 tracks and it was recorded at Hellens Manor, England, between April and July 2011. The album is available on mail order and it will also be released on vinyl as a special double 10 inch gatefold edition. This will be on sale during their tour in April and May and from this website in June.

www.andalsothetrees.co.uk

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

Retrovision: Shakespears Sister- Stay

Twenty years ago Shakespears Sister had their biggest hit in the UK with their song "Stay". It is one of the longest running UK number ones in UK chart history (8 weeks), and the longest by an all-female group or duo. The video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller whose concept was inspired by the film 'Cat Women of the Moon'. The video featured Detroit and Fahey fighting over a comatose man. The video won Best Video at the 1993 Music Week Awards and Brit Awards. The epic promo was featured in the Top 100 Music Videos of all time by Channel 4. To prove its longevity, in early November 2010, "Stay" re-entered the charts in the UK, Ireland and the European Hot 100 Singles.

 

March Singles Round-up

March almost over, springtime slowly coming, here is the new singles round-up. We open the March singles round-up with Liz and Laszlo, a collaboration project between Arnaud Lazlaud (Automelodi) and Liz Wendelbo (Xeno & Oaklander) who have released "Rien à Paris", our single of the month. The American indie pop duo Beach House have returned after two years break with a wonderful new single "Myth". New album 'Bloom' is announced for May. The Swedish singer Jonna Lee aka iamamiwhoami continues with here multimedia project revealing the third single "Good Worker" which announce the new album which is going to be released in June. Erasure have issued the third single from their latest album 'Tomorrow's World' which was released last year. The single is entitled "Fill us with Fire" and it also includes several remixes of this song. Closing the March single's round up come the Black Keys. they have released "Gold on the Ceiling", the second single form their so much anticipated album 'El Camino' which was pronounced as one of the best albums of 2012.

Ultravox Announce New Album Details

Ultravox have announced details of their brand new album which is going to be released on May 28th on EMI records. The album is entitled 'Briliant' and it is the first Ultravox album by the classic line-up recorded in 28 years. As it is announced in the newsletter, the album features 12 brand new tracks and it is dramatic, passionate and truly epic in scale and sound. 'Brilliant' sees Ultravox expanding their classic sonic template and reminding us of their strength as songwriters of the highest calibre. Full details of the album will be revealed soon along with the thirteen-date tour they will be embarking on later this year. 

Album pre-order links and more info coming soon. 

www.ultravox.org.uk

Roxy Music Celebrate The 40TH Anniversary with The Release of ‘The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982'

Roxy Music will release a deluxe box-set entitled ‘Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982’ on Monday 2 April, celebrating 40 years since the release of the band’s eponymous debut album in 1972. The release is the first of a major reissue campaign with Virgin Records.


 ‘Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982’, an 8 CD + 4 DVD deluxe box set will feature all eight Roxy Music studio albums - 'Roxy Music', 'For Your Pleasure', 'Stranded', 'Country Life', 'Siren, Manifesto', 'Flesh And Blood', 'Avalon'. In addition, a selection of non-album singles, B-sides and remixes, some of which are available on CD for the first time ever will also be included. Each album will be represented on DVD format as high-resolution audio transferred digitally from the original analogue masters being transferred to digital audio, making this release an absolute ‘must have’ for Roxy Music fans and collectors. 

Further reissues are planned for 2012 with details to be announced at a later date. 

http://www.vivaroxymusic.com

Next Wave- Living Days

Living Days is Brooklyn based group fronted by Stephonik Youth. Their music is a powerful synth driven electropop influenced by the American synth pop bands Berlin and Missing Persons who released their best albums thirty years ago. Albeit no official releases have been confirmed, there are four Living Days songs streaming on their official Myspace page. Hopefully someone gets his hands on this.   

http://www.myspace.com/livingdays
http://www.facebook.com/pages/LIVING-DAYS

Lost Videos: Gary Numan- Complex

"Comlex" was a second single for Gary Numan which was released in 1979 when Numan also scored his biggest hit to date with the song "Cars". Unlike the most of Gary Numan songs "Complex" featured more conventional acoustic drums, acoustic piano, electric bass guitar, whereas the distinctive lead parts were performed on violin, viola and heavily flanged and reverberated analogue monosynth. The song was released on Beggars Banquet and reached no 6 in the UK charts.

 

The Monochrome Set's New Album Announced for April 1st

The English group The Monochrome Set are set to release a brand new album on April 1st. The record is entitled 'Platinum Coils' and this is their first album in seventeen years. The album was recorded this winter and it sees the original band members Bid, Lester Square and Andy Warren reunited for a studio release. 'Platinum Coils' is released through the band’s own label, 'Disquo Bleu', and will, initially, only be available from their website http://www.themonochromeset.co.uk/ and for sale at gigs. 

More info about the album and the review:
http://louderthanwar.com/monochrome-set-platinum-coils-album-review

Out This Week: The Shins- Port of Morrow

The Shins are releasing their fourth studio album 'Port of Morrow' this week. The album is out on March 20th and features the single "Simple Song" which was released in January. They have also confirmed "It's Only Life" to be their second single to be taken from the album. 'Port of Morrow' is the first studio album in 5 years, following the release of 2007's 'Wincing the Night Away' and their first album to be distributed by Columbia Records.

Morten Harket- Album and Singles News

Morten Harket is back with a new album entitled 'Out of My Hands' which is scheduled to be released on April 13, 2012 by Universal. The first single from the album is called "Lightning". It was premiered on the Norwegian radio on February 13, and it was released on March 9, in Norway only. The second single "Scared of Heights" will be released outside Norway on March 23th and there will be a music video for the song as well. 

On his upcoming world tour, Morten will be performing his own solo songs and a selection from a-ha's catalogue. Some a-ha classics will surely be part of the set list. More news and the tour dates via Morten's website: 

http://mortenharket.com

Instant Hit: Bernthøler - My Suitor

"My Suitor" was one of the two singles the Belgian avant garde group Bernthøler released in 1983. The group was formed in the early eighties as a "musical experiment" named after a line in a Virna Lindt song. "My Suitor" was originally released in 1983 in Belgium and a year later in the UK. The band didn't release any albums up to 2004 when their recording material was released on a compilation Merry Lines In The Sky by LTM Publishing (Les Temps Modernes). 

WAW: Chairlift- Met Before

Chairlift are back with a new video for the song "Met Before" which introduces the new interactive choose-your-own-adventure concept in the video. By clicking all the different decision points you are trying to find the different endings of the video and get a good impression of the song if you haven't heard it before. The video was directed by Jordan Fish.

     

Out This Week: VCMG- Ssss

The long awaited Vince Clark and Martin L. Gore collaboration album Ssss is out this week on Mute. The album was written and produced by Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore and it was mixed by Timothy "Q" Wiles, recorded and engineered by Sie Medway Smith and Vince Clarke and mastered by Stefan Betke. The album features both single releases, "Spock" and "Single Blip" which preceded the album release. 

  mute.com

Erasure's 'Essential' Out This Month

Erasure will release a new best of compilation entitled 'Essential'. The compilation features 16 tracks spanning from 1985 to 2003 including some of their biggest hits such as "Sometimes" and "Who Needs Love (Like That)", but also lacks on some huge ones. 'Essential' is out March 19, 2012 through Lexer Music and available on pre-order. Their brand new single "Fill Us With Fire" is also out this month.

Track listing:
Who Needs Love (Like That)
It Doesn't Have To Be – Single Mix
The Circus – Single Mix
You Surround Me
Am I Right?
Sometimes – Single Mix
When Will I See You Again
Video Killed The Radio Star
Victim Of Love – Single Mix
Ship Of Fools
Star – Single Mix
Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime
Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me) – Single Mix
Chorus
Always
I Love Saturday – Single Mix

WAW: Nite Jewel- One Second of Love

Nite Jewel has returned with her second album 'One Second of Love' which has been released this week (March 6, 2012). She has recorded a video for the song of the same name. The video for "One Second of Love" has been directed by Delaney Bishop and produced by Belinda Salazar.

 

Out This Week: The Magnetic Fields- Love at The Bottom of The Sea

The Magnetic Fields have released their eleventh studio album this week (March 5, 2012). The album is entitled Love at the Bottom of the Sea and it is the band's first release with Merge since 1999's '69 Love Songs'. After releasing three albums relatively free of synthesizers as part of a "no-synth trilogy", 'Love at the Bottom of the Sea' features the blend of acoustic and synthesized instruments that the band was known for in the 90's. The album was recorded by Stephin Merritt and Charles Newman at Bell Tree (LA). "Andrew in Drag" is the only track from the album which was confirmed as a single.

Chronicles of Punk, New Romantics and Beyond in 'We Can Be Heroes' by Graham Smith

'We Can Be Heroes' is a brand new book by Graham Smith that gives the insider's perspective on London's clubland 1976-1984 and celebrates the Punk and New Romantic movement. Graham Smith designed some album covers for Spandau Ballet and Sade. He was also unofficial house photographer of the London clubs and collected over 450 previously unseen images and 500 quotes from many of the chief creative figures of the punk and New Romantics era, projecting his masterpiece above and beyond the traditional photo book realm. The book was co-written with a friend and fellow Chris Sullivan who wrote a bestselling illustrated history of Punk that the Pistols say is the best book on the subject ever penned.  

The book was fully funded and released just before Christmas on December 8, 2011. You can still buy the book exclusively from Unbound, either as a limited Special Edition hardback, or as a numbered Deluxe edition, in an elegant box with two signed prints.

Retrovision: Visage- The Damned Don't Cry

Visage released 'The Damned Don't Cry' 30 years ago and the song topped the UK charts reaching number #11 in March 1982. It was their fifth single and the first one taken from Visage's second album 'The Anvil'. 

 

(C) 1982 Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Reissue: Spandau Ballet- The Albums 1980-84 4CD Boxset

Spandau Ballet will release a deluxe 4CD Boxset which contains the first four classic Spandau albums 'Journeys To Glory', 'Diamond', 'True' and 'Parade'. The albums are packaged into individual sleeves then housed into a deluxe slip case with beautiful white and gold artwork. The remaster boxset includes all the hit singles from over the years "To Cut A Long Story Short", "Musclebound", "Chant No1", "Gold", "True", "Lifeline", "The Freeze", "Communication", "Only When You Leave"and many more. 

 The release date is set for April16, 2012. Pre-order your copy of Spandau Ballet The Albums 1980-84 4CD Boxset between now and March 16th and be automatically entered into their exclusive 'Mothers Day Draw' to win a framed Signed by all of Spandau tour program.   

www.spandauballetstore.com/spandauballet/CD/The-Albums-1980-84

Next Wave: Social Ambitions

Social Ambitions is a electropop/synthpop formed 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden. Members Anders Karlsson (vocals, synthsizer and production) and Mikael Arborelius(backing vocals, synthesizers and production) write, record and produce music in their studio in Stockholm. The duo is influenced by modern electronic pop, classic synth pop, electronic dance music and the drive of rock and new wave. The result is electronic pop music that bears the proud legacy of the Scandinavian sense of melody and danceable electronic rhythms. 

In August 2011 the single "Commandments" was issued with two previously unreleased songs.In October 2010, they released their debut album 'Almost Gone'. The album contained previously unreleased material and some songs from previous single releases – "Burning", "Innocence", "The Strip", and "Do you want to go". Now they are back with their second album, a mini-album where analogue synthesizers meet punchy beats. It's entitled Anticipation and it was released on February 27, 2012. 

www.socialambitions.com
www.facebook.com/socialambitions

Out This Week: The Stranglers- Giants

The Stranglers have released their 17th studio album 'Giants' this week (March 5, 2012). The band is returning as a four piece after the departure of Paul Roberts and the lead vocals are shared between guitarist Baz Warne and bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel. The album is released in the formats of Digital Download, CD and Vinyl with the a deluxe edition of the CD being released with an additional live acoustic disc.

www.thestranglers.net

Lost Videos: Simple Minds- Chelsea Girl

Simple Minds released "Chelsea Girl" in 1979. It was the second single that was taken from their debut a album Life in a Day which was released during the same year and produced by John Leckie. The promo video for this song was taken from Australian music program 'Rage'. 

   

The Wake Announce New Album 'A Light Far Out' for May

The Scottish indie band the Wake are back with the first new studio release since their reformation in 2009 when they played play selected live dates in Brussels, London, Paris and New York. They will release a brand new album A Light Far Out on May 7, 2012. Core duo Caesar and Carolyn Allen worked with Ian Catt (St Etienne), Duncan Cameron (Teenage Fanclub) and remixer Drew Diver of NYC-based duo Horse Shoes. 

 If you buy 'A Light Far Out' direct from LTM mailorder then you will also recieve a free CDR of The Wake's set at Plan K (Brussels) on 12 December 2009, featuring Testament, Uniform, O Pamela, Here Comes Everybody, Favour, Talk About the Past, The Old Men, Something Outside, The Sands.   

www.ltmrecordings.com/wakecat

Trevor Jackson – Metal Dance - Industrial / Post-Punk / EBM : Classics & Rarities 80-88

Trevor Jackson, known for his work as Playgroup and the incredibly influential Output Recordings has collected some of his favorite rarities from the under-explored world of 80s industrial & post-punk dance floor material. This obscure compilation is going to be released under a name 'Metal Dance - Industrial / Post-Punk / EBM : Classics & Rarities 80-88'. The two-disc collection covers recognized masters such as Cabaret Voltaire & Nitzer Ebb and many not so famous act from the 80's underground. The compilation was released this February and it is out on Strut Records.

In Conversation: Clive Pierce (hard Corps)

In the wake of the recent news regarding Hard Corps' reissues on Minimal Wave Records, we had the opportunity to connect with one of the founding members of the group, Clive Pierce. He graciously agreed to share insights in an exclusive interview for our blog.

The genesis of Hard Corps dates back to 1983, emerging from years of musical experimentation. The trio of Clive Pierce, Hugh Ashton, and Rob Doran laid the foundation, later joined by the French-born singer Regine Fetet. Their inaugural single, "Dirty," debuted on Survival Records in 1984, followed by two sessions on Richard Skinner's Radio One show. Martin Rushent and Daniel Miller subsequently approached them, collaborating on several singles released in 1985.

Throughout their musical journey, Hard Corps had the privilege of supporting renowned acts such as the Cure and Depeche Mode during their 80s tours. In 1990, the group disbanded after releasing a compilation featuring a diverse array of tracks. This compilation, available on both vinyl and CD with slightly varied track lists, encapsulates most of their discography, including remixes and rare b-sides.

For an in-depth exploration of Hard Corps, including lesser-known facts, influences, details about the recent reissues, and much more, stay tuned for the interview below.

Instant Hit: O'Gar- Playback Fantasy

"Playback Fantasy" was a first single release for the Italian singer and producer Marco Ongaro who recorded a couple of songs and one album during the 80's under a name O'Gar. "Playback Fantasy" was a hit in Europe and it was released in several European countries. The single was released in 1983 and it was issued as both 7" and 12" inch record with the instrumental version of the song as a b-side. It was also featured on O'Gar's only album Gimmick from the year 1985.

WAW: Bear in Heaven- Reflection of You

While waiting for the new Bear in Heaven album which is going to be released in April, here is a brand new video for the song "Reflection Of You" that has been revealed on Youtube today. The video was directed by John Lee of the infamous art collective PFFR (of Wonder Showzen fame). Beware of Motion sickness!

 

China Crisis- 'Ultimate Crisis'

China Crisis will release a 34-track double CD compilation entitled 'Ultimate Crisis'. This is their first compilation since 1998 when they released 'The Best of China Crisis'. 'Ultimate Crisis' follows the China Crisis story from 1982's "African And White", the first release on the local 'Inevitable' label that caught the attention of Virgin Records, throughout their singles chart career. The compilation album is out on March 12, 2012 on Virgin Records. Available on Amazon and all the big online music stores.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Crisis-China/dp/B006ZGDC0I

Out This Week: School of Seven Bells- Ghostory

School Of Seven Bells are back with their third album release this week. The album is entitled 'Ghostory' and it is their first album to be released without founding member Claudia Deheza who left the band in October 2010. The album features familiar ethereal and enigmatic tones surrounded by layers of influences from 80's pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. The first single from the album, "Lafaye", was released in January and the album is out tomorrow, February 28, 2012 through Vagrant Records/Ghostly International. 

www.sviib.com

Gemma Ray Sings Sparks with Sparks

Gemma Ray has teamed up with Sparks for a collaboration. The British singer takes on two Sparks songs in her own noir style, but in true maverick fashion Ron & Russell Mael have taken these two Ray-styled interpretations, and re-built them Sparks-style! Over the next weeks these songs will be revealed while a video for “How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?” is already streaming on Youtube. The single is now available to buy on 7″ and digital download.

http://gemmaray.tv

WAW: School of Seven Bells- Lafaye

School of Seven Bells have revealed a brand new video for their single "Lafaye". The video was directed by David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks and it was shot in an old house in south Dallas. It features lingering shots of singer Alejandra Deheza with lighting effects that mirror the song's slow shift from a steady, grim electronic beat to an ethereal, soaring chorus.

Via: www.rollingstone.com

February Singles Round-Up

February singles round up is here. We start with the second EP for Vince Clark and Martin Gore who record together under a name VCMG. Their second single is called "Single Blip" it is out on Mute and features four remixes of the song. Amanda Mair has released "Sense", the third singe from her self titled debut album out on Labrador. Zola Jesus and Kasabian have both released fourth singles from their albums which were released last year. Kasabian are back with "Goodbye Kiss" and Zola Jesus with "In Your Nature". Now some elctronic dream pop; M83 have issued "Reunion", a second single from their so much anticipated 2012 album 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming' and Mauro Remidi aka Porcelain Raft has released "Unless You Speak From Your Heart" which is included on his recent album 'Strange Weekend'. Last but not least, Ladyhawke is back with "Black, White & Blue" which announces her new album coming this spring. Not so impressive as we expected it would be, but lets wait for the album and see.

Retrovision: ABC- Poison Arrow

ABC released one of their biggest hits "Poison Arrow" thirty years ago. The song reached #6 in the UK charts and it was also included on their debut album The Lexicon of Love which was issued during the same year. The video features the lead singer Martin Fry in three roles, as a haughty upper-class opera patron, as a messenger boy at the opera, and as a bandleader at a 1960s-style swinging nightspot, in all three roles, unsuccessfully attempting to woo the leading lady, played by Lisa Vanderpump.