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.

  

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.