Instant Hit: Thomas Leer- Private Plane

Thomas Leer made his debut in 1978 with his first single release "Private Plane". This song was recorded in his home and it is considered a seminal example of DIY electronic and the beginning of minimal. The song was self financed and it was released for Oblique Records. Together with Normal's 'T.V.O.D', this song opened new horizons and bedrooms became the new playground to experiment with sound and music.

Ceramic Hello- 'The Absence of a Canary' Reissue

Ceramic Hell's classic album 'The Absence of a Canary' has been reissued by Suction Records. The duo was formed in 1980 after the former member of Spoons joined forces with Roger Humphreys to produce at that time a very obscure and avantgarde minimal-synth album. Ceramic Hello made their debut in 1980 with the single “Climatic Nouveaux” and the album followed a year later in 1981. The German label Vinyl on Demand reissued the album in 2006 and it was sold out. Despite not being the first official reissue of the LP, it is the first time it will be reissued in its original single-LP format, with the original artwork. It is also the first time that the LP will be reissued in CD / digital download format. 

www.suctionrecords.com
 

WAW: Complicated Universal Cum- Beyond or Below (NSFW)

Frederik Valentin is back with his music project Complicated Universal Cum. Two years ago we were put under the spell of his magic dreamy ballad "I Can Hardly Wait". This time things got wild, weird and noisy. Influenced by British shoegaze and 90's American noise rock, this new song seduces us with some heavy bass line and expressive guitar noise. The video (NSFW) for the song "Beyond Or Below" was directed by Schwartz.

Retrovision: Shock- Dynamo Beat

The London based dance troupe Shock was in the vanguard of the New Romantic cult of the early 80's in company with Boy George, Duran Duran, Steve Strange and Spandau Ballet. The group performed in clubs like The Haçienda, The Blitz Club and The Venue(London). Alongside performing and working with other artists, they also released two singles in the early 80's. Their second single "Dynamo Beat" was produced by Richard James Burgess of Landscape and it was released in 1981 on RCA Records. The music video for this song was recorded around 1982 and featured Tik and Tok, Barbie Wilde and Carole Caplin. 

The Names' Debut 'Swimming' to be Reissued via Factory Benelux

Factory Benelux has announced the new Names reissues to be released in February next year. Their debut album 'Swimming' which was originally released in June 1982 will be reissued on both CD and Vinyl. Both versions will feature the original album, bonus tracks and band's February 1982 Peel session. This new editions also feature original artwork and poster design by Benoit Hennebert, and photographs by Marc Portée. 

More about the upcoming releases:
http://cerysmaticfactory.info/the_names.html
 

Spoons- 'Arias and Symphonies'- 30th Anniversary Edition

Arias and Symphonies, the second album by the Canadian new wave/synth pop pioneers Spoons has been reissued for the first time. 'Arias and Symphonies' was originally released in 1982 and it was one of the ground breaking records for the Canadian music industry. To celebrate its 30th Anniversary, Sparks Music/Ready Records have created a special edition of the album - available now for sale on iTunes. This special iTunes exclusive version features a complete one hour live concert which was recorded at the El Mocambo in Toronto back in 1982. 

http://www.sparksmusic.com/spoons 

Out This Week: Crystal Castles - (III)

Crystal Castles are back with their third studio album out this week. 'III' is the title of the new album which was produced entirely by Ethan Kath. The album's first two singles, "Plague" and "Wrath of God" were released during this summer and they were available for free download on the duo's Soundcloud page. The album cover features a picture by Spanish photographer Samuel Aranda. European tour dates to promote the album were announced on October 17, 2012, on the band's official website. 

http://www.crystalcastles.com/ 

WAW: Actors- Nightlife

Actors is a five piece New Wave band from Vancouver. The group was formed around the core of the singer Jason Corbett earlier this year and they have released several singles including "Post Traumatic Love"/"​Nightlife" that was released in October. We thought that "Nightlife" would be perfect way to start with the music of Actors. You will love this tune, especially if you are a Gary Numan and Roxy Music fan. The video for the song was directed by Richard Pyra and the single is available as a free download via http://actors.bandcamp.com. We hope to have more on Actors soon.

Instant Hit: Blackway- New Life

Blackway was a three-song Italo Disco project involving roughly the same personnel as B.W.H. and Mr. Master. "New Life" was their second single released on Moon Records Association in 1982. This and two other singles were reissued on 'Blackway' EP which also featured the remix versions of the songs. This release was issued by 'Music Control Italo' in 2009.   

 

Claudia Brücken Celebrates the History of Pop with 'The Lost are Found'

Claudia Brücken's brand new 'The Lost are Found' is out now. On this album she has worked with famed producer Stephen Hague (New Order, Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Robbie Robertson) on an exhilarating collection of intensely atmospheric songs by other people. These ‘other people’ are some of the favourite writers and artists of both Claudia and Stephen, expressing their particular obsession with the history of the pop song. Some might say it is definitely up there with the classic albums Claudia has been involved with from Propaganda’s 'A Secret Wish' to Onetwo’s 'Instead'. 

The album is both a celebration of the mood, majesty and mystery of a great pop song, and also a journey along an imaginary coast line of an imaginary country, a soundtrack to a view out to sea, and the thoughts of what lies ahead. 

 'The Lost are Found' is available on record in a limited edition of 500. The first 200 of these will be individually numbered and signed for extra specialness by Claudia Brücken and Stephen Hague and be available to buy only through our web site. 

Go to http://www.claudiabrucken.co.uk/ for more info.