Sunday, September 30, 2012

Bananarama, New EP, Pinktober Tour and more...

Bananarama are back with a brand new digital EP entitled 'Now or Never'. Your dancing shoes should be ready for this new four track EP which is out now. To promote this EP and to celebrate their 30th Anniversary Sara and Karen will tour in the US as part of Hard Rock International’s 'Pinktober' series, which aims to raise awareness of breast cancer. 


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Deacon Blue Are Back

Deacon Blue are back with their first album in eleven years. This release also marks the 25 anniversary of their debut release 'Raintown'. The album is ironically titled 'The Hipsters' and its release is preceded by the title track, as the lead-off single, with its brilliant accompanying promo-video. The band will be undertaking a nationwide promotional campaign and will be on a 15-date tour from 4th-22nd October, with two additional concerts in Scotland in December. 

 http://www.deaconblue.com
 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Out This Week: Clockwork Orchestra- Friends Without Names

'Friends Without Names' is the exciting debut album by Clockwork Orchestra (aka Irish songwriter Paul Mangan) set for release on White Label Music, an independent record label based in Windsor which is co-run by Ann Shenton, a founding member of art rockers Add N To (X). 
A chocolate box of melodic treasures, the album was recorded entirely within the confines of Mangan's bedroom studio and demonstrates his love of nursery rhymes, vintage keyboard instruments and lyrical storytelling. 'Friends Without Names' takes the listener on a unique journey through a frenzied world of vibrant colours, songs within songs, eccentric characters and chronic symphonies. 
The live incarnation of Clockwork Orchestra have recently returned from performing a series of shows in Germany and have an album launch set for November 3nd at the Twisted Pepper in Dublin to celebrate the release of Friends Without Names on compact disc. The digital album is released this week. 


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

John Taylor- In The Pleasure Groove- New Book

New item for the Duran Duran fans is out now, in particular for John Taylor fans. His latest book is entitled 'In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death and Duran Duran' and in his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs and troubles during his career with Duran Duran. Told with humour, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, 'In the Pleasure Groove' is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire... and came through the other side. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-The-Pleasure-Groove-Death

 

In Conversation: Detachments

Detachments is the creation of London-based musician and songwriter, Bastien Marshal. Along with drummer, Peter Dawson, and a cast of musicians and producers, Marshal has been the driving force behind the band since the mid-2000's. The sound is an intoxicating blend of 80's post-punk, synthpop, new wave, and even hints of darkwave in some places. Not to be clumped in with the wave of bands recreating these sounds as of late, Marshal and company do it very well and with an ultramodern feel in tow. The listener is mentally, physically, and rhythmically drowned in mood, atmosphere, and all that tugs at the heartstrings. Following a string of singles, the band released their self-tilted debut LP in September of 2010. 
Largely produced and performed by Marshal, Dawson, and producer James Ford ( Simian Mobile Disco), it offered more synth driven reworkings of previous singles as well as new and unheard tracks. Since that release, Marshal and Dawson have been touring, intermittently, to further promote the album and band while gaining many a new fan along the way. On September 3, 2012 the digital release of the "Fade EP" saw the light of day on UK-based Hacienda Records. The label has mainly been a vehicle for the output of Peter Hook (New Order / Joy Division) and are now taking on the task of releasing the work of new and established artists. With a follow up LP in the works, where will we see the band go from here? Who better to ask than Marshal himself? He kindly agreed to answer a batch of questions that i happily whipped up for him.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Yazoo and Duran Duran Release Late Summer Best ofs

The brand new Yazoo collection of hits has been released by Music Club Deluxe. It marks the 30th anniversary of hits such as "Don't Go" and "Situation" which filled the 80's dance floors. This two CD compilation features Yazoo's biggest hits as well as 12" versions and stunning dance remixes. 
 Duran Duran have also released a new best of compilation entitled Duran Duran 'The Biggest And The Best'. This 2CD collection focuses on the period 1981-1990 and features some key album tracks, alongside 20 Top 40 hits and twelve Top 10 hits. 


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Retrovision: Boy George- The Crying Game

Boy George hit the charts twenty year ago with "The Crying Game". The song was originally performed by Dave Berry and it reached #5 in the UK charts in 1964. Both songs appeared in the movie of the same name which was directed by Neil Jordan. Boy George's version of this song was produced by Pet Shop Boys and entered the charts at #22. The song was also covered bu the Associates and Kylie Minogue. 

Daybehavior- Follow That Car

The Swedish electro-pop trio Daybehavior are back with their third album 'Follow That Car'. This time they have chosen to do all by themselves, in full control and no obligations to other record companies. The album is described as suggestive and cinematic and features 12 brand new tracks including the single releases "It's a Game" and "Silent Dawn". The album was officially released on September 14th through Graplur.  

www.daybehavior.com
 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Instant Hit: Microdisney- Pink Skinned Man

"Pink Skinned Man" was the second single release for the Irish indie pop group Microdisney. It was released in 1983 through Kabuki and featured the wonderful and acoustic "Fiction Land" as a b-side. Perfect soundtrack to the late summer. 
 

Next Wave: Glitter

Glitter is a Philadelphia based indie pop group fronted by Jaymie Guokas. The music of Glitter was influenced by the carefree swing of the pastels and Aussie love songs of the Go Betweens. Their songs are the soundtrack to strange science fiction dreams where love and heartbreak are filtered through the AM radio of subconscious. Their brand new album 'WYLD HRTS' is out now. 
More about the band and their music:  

http://glitter.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/glitterphiladelphia
 

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