With Depeche Mode touring a new album, thirty-two years after they played this show, there is a good chance that they will hang on as long as The Rolling Stones. They need no introduction, but this is a rare recording of a show with Vince Clarke, an all-synth set, a fabulous version of Tora! Tora! Tora! and steel drum presets for Just Can’t Get Enough – all set in the charming cathedral town of Chichester.
Vanguard are one of Sweden’s most talented synth acts. Their new album, Retribution, is scheduled for February 2014, and it will include this track. The single version features remixes from, among others, Psyche and Robert Enforsen of Elegant Machinery. Sweet Thursday listening.
Canadian synthpop duo, The Beautiful Spies, produce 80s-influenced music with classic style. Formed by Dave Rout (Datafreq, Rational Youth) and Dina Naskos (Colecovision), they already have one album notched on their synth stands and are preparing for a support slot when Rational Youth launch their new show in January 2014. This energetic track is from the Just Fascination album (no relation to the Cabs single of the same name).
Swedish synth legend, Eddie Bengtsson, remixed this track as part of his project, This Fish Needs a Bike, back in 2004. I Satellite is Sault Ste. Marie native, Rod MacQuarrie, who is making the journey to Europe as support for two Rational Youth shows in May 2014. Bengtsson is also on the bill, in his Sista Mannen på Jorden guise. This song will no doubt get a great reception, as it is as catchy as it is quirky.
Christmas, disappointment, Close Encounters, space, rockets, technical drawings – check, check, check, check, check, check. Synthesizers, nose piercing, headband – check, check, check. This one is ready.
With Robert Görl’s immaculate drumming and a looped Korg bassline chugging along under xylophone- and brass-phrases, as Gabi Delgado practically chants the lyrics, this is classic DAF. Organic, rather than mechanical, Goldenes Spielzug is minimalist proto-techno charged with unreleased tension and the slightest hint of menace.
Not well enough known outside of their native Sweden, GarboSTHLM are one of those bands who make exquisite pop that reminds you of the best bits of Duran Duran and Ultravox. They recently warmed-up for Visage in Stockholm, and this new release will keep the 80s vibe going.
Spitalfields Market didn’t used to be a trendy shopping district for City types. It was a back-street series of stalls, with hawkers trying to scrape a living. The members of I Start Counting used to work at the latter, while knocking out superlative pop with Daniel Miller and Paul Kendall lending a hand. This was one of their finest efforts.
No, not the dark website where you could buy drugs with bitcoins – Silk Road is an entirely lovely new track from Hannah Peel. Share without fear.
Legendary Canadian synth pioneers, Rational Youth, have announced live shows for Ottawa and Montreal in January 2014. In a Facebook posting, the band revealed plans for two dates, with more news to follow:
RATIONAL YOUTH LIVE IN MONTREAL & OTTAWA
After an absence of many years we are returning to the live stage!
We will mark our return with a show in our hometown of Montreal at Casa del Popolo on Friday, January 10, 2014, with support The Tibaldos. Tickets $12.
We will be appearing in Ottawa on January 18 at Zaphod Beeblebrox. Tickets $12 through Ticketweb. $15 at the door. Support TBA.
We are working on dates in Quebec City and Toronto and will have more news soon!
Here is the new band line-up:
Tracy Howe: Vocals and synth
Kevin Komoda: Massive analog bowel-shattering synth onslaught
Brian Arsenault: More synths, like a lot more synths
Scott Cameron: Bass
Paul Grainville: Drums, backing vocals
Gaenor Howe: Electronic percussion, theremin, backing vocals
Band photo soon!