Electronically Yours

Not only was EY very fortunate to have three stomping electro live acts play at the UK launch of Undo's 'EY VOL 1' CD, but we were also lucky to acquire the services of a very talented fashion photographer/stylist from Germany named Cordu.

Six feet tall and looking like she should be fronting a band herself, we had seen some of Cordu's shots of MC Ben Cooke from his Festival Of Sins event and we were mightily impressed.
Ben was able to bring Cordu along to our event and over the last few days, we've picked out 20 or so of the best pics including some very arty portrait shots of Northern Kind's Sarah Heeley, Noush, DJ Maddy and Sarah Schmoof (shots of orac under the table with a glass of wine have been omitted).
One of our favourite shots of Sarah and Ben is pictured above and to view all of Cordu's photos on Facebook, simply click on this link or the image above.

For details of future EY events, sign up to the EY group on Facebook.

On June 2nd - almost three years since the spellbinding 'Witching Hour', Ladytron release their fourth studio album 'Velocifero' on Nettwork Records having decided to dump Island over various issues that included the 'Extended Play' of the band's 2005 album.


According to band member Reuben Wu, 'Velocifero' means 'bringer of speed'. All of the neat and advanced tricks of 'Witching Hour' hour remain, but this new album barley lets you catch your breath.




'Velocifero' plays like a Greatest Hits with intense and instant tracks and plenty of single contenders. EY thought that the Tron had perhaps peaked with 'Witching Hour' but for three weeks now, 'Velocifero' has become one of EY's most trusted allies, safely delivering us into the 9-5 only to perk us up after the sentence has been lifted and we've wandered home with the sound of newly leaked Tron.
Opening track 'Black Cat' was given away by the band as a free mp3 taster last month and EY heaped lots of praise upon whilst bemoaning the lack of support Ladytron get here in the UK.
The good news is that 'Velocifero' delivers even better tracks such as the new single 'Ghost' (a popular electro title in 2008).
'Destroy Everything You Touch' really is a tough act to follow but Tron fans will love 'Ghost' in equal amounts. It begins with a very strange electro intro before morphing into a DM 'I Feel You' guitar rift but off-worldly synths ground the track in familiar Tron territory.


Famed by some for being slightly detached and lacking in emotion during the time of their debut '604' (an album that EY surprisingly never really warmed to), 'Ghost' is perhaps Ladytron's most melodic and touching single to date. It is already EY's single of the year (so far) and best of all, Helen's vocals won't have you scrambling for the lyric sheet in order to work out what she's singing about.


One tiny criticism of 'Witching Hour' from our ears was the amount of vocal effects that were added in the final mix. We only mention this because we want to sing along and fear the 'misheard lyric' syndrome and the 'Witching Hour' came with everything apart from lyrics in the CD sleeve.
Immediately with 'Ghost', you come to appreciate how enchanting and unique Helen's vocals are especially during the chorus, 'There's a ghost in me, who wants to say I'm sorry. Doesn't mean I'm sorry.' This has been EY's favorite vocal hook in recent hooks and we suspect that its one that shall live with us for quite sometime along with this killer lyric, 'Clock strikes and I know that you will be drinking alone'.


'I'm Not Scared' is another familiar title but with urgent drum patterns that make you want to pick up drum sticks and run to the nearest set of synth pads and play along in time. The track is classic Ladytron with those strange chord changes that don't quite make sense on the first listen before an instrumental break featuring a soaring synth line pulls all the melodic punches you could possibly hope for.

The track also contains one of the album's finest lines, 'Lately you've come to enjoy, the generosity of strangers', little moments like this mean so much to us.
The next track 'Runaway' will please the purists. Its less 'organic' with sequencers, a foreboding analogue bassline and something of an electro epic. We also think that it may be a single. 'Runaway' is a track with a nod to 2003's 'Light & Magic' but slightly heavier - leaning more to post 'Speak & Spell' DM with high end bleepy 'Policy Of Truth' synth bits that work brilliantly. When Tron return to London in July after the Astoria last week, this track shall get the same amount of applause as old faves such as 'Seventeen'.

It is no secret that EY goes weak at the knees when we hear European vocals to stark electro and Mira takes over the mic for 'Season Of Illusions' and its really impressive whilst Helen provides the trademark Tron vocal chords. Helen and Mira's vocals have always blending in so perfectly and complimented each other. Scotland and Bulgaria aside, Ladytron could so easily hail from another planet.

'Burning Up' is pure 'Crystal' New Order from 2001 - one of the last memorable NO singles. You could do a really good bass pumping mix of both tracks (any technically gifted readers want to try so that we can play the mix?). 'Burning Up' will become a live fave like much of Mode's studio output from 'Songs Of Faith & Devotion' onwards.
Mira takes the mic again for the next track which on the first listen is highly unusually. 'Kletva' could well be Bulgarian and sources say that it was originally a theme tune to a Eastern European TV series - probably a spooky one at that... but we love it.


'They Gave Your Heart, They Gave You Name' is probably the closest to 'Destroy Everything You Touch' and just as clever with a brilliant middle third where the vocals go a bit weird and provide the track with a middle eighth before a sequenced synth hook pulsates and closes the track.

The next track 'Predict The Day' is Depeche during their 'Construction Time Again' sessions and long time readers to this site will know how much we worship CTA. Like 'Runaway', 'This Is The Day' isn't too far removed from 'Light & Magic' but things are improved sonically with a bit more bass and urgency.
'Lovers' is next and it could well be a future single purely for its melodic nature whilst
'Deep Blue' had EY emailing Undo Records shortly after hearing the track as it reminded us of Marsheaux. This is the second epic track on 'Velocifero' - 5 full on minutes of moody analogue genius with Mira on lead vox and you've got to love that accent.

Our final choice track from career defining album is 'Tomorrow'.
Imagine the PSB's 'This Must Be The Place' mixed in with a bit of Tennant's extra strong Electronic tunes and the end result is the best indie-electro song since 'Disappointed' back in 1992.
It reminds EY of Summer/Tennant/Lowe and the chorus is one of the Tron's most memorable.
The album ends with a bit of an oddity.
'Versus' is quite unlike any Ladytron track since 2001 and it sticks out somewhat. Perhaps this is mainly due to the male vocals which break the Tron magic but it's still a bit of a grower and the steel drums save it. 'Deep Blue' or 'Runaway' probably would have been a better finale but this is a very minor gripe.

'Velocifero' is Ladytron's most commercial album to date with virtually no filler that should result in the band gathering new disciples to the Cult of Tron both here in the UK and beyond.

Velocifero EY rating 9/10



Click on the image opposite to EY's most cherished single of 2008 so far and a bit of DM 'Stripped' car bashing for good measure...plus evil black rabbits.
(With thanks to Sonia of Oblique)

Useless 'Velocifero' trivia - the album was co-produced by Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails fame whilst the album was recorded in Studio de la Grande Armee where Duran Duran recorded 1982's 'Rio'.

Electro history in the making late last night on BBC-1 as Yazoo performed live for the first time in a quarter of a century for the award winning chat show 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'.

Providing the very first glimpse of what fans can expect on the forthcoming Reconnected Tour that kicks off next month, Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke were introduced by host Jonathan Ross as 'one of the best bands the UK has ever produced' before they performed their biggest hit from 1982 'Don't Go'.

Though remixed slightly, this sparkling new version remains very faithful to the original analogue classic (why mess with genius?) and Alison's searing vocals still have the power to give you goose pimples whilst seeing Vince belt out a top tune whilst surrounded by some seriously desirable synths will guarantee a warm glow inside and perhaps a misty eye for those still in love with the golden era of Mute Records.


This was the first live Yazoo TV appearance since CH4's legendary The Tube way, way back in 1982 and you can watch the entire show over on the Beeb's Bafta winning innovation the iPlayer by hitting on the screengrab of last night's performance (this service however is only available to those living in the UK).

Thanks to YouTube however, the rest of the globe can watch and enjoy the new version of 'Don't Go' opposite.


The remastered boxset featuring the band's back catalogue plus a DVD is released on May 26th and you can pre-order 2008's most anticipated release here.

For full details of the Reconnected Tour and links to tickets, please check out the excellent Yazoo fansite Bad Connection.

Ladytron live at Astoria



One of the genres leading and most respected acts Ladytron returned to UK shores on Thursday in the week that the band released one of the best singles of their career so far 'Ghost'.
Playing to a packed Astoria and surrounded by ancient Korgs and other cool keyboards, the gig was becoming one of the highlights of 2008 so far until the Astoria's ancient mixing desk died and the Tron were forced to abandon the show.
Gems such as the new single 'Ghost', 'Blue Jeans' and future single(?) 'Runaway'.

After the final track was played. Mira and Helen returned to the stage to apologise about having to close the show early due to technical problems revealing that London is their favorite live crowd and that ticket holders will get to go to another gig for free.
The re-scheduled gig is likely to be in July.
For a few more orac pics of Tron at the Astoria plus some notes - follow this link.


Marsheaux live at WGT!


Greek sensations Marsheaux wooed a huge audience of Goths at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in Leipzig last Sunday playing to their biggest live audience to date.

One of the songs performed in the evening by Marianthi and Sophie was a cover of their favourite Human League single 'Empire State Human' that the girls originally recorded for Electronically Yours last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Human League.
A festival goer has captured the girls performing the track in stunning designer dresses on his cell phone. The sound drops out here and there but its a stomping live version and very watchable.

Marsheaux return to UK shores in August for the Infest festival in Bradford and EY will be there to cover the event.

Prior to last Friday's album launch at Industry, EY was desperate for two 'remastered' tracks on CD that we could play on the night - Carly Simon's 'Why' and the 7" version of Eighth Wonder's 'I'm Not Scared'. We put out a request on Facebook and one EY ticket holder handed us the CD containing both electro classics shortly after the doors opened.

Former member of OMD inspired band The Messerschmitt Twins - Chi Ming Lai really does have a unique understanding for all things electro and still gets excited by the Human League's original manifesto - a manifesto that would ultimately play a big part in the the analogue evolution of EY and many of the new left of center electronic acts that are forming across Europe right now.
We had a few Undo promos of 'EY Vol 1' with 15 of the final tracks in random order (the new running order and tracklisting is now in Athens waiting to be pressed and housed within a lush digipac), and if the compilation is to work on any level then then it really needs to appeal to music fans like Chi.
For a few days now, EY has been intriugued to find out what Chi thinks of the forthcoming EY compilation and here it is, the first ever review of 'EY Vol 1'...



'EY VOL 1' review by Chi



'EY Vol 1' perfectly captures a fantastic moment in time. The last 18 months has seen a resurgence in what is known to many as 'electropop'.
In the past, it was the mainstay of boys with toys who were prepared to play the role of 'outsider' in yesterday's tomorrow.

What has revitalised the genre without a doubt are the feisty, glamourous ladies who are not only fronting the music but are helping to create it too. No electropop puppets here! But it's the warmth that comes across these songs that will surprise many critics...not that they be listening as they wet themselves over yet another dreary release by Cold Patrol and the like!

So taking the lead of The Human League and Yazoo and following on from more recently, Miss Kittin, Ladytron, Goldfrapp and Marsheaux, this brilliant compilation brings together the best of the largely female fronted new music for those who still love the sound of synth. Marsheaux themselves contribute an exclusive new track in 'Sadly'.

No guitars here and frankly who, especially the girls, care? No wonder Arctic Monkeys sang
'I bet you look good on the dance floor, dancing to electropop like a robot from 1984'. That phrase could apply to any of the ladies present. But the boys are still there, someone has to be around to fiddle with a few knobs!

As a self confessed electropop freak, if I had to pick a favourite, it would be Parralox's 'X Minus One'. Combining the best of old technology such as Linn Drums and sparkling synths with a New York disco beat, this is one I can't stop playing.

Other highlights include Oblique's brilliant 'All We Want', Noush does her best 'alien schoolgirl who's lost in space' impression with 'Tropic', Tiger Baby's 'At Least I'm Honest' (which reminds me of Electronic's''If You've Got Love', a song co-written by Karl Bartos!) and 'Mirrorball' by EY faves Electrobelle.

Meanwhile, Mikro do a great Marsheaux impression on 'Restart' and Kid Moxie take things a little darker with a bit of je ne sais quoi while Fotonovela (the token males on the album) have the atmospheric vocoder led ' Unfair'.

Among the previously heard tracks, Marsheaux's remix of Client's 'It's Not Over' is superior to the original while Northern Kind's extended remix of  'On & On' has extra synth parts to bolster an already great pop song.

There's hardly a dud track on EY Vol1. The concept reminds me of the 'Some Bizzare Album' from 1981. There, a bunch of new 'futurist' bands were compiled together on a LP by future Soft Cell Manager Stevo to expose them to the wider public. Out of the twelve bands, five became well known; B-Movie, The The, Blancmange, Soft Cell and a quartet of Essex boys called...Depeche Mode!! Here's hoping that at least five of the acts on EY Vol1 make it big too!'

Chi Rating: 9 out of 10

'EY Vol 1' is released in June 2008 on Undo Records.






Jonathan Dean attended the second EY event on Friday 9th at Industry where a selection of 'EY Vol 1' tracks were blasted out and JD kindly sent us his thoughts on our humble little electro bash within the maze of Shoreditch...


I have no shame in admitting that when I was 12 (in the mid nineties which was arguably something of a synthpop nadir) I used to sit in my bedroom listening to the Human League and early Depeche Mode. Although 'Tell Me When' was a hit around the same time, the League were widely regarded as 80s throwbacks and my taste in music was not well received in the school playground. Fast forward thirteen years and I find myself at a wonderfully plush venue in Shoreditch watching some of the best current electropop acts and dancing badly to (among others) Depeche Mode and, at one point, a Human League b-side ('Hard Times' spun by ultra glam Sarah Schmoof). This, I think, represents something of a turnaround in my electro fortunes!

However, embarrassing personal back-stories aside, all the acts were great and what's more, they each bring something different to the electro table, complementing each other very well. EY's very own Noush kicks things off, she begins with the wonderfully dark and minimal ' Enjo Kosai' before launching into new songs ' Deluxe' and 'Tropic', the latter of which, with its epic chorus, is for me the highlight of the evening. She rounds things off with ' Carbon Monoxide Smile', which gets everyone dancing. Noush's amalgamation of dark synthpop, Blade Runner and Japanese schoolgirl outfits works brilliantly, and she has a great stage presence to boot.

Northern Kind are next up, and offer us a set of full on, uptempo and unpretentious electropop. They start with the recently remixed 'On And On' which I look forward to hearing on the EY compilation. Their first few tracks are played in succession without a break: I felt quite out of breath by the time they had finished! They round things off a cover the of the League's ' Love Action' which of course gets a great reception, followed by new song 'Dirty Youth' which is much my favourite NK song. Matt knocks out pulsating electro grooves throughout, and Sarah seems really confident on stage, works the crowd well, and she has great hair!

The live music concludes with Electrobelle's first live performance. They play all five songs from their myspace page, starting with ' Falling' and rounding off with ' Mirrorball' which the crowd loves. Whilst their songs are quite upbeat, they all have a melancholy edge with really comes to the fore in their live performance: I almost get misty eyed at one point. They both seemed to really enjoy it. Charlotte looked a little nervous at first but was soon grinning and dancing. Her vocals are even better live than on record and fit perfectly with Barry's trippy synth noises.

DJ Maddy took over from Orac and Sarah Schmoof on the decks after Electrobelle, although to be honest my memories of the latter stages of the night are slightly clouded by a kronenberg induced haze. I think everyone who attended had a riotous time. Not only was the music great but everyone was really friendly, and Orac and Sarah Schmoof are owed an enormous debt of gratitude for their organisation and DJing. So, when's the next EY event going to be then? Soon please!

Thanks to both Chi and Jon - electro stars both of them.
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EY's next electro port of call is Ladytron at London's Astoria this Thursday and we just want them to play all of the new album Velocifero live...

EY had a fantastic time at Industry in Shoreditch and we've managed to gather together some snaps taken on the night by OMD fan Chi that were uploaded to Facebook over the weeknd.
We were blessed with another crisp and powerful PA and three stunning live acts that included Noush, Electrobelle and Northern Kind who all feature on the forthcoming 'EY VOL 1' CD along with Client and Marsheaux.
We also managed to capture that Hoxton vibe with a very friendly and enthusiastic audience and it was a joy to meet you all including Paul B of the official OMD website and Matt Nida who was one of our DJ's at the Hoxton gig.
After a nervy but exciting day on an unusually hot day in London, orac got lost in Shoreditch (twice) but once the soundchecks from our three acts passed by with no technical delays and hearing the songs live before the doors opened, we were all buzzing.
To view the first batch of photos from the night with some brief production notes, simply click on the lovely image of event organiser and DJ Sarah Schmoof with synthkid Noush.
More photos from Cordu will follow shortly.
Thanks must again go to the OMD fans (Chi and Rob), all of whom gave the acts such great support and took some superb photos on the night.

As EY slowly sobers up, thoughts of EY 03 are slowly begining to take form.
To keep up tp date with future EY events - hit this link to join the facebook group.

Breaking news has just reached us of a new tour later this year in the UK featuring a line up that has long been the wishes of EY and we suspect most of our readers.
The 10 date Steel City Tour brings together three of the most influential acts of the last 30 years.
Human League are joined by ABC who have just released a new album and another band very close to the heart of EY, Heaven 17.






Tickets for this unique, once in a lifetime tour go on sale tomorrow though only one date is listed so far online- Sheffield Arena on December 13th. You can get more info via this link.

Update: David Beevers has tonight posted jpgs of the posters that include all of the Steel City tour dates over at the Secrets forum.




(With many thanks to David Peck)

Happy birthday M! ;)

EY has had a frantic but most enjoyable week. We received the promo from Undo of the EY Vol 1' CD with tracks in random order for us to sequence beyond track 6.

The compilation kicks off with the original 5 minute version of Electrobelle's modern day classic 'Mirrorball', followed by a Marsheaux's previously unreleased radio edit of 'It's Not Over' by Client. Next up is Cassette Electric's unrequited love song 'The Smartest Bomb', Oblique stomper 'All We Want' & Tiger Baby's summery 'At Least I'm Honest'. Then we have the brand new poptastic Marsheaux track 'Sadly' followed by a very, very special extended mix of Northern Kind's 'On & On' that is 6 minutes of epic analogue genius.


The rest will follow very shortly but in the meantime, we have also been gearing up for the album's launch party this Friday and nervous excitement is beginning to set in.
Orac has the records in mind that he will spin on the night - Eighth Wonder (more on them below), Ladytron, DM, The League, a Carly Simon electro classic from 1982 and choice tracks from 'EY VOL 1' will all get a play at Industry.
This is our first big EY event since a stunning night in Hoxton last October (follow this link for the lowdown on that very special event that featured Marsheaux and Schmoof). We promise another quality night - only this time we have three very talented live acts booked.

Like the Hoxton event, you can purchase e-tickers via the secure paypal link below.
Tickets are just 5.00 pounds each (6.00 on the door)

Related link: Join the EY Facebook group




Take these dogs away from me...


EY tends to get a bit misty eyed and nostalgic every time the twenty year cycle passes to mark the original release of songs that went way beyond what may have initially been expected of them.

Quite often, these defining releases would usually go unnoticed by most people, some copies may have even ended up in skips of charity shops only to be remembered or loved by isolated music lovers across the globe.

Tennant & Lowe have co-written so many songs that clearly help to define your past memories, obvious gems such as 'West End Girls', 'What Have I Done To Deserve This', 'Rent' will often get mentioned amongst electro gatherings.
But back in a1988 during a stark winter at the height of Thatcher's ugly Britain, Tennant & Lowe unexpectedly decided to write a song for struggling act Eighth Wonder fronted by pure English rose Patsy Kensit was better known for her chic and innocent image plus the odd role in dodgy English films such as 'Absolute Beginners' that absolutely bombed at the box office.

'I'm Not Scared' is one of the forgotten Tennant & Low gems even though the Pets recorded a slightly inferior version for 'Introspective' later that year.
Orac was working in Our Price (where else?) in Maidenhead (he served Ernie Wise and Martin Rushent that year) and beinga Pet fan, he grabbed a copy of the CD single from the label's rep who wasn't expecting much of the track.
Co-produced with PWL's Phil Harding, 'I'm Not Scared' was and still is an absolute gem - one of the Pet's finest tracks with minor orchestral chords geared towards European pop, a beautifully sequenced bassline and surprisingly seductive vocals from Patsy (who sang in French on the delectable 12" version).
The vocal hook was a repeated sample of Patsy - 'I-I-I-I-I..I' (you really have to listen to it to understand the 'I-I-I''s).

A few years later, the Pet's would fondly recall the recording sessions of the track, trying to get Patsy's attention who was constantly filing her nails. In the years that went on inbetween, Patsy married Jim Kerr of Simple Minds before dumping him for the Oasis singler Liam. Patsy was last seen in dreadful UK soap Emmerdale but still looking fabulous.
Tonight, is forever as EY raises a glass to 'I'm Not Scared' and we will be playing this track at the EY VOL 1 launch on Friday night.

In the meantime, why not celebrate with a new and very impressive cover by Swedish girl band West End Girls?

We stumbled across this on Sunday and loved every second of it. Of course, you can't beat Patsy, but the West End Girls cover really is quite good.

Do hit this link and relive 1988 plus a few other PSB classics such as 'Love Comes Quickly' with some seriously saucy female vocals.


EY shall see you on the other side of Industry.

EY is delighted to premier two of the brand new Undo Records tracks that have recently been recorded for the forthcoming nu-electro CD 'EY VOL 1' - and first up is Marsheaux with a catchy little number entitled 'Sadly'.

Final mixing was completed only yesterday and EY got the chance to get get acquainted with 'Sadly' during in the early hours of this UK Bank Holiday, and when we awoke, we gave it a full-on speaker blasting airing this morning and we are quite honestly chuffed to have another quality track on what is turning out to be a very impressive, foot tapping CD.

'Sadly' mixes the sounds and production of both 'Ebay Queen' and 'Peek A Boo' and like 'Ghost' before it, the new song will have you beaming from cheek to cheek. Like most of Marsheaux's output, 'Sadly' is very instant, very catchy with a lovely warm analogue heart.
Featuring pop princess Marianthi on lead vocals and a few breathy 'yeah yeah' vocal hooks during a hands in the air sing along chorus, 'Sadly' has a very clever instrumental break a third of the way through that the band experimented with on the 'Ghost' release and its a moment of inspiration that was added quite late in the day.

This is Marsheaux in classic Yazoo/Vince Clarke/Erasure mode and will fit perfectly in between Tiger Baby's 'At Least I'm Honest' and Northern Kind's remixed 'On & On'.
Despite the title, 'Sadly' is actually a joyfully up lifting pop song - pure and simple.



Another track from the side project of 'Peek A Boo' producers Fotonovela also reached us last night and it's the track that will close our 'EY VOL 1' album.
The vocodor driven 'Unfair' will end the CD on a real high and it's probably the track with the most nods to OMD & Kraftwerk which is important and very fitting as the sleeve notes will hopefully begin with a quote taken from the autobiography 'I Was A Robot' from analogue pioneer Wolfgang Flur.

Like so much of the Undo back catalogue, 'Unfair' is melodic, beautifully produced and very haunting and EY is flattered to have two blissfully supreme tracks available on our little CD for the very first time.
In celebration of the album's release, we have uploaded the full versions of Marsheaux's poptastic 'Sadly' and Fotonovela's 'Unkind' for you all to enjoy via this fantastic link.
Do let us know what you think.
Marsheaux's 'Sadly' and their stomping as of yet unreleased remix of Electrobelle's 'Mirrorball' will both be played at the EY launch party this coming Friday at Industry. Full details to your left where you can still grab a e-ticket otherwise its another dreary episode of EastEnders for you ;)

Coming shortly, interviews with some of the acts featured on 'EY VOL 1' plus hints of the digipac designs from Undo's award winning designers.

(With thanks to everyone at Undo)

More live dates for OMD!



Following on from their sell out tour of the UK last year where they performed the classic album 'Architecture & Morality' in its entirety, OMD have announced another most welcome tour for 2008.
Our thanks to Robert R who provides the following information:

30-Sep-08 Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne
01-Oct-08 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
03-Oct-08 Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool
04-Oct-08 Royal Concert Hall at Royal Centre, Nottingham
06-Oct-08 Symphony Hall, Birmingham
07-Oct-08 Roundhouse Theatre, London

Also, the Live DVD and CD from last years tour are now available. Architecture & Morality & More features OMD performing the whole of their classic album Architecture & Morality for the first time live in concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in 2007 (the DVD has reached Number 1 on the Music Week DVD chart)

Featuring the classic line-up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper the band also perform a wide selection of hits from their career against a spectacular visual stage presentation.

More information via the Official site at www.omd.uk.com

EY now has two electro girl models to wear the new EY t-shirts - we shall reveal them all soon ;)
Find out more via the link opposite.

Yazoo kick off their sell-out tour of Europe in June with the release of a special 12" release of one of EY's most treasured electro tracks of all time - 'Nobody's Diary'.

On May 12th, Mute Bank will release a 'Nobody's Diary' EP bundle that will include a 12" full of new remixes including one from Erasure legend Andy Bell plus various bonus digi tracks.
This will be the first official Yazoo Mute release since mixes of 'Only You' promoted a 'Best Of' release back in 1999.
Remixes include the following:

12" Limited Edition

A. Nobody's Diary (Andy Bell / JC Remix)
A. Nobody's Diary (Original Remaster)
AA. Nobody's Diary (Koishii and Hush Remix)

Digital bundle

1. Nobody's Diary (Original Remaster)
2. Nobody's Diary (Andy Bell / JC Remix)
3. Nobody's Diary (Koishii and Hush Remix)
4. Nobody's Diary (GRN's 12" Remix)


NY electro act Hercules and The Love Affair have also submitted some Yazoo remixes and we do urge you all to check out their track 'Blind' which is simply heavenly - just follow this link.
May 26th sees the release of the definitive Yazoo boxset with 'Upstairs At Eric's' and 'You And Me Both' remastered with a bonus CD of original remixes. No room for unreleased gems such as 'Get Set' or previously unheard demo tracks sadly but the following track listing on the disc named 'Remixes & b-sides' will be more than enough to please the ever electro hungry EY:

1. Situation
2. Situation (Extended Version)
3. Don't Go (Re-mix)
4. Don't Go (Re-re-mix)
5. Situation (US 12" Mix)
6. Situation (US 12" Dub)
7. The Other Side Of Love
8. The Other Side Of Love (12" Remix)
9. State Farm
10. Nobody's Diary (Extended)
11. State Farm (Extended)
12. Situation (Re-recorded)

The boxset will also include a DVD full of BBC Radio 1 live recordings plus a brand new documentary that will feature a few familiar faces from the recent Depeche Mode remasters.

Promos for the 'EY VOL 1' CD are almost ready and orac will be hard at work this weekend on sleeve notes that will hopefully do justice to the lush UNDO packaging.

Planning continues for the album launch at Industry on May 9th with flyers and posters designed by Matt Culpin delivered to us last week.

Electrobelle are putting the finishing touches to their 5th track and there may even be a cover of a much loved song thrown in to the mix (our lips are sealed).
This will be a very electro charged night and orac will be blasing out tracks from the 'EY VOL 1' CD.

Tickets for five pounds each can be grabbed via the paypal button below...







'EY VOL 1'  LAUNCH PARTY
ELECTROBELLE - NORTHERN KIND - NOUSH - DJs: MADDY - SARAH SCHMOOF - ORAC

Sheffield's finest - The Human League - played a one-off gig at the city of steel's new Carling Academy venue (formerly The Roxy) with an unrivalled world famous setlist that few have since matched.

By all accounts, masters of electro proved that they are still the real soul of Sheffield on Sunday night to a packed Academy.

With EY suffering from the credit crunch, we were unable to make the journey to Sheffield but 'EY VOL 1' bands Northern Kind and Electrobelle were at the gig and NK's Matt Culpin has kindly collected a few thoughts whilst NK fan Dave Knight provides the stunning live visuals and possibly the finest pic of Joanne so far...

Myself, Baz & Sarah went to the show.

I think I was more excited for Sarah seeing them than myself. By her own admission she's not really an electro chick so since Northern Kind started I have been giving her a potted history of electronic music, who influenced who, who sang what etc etc.

It was actually you that sparked off my introduction of HL to Sarah after the Marshaeux gig when Orac said NK should do a HL cover. On the way home I had to sing her a few HL songs as she couldn't really think of any. Scary but she actually thought they had done 'Temptation', after myself and Baz stopped killing ourselves of laughter we eventually told her, "No, that was Heaven 17'.

Having never seen the inside of the original Roxy I can't say if the place had actually improved. It felt more like a big nightclub than a venue but I thought the sound was great if not a little too bass heavy.

HL kicked off the show with "Things That Dreams Are Made Of", none of the pretentious five minute intros with just the band, from the first beat and the curtain fall they were all there.

'Love Action' came next, which Sarah was delighted with as she new the words as we cover this live :-). I spent ages on one particular sound on our version and I think this adds to the authenticity as it's very close to the Dare version. (Neil Sutton if you are reading this, email me for the Patch!)

Next up was 'Open Your Heart', slightly spoilt by Baz singing 'Mirrorball' in my ear. The words fitted perfectly!

Now for 'Mirror Man', this was my nickname at school, (I have no idea why :-) ) - followed by 'Heart Like a Wheel', what a great song and a mention for Jo Callis who co-wrote the track.

1986 US Number One 'Human' followed, and being a slight muso geek now I think I heard a few bum notes from Neil and by the look of his face he did to. I'm also amazed by Phil's vocal range, especially the "no-one else could ever take your place", if that was me I would get the audience to sing that part.

Another classic in 'Seconds', did I mentioned the projections? I didn't expect them for a one-off gig but a nice addition to the show.

'Hysteria' - 'The Lebanon' came next, famous for having the cheesiest song lyrics "and where there used to be some shops" - not me talking!
I think this was on one of those 100 cheesy 80's song compilation tv shows. - Still a great track though, I always find myself playing that whenever I pick up a bass guitar.

'All I Ever Wanted' shook the venue, the only song from "Secrets" what a shame.

'The Sound of The Crowd' came next, the synth and percussion sounds were great in this version, very close to the original.

My favorite HL Mk1 was re-introduced to the live set - 'Empire State Human' - at this point I think Sarah was relating to those lyrics as a really quite large man decided to stand in front of her.

'Tell Me When' was the only song from 'Octopus' would be great to hear 'Filling Up With Heaven' one day.

'Don't You Want Me' then followed, Sarah turned to me and said as it started, "which one is this?", I nearly fell for that one.

I thought that would be the end but nope, they finished with 'Fascination' one of the first things I learnt to play on my first synth.

That was it... but the crowd wanted more so we got it. A massive throbbing bass sound with some white noise synth swooshes, definitely the start to "Being Boiled" I have to say this sounded great. Sarah commented after the show that she really loved that track, having never heard it before I gave her the potted history. I then tried to relate to her the influence this had on modern day bands by telling her that Richard X used this on the Liberty X track 'Being Nobody', not sure she was that impressed though.

The last song and one Sarah definitely remembered but again didn't realise it was HL (well officially Giorgio & Phil) was 'Together in Electric Dreams'

All in all a great night and a perfect, if not slightly late introduction for Sarah to the Human League. Blimey she has some catching up to do.

To view more of Dave's League pics, please hit this link.
To sample some of the electro delights that Northern Kind will be playing for us at Industry on May 9th - plase turn up the volume and dance along to this link and maybe grab a ticket for the EY event on your left before leaving.

Coming shortly - yet another new band! :)



Pictured opposite are the contents of a DHL package that arrived from UNDO Records this morning - copies of the new Marsheaux 7" autographed by electro Divas Marianthi and Sophie.

Six of these lovely items are to be given away in our latest latest competition - just scroll down the page for more details.


Orac is now looking for girls... to model the new EY t-shirt...

We were forwarded a video earlier today via Facebook not knowing too much about Brighton band Bats For Lashes. Soon after the third viewing, we passed it on to Undo Records thinking that they would appreciate the video and song in equal amounts only to learn that it was already one of their fave tracks from late last year.






If you rate Bjork's 1997 album 'Homogenic' with a vocal delivery from the Black Box Recorder school book and you quite fancy some of the surreal Alison Goldfrapp 'Black Cherry' Imagery of people wearing animal masks that could have come from the prop department of Donny Darko, then we think that some of you out there will really warm to this song.
This is a video that should quite rightly snap up every MTV award for visual brilliance and the track 'What's A Girl To Do' is equal to Goldfrapp's finest.
The video also includes some rather stunning synchronised bike riding along a very spooky and deserted English road.

Do take time to play the link opposite and marvel at the UK talent on offer.

EY Rating: 8.5/10

(With thanks to JacJ)

Fall in love with Bats For Lashes via their official myspace page.

Coming up next - Northern Kind's thoughts on the recent Human League gig at Sheffield and its a fun read. If you were at this gig and took some snaps - drop us a line via this link.

Robyn's new single 'Who's That Girl' may share the same title as The Eurythmics single of 1983 or Maddy's Number 1 a few years later during the blazing summer of 1987, but it also shares a whole lot more such as the tag of 'instantly lovable electro'.






EY has been intrigued by Robyn for a while but had never delved into her too deeply. Barely a week would pass over on Popjustice when there wasn't an article on this enchanting Swedish singer but our attention was finally focused after reading one of our fave music blogs Worrpolava who had uploaded a recent GMTV performance to youtube when Robyn sang the new single live.
We knew that the coolest of Swedish acts The Knife had collaborated on Robyn's new single but once we hit the link we thought of The Knife immediately as a brilliantly programmed bassline hits the ground running and pulls you in.

It has that warm yet precise sequencing similar to The Knife's influential 2004 single 'Heartbeats' yet 'Who's That Girl' is more geared to shameless pop and as Robyn struts her stuff singing about being sexy when she says 'it's ok' with a haircut that is a cross between Susan Sulley in 1995 and a flick with attitude that Martin Fry excelled in - Robyn's voice live is just so massively impressive especially as the joyful and uplifting chorus fills your room.
This is a brilliant pop performance aided by some endearing touches such as Robyn - who fills in gaps between the verse and chorus with some nifty stabs at some nearby synth pads - and it's moments like that that make EY fall in love - perhaps even go to Sweden on holiday.

There aren't too many naturally gifted popstars around today but Robyn has won us over with this early morning UK TV appearance..

There are hints of R'n'B in this track but don't let that put you off from watching the video - this is exactly how R'n'B should sound in this analogue day and age.

Amazingly, this is the 5th single to be lifted from Robyn's current album (this used to happen quite a bit in the 80's) but we will let her off as we've danced so much to it.

EY Rating: 8.8

Related Links:

Robyn on myspace
Worrapolava

Coming shortly: The Human League @ Sheffield - Northern Kind were at the gig last night and will be sharing their thoughts with EY about the gig plus - Ladytron's new album 'Velocifero' - very DM in places and it has dominated the EY mp3 player - there is yet another 'Ghost' and we love it. Full review soon...

After a few unavoidable techy problems with vinyl pressing plant in Germany, 900 or so copies of the very collectable UNDO single 'Ghost' have now reached the windswept shores of the UK and are currently being sent out to Marsheaux fans across the country.




Limited to just a thousand copies, most of the singles were reserved with pre-orders many weeks prior to the delayed release but Undo Records have saved six copies for EY to giveaway in our first competition of 2008!




Autographed by Sophie & Marianthi, the two track 7" comes in deluxe UNDO packaging (who just won several EBGE design awards in Athens for the packaging of Undo releases including 'Peek A Boo' whilst the promotional poster for 'Ghost' also picked up a major award). Both the 7" and promotional poster glow in the dark and are said to protect your home from unwanted, off worldly entities.
Each of the six winners will also receive an autographed 'promotional 'Ghost' poster.

Electro gems 'Ghost' and 'Bizarre Love Duo' won't be released on any other format so if you missed out on grabbing a copy (analogue electro does sound so good on vinyl) then simply send us your full name and country of origin via this link with the header 'Ghost'.

The closing date for this comp is May 20th 2008.








Marsheaux are currently in the studio recording another brand new track exclusively for 'EY Vol 1' before the girls fly off to Germany to play at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig on May 11th.
The Greek Sensations have also recently confirmed that they will be playing at Infest, the UK's biggest Goth festival Infest on August 22nd at University of Bradford and EY will be there all Gothed up.

(With thanks to George & Rob R)




C L U B  R O B O T


A very promising new electro night will be launched on Wednesday 23rd April at London's Westbourne Studios.


Club Robot promises to be a quality evening full of top banging electro tunes and we're very confident about this with EY's very own DJ Matt Nida from last year's Hoxton event, who has helped organize the Club Robot launch.
Matt will also be spinning some of the tunes on the night along with Terminal.

Knowing Matt's fine taste in all things electro, the live acts will delight including Intelligentsia originally from BladeRunner city Tokyo who have been described as 'a really cool space-y electro act'.



A band who have been on Mute Records since the 80's and the stuff of legend - Komputer are also booked to play live along with Random who produce catchy dancepop from a Nintendo Gameboy.


Also expect lots of cool projected visuals and a buzzing crowd.
Entry is just 6.00 squid on the door which opens at 8pm (a fiver in advance or with the flyer).

The very hip Westbourne Studios is on Acklam Road - right next to Portobello  
Road Market, (nearest tube is Labroke Grove) and you can find out more about this event by heading over to the Club Robot website here.

Introducing...Tiger Baby from Copenhagen, who grab track 5 on the forthcoming cosmo-electro CD from Undo Records.
A long time fave of Undo and Marsheaux and both have chosen wisely with this warm hearted if slightly bitter pop gem from the Danish electro threesome.

'At Least I'm Honest' has been blasting out of our Altec Lansing speakers these past few weeks as we've been mixing and matching the most perfect of tracklistings.
This is bitter sweet Dubstar meets Saint Etienne with many layers of PSB sequencing and high end hooks.
The delicate and breathy female vocals are provided by Tiger Babe Pernille Pang (pictured opposite) and all the tracks on offer are beautifully produced and instantly memorable.
''At Least I'm Honest' is the first track on the band's official myspace player and you can even download the track for free to get a taster of the sonic 'EY Vol 1' delights that will follow.
We also recommend 'Sweetheart' - a dreamy summer hit and every bit as lovable as Groove Armada's cherished 1999 hit 'At The River'.
There is also a treat in store for Depeche Mode fans as there is an absolutely genius cover of the Mode's 'Strangelove' - you won't immediately guess its a cover until Pernille purrs the word 'Strangelove'. We love it.

Tiger Baby @ myspace

The 'EY VOL 1' launch party takes place at London's Industry on Friday May 9th - Electrobelle, Northern Kind and Noush shall be performing live plus DJ sets from Maddy, Sarah Schmoof & Orac with his bizarre little electro tunes - grab tickets for only 5 squid via the button below...

'EY Vol 1' track 6 teaser coming shortly...

EY's Master Of Ceremonies Ben Cooke (who really should be in an electro band judging by the promo pic opposite) was such a revelation on the night of Marsheaux's live UK debut that we're delighted to have him back for the launch of 'Undo EY Vol 1' on May 9th and Ben has invited EY to sample his very popular 'Festival Of Sins' night this Saturday at the Camden Purple Turtle.

(Ben captured by Cordu)

A creation of the exotic May LR, Ben is the event's presenter and Saturday's sin is Gluttony.
Festival Of Sins has picked up some rave reviews including this one from Punk Globe, 'different to any other club I've been to...if you fancy a decadent night out, then look no further', EY can hardly wait (and we've even bought some 'new' clothes from Ebay that Adam Ant may have considered wearing back in 1980 when really spaced).

Saturday's event costs just 7.00 squid on door, 6 with flyer and 5 pounds before 9.30pm with lives attractions that include:

'A gluttonous performance by the infamous Scottee, who i-D Magazine calls "Everyone's Favourite" and Time Out has hailed as "One of London's most revolutionary performers".

Exclusive fashion show by Tsu Metamorphosis Designs.

Gluttony themed burlesque acts by Eva Braun and others.

The erotic live painting and music combination from France, Shultz.

The gorgeously desirable band, Parka, who were recently No. 3 on the BBC Indie Chart'.

The Purple Turtle (the original one in Reading was such a blast back in the early 90's), can be found at 65 Crowndale Road, Camden (next to KOKO, nearest tube: Mornington Crescent).

To find out more about the event, dress code, future themes and photo galleries, hit this link.

EY will have a very good time come Saturday night...

May 2008 sees the CD manifestastion on Undo Records of this little electro obsessed website, championing tracks that we hope will dominate your personal mp3 player.
All of the tunes featured on CDUN11 have inspired this site and all of them have dominated the EY playist over the last 12 months and this is the perfect 'Back To Mine' - if shameless electro pop and hooky basslines grab you.

EY is now able to reveal the opening tracks of 'EY VOL 1'...


1: Electrobelle: Mirrorball
Have a listen to 'Mirrorball' and swoon at one of EY's most played tracks of 2007 - www.myspace.com/electrobelle
Charlotte and Barry are the next Yazoo...





2: Client: It's Not Over - Marsheaux Radio Edit (previously unreleased)
Client and Marsheaux provide an irresistible combination with a previously unreleased radio edit of the Greek girl's acclaimed extended mix that was released across Europe last year on Out Of Line Records - www.myspace.com/client
This is one of two Marsheaux contributions to 'EY Vol 1'...and we reveal more about that very shortly.


3: Cassette Electrik: The Smartest Bomb
Another huge 2007 EY fave from the band that supported Human League on some of the Dare dates, and judging by new material, CE are going to get even better in 2008 - check out '28 Days' at: www.myspace.com/cassetteelectrik










4: Oblique: All We Want
A band that have given EY yet another lease of life and one of two acts that we were able to squeeze on to the complilation prior to the final deadline.
'All We Want' track has a chorus to die for.
www.myspace.com/obliquemusic

Grab a ticket for the 'EY VOL 1' party by hitting by the button below (de 80's are a good thang)

They are arguably one of the most influential electronic bands this decade with a sound that has touched many across Europe.
The last band to have such a huge effect on new electro bands was Depeche Mode who refused to die after 'The Singles 81-85' compilation and went on to take electro to the masses.

Like Depeche Mode, Ladytron mean very little in their native homeland and struggle to get airplay on the BBC cartel that continues to pump for the predictable, with weekly dire playlists. It's a great environent where any brand name can guarantee repeated plays across their untouchable radio empire (tracks that are often forgotten about a few weeks later).

Prior to the birth of Secrets Online, Electronically Yours existed as a blog under some obscure umbrella of collective and often manic waffle. We had 15 regular readers per week keen to find out news on first Human League album since 1995's 'Octopus' but back in 2001 - one of the other bands that we loved so passionately were Ladytron who broke into the genre with a very clever version of 'Open Your Heart'.
The debut album with naive production '601' followed and countless years in between - we are still in love with them as the Tron have evolved and pushed things sonically as Depeche did before them.
Huge EY faves such as Marsheaux, Client and Oblique were no doubt given extra encouragement by the Tron to spread the electro word and EY can't imagine a decade without these bands.
Ladytron are now on their 4th record label here in the UK proving if anything, how utterly clueless the majors are here. Back in 2005, renowned label Island released 'Witching Hour' - one of EY's most treasured albums of that year. A week after the official release date and with the BBC seizing upon tracks such as 'Destroy Everything You Touch' and 'High Rise' to promote various shows, Island totally dropped the ball and panicked and simply couldn't get their heads around the genre (they should''ve just stuck to pissing around with Bob Marley and U2 re-issues).

2008 - the year of the second wave of electro - and Ladytron find themselves on a new label Nettwork and the band have taken the unprecedented step of offering one of the new album tracks from 'Velocifero' as a free download and we can't thank them enough for it.
The track is called 'Black Dog' and features one of EY's fave electro girl's Mira on vox in her native tongue to complex melodic layers and electronic pulses - production that we really admire here at EY.
This is nu-slightly indie-electro that isn't a million miles from 'Witching Hour' and it is so uniquely Ladytron.
We didn't think that Ladytron could ever match 'Witching Hour' but 'Black Cat' extends the appeal and we are counting down the days to the release of 'Velocifero' on June 3rd.

You can listen to 'Black Cat' via Ladytron's official myspace page..

EY 'Black Dog' Rating; 8.5

Related link: www.ladytron.com

EY will be seeing Ladytron live at the Astoria on May 15th shorlty after Goth Marsheaux and the EY Vol 1 launch party.

Barely a week has past in 2008 when we haven't heard a brand new track that has left EY beaming from cheek to cheek (and we've yet to mention the new Ladytron track).
Just as we were confirming our album launch at Industry, one of our featured bands who will be making their live debut at EY VOL 1 added a new song to myspace.

Electrobelle's run of analogue gems continues with 'Rose' - the fourth Belle track to be completed ahead of the release of their 'Mirrorball' EP on Undo Records.

We suspect that 'Rose' has absolutely nothing to do with Billie Gorgeous Piper's imminent return to the greatest TV series on the planet - 'Dr Who', but we couldn't resist promoting the series that will save us & BBC-1 from spooky looking Andrew Lloyd Webber hell (don't get EY started on the daft new timelsot for Dr Who).

A self confessed Yazoo fan, Belle's chief programmer and producer Barry Mallon earlier told EY that 'Rose' was in part inspired by Vince and Alison's 1982 single 'Only You' and the gentle intro of 'Rose' certainly captures the hypnotic textures of that classic Mute single.
This is Electrobelle's first ballad, a chance to breath and fully appreciate the depth and range of Charlotte Sanderson's soul baring vocals and the vocal harmonies are simply astonishing.

Like Alison Moyet before her, Charlotte's musical background has mostly been involved in Jazz and is relatively new to the electro genre and here lies the beauty of the whole thing. She isn't trying to imitate any other known electro singer and this gives the whole Belle sound an edge over acts who at the moment, are much bigger than them.


'Rose' is a slow burner and perhaps misses the instant hooks of 'Falling' or 'Mirrorball' but it provides time to catch your breath and appreciate what is a very fine recording. The track is five and a half minutes long which is rare for a ballad and initially, you may wonder how it can sub stain its appeal for that long but the track never drags and the chorus is heaven.
Parts of 'Rose' remind us of a rather good 1986 track from Howard Jones, the equally haunting analogue ballad 'Will You Still Be There', a song that should have been a single but WEA had already given up on Howard by then.


Electrobelle are currently working on a fifth track with vocals whilst four other tracks are being sequenced for the forthcoming debut album on Undo.

EY can't wait to hear 'Rose' and other Belle gems live for the very first time in London, but in the meantime, open a bottle of wine, put your feet up and have a listen to 'Rose' via this link.

'Rose' EY Rating: 8.5/10

Dr Who returns to BBC-1 this Saturday at 6.20pm and this is one of orac's other online haunts.

Tickets have now officially gone on sale for our electro bash in London to celebrate the release of the Undo compilation 'Electronically Yours Vol 1'.
This is the first big EY event since a stunning night in Hoxton last October (follow this link for the lowdown on that very special event that featured Marsheaux and Schmoof). We promise another quality night - only this time we have three very talented live acts booked.

Like the Hoxton event, you can purchase e-tickers via the secure paypal link below.
Tickets are just 5.00 pounds each (6.00 on the door) and they event takes place on a Friday night

Grab your tickets via the button below.

Electrobelle - recently snapped up by Marsheaux's label Undo, this will be Charlie and Barry's debut UK performance!
Check out their classic tracks 'Falling' and EY VOL 1 track 'Mirrorball' (which has just been remixed by Marsheaux).
Electrobelle are currently putting the finishing touches to some brand new tracks that will be played live at our EY event.

www.myspace.com/electrobelle

Northern Kind - Sarah and Matt produce highly infectious analogue pop that will get everyone dancing. Their debut album '53 Degrees North' contains 'Solid little pop nuggets all with a sweet and seductive analogue center'.

'On & On' has been specially remixed for our electro compilation album and it's a bit of a stomper. Expect new tracks on the night too from NK's forthcoming studio album

www.myspace.com/northernkinduk









Noush - EY's very own replicant synthkid will be performing some of her new solo Numanesque songs including 'Enjo Kosai' and brand new track 'Tropic'. Highly melodic, plenty of hooks and lines such as 'Lenin in lipstick'.

www.myspace.com/neonoushie


Our Electromaster of Ceremonies on the night will be Ben Cooke who did such a great job for us at Hoxton last year.

Doors open at 8pm and live music begins with Noush at 8.45pm.

DJ on the night include:

Maddy (whose electro sets at the Oakford have greatly impressed EY) will spin a vast array of old and new classics after Northern Kind until doors close at 2am.
Sarah Schmoof & the Orac device will also be taking care of the decks and playing choice tracks from the new compilation as soon as doors open.

EY VOL 1 album launch to take place on Friday May 9th at:

Industry
1 Curtain Road
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3JX

www.industryec2.com

Tickets for this 150 capacity event will go on sale within the next few days online via EY. We hope to see some of you there :)

Related link: Join the EY Facebook group

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