Electronically Yours

We cant say too much at the moment but we've been busy along with the coolest label in Europe Undo Records - putting together the finest tracks from all the bands we've raved about on this site plus some surprises, remixed and all remastered.

On Saturday night we were checking out a venue for the release party. They have the best DJs, the best Czech bar ladies and a great PA.
Geek Chic Soundsystem were spinning the tunes that night and they won us over instantly by playing one of our fave records of all time Carly Simon's 1982 hit 'Why'.
Please take time to check them out on MySpace - they know their electro.

Please take time to check out the Oakford Social Club via the image of top resident electro DJ Maddy who we want you all to get acquainted with.

This will be a very special night early next year ;)

Electronically Yours has a long and proud connection with Client. Back in 2003 when this site was called Secrets Online, we played around with a 'blog' on Backwash.com called Electronically Yours that would become the blueprint for what EY is today.

The blog had sporadic but passionate updates and Orac waffled on about all his favourite electro tunes of the day to a loyal readership of about 10 people per week (it may have been a few more than that , but it's traffic was a tiny fraction of what EY attracts today). We were the first to review Client's self titled promo single. We knew the real names of the girls involved but Toast Hawaii were keen for their identities to remain a secret allowing us to refer to them only as Client A & Client B.
I'm slightly miffed as Backwash deleted all the original EY archives earlier this year but still appear to be selling EY mugs...
(Top right - an original EY Backwash image: Client's 4th live gig back in Notting Hill 2003)

Client were Andy Fletcher's first signing to his now defunct label which he created after all the promotional work for DM's 2001 album 'Exciter' was finally done and dusted, and we predicted great things for them on our obscure little column.

Four years on and Client are now an established and respected electro act and despite Mute/EMI mishandling of the 'City' album , it still managed to produce one bone fida UK hit single in the early part of 2005 with vocals from former Libertines guitarist Carl Barat - 'Pornography' that almost forced it's way into the top 20.

Always ones to work hard at their craft and never give up, Sarah and Kate were quick to realise that Germany was fast becoming their second home with healthy album sales and a devoted following.

With constant gigs including stints as support for Kraftwerk legend Karl Bartos, it was only a matter of time before a German major label would give them the care and attention that was often lacking from Mute who seemed to become more worringly fascinated with the dreaded acoustic genre and other acts aimed at dullard Q readers.

(EY image: four years on from Notting Hill, Sarah works her magic at the Ballroom 07/10/07)

After four years of sheer hard work and plenty of self belief, Client are now a major act in Germany where electro has reigned supreme since the day 'Autobahn' re-programmed the minds of everyone who viewed the guitar as a dated old relic thus sowing the seeds for the next generation of sound alchemists both home and abroad.

Client released their third studio album earlier this year and parted company with the decoratively pouty but oddly distant Emma E prior to the release of one of their finest singles to date 'It's No Over'.

The EY team were keen to take a break and switch off for a few hours from the upcoming great unknown at Hoxton. We all vowed not to drink after all suffering from heavy sessions the night before, but an enchanting Goth pub close to the Electric Ballroom had Hoegaarden and I love that beer.
Necroluxe popped in for a chat about future projects if our date at Hoxton entertains people and four pints later, the rest of us all walked slightly sloshed to the venue.

I've only been to the Ballroom on a few occasions but I love the venue. It is spacious and lush and has loads of bar staff so you're never waiting too long for a pint and on this night, the place was packed and electric.
I was elated to hear from a Covenant fan who told me that out of all the future gigs he plans to go to, the EY event is the one he's looking forward to the most and we chated about the sheer pop splendour of 'Peek A Boo'.
Sarah from Schmoof was wearing a fantastic black dress and everyone tonight it seemed had made an effort to dress for the occasion apart from me in a old worn out Sam Tyler leather jacket from the 70's.

Ladytron's 'Destroy Everything You Touch' came on and I had to go and dance to it - 'Destroy' was one of the first tracks that I wanted played at EY - the track sounds even better now than it did back in 2005.

We got to the front prior to Client's performance and there was a genuine air of anticipation for Client even though they weren't the headling act and it was a far cry from those early and nervous live displays in Soho and Notting Hill back in 2003.

Client appeared to the pounding drum sequence of debut single 'Client' and it brought back happy memories. I loved the brilliant simplicity of the original back in 2003 with it's clean production and tonight it sounded just as fresh as if it were recorded last month.
I remember thinking quite early on during Client's performance how I hoped that Hoxton would sound as good as this. The basslines were all deep and dirty - just how EY likes them.
It was all so sonically perfect with great bass that never distracted from the finer Client keyboard melodies.

Client have always paid a lot of loving attention to sequencing and drum patterns but tonight was the best I've ever heard them sound live (and I've probably been to 6 or 7 Client gigs since 2003).

Catchy 2004 single 'Radio' was next and Sarah has come a long way since the early live performances. She was ultra sexy and extremely confident. If she still gets nervous before performing than it really didn't show at all on stage and Kate was smiling during this song so the buzz from the audience must have been reaching them on stage.
Adam Ant cover 'Zerox Machine' which initially confused me when released (I just couldn't understand why they choose to cover that particular track) but it worked so well live at the Ballroom and clicked with everyone around us.
Sarah's vocals were very good on the night and the new guitarist Client M(?) deployed her craft well without distracting attentions which was the problem I had with Emily last time I saw Client back in 2005.

Some choice tracks from 'Heartland' followed and then it was my round at the bar. As I ordered drinks, the supreme return to form 'It's Not Over' was performed and when I returned the lights were coming up and Client were waving goodbye to everyone.
I've never seen Client play for more than an hour which is a shame as they had left out 'Rock And Roll Machine' and 'It's Rock And Roll' and I was disappointed to see it end all too quickly.

A very enjoyable night by the end of it and Client would be a perfect EY live act.

(EY image: one of electro's nicest ladies - Kate)

Covenant were the headlining act and they do have some good club tunes that entertained all my Goth friends.
Sarah and myself retreated to the bar and the song that I promised would get her dancing eventually namely 'Dead Stars' isn't played.

Pah! Humbug.

Client Electronically Yours rating: 8.5/10

Client are about to embark on a tour of German in November and they have Electronically Yours pop princesses Marsheaux as the most perfect of support acts.
EY will eternally envy all those who attend.

A special limited edition delux version of 'Heartland' will be released on Undo Records shortly.

Dates with Marhseaux supporting include:

7 Nov 2007 20:00 - Hamburg Knust Hamburg
8 Nov 2007 20:00 - Berlin Columbia Club Berlin
9 Nov 2007 20:00 - Frankfurt 025 Frankfurt
10 Nov 2007 20:00 - Efurt Centrum Efurt
11 Nov 2007 20:00 - Koln Yard Club Koln
12 Nov 2007 20:00 - Munich Ampere Munich

For more details on forthcoming Client live dates, please visit the official website via this link.

Related link:
Client @ MySpace

Coming soon - Feb 2008 sees the release of a Soft Cell double CD featuring new mixes from The Grid and Richard X amongst others and we have some vinyl promos with a few of the new mixes on to give away!

Tonight, we are handing over this EY update to Remix Master EMP who has a very special annoucement to make. It will please many and banish away Monday morning rush hour traffic blues...and trust us, it's dead good.

Under the Flag II (EMP 07 Consequential Remix) - Fad Gadget - free download!

When Frank Tovey released his 'Under the Flag' album in 1982, the shadow of the re-election of Margaret Thatcher and the Falklands war loomed large and this impacted on the continuing dark nature of the lyrics and music within. I find it interesting to compare Franks' lyrics with labelmate Martin Gores', because often thematically they were writing about similar things, whether it be love/lust/perversion or songs with more of a political agenda.

Gore would (2 years later), put his thoughts about "war being a very bad thing" in the much-maligned 'People are People' single - a track which I loved at the time, but following criticism of the naïve lyrics, seems to have been partially disowned by the band and hasn't been played live for a long time now.

Tovey, trod a much darker and subversive path with his lyrics and in my opinion, the 'Under The Flag' album is his most cohesive and contains his strongest work inc. 'Love Parasite', the superb 'Life on the Line' and 2 versions of the title track, one of which I've given an 07 reworking. I've tried to give the track an almost Violator-era sound, but kept/expanded upon the bass/chord progression which dominates the original. Apart from some extra sounds/melodies, I've also added a quite chilling recent George Bush press conference sample which (I guess) brings the themes of the song right up to date.

Anyway, if you haven't got it already, you should either invest in a copy of Fad Gadget by Frank Tovey (2 DVD + 2 CD set) or one of his 2 singles collections - as they all represent the work of somebody who was way ahead of his time both musically and lyrically and who will be sadly missed by many (me included). If you like the mix, please drop me a line at my myspace:

www.myspace.com/empremixes

To grab this brand new EMP remix, simply right click, 'save location as' on the Doctor Strangelove image.

Warm EY congratulations to Matt of Northern Kind whose partner Zoe has given birth to a baby girl named Jasmine Lilly.

We thought that it would be a good idea to ask an EY ticket holder for a review of last week's League bash at the Hoxton.
Alan Adkins is a life long Human League /DM fan and he discovered Marsheaux a few years ago when he came across a copy of 'Ebay Queen' in a Greek record store.
Alan originally posted his thoughts in the Secrets forum and he has kindly allowed us to publish his detailed thoughts on EY:

It is great when you are really looking forward to an event and it surpasses expectations - and the EY night at Hoxton was certainly one of these. Trainee Hellcat had been thwarted by fog in France, so I ended up going on my lonesome but I got there early and there were already people waiting to get in - expectations levels were rising and when the doors eventually opened, fashionably late, there was a surge of people into the hall. The Hoxton Bar and Kitchen was an inspired choice - full of achingly hip people, but on this occasion the regular punters were cast into the shade by the EY audience. I was introduced to George, Undo Records head honcho and possibly the nicest person in Greece, and we had a good chat about Greek electro over a couple of beers. George gave me 3 Undo Records CD's - two by a Greek band called Mikro, who are really rather good, and one by Bristol band Mesh.

But back to the gig - the hall was hot and heaving and it took ages to get served from the stationary chap who was manning the bar, but little moans aside, the warm up and link DJ's were spot on (I particularly liked EMP's Messages remix). Sarah Schmoof must have the sexiest legs in electro (and she probably knows it, from the amount of exposed flesh on display). Schmoof don't really do it for me - nice attitude but not really backed up with killer tunes - although their cover of Seconds was excellent, and they certainly deserved 10 out of 10 for effort.

(Images © 2007 Price/EY/Undo)

I feel privileged to have witnessed Marsheaux's first ever UK gig - may it be the first of many. I can't help feeling that seeing DM/Yazoo/Erasure for the first time would have induced a similar feeling. The set started with a Human League mega mix, which got the crowd well warmed up, and then the girls (and knob twiddlers George and Nick at the side of the stage) launched into the main set. Totally professional, with nothing but the most melodic synth pop played song after song. A slight technical hitch after the opener meant a short delay but the girls were soon back in their stride. Not sure what the exact set list was - only it was the pick of the best songs from 'Ebay Queen' and 'Peek A Boo' - so it must have been a difficult choice. A standout track for me was their first public airing of 'Empire State Human', with most of the crowd joining in the 'tall ! tall ! tall !' chant with the appropriate arm actions - a la any HL gig.

The other covers were also good - although I have never been a fan of 'Popcorn' - too cheesy - even for me - I was won over by Marsheaux's version. No distractions such as back drops, lights shows or costume changes required - Marsheaux simply let their music do the entertaining. The sound quality was superb, and the vocals were crystal clear - well done to the technical chaps at the back !
Unusually after the gig everyone hung around for photos and general chat - Marsheaux and Schmoof were extremely approachable and friendly.
I will certainly be visiting Athens in the not too distant future - I will need another Marsheaux hit.

Loads of OMD fans were present - and generally alot of people and travelled long distances to attend - a large contingent from Greece, Italy and even some hardcore Scots, and everyone left the venue well satisfied and with a smile on their face. Can't wait for EY2 !

(With thanks to Alan and everyone who attended!)

Marsheaux Hoxton setlist:

Human League Intro
Hanging On
Shake Me
Promise
What A Lovely Surprise
Pure
Wait No More
Tonight
Love Under Pressure
What Don't You Like
No Sence
Popcorn
Dream Of A Disco
Empire State Human

DJ setlists

Orac (what would have been played): BSD 'Saturday Night', Heaven 17: 'Temptation' - 1982 demo, Human League: 'The Things Dreams Are Made Of', Depeche: 'It's No Good', Necroluxe: 'JDL', New Young Pony Club: 'The Get Go' - what was played: 'Ladytron: 'Destroy Everything You Touch', Daggers: 'Money', Marsheaux: 'She's Leaving'.

EMP:
Being Boiled Intro, Love Parasite (EMP rmx) - Fad Gadget, Girls (Rex the Dog rmx) - Prodigy, Girl and the Sea (Cutcopy rmx) - The Presets, All I Ever Wanted - Human League, Mirrorball - Electrobelle, Le Disko (Motorola electro mix) - Shiny Toy Guns, Messages (EMP rmx) - OMD, Ride a Hard Horse (EMP mash-up of Goldfrapp "Ride a White Horse" + Human League "Hard Times", Blue Monday (Hardfloor rmx) - New Order, Don't Go At Night (EMP mash-up of Yazoo "Don't Go" and Dave Spoon "At Night"), Take-Off - Jack Rokka vs Betty Boo

A-Dam:
Marc Almond/Punks Soundcheck – Neo Burlesque(Replicant mix), Human League – TTTDAMO (Tiga Remix)
Tok Tok –Days of Mine (Turntable Rockers Remix), The Sounds – Tony the Beat (Rex The Dog edit)
Yelle – A cause des garcons, Depeche Mode – New Life Ext original mix), Human League – Only After dark (Elektroluvs remix), My Robot Friend – Isolation, Roboty – Money, Client – It’s Not Over (Marsheaux Remix)
Depeche Mode – IDM2 EMP Remix, West End Girls – West End Girls (Punkstar Remix), Felix Da Housecat – Only 4 Porno
John Foxx – 20th Century, Fosca – It’s All Going To End In Tears, Human League – Love Action

Over at the official OMD forum, Jimmy Messerschmitt posted these very kind comments about Electronically Yours:

'What I love about www.league-online.com "Electronically Yours" is that although it's a HUMAN LEAGUE fansite, it is so passionate about promoting new bands that electronic music fans will probably like and is always looking forward....exactly what the original HUMAN LEAGUE manifesto was all about!

Through this site alone, I've discovered MARSHEAUX, SCHMOOF and NORTHERN KIND...and remember 'this CD is not available in the shops" ! I'm looking forward to discovering more stuff!

Some other fansites could learn from this and take note'

(Image - orac: problems at the soundcheck but George pulls everyone through it and the sound later on is amazing)

Eight months ago, I casually suggested to a charmingly helpful Marsheaux operative named Emma, vague plans for a Human League bash which I was dreaming would take place in a disko somewhere in London.
I had no idea how I would go about organising such an event but what I was certain about was my wish to see Marsheaux perform live here in England.

(image: orac back on the wine)

'Peek A Boo' had just been released in delux packaging on the small Athens based label of electro Undo and I was totally captivated by these songs.
Virtually unknown here, I knew absolutely nothing about the girls or producers involved, but what I was certain about was that the Greeks girls had just released the best electropop album in recent memory. At the time of writing, no release since has come close to matching it track for track.

It took a week or so before Emma came back with the good news that the girls would love to play at the EY's proposed League event and I suggested the month of October to give someone as lazy as me plenty of time to get everything sorted.
In the months that followed, Marsheaux's appeal was reaching out all over the place as word about the album spread, Undo struggled to cope with the daily myspace messages, marriage proposals and email praise.

A bidding war between record labels across Europe and various licensing deals across multiple territories in May got me thinking that perhaps I wouldn't be able to secure EY's favourite band of 2007.
When news was confirmed that Marsheaux had signed a lucrative deal with German label Out Of Line, I nervously contacted Undo to see if a live UK appearance would still possible in October. The answer was an enthusiastic 'yes' and I quickly knocked out an EY graphic in photoshop confirming Marsheaux as our headlining act.

Passionate life long League and electro fans who were capable of knocking out stompers of their own playing at an EY event? It was a terrific buzz but now the hard work of organising the event was about to begin.
Plans initially began at Client's aptly titled Being Boiled club night in Notting Hill with Brighton DJ A-dam whose knowledge of obscure electro had impressed me greatly and Matt Nida who was something of a web pioneer back in 2003 with Client - one of the first bands to offer free mp3s of cool tracks and remixes whilst the major labels and bigger bands made daft statements about the future of music distribution and turned their backs on mp3 and the inevitable impact.
After further meetings in Soho with Sarah of Schmoof now on board, we set about trying to find the ideal venue.
I had never been to the Hoxton before and it was the last venue we looked at and as soon as we all walked in to the stage area, it felt perfect.

Here & Now - the heat is on!

Thursday 11th finally arrives and its a strange and terrifying yet unbelievably exciting feeling that morning as I rush into Reading to get a small Yamaha mixer from Reading College that would be needed later that night by Marsheaux - provided by a friend called Nick whom I had converted into the cult of Marhseaux many months earlier (whose fave Marshy track is 'Hanging On').

Another taxi back to the train station and I purchase an espresso to keep me awake on the fast train into Paddington and I'm buzzing. My mp3 player is set to the Electronically Yours playlist featuring the tracks I intend to play later that night.

I reach Sheppherds Bush train station and grab yet another espresso this time from Starbucks and it's the first time I've ever bought one from them. I text Undo supremo George whilst tapping my feet to the Daggers track 'Money'. It ends too quickly and I put it on repeat. 'People will love this track tonight', I think to myself.

As I'm lost in music, two German girls on separate occasions approach me asking for directions with a map of London that I don't fully understand as I'm not a Londoner. Both are probably still lost in a maze of roads thanks to me.
I get back to my music and Heaven 17's 1982 demo of 'Temptation' is now playing and it still amazes me.
I then get interrupted again this time by a man in his 20s asking if I'm waiting for someone called something or other. I shake my head and slowly walk away and wonder why I don't blend in like everyone else. I have much on my mind.
George finally appears. I recognise him from photos posted in the OMD forum when Marsheaux supported synth legends OMD. He has a massive smile and looks amazingly happy and very tanned. He looks a bit like George Best but sober and he introduces me to his younger brother and we then meet up with Silvia and Lu who run the Italian Marsheaux website. They are all very nice people and we chat about music on the tube to Covent Garden where we will meet the Marshy girls.
I'm intrigued about them both and there is a lot of anticipation, in the back of my mind the EY event is looming. I'm still excited but getting a bit scared. I don't know whose turning up, it's our first one and I start to feel numb. I need another espresso/beer.. . quickly
The girls are shopping. When I finally meet Sophie and Marianthi, they are leaving a posh designer clothes store carrying multiple shopping bags. They both have wide smiles and give me a warm hug.
As we walk to one of the open restaurants in the best part of London full of ex Eastenders actors painted grey pretending to be statues, I give the Marshy girls the EY credit sized flyer, I say; 'Do you fancy coming to this event? It might be quite good'.

They laugh and comment on how small it is.

We sit at our table - Nick is the only one I've never chatted to before on the phone to Athens and already he is making me laugh. He also knows his electro.
A waitress arrives and I just want to drink but George kindly offers to buy my lunch. I choose something light - Italian pasta whilst I urge George to try Hoegaarden white beer which they don't have in Greece (I'm not getting paid for product placement). I explain that you can drink loads of it and you don't get headaches the next morning.
The food is great. Marianthi and Sophie take off their sunglasses to eat, both are even more impossibly photogenic in the flesh. Marianthi has three layers of clothes on even though it is pleasantly warm for October in the UK.
The girls ask if I like Echo & The Bunnymen and think I look like singer Ian McCulloch. Orac only likes electro and was never a Bunneyman but he quite likes the odd Echo tune.
Sitting opposite is a girl who is the spitting image of Nelly Furtado - I try to convince Marianthi that it really is the saucy Canadian singer but she is having none of it.

Back to the hotel and George gives me the best gift ever - 'Travelogue' mastertapes and I can't quite believe it.
I take a photo of the Micro Korg after George tells me that it was used throughout the making of 'Peek A Boo' - it is the most valuable Korg in existence.

(Image: The main Micro Korg that provided most of the sounds for the recording of 'Peek A Boo')

Fast forward to an hour and we arrive at Hoxton. I'm looking forward to seeing what the band think of our chosen venue. It's a brilliant cosmopolitan area of London with a green leafy square - very European.
We are in the venue and it feels unreal. Sound check begins but there are technical problems and things take much longer. Marianthi sings a bit of 'Dream Of A Disco' with no backing - she has the voice of an angel and when she stops - like a fan I shout: 'more!'. She then does an imitation of what sounds like Crazy Frog on acid.

I can't quite believe that the best band of 2007 are doing a soundcheck for EY - it is surreal.

Despite multiple sound problems and lack of leads, George, Sophie, Nick and Marianthi are smiling and excited. They talk very, very fast in Greek then laugh at each other. Their joyful nature is calming my nerves.
Sarah arrives with some of the coolest synths looking like a pop singer even though she's wearing casual clothes. I later dress her up in tinsel like TOTP circa 1982.
By 8.10pm my DJ set is out of the window. The projector won't work and we can't show Afont's Blake's 7/Dr Who/Human League video montage.
By 8.25 we let people in and slowly the place begins to fill to my opening track which is Ladytron's 'Destroy Everything You Touch' - it sounds fantastic. The Daggers 'Money' is next followed by the premier of Marsheaux's unreleased cover of OMD's 'She's Leaving'. It's a gift from me and Undo to all the traveling OMD fans who have been so supportive of the event.

(Image: Sarah of Northern Kind and Sophie © Matt Culpin)

I grab another Hoegaarden because there are too many at the EY bar and outside there are people in a line waiting to get in but I assume they are cueing up for the mens opposite.
I head towards the stage to dump my new jacket forgetting that my digi camera is in there and my bag that contains the most valuable mastertapes in the entire world.
When I climb down the steps trying to look sober, Matt is playing some kicking electro and people are dancing but I'm still nervous about the night ahead.

I find a corner to collect my thoughts and recognise the striking features of the Northern Kind singer Sarah who is wearing the coolest of jackets. Keyboard player Matt is also there and we have a great chat about music and the site. We talk about their forthcoming EP and plans for a new League cover.
By 9pm I finally notice that the venue looks full. All the fear is replaced by the biggest high I've had in recent times.
I 'm happy, I'm happy - it's the disko I dreamed of - Matt's set is brilliant.
I begin to relax. He plays the League's 'All I Ever Wanted' and it still sounds like the future of electro.
A girl called Jac whom I haven't seen for ten long years appears and it seems like we haven't been apart. She thinks I've done botox. I can't afford botox. She is enjoying the night.

Schmoof take to the stage and they entertain as they entertained me earlier this year, It is fascinating to see them winning over the audience. Sarah's performance is energetic and exotic. She looks great dressed in PVC with impossibly long legs and knows how to work the crowd. EY choice track 'Northern Line' is excellent live with brilliant guest singer Antony Elvin who I saw sing 'Uncle Kevin' with Brighton's other talented electro girl band Dead Dog In Black Bag at Reading's ultra kewl Oakford Social Club.

A few songs later and their cover of 'Seconds' goes as planned, people love it.

(Sarah of Schmoof gives a brilliant performance at EY)

The sound is amazing and Sarah was right, the Hoxton has the best PA for live electro.
Barry from Electrobelle comes over for a chat. 'Mirrorball' is one of my choice tracks of 2007 and we both laugh about how unbelievably pervy the lyrics are.
Ben does a fantastic job and works the crowd up into a frenzy with nods to the League. I have a spare 'Peek A Boo' hat from Undo and I have to be near the stage to say a few brief words before the next band play. Ben mentions EMP - there is a huge roar and I'm delighted because Paul's mixes have kept the site going.
Ben asks 'whose this clown?' or words to that effect and I reach for the mic with the Peek A Boo bag on my head. The venue looks packed, I'm delighted and I do my drunken Dave Gahan impression mentioning 'Greek Sensations' and as I leave the stage, Nick is laughing.

A friend later tells me that he couldn't understand a single word of what I was saying.

A moody Human League melody follows. It's a special Marshy League mix that begins with the Jo Callis bass from 'The Lebanon'. The atmosphere is electric. Marianthi and Sophie appear on stage and I've not seen them for a few hours. They are in matching black designer dresses with big belts around the waist.
They look absolutely stunning and amazingly chic as they approach the Micro Korgs. The medley ends with 'Empire State Human' and it melts into 'Peek A Boo' opener (the best since 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of') - 'Holding On' and I'm singing along with the girls like everyone else around me.
I now believe that I'm at a gig that has been arranged by someone else - I forget that I had anything to do with it.
This is such a high seeing Marsheaux performing tracks from an album that I have played daily since the beginning of the year.

The crowd are amazing, the OMD fans are jumping around like those close up to a Depeche gig. It's amazing.
The first song ends and there is a technical fault. It's happened to the best including the Human League and in those brief moments of no sound, people shout out marriage requests to the girls and everyone cheers.
I had no idea what the girls would play - I sent Marianthi a wishlist (they could have played both albums in full and I would've been happy) but I left it up to them so was delighted to hear 'Promise' and then one of my faves 'What A Lovely Surprise'. I have waited for this for so long.

(Image: EY's electro pop princesses take a short break)

'Pure' had everyone dancing and I was smiling from ear to ear over the sound quality. This is how live synth music should sound, plenty of bass like Client a week earlier. The delays with soundchecks were worth all the grief for both of EY's chosen bands.
I've not known Necroluxe for too long but they are both bopping along like it was Christmas Day and feel I have got it right as they are one of the UK's best new electro bands.

A personal fave of mine is then included into the Marshy set, 'Wait No More' - a track that Marsheaux have never performed live and its a moment to cherish. Such a catchy song - typical of Marsheaux and 'Peek A Boo' - effortlessly sublime and instant to anyone in the audience who is new to this band.
This is followed by perhaps my favorite Marshy track 'What You Don't Like' - I'm not surprised to hear a loud cheers from the audience when it's crisp intro blasts out of the Hoxton's PA. We predicted on the microsite that this song would raise the roof. It had the loudest cheer.

(Image by Chi: Marianthi & top OMD fan Rob)

This is Europe's finest electro band and I'm chuffed to have them at EY.
Things in the venue go mental when Sophie sings the chorus to 'Dream Of A Disco' - a track that most of their peers seem to lack. All the earlier stress levels are distant and forgotten, we don't want this to end.
Electronically Yours cover 'Empire State Human' is given a live premier from the girls and the place goes mental. There is no where else in the UK that is getting a better Human League bash than this during the 30th anniversary.

This is pop history in the making. People will remember Marhseaux's first UK live appearance for many, many months to come and I'm overjoyed because I knew this would happen back in January.

Many people later approach me asking if I'm Orac but I'm mumbling like a crazy man's fool. They say many kind things. I even say 'never again' when asked if I will do another one because it was so intense but as I come close to signing off tonight...we already have four events planned for next year.

It has taken me five days to recover from EY 11/10/07

A more cohesive review of EY07 from a paying customer will hopefully follow shortly.

A few months back, Undo Records asked me to keep an eye out for Roisin Murphy's new album 'Overpowered' which was released today here in the UK.
Track 2 'You Know Me Better' is amazing and equal to Madonna's early material from the 'Lucky Star' era.

This album deserves all the praise being thrown at it by the music press - there is a real buzz about this album (the production is outstanding!!) and I urge all you synth pop lovers to head towards your local HMV and snap up a copy today!

As I try to collect all my thoughts on an astonishingly good EY night at the Hoxton a few nights back, I thought that a few of you may want to see some pics of a very generous gift that Undo Records supremo George gave to me just a few hours prior to the EY event.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm never short of things to say but on Thursday when I was handed a bit of electro history, I was momentarily lost for words and humbled.
I couldn't quite believe what I had been handed.

A few days earlier on the phone, I was asked by George the following question: 'Rob, tell me, what is your favorite Human League album?'
I replied, 'It has to be 'Travelogue''. The conversation then moved on to EY, new music and other things and I didn't think any more of George's question.

A few days later in Marsheaux's London hotel, George reached for some old grey cardboard box saying, 'this is for you'.
In my hands was one of the original one track master tapes of the League's 1980 album 'Travelogue' - a fave of mine because it contains the future musical blueprints of both League MK2 and Heaven 17.

At first, I couldn't quite get my head around what I was actually holding until George explained to me.
Back in 1980 once the album was finally mixed to one track Ampex tape, 30 copies were made and sent to Virgin companies around Europe and the rest of the world. What I was now holding was the 'Travelogue' master tapes that were sent to Greece in August 1980 and it's from this copy that all the Greek vinyl albums were pressed!
Quite a few of these European copies would have been dumped or wiped in the years that followed (the BBC did something similar with much of their archive programmes back in the 70's).

After being given such a rare and treasured gift, I only hoped that the EY event would justify such a kind gesture later that day.
To see a larger image of one of the 'Travelogue' master tape reels, simply click on the image opposite.

More EY thoughts and pics later tomorrow but here are a few comments of the EY night that I've collected from the wonderful web so far.

From EY's myspace page:

'What a blast the EY event was!

Schmoof, with their two SH101's, PVC and ZX Spectrum, gave a terrific stage show. That was almost enough on it's own, then Marsheaux came along and blew us all away. The DJ's kept the whole thing glued together with great retro and new tunes.
The only problem is I want to do the whole thing all over again.
What a great evening! Thank you for putting it all together.'

Graham

(Image: EY's Band of 2007 - Greek Sensations Marsheaux captured by Richard Price at EY Hoxton 2007 © Price/EY/Undo).

'What a brilliant night! I had an excellent time, absolutely worth coming down from Edinburgh for. You managed to assembled a fantastic mix of talented people who gave us a synth-tacular night to remember - congratulations!'

Afont

'What a wicked night!' - Northern Kind

'I had a fantastic time last night. Great to finally meet you in person. Thanks again for all your help and support, it's really appreciated!!' - Electrobelle

'Great night last night Rob. Really pleased for you. Marsheaux were excellent. Roll on the next one.' - Fresian

'Hey Rob, brilliant night last night, we all had a blast! From the ironic joy of Schmoof to the seductive sounds of Marsheaux, a great night all round.

My highlight: Marsheaux's cover of 'Pure & Simple', lovely moment!' - Oli & Lucy - Cassette Electrik

EY Fever!

It is 2.35am - Saturday morning and I've not long got back from what was probably one of the best 48 hours that I've ever had.
I can't go into too much detail right now as I desperately need my bed and the wine has gone to my head but I want to say a big thank you to the 200+ people who turned up to see an amazing night in honour of one the UK's most influential bands The Human League.

There will be a detailed report here over the weekend when I fully recover but for now please enjoy a shot taken of our gorgeous headling act Marsheaux at the Hoxton by EY's official photographer Richard Price (image 2007 © Price/EY/Undo).

Words currently can't describe how amazing Marsheaux were live and I was given a fantastic League related gift (a genuine reel of pop history) from Undo Records that almost brought tears to my eyes on Thursday. A pic of this will follow but for now I must sign off with love and thanks to the following: Marsheaux, George, Nick, Schmoof, A-dam, Matt Nida, the Mighty EMP(!), Anouska & Martin, Ben, Northern Kind, Electrobelle, Richard Price, all my friends who turned up and most importantly - all you EY readers who formed the best and most passionate live audience.

These really are the things that dreams are made of.

For some initial reactions to the EY event plus stunning pics of Marsheaux & Schmoof - please take time to see the official OMD forum via this link.

Thank you
o r a c x x

(Image opposite: EY guests of honour included Sarah and Matt of Northern Kind who were quite honestly two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. All of our featured bands are lovely).

If you still wish to get tickets for our spectacular Hoxton electro show than you have until 1pm today to purchase them via the microsite before the paypal links are removed.
Orac's setlist is almost ready - our thanks to Daggers who have sent us their stomping track 'Money' a few weeks ahead of it's official release date so that we can play it at our event.

Do check out this track via the Daggers update below. Thanks also to Beauty Skool Dropout who sent us copies of their brilliant new EP. One of the new tracks will be squeezed into Orac's DJ set.
EY 2007 faves Necroluxe, Electrobelle, Cassette Electrik and Northern Kind will also be attending.
I face a very early start tomorrow and need to pick up a small Yamaha mixer from Reading which will be needed on the Hoxton stage tomorrow night.

Marsheaux's setlist is shrouded in mystery and the girls have bought some very expensive designer dresses especially for the event.

Do come up and say hello. I will be the one walking around with a glass of white wine in one hand and a Cornish pasty in the other.

Reports and comments about the EY gig will appear here in a bumper update including reviews of Client's triumphant live return to London and John Foxx at Brighton's Barfly.

electronically yours,

orac

Dee-lectable Schmoof have been whipped back into their Atari den under strict instructions from Electronically Yours. It's the Human League's 30th anniversary and we always promised to celebrate it in style with a few covers and a premium electro event run by people who love the genre.

In T-minus 2 days(!) we will be putting on an electro night with the finest acts all in honour of Ware, Oakey, Marsh, Wright, Callis, Burden, Sutton, Catherall and that other electro-bedroom-poster-diva Sulley.

If EY was running the country and not some other fatally wounded power base, then we would have paving slabs with the hand prints of all the League innovators pressed into slabs in every city of every nation.
Sadly, reality dictates that we can't achieve that but what we can do is give you a very special gift.

There is a lot of Dubstar in this special Human League cover that we are about to give you (it's the tenth anniversary of Dubstar's 'No More Talk' and if you don't know the track then you should jolly well Google it right now as we know you'll love it).

We don't think this League track has been covered before(?) but Schmoof give the sublime 'Dare' track 'Seconds' - 'The Glamour' treatment and if you've managed to grab an EY ticket, you'll hear this analoguetastic version live.

To all the people traveling over from Europe for our humble event and the UK OMD fans, we (I) salute you.
You'll love the EY playlist and the previously unheard Marshy version of 'She's Leaving' ;)

To grab this 30th anniversary EY freebie - simply hit on the image opposite.

Marsheaux's one and only UK live performance is just round the corner for those of you lucky enough to be attending our Human League bash at Hoxton in London next Thursday.
If you click opposite then you'll see yet another indication of why Marsheaux are the best electro band of 2007.
Prior to the recording of 'Peek A Boo', our headlining act were approached by EMI in Greece to remix the second single from Depeche Mode's acclaimed 2005 album 'Playing The Angel'.
Believe it or not, today is the first time that I've heard Marsheaux's remix of 'A Pain That I'm Used To'.

I shouldn't really be surprised to find that the Marshy girls take on this Mode classic blows most of the official remixes out of the water - this version is hypnotizing and magical.

Marsheaux's trademark sound and intricate programming pulsate along at a seductive pace and all that is really missing is the Marshy girls vocals.
Despite the obvious quality of the Stuart Price and Goldfrapp mixes, Mute really should have released it here in the UK.

(With thanks to Vlad http://www.litovkin.com/)

EY's other featured band Schmoof have just finished putting the final touches for a new track that they will premier especially for our event.
It's a Human League cover of an album track from 'Dare' and we're not letting on which track it is ;)
The Dagger's track 'Money' continues to generate much interest and EY reader Peter Nicholas was quite to contact us with his views on this new UK act:

'Well you have come up trumps this time with Daggers, I agree its a fantastic tune and thanks for bringing it to the wider masses that read Electronically Yours. I look forward to getting my hands on it when its released.

Someone you might like to check out is Lola Dutronic, they are rather good too!
www.myspace.com/loladutronic

Cheers'

Pull yourself closer to the monitor, make sure your PC speakers are fully connected and let Electronically Yours introduce you to your next best band currently on the planet.

2007 is already a vintage electro year with an analogue buzz that the UK hasn't really seen since 1982. It kicked off with the pop perfection of Marsheaux's 'Peek A Boo' and we've since had stomping indie/electro/pop tracks from other new acts on the scene such as Necroluxe, New Young Pony Club, Rachel Car, Shiny Toy Guns, Beauty Skool Dropout, Schmoof, Dead Dog, Northern Kind, Cassette Electrik and most recently, one of the best tracks of 2007 - Electrobelle's gorgeous 'Mirrorball'.
Many of these tracks will be played at the Electronically Yours Event in 6 days time before most other club nights have caught on to them.
Our latest find are a photogenic 5-piece from Manchester which has often been in the shadows of Sheffield and London when it comes to decent electro despite the impact of New Order.

With a dress sense that is somewhere inbetween The Human League, Duran Duran (Rio era) and The Stray Cats - thankfully this band sound nothing like them, Daggers already come highly recommended having recently caught the eye of NME (which is becoming increasingly analogue friendly of late).
With The League, Duran, Prince, Japan and Felix Da Housecat as influences then you'll immediately come to expect blindingly catchy pop tunes. Daggers have produced a real gem - 'Money' is released on October 22nd and it's one of the best singles of 2007.

Containing the finest blend of 'Dare' era League and early Duran that we've ever heard with perfect vocal interplay between lead singer Scotty and female keyboard player Biz (who looks like she's found one of Susan Sulley's old dresses from 1981). There is also a cool middle eighth nod to ABC 'Lexicon Of Love', deep and varied analogue basslines and an instant verse and chorus which is fairly close to Kim Wilde's 1986 stomper 'You Came'.

This track is constantly on the move, changing scales and shifting the formula but the stellar hooks are constant. We already want to get our hands on the extended mixes and we wouldn't be surprised if big name DJ's such as Tiga grab the track - there are so many remixing possibilities with a track as good as this.
We're not sure who produced this absolute gem but it sounds like it's had thousands spent on it like the early 80 single edits from Heaven 17 who blew many years of future royalties on lush recordings such as 'Temptation'.

'Money' is blinding electro pop with confident attitude and we would much rather see this in the charts than Calvin Harris who started off so well but ended up released a gimmicky and repetitive album earlier in the year.
'Money' is a single that the masses really have to be exposed to in order to discover why this genre is fascinating and vibrant.
UK broadsheet The Guardian describe 'Money' as 'excellent', adding further comment that EY totally agrees with, 'If The Human League had released Money in between Love Action and Open Your Heart, it would have been a Top 10 hit'.
NME.com meanwhile have added the track to the site's online player and their recent verdict included these words: 'Brilliant...If there's any justice in the world, the Gary Numan-goosing, skyscraping electro-rock of 'After Midnight' and 'Magazine' will fill stadiums one day'.

If we can get hold of 'Money' on CD in time for the EY event next week then we promise it will be played. Very loud.

Electronically Yours Rating: 9/10

Go to Dagger's official myspace page and fall in love without the pain to 'Money'.

After one or two problems concerning excessive bandwidth usage with our hosts F2s, Electronically Yours is pleased to report that we are now able to make available all of our current mixes thanks to Matt of Northern Kind who generously offered us free hosting.
We have been given plenty of space that has also enabled us to revisit one or two classic EMP mixes such as the ravetastic 2005 club version of 'Shameless' and with the upcoming 'Dare' tour - we've decided to re-introduce some of the other EY League mixes.

Afont's inventive take on 'Dare' track 'Darkness' with spooky 'Sapphire & Steel' samples (the video has notched up over 18,000 views on youtube - and if you've never seen 'Sapphire & Steel', hit this link to see why it's one of the greatest UK shows ever made).

Other long forgotten remix gems we've uncovered include Electroluvs 2005 mix of one of 'Only After Dark' - the Electroluvs have since gone on to release a debut album on US label Ninthwave that led to an official remix for Heaven 17.

Ex-Rental also tackled a League MK 1 classic that was originally intended for the 2003 VBO mixes CD though it's a mystery how other mixes where choosen to eventually take it's place. This Ex-Rental 'Mile High Mix' contains previously unheard Oakey vocals that were never included on the final Reproduction version, whilst the Wall Of Sound 'Human Remains' really should have been a dead cert for an official Virgin release.

More mixes will be added shortly - JVA'S recorded 2007 mix of Heaven 17's 'We Live So Fast' is currently being tweaked and last week we received a rather good new mix of one of the best tracks from the League's 1990 album 'Romantic'.
More on that later...
To grab all these mixes totally free - simply look to your left (right click, 'save location as' etc)

Electronically Yours Live - T-minus 10 days!

30 years of love and dancing, strange analogue sounds, definitive basslines, complex linn drum sequences, black hits, massive decade defining hits, two US number 1's, a few albums that changed UK music forever, some Holy Cows and a girl called Louise.

In just 10 days time, EY will be celebrating the League's legacy with Europe's finest and much in demand electro act Marsheaux who grew up in wonder to 'Love & Dancing' and we are all going to party in honour of the League's unparalled musical achievements on October 11th at the very posh Hoxton Square Bar!

Live music also comes from London's Schmoof who will surprise and delight whilst EMP has been busy putting together an outstandingly fiendish setlist that we would buy if a label had the good sense to stick it on a CD.

A-Dam and Matt Nida also have a multiplex of tracks lined up that you wish other clubs would dare play and your ears will love them for it.

EY faves Necroluxe, Northern Kind and Electrobelle may be tempted into some analogue dancing on the night if you ask them nicely and 'electro gob' Orac may even spin a few EY faves just to warm things up for half an hour beginning at 8pm.

e l e c t r o n i c a l l y y o u r s l i v e 1 1 . 1 0 . 0 7 : m a r s h e a u x - s c h m o o f - e m p -

a - d a m - m a t t n i d a

Sidewinder Management have kindly provided us with finalised dates for the Dare Tour that will take place in the UK and Europe during November and December.
Two new dates can now be confirmed in Norway and Sweden on the 19th & 20th of December and the full details of those extra dates are listed below.
There is a slim possibility of one more date being added and we will confirm it on this page as and when it happens.

The much vaunted Human League support slot is expected to be announced in October.

Image: Sue © Andy Miller 2005

The Dare dates are as follows:

November

Sun 25 UK, St Albans, Alban Arena
Mon 26 UK, Bristol, Academy
Tue 27 UK, Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
Wed 28 Day Off
Thur 29 UK, Lincoln, Engine Shed
Fri 30 UK, Manchester, Apollo

December

Sat 1 UK, London, Hammersmith Apollo
Sun 2 Day Off
Mon 3 UK, Stoke on Trent, Hanley Victoria Hall
Tue 4 UK, Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
Wed 5 UK, Norwich, UEA
Thur 6 Day Off
Fri 7 UK, Sheffield, City Hall
Sat 8 Day Off
Sun 9 UK, Glasgow, Academy
Mon 10 UK, Perth, Concert Hall
Tue 11 UK, Gateshead, The Sage
Wed 12 Day Off
Thur 13 Belgium, Antwerp, Hof Ter Lo
Fri 14 Belgium, Ostend, Casino Kursaal
Sat 15 Day Off
Sun 16 Holland, Tilburg
Mon 17 Germany, Cologne,
Tue 18 Denmark, Copenhagen, Vega Main Hall

Wed 19 Norway, Oslo, Rockefeller
Thur 20 Sweden, Stockholm, Berns

(Image © Richard Price 2007)

Copyright reminder - websites and publications wishing to use this picture must first get permission from the photographer via the email addy of this site.

Depeche frontman Dave Gahan releases a new solo single on October 8th and we haven't been listening to much else since we got our hands on it.
'Kingdom' is the first track to be lifted from Dave's second solo album 'Hourglass' which is released by the UK's coolest label Mute on October 22nd - two years on from Mode's 'Playing The Angel'.

You could be forgiven for not getting overly excited by Gahan solo releases but the good news is that 'Kingdom' pretty much carries on from the Gahan/Eigner PTA sessions with outstanding hooks and atmospheric electronics.
After the miss firing blues and acoustic rock of 2003's 'Paper Monsters', Gahan has gone back to the machines that provided the backbone of his PTA tracks. Deep within 'Kingdom', there are elements of Grammy nominated 'Suffer Well' and PTA highlight 'Nothing's Impossible' and if 'Kingdom' had been recorded a few years earlier than it could well have replaced PTA clunker 'Macro'.
'Kingdom' intro is a wall of sound lifted from Alan Wilder's finest moments on 'Black Celebration' before the track slides into a Nine Inch Nails stomper from the 'With Teeth' era and the haunting chorus sees Dave in fine voice.

This is one of the best vocals from Dave since the 'Songs Of Faith And Devotion', and after 20 plays, we know that we'll return to this track many months down the line.

'Kingdom' is a massively impressive single that also raises expectations of the new 2008 Depeche album recently confirmed by Dave in a European interview last week - echoing comments from Fletch that we reported on a few months ago.
The limited 'Maxi' CD single comes backed with three remixes including one from Digitalism that have all be given glowing praise over at the definitive Mode fansite Home and you can read their preview by hitting this link.

Electronically Yours rating: 9/10

To hear the the single edit of 'Kingdom' in full - turn up your speakers and visit Dave's official myspace page.

Pre-order 'Kingdom' at Musicnonstop.

Related link: official Dave Gahan website

Shiny Toy Guns

There is one more track this week that we really urge you all to check out.
Across Europe, Motorola are running an ad campaign on the idiots lantern that features a pure electro version of the track 'Le Disko' from US band Shiny Toy Guns.
Originally released in 2006, the band are barely known here in the UK but this track is timeless and we were drawn towards it by people in Europe who knew we would love it.

Suffice to say, the Motorola mix is quite simply amazing. Nu-wave electro, detached yet extremely sexy female vocals to a punchy 'Dare' - like bassline.
It is effortlessly brilliant and produced by the legendary Mark Saunders who has previously worked with Depeche, Human League and Erasure.
For the first three quarters of the song - it's all sonically cool Miss Kitten mixed in with one of the UK's best acts of 2007 New Young Pony Club (very talented DJs could mix 'Le Disko' quite effortlessly with NYPC's 'The Get Go') and then, towards the end, it melts into a hook that Trevor Horn and his Buggles' would have been proud of back in 1979.

This is a blinding track and it gets another 9/10 rating.

Hear the original version over at Shiny Toy Guns myspace page. You can also view the video here underneath the equally adorable Necroluxe. An excellent Mark Saunders mix can also be heard on his his official myspace player.

Electronically Yours Live - T minus 16 days! :)

If you're in need of something for the weekend to perk yourself up before you head out to catch some sun and maybe a glass or two of wine, we may have something for you to get the day off to a perfect start.

With the help of remixing genius EMP, we've stumbled across yet another brand new analogue gem from a band that go by the delightfully bliss name of Electrobelle. With photos that strike a Goldfrapp pose, there is just one track on offer over at the band's official myspace page and it's an intruiging taste of things to come as Electrobelle are currently hard at work on their first EP (we love EPs especially analogue ones).

Electrobelle's debut track entitled 'Mirrorball' is another female-led homage to Vince Clarke who list the DM founder as an influence 'in a BIG Way!!' though Mirrorball's intro has a Soft Cell drum pattern and the sequenced Rushent bassline from 'Open Your Heart'. It could almost be a sample lifted from Dare but breathy Goldfrapesque voxs from Charlotte Sanderson soon give an original and distinctive edge to what is a very melodic and radio friendly track.

If you enjoyed the recent album from Northern Kind then you'll most likely give this track multiple plays before heading out into the sun.
As well as citing the League, Mode, Propaganda, Frapp, Yazoo and Numan as influences, Midlands based act Electrobelle also give mention to the barely rembered but brilliant Electribe 101 and Thompson Twins. You rarely see them mentioned on Myspace but we think those two bands are still very important.

Here at EY HQ, we are eargely awaiting the Electrobelle EP and hope to here more from them very shortly. To have a listen to one of our fave tracks of the week (New Young Pony Club's 'The Get Go' is also heaven to our ears) - hit on the image of Charlotte.

'Mirrorball' EY rating: 8.5/10

EY band of the month Necroluxe have just returned from Berlin and are currently re-recording their 1996 track 'CarbonMinoxideSmile'. The title may sound a bit morbid but it's one of the catchiest tunes you're ever likely to hear this side of summer - it's a stomper. Check out the current demo here.

Client make a welcome return with one of their strongest songs in recent years and the German CD single has some very intriguing remixes.

'It's Not Over' is the third single to be lifted from the album 'Heartland' and it's Client at their very best. With some subtle yet krafty indie hooks and lush icy vocals from synth's first Mistress of electro - Sarah Blackwood.

Client have amassed a large and dedicated following across Europe since they first revealed themselves in London's Soho back in 2003 and the single signals the beginning of a huge promotional push for the girls in Europe.

'It's Not Over' is released in Germany via the Out Of Line label on October 5th and comes backed with a moody promo video and some terrific mixes including one from Greek Sensations Marsheaux who have given 'It's Not Over' a typically brilliant shot of analogue wrapped in a 'Peek A Boo' sheen and we've been dancing away to it for a few weeks now.

Marsheaux's remix will be available on the CD single along with a mix from S-Express legend Mark Moore whilst Youth provide the single edit. Some of Client's finest tracks have been b-sides ('Telephone Sex' is an absolute gem)and fans will be pleased to know that the single also includes a previously unreleased song entitled 'Don't Look At Me Like That'.

The CDS can now be pre-ordred from Out Of Line's official UK distributer Musicnonstop via this link.
Musicnonstop are also taking orders for the DJ 12" that features three additional mixes not featured on the CD.

Having just this recently reverted back to a duo, Sarah and Kate are about to embark on a European tour with several headlining dates in Germany though UK fans will be able to catch the girls along with Goth Stompers Covenant at Electric Ballroom on October 7th (we may just grab a ticket for this show) j a few days before we present the UK live debut of Marsheaux at the Hoxton.

The ultra stylish Athens label Undo will soon be releasing a strictly limited edition of Client's 'Heartland' on July 2nd

Client official UK site
Client @ myspace
Marsheaux official Italian site
Undo

In recent months, Electronically Yours and several of it's little helpers spent many dark nights trawling through the wondrous musical world of Myspace. We've said this before but we would be lost without it. Myspace is a glorious virtual jukebox with some blindingly good tracks that you would never hear on mainstream Radio with the exception perhaps of BBC Radio 6.

Marsheaux and Rachel Car are just two of the EY class of 2007 that have seized uponit's potential. What most of us want is new musik and in these exciting times - most of it is electronic and produced with plenty of passion in the early hours within suburban bedrooms across Europe.
Several days ago, EY was approached directly through Myspace by two wildly contrasting UK electro acts. Both bands, formed within the last two years, confirm the current vibrancy of the electro scene and how gorgeously diverse this genre is.

Electronically Yours is happy to celebrate them both.

First up is a band for those of you who may want to walk slightly towards the dark side of the Moog.

Introducing...Necroluxe

On August 10th, we received a message from a band asking us to come and see them play in London. Lead singer 'Anouska XIV' revealed, 'we're called Necroluxe', and we play deviant and depressing synthpop songs!'.
EY gets similar weekly requests (and quite often we do have a listen to them all), but the next few lines made us chuckle, 'you say you're interested in new electronic acts - I reckon we're the best new synth outfit in London by six hundred twisted and crooked miles.'
We were already intrigued and the final line convinced us of the need for some Necroluve, '...come and see us and I'll prove it to you! You won't regret it. It's going to be genius'.

Prophetic words indeed for we headed over to Necroluxe on myspace within second and found ourselves drowning deep within the electro delights of opening track 'JDL'.
Now this is where it all gets a bit confusing for 'JDL' is infact another mix of Necroluxe track 'Juvenile Delinquent Lover' (more on that later).

We instantly fell for JDL's charms so much that we played it four times in quick succession. What immediately springs to mind when hearing this track for the very first time is Anouska's vocal similarities to Ladytron's 2005 gem 'The Witching Hour' (one of the best albums of that year).
We were also struck by the sheer complexity and originality of the electro arrangements. This track contains no obvious hooks, it begins with a seemingly random mix of analogue notes that BEF and early Mode were so fond during the cutting edge of a brave new era in 1981. A captivating and urgent bassline then kicks in and Anouski's disenchanted, off worldly and very strange vocals take centre stage with lines such as: 'I'm playing paranoid vixen, until my vellum kicks in'.
Clever word play hinting at a darker world whilst precision analogue beats form to create a rather intriguing rhythmic pulse and the song's true dark nature is revealed with the line, 'he fondles me fondly till I agree. He'll never… have another, juvenile delinquent lover'. Great words to intricate programming and already, it's one of our favourite tracks of 2007.

We had to get the opinion of other EY acts and the first woman we were drawn to was the equally baffling yet adorable Rachel Car who provided this priceless observation with regards to Anouska's vocals; 'sounds like her voice is going through a distorted black and white television. Very cool.'
Track 2 has the mysterious working title of 'X' with another BEF - League MK1 intro and it's oddly uplifted with a bassline that might remind long term Depeche Mode fans of 'Stripped' b-side 'But Not Tonight' - but darker in tone and tipped on the edge of destruction - 'taking pills to forget, no remorse, no regret'.
Other bands would have a track as good as this fronting their myspace player and they would quite rightly be very content with that.

Necroluxe already have several of them scattered amongst the net.

'No' has a definite DM 'Playing The Angel' 'Nothings Impossible' air about it (and this Dave Gahan track was one of that album's highlights). Grim but melodic and never lacking in purpose - aided by a collision of programmed synths and this is really what dark electro is all about - an all out audio offensive with sounds you rarely hear anywhere else.
This band have worked hard, pushing their keyboards to all known limits and a few of you listening to this may be reminded of Alan Wilder at his very best locked away in a solitary corner of the Mode camp, cementing their sound before he completely lost it with Recoil.
The fourth track 'UV' reminds us slightly of DM's original extended remix of 'Fools' (a gloriously under appreciated b-side to 1983's 'Love In Itself') but fans of DM shouldn't be seduced purely by that EY comparison. This is a fantastically hypnotic track full of analogue delight and very clever programming (it's the layers way off centre that impress), and Anouska's vocals on this really draw you in to it all.

You can listen to all four of these Necroluxe tracks on their official Myspace page via this link.

These tracks made us deep deeper and that's when we discovered Necroluve's 'hidden' and rather clever video with a different mix of 'JDL', a slightly sinister yet captivating glimpse inside the subversive planet of Necroluxe and some of the percussion effects reminds us of George Pal's 1952 sci-fi classic 'War Of The Worlds' namely that of the haunting electro bleeps of the martian war machines.

Within 10 minutes of discovering this promo, we were busy adding it to the newspage of this site. We simply couldn't wait to showcase the video with backdrops featuring Kubrick's 1962 classic 'Lolitta' cunningly played in time to mutant electro beats (and the final 30 seconds of this mix is programming genius - up there with original 1983 PSB edits of 'Opporunitues' or James Holden's 06 Mute remix of DM's 'The Darkest Star').

This Krafty inspired video edit can also be heard in full at an previously 'discarded' Myspace site that chronicles the earlier sonic adventures from the '2005-2006 Ramsey-Baxter era'. If the textures of DM's 'Black Celebration', Ladytron's 'Light & Magic' and NIN's 'Pretty Hate Machine' lead your musical life then you really ought to check out the tracks 'Adult Eyes' and 'CarbonMinoxideSmile' (with lyrics possibly based on the widely publicised Japanese suicide cults - set to an insanely catchy lead synth melody and we can't get enough of this track).

You can have a listen to Necroluxe's slightly poppier side via this Myspace link.

This band have enough material for a truly stunning debut album that would out them up there with other UK big hitters such as Ladytron, Soho Dolls and Client and it would easily run off with a 9/10 EY rating.

Embrace and love Necroluxe - bands as good as this don't come round too often and we shall be watching them very closely.

Introducing...Northern Kind

Vince Clarke is a genius.
Most people reading this daft old site will absolutely agree with that statement and we all know the tracks of 'Speak & Spell' and 'Upstairs At Eric's' better than our nearest and dearest.
Whilst at school in 1982, most pupils had pictures of England footballer Glenn Hoddle on their GNB (General Note Book - a book of plain paper supposedly used for notes during lessons yet I filled them up with drawings ranging from 2000AD's Judge Dredd, Dr Who's robotic companion K-9 and the Liberator from 'Blake's 7' - all of this could possibly explain why I'm so totally disconnected from reality).
On my 'GNB', I had a picture of Vince Clarke - a fantastic painting of the Synth God that depicted 'The Basildon Son Of Electro' as half human, half android (which of course he was).
It was taken from some short-lived weekly comic aimed at strange kids like myself (I still have that school book stored away in a cupboard somewhere).

A singer from a band partly based in the UK's electro capital Sheffield sent me a message to EY about their debut album just a day or two after we heard from the mysterious Anouska XIV.
Within a few days, their album dropped through the EY letterbox in Ascot and before we even got the chance to sample it, Human League fans in the newly designed forum were already raving about it's analogue electro charms with mentions of Vince Clarke and his musical high point Yazoo and brilliant echoes of Erasure between 1985 and 1988.
Northern Kind's debut 'Fifty Degrees North' is heaven sent if you like your pop pure and analogue, it's like a previously undiscovered Vince Clarke session from January 1982 before he hooked up with Alison Moyet.

(Image: Northern Kind singer Sarah Heeley, 'Hello (electro) boys!')

This album contains eternally lovable synth sounds that most of us will never tire of and the second track 'On & On' (proceeded by a very enticing instrumental), is without doubt, an electro gem that will more than likely make the proposed Electronically Yours CD compilation along with the illustrious likes of Marsheaux, Rachel Car, Schmoof, Beauty Skool Dropout, Dead Dog, Cassette Electrik and mighty Necroluxe (it's all beginning to take shape).
It's another tale of unrequited love to some relentless synth programming and topped with femme fatale vocals - you can't really ask for a better combination.

Northern Kind is a guilty pleasure. You'll have it blasting out before a night out on the pull (or a night of endless wine consumption - whatever takes your fancy - wine doesn't answer back).

This collection of 12 tracks is immediately agreeable.

Track 5 'Thoughts Of You' is a very curious affair. Lead singer Sarah Heeley is a Sheffield lass born and bred so during the verses you may be reminded of the League's Susan Sulley (there is a definite accent in there) but as soon as the chorus kicks in, Sarah sounds like a cross between very early Madonna and current Sophie Ellis Bextor - and that's a bloody good vocal trio if you step back and think about it.

Track 7 'Home' could be from 'Madonna's 'Ray Of Light' if she had 'Speak And Spell' on repeat in William Orbit's studio with just a hint of early 80's Abba.
The next track 'Seen The Light' is more Erasure circa 1987's 'The Circus' and it's a nice throwback to a very good pop album. A great analogue hook here reminiscent of it's leading single 'It Doesn't Have To Be'.
'You Belong' is pure mid 80's 'True Blue' Madonna intertwined again with Erasure only this time it's their career defining 88 classic 'The Innocents'. On this track, Northern Kind bare their soul with this dreamy slow burner with Orbit-like production and the chorus has a fantastic vocal hook. We think this should be the next digital single download.

One of our most repeated Northern Kind tracks is the album finale 'The Other Side'. There is a bit of 88 Inner City in here in terms of the bassline whilst 90% of it is made up of Madonna's 1983 debut (and we should all still be celebrating that album).
Sarah's vocals are really warm and inviting on this hook laden finale (her vocal range is spot-on throughout).
Extra mention must be made in honour of the production and programming (it will hit you once you rip the album to your desired mp3 player).
You won't find any mention of this on Northern Kind's myspace page, but Sarah's musical companion Matt Culpin has actually done some programming for Depeche Mode in the past so that gives you an idea of just how polished some of these tracks are on this shiny happy debut.

'Fifty Degrees North' contains solid little pop nuggets all with a sweet and seductive analogue center. If you swooned over Marsheaux's 'Peek A Boo' than EY can safely deliver to your ears another classy CD with Factory inspired sleeve design.

EY rating: 8/10

'Fifty Degrees North' is currently available as a limited edition CD for just £9.99 (incl. P&P) before it goes on worldwide release via itunes and other major digital download stores on September 3rd.

To snap up a copy, simply hit on this link and be sure to check Matt's additional production notes on all of the tracks plus links to exclusive demos and alternative mixes.

Legendary Factory records and Hacienda club founder Tony Wilson died last night at the age of 57 from a heart attack. Tony was diagnosed with cancer last year and had emergency surgery to remove a kidney in January.

When chemotherapy failed to alter the course of the disease, doctors advised an extensive drug treatment called Sudent but at 3,500 pounds a month - the NHS refused to pay for it and bands that Tony had helped throughout the years including The Happy Mondays offered to raise the funds needed.
The doctor treating Tony at Christie's hospital confirmed that it was a heart attack: 'It's very sad. He died as a result of something unrelated to his cancer'.

Tributes for the Salford-born entrepreneur have been pouring in to the BBC and other sites inclluding this from Phil Saxe who worked alongside Tony during the golden New Order led era of the label: 'Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight'.

New Order's Stephen Morris is just one many who have paid tribute to Tony:

'New Order wouldn't have came to be what they are without Tony and the Factory Record label because he was very passionate about music and he believed the band should have total freedom.
He was I think, the only person in the music industry that didn't believe in contracts. You'd see him do deals with record companies and the whole thing was done on the back of his hand. You could literally do what you want.'

Tony was immortalised in the brilliant 2002 film '24 Hour Party People' in which comedian Steve Coogan won much acclaim for his portrayal of the Factory supremo.
Another film detailing the Joy Division story is due to be released very shortly.
Barely does a week pass when we don't play an original Factory release and our thoughts are with Tony's family at this difficult time.

The BBC currently has a special page set up containg tributes plus a moving video epitaph detailing Tony's many achievements. To find out more, please click here.

Tickets for the 2007 EY event featuring the live UK debut of the mighty Marsheaux have today officially gone on sale via the EY microsite.
Advance tickets cost just £7.50 and the microsite now contains a secure paypal payment button for you to grab your place at what will be a unique evening in the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on Thursday 11th October 2007.

London's finest electro duo Schmoof will also be playing along with DJ sets from producer EMP with a few of his exclusive mixes on the night, A-Dam and Matt Nida who kicks of a night of pulsating analogue electro at 8pm - all in honour of The Human League's 30th anniversary.

More details on all the fantastic acts appearing can be found on the microsite that will soon have exclusive interviews with Marsheaux and Schmoof and a paypal button for tickets will appear on this page shortly.

We've waiting a long time for this and after a few false starts we are delighted to present the very first Electronically Yours Heaven 17 remix and this debut offering from Australian producer John Von Ahlen matches the very best of our remix back catalogue.

Taken from 1983's most treasured release of that year 'The Luxury Gap', Heaven 17 slipped up slightly when they had the world at their feet with 'Temptation', 'Come Live With Me', 'Crushed By The Wheels' and the BEF's lush reworking of Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' for Tina Turner.

During the long hot summer of 1983, the cool kids (including little Orac) were singing 'We live so fast, bullshit! bullshit!' whilst your sister's mates were imitating lines from likable but safe pop tunes such as 'Club Tropicana' and 'Is There Something I Should Know' (and council estate girls did it better than either George Michael or Simon Le Bon).
'We Live So Fast' really should have been the follow-up to 'Temptation' even though 'Come Live With Me' is 1983's second best single.

A frantic fusion of shatteringly brilliant electronics, life affirming lyrics of grabbing love whilst you still can and a drum pattern that wasn't matched by anyone other than Depeche Mode in 1986 with 'New Dress' - 'We Live So Fast' is the perfect track to pull unbelievers into the strange and wonderful world of Heaven 17.

Difficult to improve on perfection with new mixes (and this track already has a stunning BEF extended version so lovingly remastered on last years EMI re-release) but JVA has done something really special with this mix and most H17 fans will tell that it has come from a real fan.

JVA has provided the following production notes:

It had to happen one day..a new remix for Heaven 17, one of my all time favourite bands (up there with Depeche, Yazoo and THL). The track in question is of course "We Live So Fast". I have fond memories of this track, especially of my late father who (along with the rest of my unwitting family) subconsciously assimilated my love for all things musically electronic. He would sing to the choruses "We live so fast..Bullshit..Bullshit.." I loved the fact that the song got stuck in his head, and he liked it enough to parody the lyrics. But I digress..

This song was challenging for many reasons. The main one being that there are no Heaven 17 acapellas available to the general public, so all I had to work with was the full version (that sucks - just ask any remixer). I opted to use the remastered version from Luxury Gap. The first task was to time-stretch the track from 143 BPM to a more dance-floor friendly 128 BPM. Then I had to edit every crotchet, and sometimes semiquavers!

This amounted to at least 800 edits of track main track as for some reason the song didnt maintain its sync, most likely it was during a 2 track analog tape transfer. Then I had to try and phase cancel the track to bring out the vocals and hide the music.

I went for the obligatory electro house feel, using an array of real and virtual synths. My trusty MS20 provided the supporting bassline and the Arturia Moog VSTi was used for main one. Other synths used were SH-101, MC202,
CS-80 VSTi and the JP-8000 VSTi. Drum loops were courtesy of Ministry Of Sound. I especially enjoyed the Middle 8. I chopped that up savagely using only the first crotchet of each bar, and then repeating the sample (plus filtering) until the next new chord progression.

I used a few samples (what a f*&%ing liberty!!) that should be instantly recognisable to both hard-core H17 and THL fans. Keep your ears peeled at the end of the track, it might indicate the possibility of more H17 remixes...and that's no lie.

The original version of 'We Live So Fast' can be found on the rather brilliant 2006 remastered 'The Luxury Gap'. Credited to Gregory/Marsh/Ware, the copyright of this track belongs to EMI/Virgin. This mix is for your own personal use and it should not be exchanged for cash or uploaded to Rapid Share and other similar online services.
Please support Heaven 17 and buy official products via this link.

Related link: Heaven 17 official site

Glenn's Gregory's side project Honeyroot release 'Here Comes The Sun' next Monday and whilst we may sound a bit biased here, but this really is a very special album (BEF fans will love it).

Hot Chip to remix Kraftwerk

They provided Electronically Yours with the best electronic album last year (and we are still getting people to listen to 'No Fit State' and now the UK's leading electro band Hot Chip have officially been approached by the Godfathers Of Electro Kraftwerk.

NME yesterday announced that Hot Chip will be remixing Kraftwerk's 'Aerodynamik' and 'La Forme' from 2003's 'Tour De France'.

The tracks are expected to be released on September 17th across various formats including CD, a collectable limited edition 12-inch as well as digital downloads.

Hot Chip knob fiddler Joe Goddard is delighted to be working with one of the most influential music acts of all time: 'What makes Kraftwerk brilliant is the combination of fascinating textures and sounds, simplicity and efficiency in production and a habit of writing beautiful melodies'.

Hot Chip know their stuff and like Goldfrapp and Ladytron, they have a new album due for release in early 2008.

orac - 'I think your becoming the Electro equivalent of Mick Mercer (Godfather of the UK Goth Scene and THE authority on the genre's history and future)' - eb33 - Artist Management - August 07

Following on from last week's unexpected news of 2008 Depeche material on the fansite Home, DepMod.com has reported details of Andy Fletcher's comments concerning the follow-up to 2005's 'Playing The Angel'.

In a conversation with fans, Sir Fletch revealed that he has heard seven new vocal tracks plus four instrumentals. Andy is also quoted as saying that the latest material is a 'departure' from the previous two studio albums.
It is still unclear as to whether Mode frontman Dave Gahan will tour with his second solo album 'Hourglass' but Fletch doesn't seem to think it will impact on recording sessions too much.

If Dave does decide to tour later this year, DM recording sessions could commence as early as March 2008 and Electronically Yours heard similar whispers from a trusted source earlier this week.

This should of course be regarded as speculation until it is confirmed on the official Depeche Mode site.

Related links:
Home
Dep Mode.com
Official Depeche Mode website


Hooky: 'See you in court!'