This would be our single of the week or possibly the single of the month except it doesn't officially reach the masses until December 8th.
For a whole month now, EY has been lost (or even cocooned) within the wonderful, musical world of Ladyhawke - we've not listened to much else (except Liverpool's stunning victory over Chelsea on Sunday - ending CFC's impressive four year unbeaten home record).

Ladyhawke is one very special lady by the name of Pip Brown. Pip is from New Zealand - a land famous for mystical beings (Hobbits), film director Peter Jackson and 'Flight Of The Conchords'. Pip's musical influences include just about everything cool from the 60's right up to the present day.


Pip also loves ancient synths, 3 minute 80's pop classics and Kim Wilde, (Pip is a little bemused that Kim can now be seen presenting gardening programmes on daytime TV).

The petite Pip was faced with shyness that stopped her from doing all the things she liked to do. Then came along Canada's influential Peaches who heard Pip's brilliant tracks on Myspace and gave this future starlet from NZ enough encouragement to record this genius debut album (with synth programming from Factory Records fave Pascal Gabriel who also shares song writing credits on the album with Pip).

EY now loves Peaches.

EY also loves Kim Wilde.






Orac's fist ever record was 'Kids In America' and there are dodgy pictures from 1981 of a young adolescent Orac posing in front of a bedroom wall where Kim Wilde was clearly winning the poster war with 'Dr Who' Tom Baker.

If you take time to play the video link above, you'll notice that Pip very much looks like Kim Wilde in what is a brilliant video for the new single 'My Delirium' - a most perfect pop single full of passionate 'yeahyeahyeahyeahs', a lust for life, new found love and all those great life-affirming-buzzy-feelings.
There are also synth layers that remind us of the very best of New Town Pony Club and we love 'em.


Popjustice are adorably clever sods, describing the 'My Delirium' video as 'Thelma & Louise meets 'Take On Me' - they beat us to it and in an ideal world, they yearn for this to reach the Christmas Number One (it *can* happen if you go out and buy it).

As for the Ladyhawke album, barring something spectacular within the next 8 weeks, it's EY's album of the year... grab the album via this link - it is really, really special.

Find out more about Ladyhawke via the official site

EY would like to dedicate this update to David Tennant who yesterday announced that he will be leaving 'Dr Who' next year.
EY has been watching 'Dr Who' - behind the sofa (naturally) - since 1973 and in our honest opinion, David has been the best Dr Who ever. David changed his stage name to Tennant after Sir Neil of the Pet Shop Boys so he's even cooler in our books but his performance in RTD's 'Midnight' must rank as the finest performance by any actor in Dr Who since 1963 and we are sad to see him go.



We look forward to the remaining DT specials next year and despite being the 'overblown' Public Enemy No.1 here in the UK (thanks in part to The Daily Mail), EY thinks that Russell Brand should succeed the Mighty Tennant as the next Dr Who!

EY3 kicks off at Industry in just over a month and Orac has finally worked out the track that will launch his DJ set seconds after the third act of the night at Industry - 2008 revelations Red Blooded Women.

Chi Ming Lai caught up with RBW's electro pin-up Liz Morphew shortly before a Popjustice gig to chat about the forthcoming EY gig, RBW's much anticapted debut album, and who should cover RBW songs a few years down the line....

Chi: Red Blooded Women are going to play at EY3. How do you feel about headlining and do you have anything special planned for your appearance to wet our appetites?

Liz: I know can't wait! To be headlining at this stage in our career is incredible and so flattering. But I must admit it puts major the pressure on us, so we'll have to work our three pert butts off to make it a good one.

And I couldn't possibly give anything away but expect 3 things.... amazing outfits, hip shaking and general Fabness!

Chi: How's the album coming along? Are you all enjoying the writing and recording process compared with live work?

Liz: For me it's all about getting on that stage! Recording and writing are really satisfying, I tend to be the one who gets overly excited in the studio when the creative juices are flowing and I love how a track builds and can sound completely different with just a harmony here or an 'ooh ahh' shoved in.

But for me the Buzz is on stage. You get to jump about and go wild (as we all do in the mirror at home with the classic hair brush). You can bring the songs to life and the crowd reaction pushes you even more!

Oh the Album.....LOVE IT! I'm just so proud of what we've achieved. I may be biased but I adore every song and we can't wait to get it out there!

Chi: Since the EP release, your audience has been getting noticeably bigger. Have you had any strange presents or requests from fans yet?

Liz: Haha! I still can't believe we have fans. It's mad! It's so amazing, it really is! Their comments and positivity are so appreciated! I would love to say I'm inundated with gifts but sadly I'm not although I had a lovely keyring given to me and I get the odd drink so that suits me fine.

Chi: Beware of strange men bearing gifts! I've heard you're quite inquisitive in the studio. What's the funniest thing thatss happened while you were in the studio?

Do you know what? Our producers are sooo lovely and down to earth, they let us do our thing and if it's good, we get a smiley face and if it's a bit shite then we know about it!!

But I do remember a hilarious moment in the studio when I was doing a spoken bit in one of our songs saying a sentence that ended in 'Dance' and I turned around and the TRADEMARK boys were falling out of their chairs laughing and I couldn't understand why until it was put (very politely I might add) that I had developed some kind of hillbilly accent...still can't keep a straight face when it plays now. I'll never live that down!

ARCTIC MONKEYS covered GIRLS ALOUD's 'Love Machine'. Who would you like to cover one of your songs and which one?

Ohhh! Amazing question I may add! Well, I'm gonna cheat and give 2 answers:
A. I would have loved Elvis to do a cover of 'Synthesizer'
B. Amy Winehouse doing 'You Made Your Bed'!

RED BLOODED WOMEN are everything ATOMIC KITTEN should have been, especially as Andy McCluskey of OMD was on their songwriting/production team. So, what's your favourite OMD song?

'If You Leave'. Legendary!

Message ends ++++

Red Blooded Women @ myspace

A recent BBC-6 interview with everyone's fave League girl Joanna Catherall this week resulted in a flurry of press interest not seen in the UK since the Human League released the classic 'Octopus' on East West Records back in 1995.



Although the interview with Jo didn't reveal anymore than what fans already know, news of the new album made it on to the web pages of The Guardian, Rolling Stone and the electro friendly NME as well as news bulletins on national UK radio stations such as Heart FM.







'We've always been supported by record companies and that's not really happening to as many groups anymore, said Joanne to BBC-6.
'We'll have to find another way of getting it out to the public.


We're all keen to put out new music, our only problem is, the way we have traditionally put out music is not available to us anymore.




It's quite scary having to think about it, because someone else has sort of run, we make the records, and someone else does everything else for us, and now we've got to do it all ourselves, and as everyone knows we're incredibly slow, and lazy!'

All that is currently known about the new Human League recording sessions in Sheffield is that Philip has been writing songs with drummer Rob Barton who has been playing live with The Mighty League since 2004. Philip has also revealed that the new tracks may have an electro glam rock feel them (a sound pioneered by League MK1 back in 1980).





EY still dearly hopes that Richard X is invited along to produce a few tracks and that the League move into the digital age without a 'label' by releasing new material via iTunes/Myspace/Facebook :)


For a complete update on all the facts known so far about the new Human League album plus media quotes from Philip and Susan, please visit the most excellent The Black Hit Of Space website via this handy little link.

The Steel City Tour - Heaven 17 - ABC - The Human League

'The tour of the decade' - EY

Glasgow Carling Academy SUN 30/11/2008
Newcastle Carling Academy MON 01/12/2008
Nottingham Royal Concert Hall WED 03/12/2008
Brighton Centre FRI 05/12/2008
Bournemouth Int'nl Centre SAT 06/12/2008
London Hammersmith Apollo MON 08/12/2008
Wolverhampton The Civic Hall THU 11/12/2008
Liverpool Echo Arena THU 04/12/2008
Manchester Apollo WED 10/12/2008
Newport Friday 12/12/2008
Sheffield Arena SAT 13/12/2008

Related links:

The Human League Secrets Forum
Richard X/Black Melody - the decade's best pop producer

Sir Midge Ure looks set to reform the early 80's chart busting synth quartet Ultravox according to several reliable sources including the wondrous internet.

Electro rumours spread quicker than midi this week after Midge Ure performed a new version of the best number-1-hit-that-never-was 'Vienna' on a radio show recently with Sir Bill Currie (the one who provided all those great synth hooks for Gary Numan and Tubeway Army).


EY has it from a very trusted source that a few members of 'classic' Ultravox attended a recent OMD gig, a few words were exchanged that led to Andy McCluskey's revelation on the official OMD forum that there is 'something in the air'.
Ultravox MK2 remasters are currently being unleashed which is how Yazoo tour rumours originally surfaced last December with news of a Mute boxset.
Both Currie and Ure are also famous for clashing publically and whilst Ure's bizarre desicion to turn Ultravox into a folk band - not a million miles away from Foster & Alan back in 1985 - (what a bleak musical year that was with the exception of the PSB's 'West End Girls'), Ultravox did provide and endless stream of brilliant electropop singles between 1981 and 84.

For EY and baby Orac, 1984 was all about the best Greatest Hits ever up to that point in time - Ultravox 'The Collection' and if you snapped up the limited vinyl edition, you were treated to another record full of remixes including the extended version of the finely sequenced 'Serenade'.




The VHS collection of all the videos retailed at 25 pounds back in 1984 and it was one of the best Crimbo presents Orac ever got (thanks Mum!).
From 'Vienna' right up to 'Love's Great Adventure' - Ultravox were one of the defining singles bands of the early 80's, matching the likes of The Human League, Madness and OMD for chart domination, damn fine singles and sheer bloody pop brilliance.




Seek, locate and play your copy of the extended mix of 'All Stood Still' (one of the greatest records of 1981) in celebration of the forthcoming Ultravox tour - and EY will no doubt see a few of you there (mine's a large glass of Chilean white...cheerzzz).

Related link:
The official Ultravox forum













EY3: The shining white heat of electro...

Chi Ming Lai celebrates 30 years of OMD live...

On 12th October 1978, ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK played their first gig at Eric's Club in Liverpool. The 30 years since have seen OMD (shortened for Americans and those with spelling problems) go from 'hip' to 'huge' to 'huh' to 'hooray'! But one thing that always stood out about OMD was their ability to write songs about things that no-one else would have the intelligence or creativity would touch.

Subjects included phone boxes, petroleum installations, aeroplanes, telescopes, teenage girls being burnt at the stake, dead actresses, test tube babies, the Apollo XI moon landing plus anything vaguely electrical.

Despite being the adopted children of KRAFTWERK, OMD have rarely been held in high regard despite their achievements, even alongside their contemporaries like THE HUMAN LEAGUE, DEPECHE MODE, NEW ORDER or PET SHOP BOYS! So for their 30th birthday, OMD played a short UK tour to show why they have been such an important band. Indeed, before THE HUMAN LEAGUE hit big with 'Dare', they were actually the biggest selling act in the Virgin Records Group via its subsidiary Dindisc in 1980!

The classic line-up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper returned to the stage in 2007 after an absence of nearly 20 years. Playing their 1981 album 'Architecture and Morality' in full alongside their best known singles, it was a spectacular affair with giant video screens and abstract film projections which also emphasised OMD's electronic and art school roots.

For this '78 / 08' show at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall though, it was kinda back to basics with smaller circular screens above the stage for the films. But it was the set list that contained all the surprises and excitement. Rumours abounded that tracks from their 'Dazzle Ships' and 'Organisation' albums had been rehearsed. The band certainly did not disappoint.

Opening with the 'Dazzle Ships' title track it was so loud it blew the faces off everyone as they waited for the first song to begin. A musique concrete collage featuring samples of ships, klaxons and voices, it made a great overture. Not put off by such avant-synth, the audience was already on its feet... A GOOD SIGN!! The pump sound intro of 'Stanlow' faded in, making its first appearance at an OMD concert since 1984! The roars from the audience for this beautiful song about the Shell Oil Refinery on the Wirral were like a big welcome for a long lost relative. Accompanied by some moody film footage, one of OMD's greatest songs brought simply the house down!

Then, it was the lost Top 20 hit single 'Genetic Engineering'! A real fan favourite, it was 'efficient, logical, effective and practical'!! Modern technology has made it more straightforward for this song to be aired again. McCluskey, playing choppy ENO-esque rhythm guitar, bounced around the stage looking thrilled to be able play this neglected classic. Have there ever been any other songs about this controversial subject? Well, GOLDFRAPP's 'Utopia' but little else!

McCluskey strapped on his infamous reverse stringed bass guitar (he plays with the lowest note strings at the bottom!!) and the magnificent 'Messages' made its return to its usual third (or thereabouts!) in the set. An ode to the long lost art of love-letter writing, it is of a time before email, text messages and MSN!

Meanwhile continuing on the love/technology theme, the EY prophetic 'Tesla Girls' followed. OMD's original idea behind this song was that rather than write lyrics about electrical current, why not write about attractive girls who use electrical current? They were definitely pretending to see the future, especially as MARSHEAUX, CLIENT, RED BLOODED WOMEN and several pretty ladies in the audience spring into mind!

Paul Humphreys swapped roles with McCluskey for the sweet shuffle of ' Forever Live & Die', a song with a strong ' Slave To The Rhythm' influence. However, Humphreys is a better singer than McCluskey is a keyboard player as Mr McC admits he's only playing three notes and often doesn't get that right!!
Then came the 'motorik' drum machine beat of the 1977 vintage song from their pre-OMD band THE ID! Like 'Telstar' fed through a NEU! and LA DUSSELDORF filter, 'Radio Waves' has always been an outstanding live track and its return was almost worth the ticket price alone!

The quartet of 'She's Leaving', 'Souvenir', 'Joan Of Arc' and 'Maid Of Orleans' from 'Architecture and Morality' showed how OMD were geniuses in being able to tread that emotive creative lattice between electronic innovation and commercialism.
After the windmill battle royale of Andy McCluskey's dancing to 'Maid Of Orleans' (the biggest selling single in Germany of 1982) which received the biggest applause of the night, another cult classic came back to allow him to 'rest'.
The tremendous 'Statues' was accompanied by impressive lighting effects as a web cacophony of colour swept over McCluskey as he sang about the late JOY DIVISION singer Ian Curtis. The 'mood subsides and grows again' indeed!

The hit singles 'Talking Loud And Clear', 'If You Leave', 'Pandora's Box', 'Locomotion' and 'Sailing On The Seven Seas' all made their expected appearances and kept the dance momentum going. Songs from every OMD album were represented apart from 1985's 'Crush'.
One of their less successful albums in the UK, the place of its lead single 'So In Love' was taken by the Barry White sampling 'Dream Of Me' from 93's 'Liberator'! It's a question of the lesser of two evils but when the wistful 'Almost' (which was played at two shows last year) could have been included, it's a real puzzlement! But you can't have everything can you?

Closing the main set was 'Enola Gay'. A brilliant song in anyone's book, it was this writer's first ever single! But it is accompanied by some very poignant images to remind everyone that this is an important song about the death of half a million people. As the CR78 drum machine loops and the band leaves the stage, a quote from Dr J Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, on the screen tells us why the need for something like bombing of Hiroshima (and the often forgotten Nagasaki) must NEVER happen again;

'I am become death, the destroyer of worlds'!

To big cheers, OMD returned for the BEATLES-esque 'Walking On The Milky Way'.
And to finish, it was the homage to KRAFTWERK released as FAC6 on Factory Records that started it all. 'Electricity' (also more recently used on a TV advert for Clarks Shoes) is received like the big hit single it never was.

The show was in many ways superior to last year's concerts. The set list was better paced and the inclusion of several classic album gems was a real highlight. It emphasised the strongest and greatest aspects of OMD's catalogue. It may have been less spectacular visually but this was more than made up for by the enthusiasm of the band and the amazing sound, always a very important factor in the appeal of OMD.

Where next for OMD, who knows? A new album is planned although no new material was aired at the concert. But for now, they've left memories of a great party. Unfortunately, all good parties have to come to an end at some point. But there is always a chance that there could be another one!

Words: Chi Ming Lai
Images: Richard Price

OMD celebrations continue over at the band's official website where readers can download a very special cover of 'She's Leaving' that features vocals and production from Greek Tesla Girls Marsheaux!

Andy McCluskey also provides some new vocals for what is a beautiful new take on a much cherished track - grab it for free via this link.

Another Marsheaux track that has been in the works for some time is an equally masterful cover of an old fave. Recorded for a Greek music magazine earlier this year, Marsheaux and Undo chose Billy Idol's 1984 gem 'Eyes Without A Face' (EY's fave single of that year) and we think the cover has captured Marianthi's warmest vocals and Undo's best analogue knob twiddling to date.
Prepare to melt at the sound of Greece's Premier electro band and head on over to Undo's myspace to hear Marsheaux's latest track.
Marsheaux begin work on their third studio album within the next two months.

Coming up - more reasons why you should rush out and buy the new Ladyhawke album
Whilst we work on the EY Ladyhawke review - head on over to the swish new-look Worrapolava to hear Ladyhawke's collaboration with Aussie band PNAU called 'Embrace' - it's a bit like a heavenly mash between Kim Wilde and New Order - and you can never get enough of that can you?

EY had a jolly night out in old London town yesterday with an evening of entertainment organized by Chi Ming Lai that all began in Soho at the delightful Karaoke Box (on 18 Firth Street) - a former chinese restaurant where parties have their own private room with a very modern karaoke machine and fans of the genre would love this establishment.

Artists on offer for EY readers to belt out included, Depeche Mode, New Order, Erasure, Echo And The Bunnymen, The Smiths, & Soft Cell.
Orac had to 'sing' 'Enjoy The Silence', 'Everything Counts', 'Tainted Love' and 'Panic' by The Smiths in between a brilliant and passionate version of Erasure's 'Love To Hate You' by three girls led by Nancy (who could easily be a popstar), and all had flown all the way over from Germany to see OMD (could OMD possibly match these girls?).
EY highly recommends this joint if you find yourself in London and fancy a bit of singing.
Chi can't half belt out a tune too - we may have to get him singing at EY3...

Undo supremo and Marsheaux's genius producer George Geranios met up with us later and prior to the gig at The Roundhouse, we sat down with two pages of notes for the forthcoming 'EY Vol 1' CD. On the train into London, Orac was remixing the tracklisting after texts from Red Blooded Women and the first CD will now include their debut single 'You Made Your Bed' (a former Popjustice Song Of The Day), whilst The Ultrasonics' 'Perfect Girl' was also added the night before. The compilation is now 'locked' and we will hopefully confirm the complete tracklisting next week on EY.
A bonus disc was also discussed which will include between 5-6 remixes from Parralox, Marsheaux and a few others plus one or two surprises.



Undo had kindly supplied EY with a ticket for the OMD gig and this was our first time at The Roundhouse and it is a really impressive new venue which was already packed for support band China Crisis - a band who had produced one or two faves back in the 80s. There was great rapport between the band and audience and there seemed to be an army of China Crisis fans in The Roundhouse who cheered for every song. 80's classic 'Wishful Thinking' got the crowd roaring. EY turned to George and said 'this would make for a great Marsheaux cover on the next album'. We could already imagine Marianthi's vocals on top of a new Undo version.




China Crisis are one of George's favourite bands and he went to great lengths to try and catch them live in 1985 outside of Greece when he was just 15(!). 'Black Man Ray' also brought huge cheers along with the haunting 'Christian' - and the songs still sound great - EY was pleased to catch them live.
EY then met up with another Undo act called Itenef with charismatic lead singer Alex Macheras (who knows his Roxy Music and reminded us a bit of a Devotional Dave Gahan ) and Magdalena Sverlander (who some readers would recognize as the beautiful femme fatale in Marsheaux's 'Hanging On' video from 2007).





Chi is currently busy typing up an in depth review of both China Crises and OMD but we just had to say a few words about Andy McCluskey and the original line-up.
This was a stunning performance with huge amounts of energetic dancing from Andy - much better than the Hammersmith gig last year. The selection of tracks played on the night was perfect and the Roundhouse PA handled every level of some of the more complex tracks such as the 'Dazzle Ships' era.
OMD have monster hits - very similar to the League in that respect, not just monster hits but beautifully crafted pop songs that really have a positive effect on a sold out crowd of this size (and it was packed and very hot at the front).
This was the last night of the tour which was a great shame as EY could have done with another date (even just to hear 'Forever Live & Die' live again).
Do try and catch this band on the next tour if you get a chance...
EY salutes all the OMD fans including Rob R, Nancy, Lola, Paul Brown, & Latex.

More from Chi soon...

(OMD Roundhouse photos © Richard Price 2008)

Related link:

OMD Official site

Electro innovators Depeche Mode have today confirmed a major world tour for 2009 at a press conference in Berlin this afternoon.
The ' Tour Of The Universe' is the band's first ever worldwide stadium tour that will take place in 28 cities and will kick off in Israel on May 10th shortly after the release of DM's follow-up to 2005 album 'Playing The Angel'.

Mode's last tour that ended in the summer of 2006, shifted a staggering 1,8 million tickets for 87 dates according to the BBC who covered the news today, however there is bad news for UK fans. The band will only be playing one date at the less than popular 02 Arena (formerly known as the monstrous 'London Dome').
This could be a reaction to low album sales for 'Playing The Angel' - an album that sold 3 million copies worldwide but amazingly only managed sales of around 70,000 here in the UK
Mode have always felt more at home on the continent where they continue to score number one hits (The Martin Gore gem 'Precious' was the band's biggest selling single in Europe since 'Enjoy The Silence').


General media apathy to one of our most influential acts could also explain the solitary London date which is of no comfort to Mode fans up north, but one could argue that the previous tour contained too many dates which tended to have an adverse effect on Dave's vocals towards the end.
Whatever the reasons, DM tours are always special and we are buzzing here at EY HQ in Ascot over the prospect of new Mode live dates.

The thought of traveling to the O2 fills us with dread - so we will probably skip that date and hop on a plane to catch Mode in Europe (it's something we've always wanted to do...).

You can watch most of the press conference on LiveNation via this link where one journalist revealed that two new DM songs played prior to the Q&A called 'Wrong' and 'Peace' - 'were very 'electronic' and a return to the 'band's roots'.
Youtube links with segments from both tracks have since been removed due to a 'copyright claim by Depeche Mode'. but are likely to turn up again at some point.
Fletch also confirmed during a press statement that DM have signed a new worldwide deal with EMI/Mute whilst Dave mentioned that Martin has filled the DM studio with old analogue synths and drum machines purchased from Ebay during the recording of the new album which the band hope will be completed by December.

PTA producer Ben Hillier is over seeing the project with additional programming by Sie Medway-Smith who worked on Client's debut album back in 2003.

A single is expected to be released in March 2009..


Here are the tour dates in full:


May

10 - Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan Stadium
12 - Athens, Terra Vibe Park
14 - Istanbul, Santral Istanbul
16 - Bucharest, Park Izvor
18 - Sofia, Vasil Levski Stadium
20 - Belgrade, USCE Park
21 - Zagreb, Arena (Tuborg Greenfest)
23 - Warsaw, Gwardia Stadium
25 - Riga, Skonto Stadium
27 - Vilnius, Zalgirio Stadionas
30 - London, O2 Arena

June

02 - Hamburg, HSH Nordbank Arena
04 - Dusseldorf, LTU Arena
07 - Leipzig, Zentralstadion
10 - Berlin, Olympiastadion
12 - Frankfurt, Commerzbank Arena
13 - Munich, Olympiastadion
16 - Rome, Stadio Olympico
18 - Milan, Stadio San Siro
20 - Werchter, TW Classic Festival
22 - Bratislava, Inter Stadium
23 - Budapest, Puskas Ferenc Stadium
25 - Prague, Slavia Stadium
27 - Paris, Stade Du France
30 - Copenhagen, Parken

July

02 - Bergen, Bergen Festival
03 - Arvika, Arvika Festival
11 - Porto, Superbock Super Rock Festival

Related links:
DM Official site for full ticket details
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Culture Minister talks sense shocker! - TV 'is failing new stars'




In a speech at music industry conference In the City in Manchester, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham championed prime time music shows and lamented the loss of 'Top Of The Pops' that brought new acts into the mainstream.
From the BBC website: 'Broadcasters must "promote and champion new music in this country, rather than having just very safe options on prime-time TV", he told executives.
Talent shows like The X Factor were great, he said, but "not quite the same" as promoting artists that write their own songs. '

Yes Minister. EY totally agrees with you and we hope the BBC are listening to these wise words. Hear! Hear!

To read the full BBC article, please click here.

As the EY Special Edition of 'Electricity' spends a second week in the MusicNonStop Bestsellers Top 10, we got Chi Ming Lai to fire off some questions to the very talented Jon Von Ahlen who wrote and produced Parralox's Krafty and loveable debut album.

Chi caught up with up with the Parralox knob twiddler a week after the album was released to find out Jon's initial reactions to finally holding the 'Electricity' CD, the band's amazing work rate, a night watching Yazoo in London that inspired a stand-out track and future live plans for EY3...




Chi: The recording and release of the 'Electricity' album has been turned around in a really quick time frame. Do you always work this quickly or has there been a particular motivation that has driven PARRALOX?


John: A bit of both really. I do tend to produce music pretty quickly in general. Most of the stuff is done on pure instinct so if you dwell on something for too long you tend to loose perspective and the vibe, so it's better to churn it out and sit back and see what happened. Most of the time that works, but some songs do take a little longer, both in terms of songwriting and production. Some songs on the album literally took 4 hours from conception to completion.

On one of the tracks ('You And Me Both') I was literally writing the last lyric for the song as Roxy was arriving at the studio! LOL My engineer has often joked about how quickly I work and most people would not believe how quickly these songs were churned out! But just because they were produced quickly doesn't mean that they are disposable or that there was less thought or importance placed on them. I love all my songs as if they were my children (And we know what's best for you!)

Having said that - I did consciously make sure that we kept our momentum going because we had already received such a great response from our first track ('I Fell In Love With A Drum Machine'). With that in mind, we recorded every Monday at 4pm, often times I would have had no sleep due to the fact that I work night shift at a hospital on the weekends. But I used that to our benefit as my sleep deprived state often induced weird thoughts and many songs wouldn't exist if I hadn't been so tired!

At the end of the day it's just another way to write/produce music but I wouldn't really recommend it on a long term basis. I like to explore different production and song writing techniques all the time because it just keeps things fresh.

Chi: What was the feeling when you received your batch of CDs from the factory knowing they were going to be sent to people who love your music?

John: Really amazing. I was so proud and I still am, especially as I am now reading the reviews that are starting to come in about the album and how much people are enjoying it. It was a really special time when Roxy and I were signing the first batch of CDs because I was thinking 'pretty soon someone else will be holding this CD and listening to our music'.
What makes it more profound is that these people actually took the time to pay for the CD and that means the world to us (as opposed to downloading it illegally).
To know that people actually listen to, and appreciate, the music we have made is totally what it's all about for us. If we get some fame and glory then that's a bonus, and as much as it sounds like a tired old cliche: we do this because we love music. A lot!

Chi: The track 'You & Me Both' is obviously an ode to YAZOO but it sounds like it might have been influenced by by AFRIKA BAMBAATA and GARY NUMAN?

John: Might have been? I'm just waiting for the lawyers to come knocking on the door LOL!! Actually that song was just an experiment in fusion I guess - a friend of mine played me that Gary Numan CD and i liked the song so much I based the production for 'You And Me Both' around that song. It's like a mash-up really - but without the original song. All the sounds are faithfully recreated using a combination of virtual and outboard synths, so that was a real challenge in itself.

Chi: Is there a pivotal song for you on 'Electricity' which could sum up the last 12 months for you?

John: You mean 6 months don't you! Parralox was only conceived in February this year! But I think that's not really a fair question because I love all the songs on 'Electricity' - and I wrote them! I guess one song is more of a literal summation of the events this year and that is 'You And Me Both' which tells the true story of a band we (Rob and Me!) both saw in London this year. The lyrics pretty much tell it like it is!

Chi: Have you worked out the instrumentation you'll be using for PARRALOX's UK debut at EY3?

John: Nope! My other band 'The Tenth Stage' is performing at Melbourne Fringe Festival 2008 and that is taking up a lot of my time with rehearsals and preparation. But that all winds up at the end of the week, so then I will have a few days off and then start preparing for EY3. I already know which songs we will be performing at EY3 and I have also started recording 2 new songs for the show which will be previewed at EY3 - they are cover versions that i think all electro fans will love!

Chi: Are you in the UK just for EY3 or will you be doing other stuff while you're on these shores?

John: Just for EY3 - we are all yours. We thought it's a great opportunity for us to officially launch the album in UK and it only seems natural given that this CD is really a joint venture between Parralox & EY (you and me both baby!!)

John: You're already planning the next album. Have you any ideas as to how you would like it to sound?

Oh yes. There are always plenty of ideas. But I find that for projects like this it's better to work 'in the now' to keep things fresh. Although I do want to keep experimenting with the fusion of old and new. Of course that's not a new concept, but I guess it all depends on the final product. The most important thing though is the song writing, so I'm really looking forward to that. I think we will continue with our core concept of science fiction/surrealism/synthetic. I love the idea of a dystopian future, and I like the idea of surreal lyricism so that's one theme that I will continue with.

One thing I can tell you is that the next album will be featuring a few new guest vocalists. Roxy and I have chatted about this and we are both very excited about it! Roxy of course will still be part of Parralox, so don't worry!

Message ends...

Related links:
Parralox @ myspace
Online Parralox store
EY3


Lovely new review of 'Electricity'...

A brand new review for the EY Special Edition of 'Electricity' has just appeared on one of the best UK pop blogs on the net - 'Worrapolava'.

The opening paragraph is so good that we've reproduced it in full here:

'This week saw a very special jiffy bag of delights pop through the door chez moi. After months of having to listen to the wonderous Parralox via TheirSpace the first track on their new album, Electricity summed up its arrival: "Congratulations that we've come so far/It's a pleasure to meet you finally". And singer Roxy, writer/producer John and their LinnDrum don't disappoint. Their debut is as sparky as Summer Heights High and as confident as Dare. Each track is a perfect pop song. There's melody, succinct lyrics and radio-friendly vocals all held together within a verse/chorus format, and like Dare, the only instruments are a synthesizer and drum machine (although the digi effects are very much 2008).'

To read the review in full that also includes a new Q&A with John & Roxy - please his this link.




Coming up shortly - The Mighty Marsheaux plus the latest on UNDO/EMI's 'EY Vol 1' (it will be worth the wait ;)).

In just two months time, EY will be bringing together some of the best bands of 2008 for a night of crispy-hook-laden-electro - full of new stompers that are currently light years of most in the dreary old UK Top 40.
EY3 will also be a night of stunning live vocals across all three acts and in the coming weeks, Chi Ming Lai will be catching up with all the EY3 acts with a series of interviews and it all kicks off today with RBW's lovely electro magnetic Candy.

RBW's vocal talents are set to become legendary and for Candy, it could all be in her impressive genes as Chi discovers along with desired undergarments...

The song 'Synthesizer' is very naughty, do you realise the lyrics are an electro nerd's wet dream?

Naughty? Whatever gave you that idea?! 'Take My Body Now, Feel it Pumping Through My Veins' are very respectable lyrics and don't have any sexual references in them at all! Hahahaha! As if - the naughtier the better I say. We are all very sexually confident girls who know how to have fun and tease. If there's two things I know how to do well, its singing and flirting!!!!

You're the only one in the trio who's not had classical training. So where did that big voice come from?

As narcissistic as it sounds (and I don't mean it to be) I guess I have a natural gift. I have been blessed with a singing voice without having had any training and I am very thankful for that. I guess the big voice came from my family's genes. Marc Bolan of T-Rex was my cousin, Georgia Brown too was a cousin of mine and my sister Jodie is a successful actress on the West End Stage. Singing has been in my family's blood forever. Not dancing though - I have 2 left feet!!!!

Your sound fuses 'girl power' with electro. What do you think RED BLOODED WOMEN have that makes you different from standard girl groups and regular synthesizer bands?

I love this question. 'What Makes Us Different?' It's not difficult to answer at all! Have you got a year? It's gonna take that long to reel off the spiel!!!!





First off, we can sing. We write all of our own lyrics which come from personal experiences and we mean what we sing. Hopefully that comes off in our performances. Which brings me to my other point. We perform like it's gonna be our last. We want this so much that we live for each note we sing, each dance move we make, each silly piece of banter we say on stage. We LOVE doing this and we do it with conviction, which most girl groups don't possess.


We are different because we love Pop and we're not afraid to say it. But we have cleverly infused it with an electro grace which works so damn well! I look at the girls, manager, producers and everyone else who is involved as family. We earned alot of respect and dish it out too, which I think also makes us shine that bit brighter than other bands.

Has anyone ever said to you that you look like Dani Behr?

Aaaaaah, the old Dani Behr lookalike! She was a corker in her days of 'The Word'! Of course, I get told that at least 3 times a night on the weekends! I have lied in the past and said that I am actually her to get into clubs! It's worked a couple of times! Hahahah! Of recent, I am getting compared to Lady GaGa. I think it's the blonde fringe. I don't mind though. I am loving her song 'Just Dance!'

Funnily enough, I really like LADY GAGA's song 'Paparazzi', so maybe it's an omen of things to come!! You have a fantastic song called 'Lingerie'. So what advice can you offer to EY readers to purchase such undergarments for that special person in their life...or even for themselves?!

Well, as far as undergarments go, I am a big fan of matching! You'd never catch me in Granny pants (except for when I need to wear the holding in type for one of my super tight dresses!) The sexier the better, but it's not all about lacy bras or barely there thongs. Our song 'Lingerie' is a tongue-in-cheek track. Who knows, we may do a video for it wearing kinky boxers or stockings and suspenders!!! Talking of boxers - to all the men reading this; the Y Fronts from 'American Apparel' make my knees weak!

EY originally started as a HUMAN LEAGUE fansite. Do you have a favourite Human League song?

I have to be completely honest, I don't actually have a favourite. But if I had to choose, I always remember going to a club in Wardour Street when I was 15 called 'Club Fantastic'! Hahahaha, it was an 80's night and the only place in the West End my friends and I could get into. They would always play 'Don't You Want Me' so for that reason, I'm going with that song!

Message ends....

(With thanks to Candy - RBW images: Chi)

A quick word about Ladyhawke - electro saviour or just another Keane??

EY makes no apologies about rushing another female electro act onto this page.
A good friend called Barry Rosier gave us a CD on Friday night by a band from New Zealand and we had a quick listen to the tracks on his iPod and our heads were nodding to what sounded like blindingly clever electro.
To their credit, the now electro-friendly NME have been banging on about Ladyhawke for six months now and this mysterious young lady (possibly seperated at birth from the equally lovely Alison Goldfrapp) is currently in the Popjustice Almighty Top 5.


A lot of been written lately about 'how great' it is that Keane and The Killers are set to release 80's sounding singles. EY thinks that both of them are a bit naff (The Killers track sounds like something lifted from a Brat Pack movie circa 1985 - not a good sound to be honest and not one of Stuart Price's finest moments but we still have high hopes for the new Killers album). No such problem for Ladyhawke who seems to understand the genre a little bit better with some quite edgy but brilliantly sequenced tracks, Jupiter 8's (a fave of Parralox) and gorgeous vocals.

Hit on the link to watch Ladyhawke in action via youtube for the new single 'Dusk Till Dawn' - a 'bang bang bang' Single Of The Year track full of lovely production that evokes the best of Trevor Horn and Frankie's 'Relax'.
You should also head on over to Ladyhawke's myspace page to sample other delights - for this is special stuff.

Let's hear it for the electro blondes! ;)

We will have more on Ladyhawke soon...

The expanded EY Special Edition of Parralox debut 'Electricity' this week went on sale in the UK on the relaunched MusicNonStop who returned to the scene last month as the sponsors to the electric Infest festival where Marsheaux played in the UK for the first time since EY1.

Online sales since the album's official worldwide release on September 8th have pushed 'Electricity' to number 2 in the MNS Bestsellers Chart and in a year when a few things haven't gone quite to plan behind the scenes with EY - the release of 'Electricity' is one of our proudest moments since this site was created back in 2001 (if we had some wine in the fridge tonight, we'd be absolutely sloshed with endless glasses raised to John & Roxy).

This very special edition is strictly limited to just 500 copies and contains tracks that won't be available anywhere else including a unique and unexpected analogue cover of Radiohead's 1993 single 'Creep' and a stomping 'Orlando Version' of title track 'Electricity' that initially attracted praise from the UK's most influential music site PopJustice.

'Electricity' contains 18 tracks including the new single 'Sharper Than A Knife' and tracks such as 'End Of Summer' and 'You & Me Both' that we predict will become EY3 live faves when Parralox play at Industry for their UK live debut.
'Electricity' is also the very first official EY release (our next release is 'EY VOL 1' on Undo in November) and we couldn't have picked a better album.

Retailing at 11.99, readers in the UK can order their copy of 'Electricity' via this MusicNonStop link.

Copies of 'Electricity' from Australia have now started to reach UK letterboxes and since we heard intitial demos earlier this year, we believed that the finished product would equal the pop heights of Marsheaux's 2007 classic 'Peek A Boo'. But what do others think?
Here's a few initial comments lifted from the Marsheaux forum today...

'Electricity arrived today and it certainly is an album of quality tracks. I have to agree 'End Of Summer' is a stand out track perfect for the time of year when one does feel a little melancholy!' - Service User

''Electricity' arrived in the post yesterday. Have only listened to it once but it's sounding great. For me, 'End Of Summer' is the standout track, mainly because I'm a sucker for slightly melancholy uptempo electropop. And the electro cover of Radiohead's "Creep" is pure class!' - Doctor Dean

'Got the Parralox CD today - very INFECTious - a true masterpiece - cant wait to see the live show' - malc (Facebook)

'My gorgeous CD has arrived and personally signed! Congratulations guys - I LOVE IT!!! See u in November.' - mOOger! (on Facebook)

Related links: Parralox @ myspace
Online Parralox store
EY3

EY will have more Parralox exclusives shortly....

Exciting times for Australian Sensations Parralox and EY as 500 copies of the Special Edition of 'Electricity' was delivered from the pressing plant to the very place where the band was born back in February this year - Subterrane Studios in Victoria.

Parralox are one of the most hard working bands on the planet and within minutes of receiving the EY expanded editions of the debut album, lead singer Roxy and knob twiddler JVA then got on all fours to personally autograph every single copy.

'Electricity' is a stomper mash of killer electro tunes that has only taken a little over three months since a meeting at a wine bar in London to make the EY Special Edition a reality (we wish that other things could happen this quickly).

New tracks were recorded right up to the very last minute including title track 'Electricity' that was awarded the Popjustice Song Of The Day just a few weeks ago (Parralox are still in the PJ Almighty Top 5).


You'd think that Parralox would put their feet up with a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake after working so hard but no, the band this week announced that they will shortly be entering the studio to record a new album!

With every track recorded sounding even better than the one before it - EY simply can't wait to hear the results of the new recording sessions.
We will also have the brand new video for debut single 'Sharper Than A Knife' on this page very shortly.

Copies of 'Electricity' were shipped today and they should be falling through UK letterboxes sometime next week and we are eager to hear your thoughts on the new album.

To place your order for 'Electricity', please click here.

Coming soon - a brand new RBW track - interviews with Candy, Liz and Carly plus an interview with an absolute electro legend whom EY owes so much to - our electro lips are sealed ;)

EY rushed into London last night as soon as we were allowed out of 'real' work to catch a swiftly annouced live return to Water Rats in Kings Cross for one of 2008's most promising new acts - Red Blooded Women.

The Water Rats is a charming venue, one that EY would like to take over in future for it was the place where we had had bopped to Super Jupiter and RBW in recent months gone by and we were mightily impressed by the the PA, light display and general ambience on both occasions.
Thursday night had a similar buzz but this night was even better.
Orac spotted Chi and Mr Blue and within a few minutes a really obscure, but a much cherished EY track from yesteryear blasted out from the speakers above and it's a track that Orac had in his CD wallet for the Cassette Electrik DJ set but never got the chance to play.





'I love this track. I love the DIY feel...that bassline...', said Orac to EY collaborator Chi as White Town's 1997 number One hit single 'Your Woman' boomed out of the PA.
Orac promised Chi that he would spin the tune at EY3 and Chi replied; 'I hope you will' - already aware of the track's brilliance.
It was a draft from Chi a few months ago that had ultimately led to the seduction of EY into the crisp electro world of Red Blooded Women. Chi's passionate paragraphs resulted in RBW appearing on EY within an hour of reading his rough draft.

Fast forward a few months and by 8pm - Liz, Carly and Candy were on stage - striking a vampish vogue with some of the finest electro stomper tunes of 2008 (with a few seductive pouts and classic camera moments).

The current myspace and Popjustice 'Song Of The Week' tracks are powerful enough at home blasting out of your PC speakers - but when you hear the girl's vocals live, EY is reminded of the technical brilliance of Alison Goldfrapp and we were in awe tonight.



The live vox from the RBW trio is spellbinging and the girls move their hips in carefully planned dance sequences which is secondary to everything else on the night but enchanting to watch.
About four tracks into the set, RBW performed a new track 'Can U See' live for the first time (possibly the next single - on par with Girls Aloud's 'Call The Shots' but more of a hardcare electro number!
The track is so good that EY gets Liz (who wrote the song) to personally sing the track to us again long after its live premier and she reminds us of its mighty vocal hook.





Our other highlight is stomper 'Synthesizer' that Liz introduces as Carly's fave RBW track and Carly takes over with a brilliant lead vocal.
Just a few songs in and EY knows for the second tme that it has the best UK band of 2008 lined up for EY3.

RBW were the second band on and the venue is packed with people for their performance. When its over, those same people head on over to the bar away from the stage and RBW are the only band that EY watch that night.
We chat to Liz after the show about a 'secret' Depeche Mode cover for EY (the girls already have a DM song in mind but they don't let on). The current EY3 theme running through Chi's and EY's head is that each band will do a DM cover...because we all love DM and there is a Mute anniversary coming up.

As we leave, we catch a few words with Candy before she rushes off for an EY photoshot with Chi and a EY 'business card' (to appear here shorlty).
Candy knows her cult TV and is a big fan of 'Buffy' creator Joss Whedon and the spin-off 'Angel' (a huge influence on RTD's modern version of Dr Who).

A most perfect electro girl, into cult TV with vocals that make you melt?

EY must be dreaming...


(RBW images: Chi 2008)

Red Blooded Women @ myspace

Tickets are now available to purchase for our third electro event on Friday 28th November 2008 at Industry in Shoreditch, London.
EY3 is a full-on hands in the air celebration of brand spanking new electropop.
Doors for the lower bar and stage of Industry open at 8pm and live music begins at 8.30pm with all boy UK act and recent headliners at London's Bedsitter - Motorbikes In Tokyo.

This is followed by a DJ session before EY presents a live set from the poptastic Parralox armed with some serious synths - playing live in the UK for the very first time and flying all this way from Australia especially for the EY crowd.
And if that wasn't already enough, we have possibly the best girl band ever in the gorgeous form of Red Blooded Women with their hard edged electro and insanely catchy tunes.
So good infact, that EY is getting another live RBW fix this Thursday at Water Rats in Kings Cross.

We are chuffed to bits with this line-up and we guarantee that you'll hear so many great new pop classics live on this night (plus one or two special cover versions?).

All three bands represent the very best of what EY stands for - blindingly brilliant pop stompers. Hurrah!

Virtual tickets for EY3 cost 7.00 pounds and can be purchased securely from the paypal button below (tickets on the door are 8.00 pounds).



Venue details:
Industry (150 capacity)
1 Curtain Road
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3JX

www.industryec2.com

We look forward to catching up with some of you on the night.


EY3 artist info

RED BLOODED WOMEN

''We think pop music needs a kick up the butt and we have three pairs of killer heels to do it with'

Headlining EY3 are Red Blooded Women - Liz, Candy and Carly left EY speechless when we saw their recent gig at Water Rats. These three girls presented EY with the best live vocals that we've heard in many a year and what makes RBW even more adorable is the sheer quality of their pop tracks.
With a production team that includes genre faves Trademark, John Myers and Eazy, each song is a potential hit single inspired in part by electro legends such as the Human League, Depeche, Yazoo and even classic Stock Aiken & Waterman, RBW also boast a pop sheen that equals Girls Aloud and we think that big things will happen for Liz, Carly and Candy.
RBW know instinctively how to entertain on stage with cheeky banter and RBW's genuine appreciation and passion for their art makes them perfect headliners.
Tracks destined to impress the EY crowd include new single 'You Made Your Bed' (a recent Popjustice Song Of The Day), the saucy 'Colour Me Dirty', 'Don't Wanna Be Lonely' and EY fave 'Synthesizer'.


Red Blooded Women @ myspace
EY interview with Red Blooded Woman Liz
'You Made Your Bed' Popjustice Song Of The Day article

PARRALOX

Australian Sensations Parralox have - like Marsheaux before them - saved their UK live debut exclusively for EY.
Since forming in January of this year, John and Roxy have recorded their debut album 'Electricity' (and a expanded special EY edition will be available to buy later this month).
Parralox are huge Human League fans and 'Electricity' is full of loving nods towards the legendary Martin Rushent plus 'ready for radio' hooks, dedications to the Pet Shop Boys/ Yazoo and soaring vocals from Roxy.
'Sharper Than A Knife', 'The End Of Summer', 'You & Me Both', 'X Minus One', 'I Fell In Love With A Drum Machine', 'I Heart You' and bonus EY track 'Electricity' will all become instant live classics on the night.


The original version of 'X Minus One' appears on the forthcoming UNDO/EMI compilation 'EY VOL 1' which is set for release in late October.

'John and Roxy have come up with an amazingly catchy electro pop sound, very radio-friendly and sounding like a cross between Girls Aloud and The Human League'
- Worrapolava

Parralox @ myspace
'EY VOL 1' interview with Jon Von Ahlen
'Electricity' Popjustice Song Of The Day article

The UK's biggest electronic export Depeche Mode look set to announce a major 2009 world tour at a press conference in October with tickets on sale later that month according to a German promoter.

Leading DM fansite Home reveals that the forthcoming world tour could kick off in Israel next May whilst 'Control' director Anton Corbjin states that he is back working on new Depeche sleeve designs - including one for the new single that may hit stores as early as March 2009.

Home also reports that Anton has 'let slip that he expects to be involved with the design of the stage'
'Playing The Angel' producer Ben Hillier is back on board for the new sessions for what could be Mode's final studio album for Mute/EMI.




Kleerup - contender for Electro Album Of The Year



This week, EY has mostly been listening to the debut album of Swedish producer Andreas Kleerup. The album was kindly sent over to us from Undo Records shortly after it was released by EMI across Europe in May and we think its a slow burning gem full of lush analogue chords and clever melodic layers.
Kleerup is probably best known for producing and mixing Robyn's 2007 stomper and former UK number 1 'With Every Heartbeat' which is one of 13 tracks.








Other stand out tracks include 'Longing For Lullabies' featuring a vocalist called Titiyo (video opposite), and 'Until We Bleed' with vocals from Sweden's latest sensation Lykki Li whom we featured on EY a few months back. Neneh Cherry also makes a welcome return with vocals and lyrics on the haunting track 'Forever'.
Another track that we've played to death this week is a gorgeous instrumental simply called 'Chords' that begins with a few minor chords before building into several layers full of lovely analogue melodies like 'Dare' on full throttle and every sound is perfect and so fresh.

Spine tingly analogue chords and powerful synth strings form the backdrop for most of Kleerup's tracks but there is plenty of clever sequencing on Moroder stompers such as '3AM' with great female vox from an artist called Marit Bergman.


Kleerup takes over the vocals for 'On My Own Again' which is an cunning mix of Buggles, New Musik and ELO (if you can imagine such a mash), and it's as catchy as hell.

After quickly running through the tracklisting, EY calculates that there are between 9-10 crowd pleasing electro stompers including the Robyn gem from last year.

We expect to be hearing a lot more of Kleerup's production skills in the not too distant future even though the album hasn't officially been released here in the UK yet (which surprises us given that it is such a strong album).
EY was chatting to Parralox yesterday morning on MSN urging them to grab the Kleerup album but they had already had the album on heavy rotation during the 'Electricity' sessions.




'Kleerup' can be ordered internationally via CDWOW for under a tenner whilst Amazon UK are currently out of stock of the over proced import (note to EMI: please sort out a UK release??)..
To hear a few more of the Kleerup tunes, be sure to head over to his Myspace page and crank up the volume for 'Thank You For Nothing' - it really is brilliant.

EY Rating 8/10