Today is definitely a good news day with the news that The Pet Shop Boys will release a NEW ALBUM titled Elysium this coming September. Their 11th studio album was produced by Andrew Dawson and the band themselves in LA. They have released one of the track's from the album INVISIBLE with a short film by Brian Bress. Thanks to Vince for this news. Its interesting that they have veered away from their usual straight forward album titles and gone for something a little more obscure. The song is simple but also mesmerising at the same time and the Keith Haring-esque film is quite cool. I have a feeling this is definitely going to be on the ART side of the Pet Shop Boys (rather than the POP side)!
My new favourite aussie band Strange Talk have covered the Police classic - ROXANNE. The band is working on their debut album at the moment so I gather this is a little something to keep us entertained while we wait for the longplayer. I love this synth heavy cover version full of keyboards and drum beats. They released one of my fave songs last year CLIMBING WALLS and I can't wait for the album. Strange Talk are definitely one to watch and its great to see a new aussie band making the FAB POP MUSIC! I love it!
Nick Rhodes, my favourite member from Duran Duranand one of the best popstars of all-time celebrated 50 years yesterday. Happy 50th Birthday Nick! You can read my previous post about Nick when he sent me a postcard. I HEART Nick Rhodes.You can see his 50th Birthday message below.
The Arcadia years
Nick on the cover of Italian Harpers Bazaar in the 90's
I have been listening to the new The Gossip album, A Joyful Noise all week. One of my favourite tracks is MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION which is also the 2nd single so its deffo my Sunday Song. There is something adorable about Beth Ditto, maybe its the fact that she is a popstar that has charisma. Theres a lot to love here! I am also adding my favourite song off her solo EP from last year, OPEN HEART SURGERY. Its a Beth kind of Sunday! Speaking of which, I just want to share one more link which is when Beth Ditto was a Guardian agony aunt (circa 2007-2008) in her column - What Would Beth Do? Thanks Beth!
My friend Peter Dixon in London told me about a band he has been listening to of late called Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas). Tonight, I headed straight to youtube to investigate and I LIKE!I came across this lovely video for HOOD (which features porn star Arpad Miklos).
He reminds me of Sufjan Stevens, Antony and the Johnsons and a touch of Rufus Wainwright all rolled into 1. Its obvious from the few songs I have listened to that Mike Hadreas writes and performs songs with an intensity which is missing from many artists. I love it when I find a new musical gay sensation. Its been a while since that happened. He has released 2 albums and his second LP was released in February this year called Put Your Back N to It. I think this is an album I need to buy!
Perfume Genius being interviewed about his music, his gayness and his fragility as well as playing some songs from Put Your Back N to It for Pitchfork.
I popped on down to the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday night to see Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhlyand Bryce Dessner perform their show devoted to the solar system PLANETARIUM. The show was part of the VIVID Festival currently playing in Sydney.
It was an interesting affair to say the least. The show was split into 2 parts. The first part involved Orava String Quartet performing a number of songs including some Sufjan Stevens compositions.Unfortunately I found this section rather boring and I did nod off for a while. I didn't come to hear a quartet, I came to see INDIE GOD Sufjan and his mates. After the interval the show really took off as Sufjan, Nico and Bryce hit the stage. For a concept show it really worked. It may have more to do with Sufjan's beautiful voice. He has a tone which is tender and sweet. Sufjan introduced each song and gave us titbits about each planet. In some parts it felt more like a science lesson and he joked that there would be a pop quiz at the end of the show. Sufjan used a vocoder to sing some of the songs (possibly all of them) and at one point I thought he was sounding like Cher. The Encore was the Judy Garland song OVER THE RAINBOW which he dedicated to Australia saying: “I always thought this song was about outer space. But after this week I think it’s actually about Australia." I think because of the nature of the show, Nico and Sufjan focussed alot of their energy on the technicalities of getting the sounds and effects right.Bryce, on guitar seemed to be on easy street.The show has so far played London, Eindhoven and now Sydney. It was an enjoyable show but I would suggest one for the fans only or if the Solar System 'is your thing'.
