Rational Youth front man, Tracy Howe, recently joined Joe Reilly at Ottawa radio station, CKCU, to talk about the band’s plans and revisit some of their history. LISTEN HERE
This song was our top pick for 2013, impressed as we were by its synthetic heritage and the emotions pulled from circuitry by veteran synthers Page. The band has now added visuals, which fit the modern-vintage theme perfectly. Inspired by the classics of space disco, Page have turned back the clock to 1978 for their new video, but the sound is right up-to-date – nostalgic but new!
With Depeche Mode touring a new album, thirty-two years after they played this show, there is a good chance that they will hang on as long as The Rolling Stones. They need no introduction, but this is a rare recording of a show with Vince Clarke, an all-synth set, a fabulous version of Tora! Tora! Tora! and steel drum presets for Just Can’t Get Enough – all set in the charming cathedral town of Chichester.
Vanguard are one of Sweden’s most talented synth acts. Their new album, Retribution, is scheduled for February 2014, and it will include this track. The single version features remixes from, among others, Psyche and Robert Enforsen of Elegant Machinery. Sweet Thursday listening.
Canadian synthpop duo, The Beautiful Spies, produce 80s-influenced music with classic style. Formed by Dave Rout (Datafreq, Rational Youth) and Dina Naskos (Colecovision), they already have one album notched on their synth stands and are preparing for a support slot when Rational Youth launch their new show in January 2014. This energetic track is from the Just Fascination album (no relation to the Cabs single of the same name).
Swedish synth legend, Eddie Bengtsson, remixed this track as part of his project, This Fish Needs a Bike, back in 2004. I Satellite is Sault Ste. Marie native, Rod MacQuarrie, who is making the journey to Europe as support for two Rational Youth shows in May 2014. Bengtsson is also on the bill, in his Sista Mannen på Jorden guise. This song will no doubt get a great reception, as it is as catchy as it is quirky.
Christmas, disappointment, Close Encounters, space, rockets, technical drawings – check, check, check, check, check, check. Synthesizers, nose piercing, headband – check, check, check. This one is ready.
With Robert Görl’s immaculate drumming and a looped Korg bassline chugging along under xylophone- and brass-phrases, as Gabi Delgado practically chants the lyrics, this is classic DAF. Organic, rather than mechanical, Goldenes Spielzug is minimalist proto-techno charged with unreleased tension and the slightest hint of menace.
Not well enough known outside of their native Sweden, GarboSTHLM are one of those bands who make exquisite pop that reminds you of the best bits of Duran Duran and Ultravox. They recently warmed-up for Visage in Stockholm, and this new release will keep the 80s vibe going.
Spitalfields Market didn’t used to be a trendy shopping district for City types. It was a back-street series of stalls, with hawkers trying to scrape a living. The members of I Start Counting used to work at the latter, while knocking out superlative pop with Daniel Miller and Paul Kendall lending a hand. This was one of their finest efforts.