Wednesday 30 January 2019

Metroland - Men In A Frame (The Full Story)


Metroland: In Focus, an in-depth look at all aspects of Metroland’s latest concept release.


Metroland are an electronic duo based in Belguim and have been making music as Metroland since 2012. 


Above photograph courtesy of Patrick Verbessem


All there releases are centred around a concept, Underground rail systems was the concept for their debut album “Mind The Gap” , The Bauhaus Movement was the concept for their second album “Triadic ballet”. Their third album “Things Will Never Sound The Same Again” was an album dedicated to their sound Engineer Louis Zachert, who passed away suddenly in August 2015.

 
In 2017 they celebrated their 5th anniversary with a special 4 disc box set and in 2018 they returned to their Concept Blue print, with the release of their latest album “Men In A Frame”. This time the concept is photography, but the project is a whole lot more than the main album.


In February 2018 the band released a new single called “Man In A Frame”, a taster for the new album “Men In A Frame”, but interestingly the single wasn’t going to be included on the album, the single featured the B side F8, which we played at the start of the show, in addition they also released a 3 tracks remixes EP that featured Metroland’s own extended version of “Man In A Frame”, Maschine Brennts remix of F8 and The Frixion’s remix of “Man In A Frame”

The single gave a clear indication that the concept for the new album would be photography, however, what might seem a simple concept was far from that, because they had to write songs influenced by 10 photographs submitted by a Belgian photography organisation F8, each member of the organisation submitted 2 photo’s each.


The ten track album “Men In A Frame” was released on the 20th April 2018 as a CD and Digital Download and featured tracks such as “Shades Of Pale”, “Concrete Witness”, “Hope”, “Speed Of Life 3”, “B-Old” and “Trust”


In a very bold move Metroland hosted their own Expo in March 2018, which featured all the photography on display and via a smartphone App you could scan the information card alongside each picture to play the relevant track created for that picture, a true multimedia experience.


At the same time as releasing the album “Men In A Frame” the band also released a special collection called “Pictures To Listen To”, this 16 track album featured the very best of Metrolands back catalogue as well as a new track “Pictures To Listen To”, an extended version of “Man In A Frame” and “Shades Of Pale” a track off the new album.

The perfect release for any Metroland fan and of course the ideal way to introduce new fans to the work Metroland had released prior to “Men In A Frame”, so tracks such as “Thalys”, “Zeppelin”, “Synthetic Sound”, “The Passenger” and the wonderful “Enjoying The View” were all included.


In September Metroland released a second single called “Memorabilia”, not a cover version of the Soft Cell track of the same name, but makes clever use of a couple of key lines from that song.

The single was released as a 3 track digital download and in addition to the single, it also included another new track “Sunwriting (Metroland’s Heliograph”, a reference to the very first process of modern photography and Metroland’s Souvenir Mix of “Memorabilia”. As is the way with Metroland, they also released a 3 track remixes package, which featured remixes of both “Memorabilia” and “Sunwriting” as well as a cover version of “Sunwriting” by Swedish Machine-Pop band Datapop, which they titled “Heliograph”.

As with the first single “Man In A frame” “Memorabilia” was n’t included on the album.


At the end of 2018 the band announced the very exciting news of a double yellow vinyl remix album, called “Framed”, which would feature remixes of all the album tracks, as well as, the two singles. The 12 track double vinyl album was to be released on the 26th January 2019, an important date, as the band hosted a second Expo, this time in their home city, Mechelen.

Before they released the album “Framed” they released a new 3 track EP on December 21st called “Re-Framed”, this featured the Analogue Audio Remix 1 of the track “Concrete Witness”, the Passenger S Perennial Edit of “Creative Rose” and the lead track “Shades Of Pale (Reframed By Metroland)

The album “Framed” includes remixes by the likes of Psy’Aviah, Frohm, Passenger S, Analogue Audio Association and Kurt Baggaleys remix of “Next Choice”.


As well as the vinyl release they also decided to include a CD version that would feature 9 tracks taken from the Vinyl release and 3 exclusive remixes, further remixes of “Memorabilia”, “Shades Of Pale” and the Decibel Sintético remix of “Man In A Frame”.


Metroland had even more up their sleeves with the release of two specially made Metroland USB Keys, one of which, a yellow key, that would have also the remixes of the vinyl and CD remix packages plus bonus content, including 3 exclusive remixes, a new mix of “Pictures To Listen Too”, “Man In A Frame (Decibel Sintético Edito)” and “Memorabilia (Hunted Video Version)”.

The package including the vinyl, CD and Yellow USB key is available exclusively direct from the band.



To complete this outstanding concept the band had something very special for Metroland fans, a second Black USB Key titled “The Key To Metroland”. This featured a special 82 minute documentary film about Metroland’s career up to and including all the releases associated with the “Men In A Frame” concept, by Gary Hunter, with the help of Passenger S from the band, with commentary by Charlotte Hunter. In addition the key also includes 3 special promo video’s made by Gary for the new mixes of “Man In A Frame”, “Pictures To Listen Too” and “Memorabilia” and his official video for "Shades Of Pale".

The key also includes further exclusive bonus audio content, three 3 track EPs, “Een Dag In Mechelen”, “Pictures To Listen Too” and “Shades Of Pale”, as well as a unique 60 minute Mega-Mix of some of the remixes of Metroland’s music and exclusive graphic collections, including wallpaper and Metroland sleeves. A stunning conclusion to an incredible concept, and to think, this journey started out, when the duo were presented with 10 photographs!

*This special key is now available direct from the band (See link below for their webpage)*

White Lion Radio have also released an Audio Documentary of this story, which is available to listen to on Mixcloud and Hearthis.at via the links below:

https://www.mixcloud.com/whitelionradio/metroland-in-focus/

https://hearthis.at/white-lion-radio-f7/metroland-in-focus/ 

You can obtain the full remix package that includes the double yellow vinyl album “Framed”, the CD “Framed Anew” and the Yellow USB Metroland Key by visiting Metroland’s official homepage, the address for that is www.metrolandmusic.com 

The Double vinyl album “Framed” and CD “Framed Anew” package is available from Metroland’s record label Alfa Matrix, the web address for that is https://alfa-matrix-store.com

To sum up, a brilliant conclusion to what has been a very special concept release.....we now wait to see what adventure Metroland take us on with their next concept release.

Metroland: In Focus (Audio Documentary)

Metroland: In Focus (Audio Documentary)
 

This documentary tells the full story of Metroland's latest concept release "Men In A Frame"

Belgian concept electronic band Metroland always come up with unique concepts for their albums, underground rail systems was the subject for their debut album "Mind The Gap", whilst the Bauhaus movement was the concept for their second studio album "Triadic Ballet".

The follow up to "Triadic Ballet" album, was, "Things Will Never Sound The Same Again", this didn't follow a concept as it was a special release dedicated to their sound engineer Louis Zachert, who passed away suddenly.

So, what did they come up with this time, for their 4th studio, the answer, photography, they had to create songs influenced purely by photographs submitted by photographic collective F8, also based in Belguim.

This show tells the full story about this concept release and covers the main album "Men In A Frame" and associated singles, plus the remix albums "Framed" and "Framed Anew", as well as discussing the unique Metroland USB Key releases.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/whitelionradio/metroland-in-focus/

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at: https://hearthis.at/white-lion-radio-f7/metroland-in-focus/

Playlist

F8
Pictures To Listen To
Man In A Frame
Trust
Enjoying The View
Memorabilia
Shades Of Pale (Reframed By Metroland)
Next Choice
Man In A Frame (Sintetico Remix)
Creative Rose (Passenger S Perennial Edit)
Een Dag In Metroland (Short Conduct Mix)
Speed Of Life (Elektroklange 123 Remix)

Everything covered in this audio documentary is available via the bands official website:

http://www.metrolandmusic.com/

and the albums are available via the bands record label website:

https://alfa-matrix-store.com/Metroland?sort=rating&order=DESC

Monday 28 January 2019

i-Select #42

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material.


White Lion Radio prides itself on bringing you music which you don't always get access to and to showcase bands and artists that are really very talented and deserve to be heard.

These shows will feature bands from across the globe!

Listen On Mixcloud

Listen On Hearthis.at

Full Playlist:

Mind Machine - We Keep Walking
Metroland - Een Dag In Mechelen (Short Conduct)
The Frixion - What We Gonna Do
Eurotix - Hypnotized
Moist - Stars
Engram - What Am I
Sombre Moon - Blurred Reality (Fused Remix)
B-Movie - Repetition (Rusty Egan Radio Mix)
Ultranoire - Shell We Live In
Jeff McCall - We Learn
Eloquent - Nothing But Trouble (Nature Of Wires Remix)
Eric C. Powell - Need A Place (Ft Andrea Powell) (Radio Edit)
DarwinMcD And Huguenot - Run (Fiben Mix)
Projekt Ich Ft Plexiphones - Time For Memories (People Theatre's Reflection Mix)
Exposed Brick - Proudhon's Maxim
Hante Ft Marble Slave & Fragrance - Nobody's Watching
Metroland - Pictures To Listen Too (Clipped)
The Voice And The Snake - Fade Away (Single Mix ft Rob Rowe)
Ruined Conflict - Sequencer
Eurotix - To Mars
Perpacity F Neil Francis - Words Are Faith And Water
This Human Condition - Normal (Nature Of Wires Remix)
Paragon Cause - Fear
Moist - Words
Weightlezz - Lost In The Waves
Sombre Moon - Prayer (The Distant Minds Mix)
Electro Spectre - The Way You Love (Technomancer Remix)
Engram - Point Of No Return
Vogon Poetry - The Upside Down (Eurotix Remix)

Thursday 24 January 2019

Molecules And Carbon - The Story Of Machinista

White Lion Radio have released a new documentary called "Molecules And Carbon - The Story Of machinista"


Machinista are a dark synthpop band based in Sweden and their powerful and melodic sounding music is proving very popular on the independent Electronic music scene and beyond.

In this documentary we take a closer look at their history and releases right from when they started out.

The band have released two very impressive albums "Xenoglossy" and "Garmonbozia" and a third album is due very soon.

This is your chance to find out more about the band and maybe discover their music for the first time, definitely recommended if you love Electronic music!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here 

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at here

Playlist for the show:

Molecules And Carbon
By My Side
Heroes (David Bowie Cover Version)
Arizona Lights
The Blues And The Reds
Dark Heart Of Me
Salvation (Vogon Poetry Remix)
Pain Of Every Day
Seconds Minutes Hours
Let Darkness In
Black Tide
All Apologies (Nirvana Cover Version)

Visit the bands official homepage: http://www.machinistamusic.com/

Visit the bands Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

Monday 21 January 2019

The Electronic Music Hour #42

Welcome to edition #42 of our series "The Electronic Music Hour", which features some of the best electronic and synthpop music from the last 40 years.


These shows not only include well known artists from the last 4 decades but new and emerging bands on the electronic music scene from around the world, a lot of which are either unsigned, or on a small independent label, or self release their material.

So the shows will feature old and new tracks that fit in the electronic/synthpop genre.

Listen On Mixcloud

Listen On Hearthis.at

Playlist:

New Order - Tutti Frutti
Elegant Machinery - Process (Radio Edit)
Depeche Mode - Puppets
Electro Spectre - The Secret Path
The Frixion - Heartbroke Disco
Starcluster And Marc Almond - Smoke And Mirrors
Simple Minds - I Wish You Were Here
Maschine Brennt - Man Or Machine (Radio Edit)
David Bowie - Thursday's Child (Radio Edit)
John Foxx - Walk Away
Metroland - Utopia (Gary Hunter's Radio Edit)
Pet Shop Boys - Call Me Old-Fashioned (Demo)
Zynic - Free To Decide
The Human League - Tell Me When
TourdeForce - Life On The Line

Monday 14 January 2019

Maximum 80s (Volume 66)

White Lion Radio have released Edition 66 of Maximum 80s.

This is a series of shows that feature nothing but the very best in 1980s 12 Inch Singles.

The biggest hits on the biggest format from a classic decade......the 1980s.



Alexander O'Neal - Criticize (Remix)
Duran Duran - New Moon On Monday (Dance Mix)
John Foxx - A Kind Of Wav (12 Inch Version)
Stacy Lattisaw - Jump To The Beat (12 Inch Version)
Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (Original 12 Inch Version)
Alison Moyet - Invisible (Transparent Mix)
Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real (Extended Version)
Imagination - New Dimension
Erasure - A Little Respect (Big Train Mix)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes (Annihilation)

Monday 7 January 2019

Rubik's 80s Mix (Volume 66)

Edition #66 of Rubik's 80s Mix is now out on White Lion Radio.


This a series of shows that includes the very best in 80s music all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits from the greatest decade in music history!

A show guaranteed to bring back so many happy memories!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen on Hearthis.at here

Full Playlist

Billy Ocean - When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going
Cameo - Word Up
The Communards Ft Sarah Jane Morris - Don't Leave Me This Way
Furniture - Brilliant Mind
Bananarama - Venus
A-Ha - Hunting High And Low
Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)
Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
Amazulu - Too Good To Be Forgotten
Jermaine Stewart - We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off
Alison Moyet - Invisible
Midge Ure - Call Of The Wild
Simple Minds - All The Things She Said
David Grant & Jaki Graham - Mated
Mel & Kim - Showing Out (Get fresh For The Weekend)