People Theatre - Chapter 2 (Staring At Sun) Reviewed

The man behind People Theatre is French musician, Peter Rainman, who is well respected in the independent electronic community for his remix work for other artists, especially with Australian synthpop band, Parralox, Peter has also provided remixes for the likes of, Rename, !Distain, Jonteknik, Vision Talk, Zynic, Daybehavior, Vanguard, Solitary Experiments, Uncreated, Psy'Aviah and countless others.

The "Chapter II - Staring At Sun" EP is a follow up to the "Chapter I - Dare At Dawn" EP which was released in 2015.

The new EP features 8 tracks with various guest vocalists.

The opening track is a delightful instrumental called  "Theme For A Star", which has some Jean Michel Jarre overtones and I think I detected the Roland CR78 Drum Machine :) I like the way the track builds and it features some wonderful pad and choir sounds, which give it a Science Fiction soundtrack touch. "Forever" features Henrik Iversen, I like the use of piano, Peter has, on many of his remixes used piano melodies as a focal point and he makes good use of it again on this track, a more uplifting track and I do like the vocals, perfect for the synth backdrop. Track 3 "Do You Remember" sees Peter collaborate with Shelter and Oots, a well constructed synth dominated dance track, reminded me of some of Erasures tracks on "The Violet Flame" album. Superb vocals again on this one, great use of synth hooks, excellent track.

"Obsession" featuring Henrik Iversen has a superb throbbing bass-line and beautiful pads and trademark People Theatre piano, all fused together to produce a fabulous track, I like the atmospheric nature of this song. "Welcome To Goodbye" is next which features Tess Fries. Good use of rhythm sounds on the intro and I do like the pad sounds, I like how it morphs into a solid dance number, with sequenced lead synths, this song has a darker sound, which I really like. "Ultimate Meeting" features K-bereit and has a more sinister industrial sound, which is a little outside my comfort zone when it comes to synth based music, it definitely has a harder edge, both musically and vocally.

"Ego Trip" is a more medium paced number featuring S Cochran & K Eller on vocals and the boy/girl vocal works a treat, this song is more reflective and again features a beautiful piano melody against some superb string chords, I love this track and highlights just how good a musician Peter Rainman is. Probably my favourite track on the album, if you remember People Theatre's remix of the Parralox track "Isn't It Strange" you will get the idea how this track sounds.

The album closes with the piano driven "Theme For A Comet", almost classical in it's delivery and is quite haunting, simplistic in that it is basically piano, strings/Pads and vocals, a fantastic way to close the album.

This album demonstrates, and shows, that as well as providing consistantly excellent remixes for other artists, Peter is a skilled musician, who knows how to produce and arrange well constructed songs, I like the idea of using different vocalists on this album too, that works perfectly.

People Theatre fans are in for a real treat with this collection of songs 9/10

You can buy the album via Bandcamp as a CD or Digital Download:

https://gomxiiiprod.bandcamp.com/album/chapter-2-staring-at-sun

Visit the People Theatre Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/peopletheatreofficial

Discover The Artists On Our Special Show "Sweden - The European Capital Of Electronic Music"

Our latest show is something a bit special, as it is a show that focuses of Electronic/Synthpop music by bands/artists that are based in Sweden. Most of the artists are unsigned or signed to a small independent label.

Here are weblinks for all the bands/artists that are featured on the show, so you can find out a bit more about them.

Deutsche Bank: https://www.facebook.com/deutsche.bank.5

Johan Baeckstrom: https://www.facebook.com/bstrommusic

Obsession Of Time: https://www.facebook.com/obsessionoftime

Eurotix: https://www.facebook.com/eurotix

Erotic Elk: https://www.facebook.com/Erotic-Elk-158623404177447/

Datapop: https://www.facebook.com/datapopmusic

Covenant: https://www.facebook.com/Covenant-OFFICIAL-156626197713557/

Daybehavior: https://www.facebook.com/DayBehavior

Cold Connection: https://www.facebook.com/ColdConnection/

Vanguard: https://www.facebook.com/vanguardofficial

Presence Of Mind: https://www.facebook.com/PresenceOfMindSweden

Sector One: https://www.facebook.com/Oldschoolsynth/

Ashbury Heights: https://www.facebook.com/ashbury.heights

Vision Talk: https://www.facebook.com/visiontalkmusic/

Vogon Poetry: https://www.facebook.com/vogonpoetrymusic/

Unisonlab: https://www.facebook.com/unisonlabsounds/

Train To Spain: https://www.facebook.com/train2spain/

Kite: https://www.facebook.com/KiteHQ/

Daily Planet: https://www.facebook.com/dailyplanetband/timeline

Kretz: https://www.facebook.com/kretzsthlm/

Machinista: https://www.facebook.com/machinistamusic

Avantgarde: https://www.facebook.com/avantgardesweden/

Electric City Cowboys: https://www.facebook.com/electriccitycowboys

Cinemascape: https://www.facebook.com/cinemascape

Maschine Brennt: https://www.facebook.com/maschinebrennt/

Uncreated: https://www.facebook.com/uncreatedofficial/

Leaderboard: https://www.facebook.com/Leaderboardmusic/

Sister Electra: https://www.facebook.com/sisterelectra/

Conny Olivetti: https://en-gb.facebook.com/olivettimusic/

Damokles: https://www.facebook.com/DamoklesSword/

Don't forget you can listen to, "Sweden - The European Capital Of Electronic Music" on both Mixcloud and Hearthis.at

Sweden - The European Capital Of Electronic Music

Released today on White Lion Radio, a special show, "Sweden - The European Capital Of Electronic Music"

This is a show dedicated to independent/unsigned electronic/synthpop bands based in Sweden.

Sweden has been at the forefront of the independent electronic music scene for some time now and this show highlights just how many excellent bands in that genre are based in that country.

This show features a staggering 30 different bands that are based in Sweden, most of which are unsigned or signed to an independent label.

Sit back and enjoy a wealth of the finest electronic music from Sweden!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud:

https://www.mixcloud.com/whitelionradio/sweden-the-european-capital-of-electronic-music/

Or listen on Hearthis.at:

https://hearthis.at/white-lion-radio-f7/sweden-the-european-capital-of-electronic-music/

Playlist for the show:

Deutsche Bank - Don't Stop ((Autopop)
Johan Baeckstrom - I Can Read Your Mind
Obsession Of Time - The Seeker
Eurotix - Hypnotized
Erotic Elk - Consequence Of Leaving (Oren Amram SynthesizeMe Remix)
Datapop - Unterwegs (Gary Hunter's 7 Inch Radio Edit)
Covenant - Dies Irae
Daybehavior - Change
Cold Connection - Memories
Vanguard - I Want to Live (Torul Remix)
Presence Of Mind - Queen Of Redemption
Sector One - A Little Melody (Gary Hunter's 7 Inch Radio Edit)
Ashbury Heights - Kingdom Confession
Vision Talk - Unlike
Vogon Poetry - Exposed Thoughts (Electric City Cowboys Remix)
Unisonlab - Stereolab (Gary Hunter's 7 Inch Radio Edit)
Train To Spain - Monsters
Kite - Dance Again
Daily Planet - Tranquility
Kretz - Generated Alterated Patterns (Gary Hunter's 7 Inch Remix)
Machinista - Pain Of Every Day (Cyborgdrive Remix)
Avantgarde - Maureen
Electric City Cowboys feat Mia Moilanen - Calling Your Name
Cinemascape - Frozen Ground (Split Mirrors Remix)
Maschine Brennt - 60 Seconds (Gary Hunter's 7 Inch Radio Edit)
Uncreated - Not Your Soldier (Machinista Remix)
Leaderboard - Trick Of The Light
Sister Electra - Down By The Park
Conny Olivetti - Arithmetical Operations
Damokles - Close Encounter

Electric City Cowboys Album "Superstar" Reviewed

Electric City Cowboys recently came to my attention following their stunning remix of the forthcoming Vogon Poetry single "Exposed Thoughts". They are from Sweden and their music is strongly infuenced by Yazoo, Erasure and Depeche Mode.

So when I received a promo of their album "Superstar" I was intrigued to listen to material that the band had produced themselves.

"Superstar" is the bands debut album and follows the release of 4 singles.

The album starts with a gorgeous instrumental called "The Introduction", which gives a clear direction of what the album is going to sound like, warm pads and gentle melody followed by a Jean Michel Jarre styled synth section.

"Calling Your Name" features Mia Moilanen on vocals (she also appears on 3 other tracks on the album) and is a soaring synthpop gem, a throbbing sequencer bass-line and hints of italo disco, the track has a massive Erasure influence on it and is undoubtably one of the albums highlights. This ticks all the right boxes for me, catchy, melodic and dancable, a definite single, which remixers will find a joy to work on, I can definitely see Daily Planet's Johan Baeckstrom weaving his magic on this track..

Next we have "Heaven", a fantastic pad/string intro which then develops into a synthpop/italdisco track, a strong vocal and some stunning synth work, especially the sequencer parts, which is something I really like in songs. The middle 8 section is especially good, very powerful. Another very strong song.

The title track follows and is very melodic and catchy, a true synthpop track, the synth backdrop to this track is amazing, strong bass-line and sequenced parts, more going on than you initially think. Again this has an italo disco influence.

"Tell Me" I knew was going to be stunning, as soon as it started, beautiful pads and sequenced melodies, the track has a very strong chorus, this track reminded me of the Vince Clarke era Depeche Mode, I love the way it builds up to the chorus and the synthwork is truly fantastic, excellent vocals that work perfectly against the music backdrop. So far my favourite track on the album, in a word awesome!

Following that we have "My Heart Is On Fire", another pop gem, I like the atmospheric pad sounds and the chorus is really a delight, this has a nod towards the sound of Yazoo, the band are very good at creating melodic hooks and sequencer parts and this song showcases that really well.

"In The Summertime" reminded me very much of another Swedish independent synthpop band, Eurotix, Vince Clarke styled Riffs on this song and again they have crafted some fantastic sequencer parts, as with all the album, excellent vocal delivery, it instantly grabs you and what a fantastic middle 8, these boys know how to construct a song, outstanding work.

The Yazoo influenced "Miss You" is stunning, a bit like "Only You", simply brilliant synth sequencer segments, it also builds like Yazoo's "Too Pieces", this is one of the best synthpop tracks I have heard in a long long time, without doubt Vince Clarke himself would be delighted to write a song like this, beyond brilliant!!!

A 2019 remix of the track "Dance Into The Night" is a full on electronic dance track, powerful synths and imposing synth stabs, a track that would go down really well live. A great chorus against a cacophony of synth work, a welcome addition to the album, love it!

The album closes with the track "Free (Beatbox Extended)", the original version was released as a single in 2017 and is an italo disco stomper, a fantastic track with a very strong vocal, brilliant.

How this band is unsigned I have no idea because this album is exceptional, superbly crafted songs and their musicianship is first class, strong vocally throughout too, a synthpop album that should, without a shadow of doubt, be in your collection.

The Swedish synthpop scene is quite remarkable at the moment, as well as Electric City Cowboys, we have Daily Planet, Machinista, Eurotix, Johan Baeckstrom, Vanguard, Uncreated, Vogon Poetry and others and this album by Electric City Cowboys is the perfect introduction to the band, you won't be disappointed.

10/10

The album is released on May 3rd on CD and as a digital download on Bandcamp here:

https://electriccitycowboys.bandcamp.com/album/superstar-2

Visit the bands Official Homepage here:

http://ecc-official.com/index.html

Vist the bands Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/electriccitycowboys/

New Vogon Poetry EP Reviewed

Vogon Poetry return with a brand new EP on May 10th called "Exposed Thoughts", initially as a Digital Download, however, they are also to release a very Limited Edition CD EP edition which will be available when they play Artefaktor 3 on April 27th.

The EP features the original version of "Exposed Thoughts", as well as, 7 remixes.

So, let's open Pnadora's Box and see what we find........

The original mix has a beautiful melodic sequencer section that drives the song and a superb space synth lead, outstanding vocals, you can tell the band knew, they had a track that was special. It's melancholic and simplistic but the whole things fits together really well. For me, I think it is Vogon Poetry's best single to date.

Next we have a remix by Electric City Cowboys remix, what can I say......wow, this takes the song to a whole new level and showcases just how good this track it. They have turned it into an Erasure type dance mix, reminded me of "Stop" by Erasure, brilliant use of sequencers, all blended to form a perfect backdrop for the impressive vocal. An outstanding remix.

Modiga Agenter Remix is different again, very powerful with a striking piano section and superb rhythm section, they have moulded the track into a ballad with gorgeous synth pads, again the mix shows what a fine job has been done on the vocals, superb again!!

Next we have a remix by Glas, they also make good use of piano and  a yazoo bass-line which reminded me of "In Your Room", they have given the song a more uplifting feeling, lots going on in this mix but everything has it's place, can't fault this remix either, a stunning piece of work.

Following that we have a remix by Saft, this mix is a lot darker than the previous mixes, very "Depeche Mode", some superb additional synth sections and of course excellent use of sequencer patterns, especially with the bass-lines. Really impressive!

Next we have a remix by Patrik Hansson from Uncreated and Vanguard and he doesn't disappoint, as you would expect, this is another powerful remix, very upbeat with trademark Vanguard/Uncreated bass sounds, I love the rhythm section, especially the chorus sections, beautiful synth leads and pads, awesome remix again!

The Kei Kohara keeps the main sequencer parts and space synth parts in place, before we are given a more rock makeover, plenty of guitars mixed with synths, which works well, rock music isn't my thing but I can certainly appreciate the hard work that has gone into this mix.

The final remix is by We The North, here we return to all out electronics, the bass-line is especially impressive and is the core of the track, overlayed we have sequencers and dark sounding synth parts, which give this mix quite a haunting feeling, this is another mix I really like and the remix treatment once again showcases the vocal.

What can I say.....This is truly an outstanding EP and in "Exposed Thoughts" the band have unearthed a real treasure, it is quite something to hear 7 remixes of the same track, that all work so well, not only that but they are all so varied, and for me that is what defines a quality song.

Absolute perfection 10/10

You can listen to the original version of the track and pre-order the single via Bandcamp:

https://vogonpoetrymusic.bandcamp.com/

Visit the Vogon Poetry Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/vogonpoetrymusic/

i-Select #45

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:

Shedizer - Tonight (People Theatre's Amor Remix)
Knight$ - Shadows
Mind Machine - Clouds Of Doubt
Diamond Field & Bob Haro - Won't Compromise
Into the Blood - Into the Groove (Radio Edit)
Gregory Dillon - Painted Blue (Rusty Egan Remix)
Jonteknik - Electricity
Promenade Cinema - The Power Of Love
Model Depose - Stranger
Lucky And Love - Telekinesis
Mind Machine - Return To The Machine
Projekt Ich Ft Marcus Mokuso - New Dreams For Old (Depechen Remix)
Analoge Electronic Whatever - You Never Did
Centre Excuse - Thank You For Moving Me Up (Darwinmcd Remix)
Dissonance Ascent - Starstuff
DJ Cro-G Ft Javier Yuch - Summer 2019
Vogon Poetry - Exposed Thoughts
Jeff McCall - On My Mind
Shedizer Ft Cécila SOLER - Your Skin
Knight$ - Hijack My Heart
Severance Delight - Her Dream
Lucky And Love - Summertime Frolic

The Electronic Music Hour #45

Welcome to edition #45 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:

Marsheaux - Get the Balance Right
New Musik - Straight Lines
Mr Jones Machine - My Time
Erasure - Golden Heart (GRNs 'Golden Glow' Radio Edit)
Talk Talk - Renee
Vision Talk - Safe And Sound
Kraftwerk - The Hall Of Mirrors (3-D Version)
Rational Youth Ft Johan Baeckstrom - The Face Of Dorian Gray
New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle (Single Remix)
OMD - As We Open So We Close
Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight
Rusty Egan Ft Midge Ure - Glorious
Jonteknik - From Madrid To Barcelona
Hurts - The Water