Andy Bell To DJ At World-Famous Gay Party

Andy Bell has landed a DJ-ing gig at one of the world's biggest gay parties. Andy will co-host the 20th anniversary of the White Party in Palm Springs, California next month (11 April 2009). More than 20 000 gay men are expected to attend the party poolside at the Wyndham Hotel. This year's annual White Party Palm Springs party will be headlined by Lady Gaga.

Bell will DJ from 3 to 4 pm, spinning classics from his band Erasure, plus the hottest electro artists and mixes from yesterday and today.

Now planned annually on the second week in April, White Party in Palm Springs continues its 20-year tradition, bringing the picturesque desert oasis alive with music and entertainment from around the world.

More info about White Party schedule can be found here.

Andy Bell - Special In-Store Event

On April 9, two days before his White Party set, Andy Bell will DJ a special in-store event at Amoeba Music in Hollywood, CA. He will sign copies of the new boxed set purchased at Amoeba (plus one additional Andy Bell or Erasure item per fan) after his set. A pair of tickets to White Party 2009 will be given out during Andy's DJ set at Amoeba.

For more info click here.

Erasure Interview

"For the next (album] we may make our music a little darker," Clarke says. "That's a vibe we're discussing just now." The pair are planning to start work on a new recording this autumn. "Because the commercial record business is slowly dying, we don't always have to think about doing three-minute pop songs any more."

Read the new interview with Erasure here.

"Total Pop!" UK Chart Position

On its second week, Erasure's "Total Pop! The First 40 Hits" album is at #42.

"Total Pop!" German Release Date

According to Amazon.de, "Total Pop! The First 40 Hits" will be released in Germany on physical formats 1 May 2009. Currently it is available in Germany only as a digital download.

EIS Newsletter: "Post-Indie Vogue For Mainstream Electronica"

Hello

In todays newsletter:

1. 'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits! Deluxe Box' North American Release (7th April)
2. Andy Bell Interview (The Skinny)
3. SkyHigh Radio - Additional Erasure Night
4. Yazoo / Yaz Ladies T-Shirt Sale
5. UK TV Of Interest: "Vintage Depeche Mode"

'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits! Deluxe Box' North American
    Release (7th April)

A reminder that the 7th April sees the North American release of 'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits! Deluxe Box', a 4 disc boxset (3CD/DVD) that features newly remastered versions of all the band's singles on two discs, a CD of vintage live performances and a DVD of rare live BBC performances.

Also on the 7h April, 'Pop! Remixed' will be released as a digital download only release. 'Pop! Remixed' features remixes from Vince Clarke, Mark Picchiotti, Manhattan Clique, Komputer, Sweden's Sound Factory and a mix of 'Drama!' by Andy Bell and JC.

The boxset is available for pre-order now from cduniverse.com, barnes & noble, bestbuy.com and amazon.com.

Andy Bell Interview (The Skinny)

"People say that the music industry is cyclical and we've been waiting and waiting and now seems to be the right time." Andy Bell is referring to the post-indie vogue for mainstream electronica and the fact that their record company now sees fit to unleash an Erasure Extravaganza, incorporating Total Pop! (their first 40, yes, 40 hits), a remix album called Pop! Remixed and a couple of live DVDs to boot. "You'd think we'd died or something," he laughs.

Paul Mitchell from theskinny.co.uk talks to Andy Bell about fame, sexuality and a prolific career.

SkyHigh Radio - Additional Erasure Night

On Friday 20th March, internet radio station SkyHigh Radio will be devoting the evening to playing nothing but Erasure songs, beginning at 18:00 (GMT) and continuing until at least midnight.

SkyHigh Radio are interested in receiving your requests for songs (one request per person please). To request a song you would like to hear, post your request within the Erasure Forum before 18:00 (GMT) Wednesday 18th March.

You can listen to SkyHigh radio online via a variety of different methods - full details at skyhighradio.co.uk.

Yazoo / Yaz Ladies T-Shirt Sale

For one week only, The Erasure Shop (Lexer Music) is running a half-price sale on it's range of Yazoo / Yaz Ladies tour t-shirts.

UK TV Of Interest: "Vintage Depeche Mode"

UK Digital channel MTV TWO will be "Returning to the glory days of Depeche Mode as we play all their very best vids."

MTV TWO is available on Virgin Media Cable (CH 325) and Sky Digital (CH 355).

Date: Mon 16 March 2009 - 12:30 to 13:00 & 22:30 to 23:00
Date: Sat 21 March 2009 - 10:00 to 10:30

Greg

Erasure Information Service
web: www.erasureinfo.com

EIS Newsletter: "The Time Goes So Fast..."

Hello

This Friday brings you...

1. Andy Bell Interview (The Sun)
2. Vince Clarke Interview (The Quietus)
3. Andy Bell Interview (GaydarRadio)
4. Playlist: Erasure's Andy Bell (Guardian)
5. LGBT History Month
6. 'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits' Review (In The News)
7. 'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits' Review (The Quietus)
8. 'Just Can't Get Enough' - Out This Week
9. The Erasure Shop - New Offers
10. 'Alternate Realities' By Destination

Andy Bell Interview (The Sun)

"Andy fears Erasure are "not very trendy" in the eyes of many music fans, and those who do dig their anthemic pop tunes often don't like to admit it. However he's hoping they will benefit from the 80s music revival that's becoming ever more evident in the sounds of new artists breaking through." The Sun

An interview with Andy Bell by Tim Nixon of The Sun has recently been published which you can read here.

Vince Clarke Interview (The Quietus)

"Synth pop's retiring pop genius talks to us on the possibilities of a Depeche Mode reunion, Erasure's longevity and how he nearly got produced by Kate Bush." The Quietus

The Quietus have just published online an interview with Vince Clarke.

Andy Bell Interview (GaydarRadio)

"The time goes so fast, I don't know where it's all gone...this now kind of landed in my lap, the Total Pop! The First 40 Hits thing. I thought, 'Wow, this is what we've been doing the whole time'." GaydarRadio

The recent Gaydar Radio interview with Andy Bell (mentioned in a previous newsletter) can now be read on the Gaydar website.

Playlist: Erasure's Andy Bell (Guardian)

"To me, a diva is not not somebody who goes around demanding they get everything on their rider list," says Erasure's Andy Bell. "I think a true diva is someone who really practises their art and makes moving records." Guardian

Think being a diva is all about employing someone to remove the blue M&Ms from your sweetie jar? Then you need to let Erasure's singer guide you through these tunes by his favourite divas.

LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month is an opportunity for people to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street last night (Thursday evening) in celebration of LGBT History Month. Andy Bell was amongst the invited guests for the event.

'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits' Review (In The News)

"In a nutshell... Full-on Erasure pop goodness." In The News

Lee Davis has recently published an extensive review of 'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits' on InTheNews.co.uk giving it a final score of 10/10.

'Total Pop! The First 40 Hits' Review (The Quietus)

"...Erasure deserve to be celebrated for their sparkling originality and crusading flamboyance, but mostly for their impeccable tuneage. Be out and be proud." The Quietus

The Quietus have published a review of the new Erasure album "Total Pop! The First 40 Hits".

'Just Can't Get Enough' - Out This Week

The Saturdays' brand new single 'Just Can't Get Enough' (the classic Depeche Mode song written by Vince Clarke) is out this week.

The single is available to download from iTunes and the CD from retailers such as HMV.

All profits will go to the Comic Relief appeal which aims to raise money for the disadvantaged in the UK and Africa.

The Erasure Shop - New Offers

The beautiful pop-up castle edition of Erasure's 'I Say I Say I Say' album is now available for £8.00.

The 'Erasure Information Service' and Erasure 'Union Street' mousemats are now £5.00, as is the 'Light At The End Of The World' mini torch.

Finally the complete set of nine 'Total Pop!' themed postcards are available for £4.50.

Don't forget that an extensive range of Erasure and Yazoo tour merchandise is currently available, plus the new Depeche Mode releases are available for pre-order.

'Alternate Realities' By Destination

For those with long memories, you may remember the 'Here I Go Impossible Again' Digimpro Remix competition held in 2005. The winning mix (as chosen by Erasure) was created by Glynn Jaine.

Moving forward to 2009 and Glynn has teamed up with Bridget Gray to bring you 'Destination' and their debut album 'Alternate Realities' which is released on Monday 20th April. If you pre-order the album now via The Erasure Shop (Lexer Music) then you can immediately receive two free MP3's and your copy of the album will be signed by both Glynn and Bridget.

Visit The Erasure Shop for further details and audio samples.

Cheers!

Greg

Erasure Information Service
web: www.erasureinfo.com

Andy Bell Interview For "The Sun"

"People love us or hate us" - Andy Bell.

The brand new interview with Andy Bell for British "The Sun" can be read here (thanks to Cal for the info).

Interview With Vince Clarke

Finally there is a new interview with Vince Clarke:

"Obviously a lot of people are very fond of Depeche Mode mark one; have you been offered a lot of money to reform to play Speak and Spell live for a 30th anniversary gig. Is that the case?

VC: “No. I wouldn’t be interested in doing that. I enjoyed doing the thing with Alison [Yazoo] and the tour that we did and that was fun but Depeche are a completely different band from when I was involved with them.”

Click here to read the full interview.

Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls"

There is a 3-track promo CD issued by Domino records for the forthcoming Franz Ferdinand single "No You Girls" (out in UK 6th April). One of the tracks on this promo CD is Vince Clarke remix of "No You Girls".

1. No You Girls (Radio Mix)
2. No You Girls (Album Version)
3. No You Girls (Vince Clarke Remix)

"Total Pop!" - UK Chart Position

Erasure's new album "Total Pop! The First 40 Hits" reached #21 in the UK chart.

"Total Pop!" TV Advert

Click here to watch "Total Pop!" TV advert that currently plays on UK television.

Popjustice.com Erasure Competition

Popjustice.com is holding an Erasure competition. They are giving away the actual Andy Bell's 'angel' wings from Erasure Show tour 2005. Further details available here.

Issue With The Saturdays

As we have announced earlier, The Saturdays will be releasing the cover version of early Depeche Mode song "Just Can't Get Enough" (written by Vince Clarke). Here is an intersting quote from the recent Daily Star article regarding this release:

"Synth pop legends Depeche Mode admit they had no say in foxy girl group The Saturdays releasing a cover of one of their biggest hits for Comic Relief.

The Basildon trio’s eighties classic "Just Can’t Get Enough" is this year’s official Red Nose Day single. But songwriter and former bandmate Vince Clarke, 48 – now of Erasure – doesn’t even know it’s being used for charity.

DM’s Andrew “Fletch” Fletcher, 47, told me: “None of us had a say. I spoke to Vince’s manager recently and he didn’t know anything about it either. “I hope Vince is giving his royalties to charity but he lives in Maine in the US so if his manager didn’t know anything about it then I’m sure he hasn’t a clue.”

"Total Pop!" Reviews

Click here to read another, rather long review of "Total Pop!" and here to read a review from Gaydar Radio.

Andy Bell On His Favourite Diva Songs

"To me, a diva is not not somebody who goes around demanding they get everything on their rider list," says Erasure's Andy Bell. "I think a true diva is someone who really practises their art and makes moving records."

Andy Bell has recently compiled the list of his favourite diva songs for British "The Guardian". Click here to read the full article.

Recent Andy Bell Photos

Here are some recent Andy Bell photos that were made in London. As you may see Andy has a new hairstyle:

Vince Clarke Remixed The Presets

Late March 2009 on Modular records will be released "If I Know You", the new single from The Presets. The Presets are a Sydney-based Australian dance punk duo, consisting of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. Their second album, "Apocalypso", was released in 2008 and was a commercial and critical success, winning the the award for "Best Dance Release" and "Album Of The Year" in Australia.

Here is a quote from press release:

"If I Know You" has been given the remix treatment from a saddle of heavies. Former Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure production don Vince Clarke returned to the studio to whip up a mystic voodoo breakbeat version that one wouldn’t generally conceive when thinking of The Presets but makes sweet sense."

The Presets official website: www.thepresets.com
The Presets MySpace: www.myspace.com/thepresets

Andy Bell On Loose Women

If anyone missed the last week's "Loose Women" interview with Andy Bell, click here to watch it (thanks to Rasure).

Andy Bell - Interview On Gaydar Radio

Andy Bell's Gaydarradio.com interview from last week has now been transcribed and is up on their website (thanks to Cal for the link).