This week we bring back former guest host David Byrne, pop music columnist for Windy City Times to talk about artist who have gone M.I.A. on the new releases and where we’d like to see them go and how. Pat Benatar, Belinda Carlisle, Jane Child, Amanda Ghost, Boy George, Dead or Alive, and more!
At the beginning of the year, I read a little pre-release buzz praise about Kasper Bjørke’s latest album, Standing on top of Utopia and became in intrigued. You don’t need me to tell you about the album’s obvious 80s influences. They’re there smiling at you the minute you hit play.
And yes, while I am pleasantly pleased with Massive Attack’s Heligoland and still trying to wrap my head around Hot Chip’s One Life Stand… I’ve gotta say, out-of-nowhere Kasper’s largely instrumental album has grasped my attention since the beginning of February. Over and over, Standing on top of Utopia is one of the first albums of the year, that I happily keep listening to, especially these two tracks:
Efficient Machine (How great is this video?!)
Young Again
Blake Lewis: Beatbox king, American Idol 6 Runner Up, and lover of all good dance music
This weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing singer Blake Lewis as he tours in support of this 2nd full length CD, Heartbreak On Vinyl. Blake took some time to hang out with us after his hugely successful in-store signing at Borderline Music in Chicago.
Blake discusses record labels past, Chicago house music, upcoming Chicago gigs, remixes…
…and for those of us gay boys with a Blake crush he does address his sexuality.
Big thanks to the staff at Borderline, Tommy Boy records and my assistants Cara and Bradley.
If you enjoyed the Billie Ray Martin interview and were curious about the Crackdown Project she’s been working on with Stephen Mallinder, wait no more. It’s available for digital download:
Get All The Latest Info at:
Billie Ray Martin’s Website
Juno: Billie Ray Martin | Vol. 1, Sold Out to Disco – The Crackdown – Just Fascination
Beatport: Billie Ray Martin | Vol. 1, Sold Out to Disco – The Crackdown – Just Fascination
Amazon : Billie Ray Martin | Vol. 1, Sold Out to Disco – The Crackdown – Just Fascination
iTunes: Billie Ray Martin | Sold Out to Disco Crackdown Project, Vol. 1
P.S. Other good news too! The Opiates album will be released in May and BRM is working on a new solo single now. (Yep, 2010 is going to be a great year for Billie Ray Martin fans)
Sometimes something is such a shit-storm, I simply love it.
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Steven Eliot
