Erasure @ Kingsbury Hall

The stage for Erasure's 2011 Tomorrow's World Tour is something of a post modern, nuclear symbol of a ruined cathedral. Gargoyles sit watch on either side of the stage, and the exaggerated Church window in the back looks out over a desert landscape, after all the album title is Tomorrow’s World.

Andy and Vince opened the show at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah with "Sono Luminous" from their 1995 self-titled incandescent album. It was an unexpected treat, leaving half of the audience wondering if it was new or old, while the die-hard fans chanted along in awe. Lead singer Andy Bell wore a Trojan helmet and glittery red jacket during the opening number, complimenting the Bordeaux outfits of the longtime Erasure backup singers known as "The Gazelles." Songwriter/music-arranger Vince Clarke stood behind a gargoyle set piece, also in red, doing his computer thing. Vince recently tweeted, "...am determined to 'not close my eyes' whilst playing the guitar for 'Alien'..(people might think I'm a musician)."

The acoustic version of 'Alien" from 2001's Loveboat was a rare slow moment at the heart of the set featuring Vince Clarke playing an acoustic guitar whilst seated next to Andy, both center stage. It was especially moving when compared to the barrage of non-stop high-energy hits from the likes of "Victim of Love," to "Stop!" New singles were sprinkled in as well, like "When I Start to (Break it all Down)" and "Fill Us with Fire," plus "A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot" from the band's up-coming 14th studio album, Tomorrow's World, released in the U.S. on October 3, 2011. The new tracks were bluesy and dark, giving Erasure a keener edge over predecessors like "Chains of Love," and "Ship of Fools," classics drenched in poppy human emotion.

But let’s get back to the costumes. Andy discarded the Trojan helmet after the first track and continued shredding layers throughout the next few songs. At one point Vince hopped down from his gargoyle perch to snip the rear lacing of Andy's sexually charged lace vest. Doing so revealed a toned and muscular Andy Bell in the upper buff. It was no surprise to see his body drenched in glistening, energetic sweat.

But he wasn't shirtless for long. Soon the flamboyant electro superstar tossed on a sleeveless Michael Jackson tee, honoring the fallen king of pop. The shirt was embroidered with sparkling white-glove diamonds, and after Andy slid on a pair of MJ-style shades, the mood was set. Andy Bell is no Michael Jackson but it was clear he wasn't trying to be. Instead, Andy rocked his own blend of spastic dance moves and unique robotic shuffles, which when combined are commonly referred to as "The Andy Dance." This by itself is worth the price of admission.

Labeled "the definitive synth-pop superstars" on the band’s Wikipedia page, Erasure is an unstoppable force of energetic radiance. With 26 years and 14 studio albums under its belt, 2011’s Tomorrow’s World Tour has all the ingredients of show stopping perfection. See this concert if you have the chance because it’s guaranteed to make you smile.


C. Jake Cordova
http://www.facebook.com/JakeCordova

The Definitive Synth-Pop Superstars tomorrow night at Kingsbury Hall.

ERASURE hit the music scene over 25 years ago as a synth-pop duo from England. The first song I remember hearing on the radio was "Oh L'Amour," the third single from their debut album, Wonderland. From that moment on, I was hooked.

Labeled "The Definitive Synth-Pop Superstars" on the band's Wikipedia page, Erasure has orchestrated an unstoppable collection of hits as well as album tracks, which makes seeing them live in concert an incredible experience for all, young and old alike. Tomorrow night's show at Kingsbury Hall should be no exception. Die-hard fans such as myself can expect classics from the likes of "Blue Savannah" (the band's own personal favorite), to "A Little Respect," "Stop," and their first international hit, "Sometimes."

Singer/songwriter Andy Bell transports a natural energy and charisma to the stage, not uncommonly adorned with glittery costumes and energetic sweat, while his counterpart, songwriter/synth-stylist Vince Clarke smiles warmly in the background with keen attention focused on the computers. Vince recently tweeted, "...am determined to 'not close my eyes' whilst playing the guitar for 'Alien'..(people might think I'm a musician)."

Erasure will focus on the hits for this tour, but don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of the new single, "When I Start To (Break It All Down)" from their up-coming album, Tomorrow's World, set for release in the U.S. mid-October. No matter what the set list contains, Erasure is bound to put on a fantastic show with high energy, beautiful set designs, surprises, lights and above all, massive synth-pop melodies. I can't wait to be part of it.


C. Jake Cordova
facebook.com/JakeCordova

Click here to see a behind-the-scenes tour montage.
Click here to stream "When I Start To (Break it All Down"

Spaghetti Western Productions is a startup independent record label based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It operates out of the loft-style apartment of Teresa and Adam Amram, which contains a recording studio and performance space, and is adjacent to the stalwart of all Bushwick music venues, Goodbye Blue Mondays.

The venture is the brainchild of songwriters Teresa Amram and Aron Blue. Spaghetti Western's debut release will be a vinyl compilation of tracks recorded by local bands/musicians from Bushwick, and Music Moving Images will be there to document the compilation's creation and release.

Bushwick is quickly becoming an artistic enclave of a neighborhood, and a hotbed for musical talent and musicians/artists who have been priced out of Williamsburg and Greenpoint. In many ways, Bushwick is the "new Williamsburg," and what the neighborhood lacks in physical aesthetics it makes up for with some of the most compelling underground art and music that NYC has seen in years.

Two of Spaghetti Western's artists are Marionettes of Satan and Tribal Town Center. Interestingly, these bands involve the exact same members, but have completely different sounds and styles. Marionettes of Satan is loud, aggressive, avant-noise rock. Tribal Town Center is stark, ethereal, haunting. Husband & wife Adam & Teresa Amram are members of both bands, as is Matthew Vervil who is also a solo recording artist.

If Spaghetti Western goes as planned, it will develop into a bona fide record label, as well as become an artistic "collective" or enclave, maybe even resembling Andy Warhol's "Factory" of the 60's. (Time will tell.)

In Chapter One, we sat down with Teresa & Aron to discuss the launch of Spaghetti Western, and how it fits into the landscape of the Bushwick scene and the music industry as a whole. In a serendipitous stroke of luck, we were also able to capture recording sessions with Matthew Vervil and Marionettes of Satan which were happening the same day.

A Conversation with Langhorne Slim

My DELI interview with Langhorne Slim. Video coming soon!

Interview here.

WE ARE LIVE!

Website is up. www.musicmovingimages.com.
My buddies over at Milk Digital are probably gonna make a lil' fix soon so it sits better in the window, but we are rockin.

Bushwick: Step 01.

Wow. We've started our next exciting project.

Don't Wake Up!

I was totally inspired my Thomas' explanation of the song and it quickly became my favorite. I've even decided to have it tattoo'd on my arm. Wow, artsy.

This is just one lil part of a bigger project I'm working on. Stay tuned.

Don't Wake Up! from Rob Cordova on Vimeo.