The latest issue of Flavour Magazine has an interview with Carla-Marie Williams, formerly one of the three top-line songwriters at Xenomania. Over the past 18 months, she has achieved five top 10 hits, including BRIT-award-winning number one single "The Promise".
Carla-Marie also contributed with guest vocals on Crookers' "Put Your Hands On Me" and sang with Neil Tennant on Pet Shop Boys' "The way it used to be".
She has now set up a joint venture production/management company called Big Mouth Entertainment, with Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee. They are currently launching a new girl group named Ruff Diamondz (RD).
In the interview, Carla-Marie talks about songwriting, the Xenomania system and more. A few quotes from the interview:
«At Xenomania we do it differently compared to probably everyone else within the industry. The idea of it is that every part of the song has to be a hook. Whereas other people build into hooks, we take the best of everyone's different melodies and make the strongest song. For me what makes a good song is if you can pick up its melody straight away, and also having a great concept.»
«I write a lot in my sleep. I wake up and I've got my Dictaphone by me at all times. My brain doesn't stop - it just keeps going - so I'll wake up and record melodies. Naturally, I'm quite an emotional person, so a lot of the songs I've written prior to being at Xenomania were emotion-led.»
«I want young people to know that you can still be cool and maintain "being black"... I mean, people didn't expect someone like me to write for Girls Aloud. So I'd like to inspire others to show them it's all about how you conduct yourself. You don't have to change.»
«I was prepared at 26, I wasn't prepared at 20. If I wasn't prepared in terms of the experience that I've had of all those years of trying to write songs, I probably wouldn't have got through the doors. It's also about building relationships. I'm quite a strong person and quite direct. I don't do that two-faced thing.... (...) «Pitching songs is probably one of the hardest things to do, so if you can try and put together your own product - as in artists, or work with them directly, this will be a vehicle for your songs.»
List of Xenomania songs co-written by Carla-Marie Williams:
Girls Aloud: Can't Speak French, Fix Me Up, Fling, Love Is Pain, Revolution In The Head, Rolling Back The Rivers, Sexy! No No No..., The Promise
Alesha Dixon: Cinderella Shoe, Cos Of You, The Boy Does Nothing
Mini Viva are working on an "exciting new project" called Viva Mini Viva. No details yet on what exactly it might be, but they are asking for your help:
«We’re working on a really exciting new project, which we’ll tell you all about very soon! Think you’re going to love it, as you guys are going to be in control of what happens! :) Sounds good huh? To get started we want some of you to film yourselves giving an introduction for us – you simply have to say “Hi, I’m (give your name) and you’re watching Viva Mini Viva!”. The vids that are the most fun and imaginative will become part of our project and everyone will get to see them!! So come on get creative and show us what you’ve got! Send the vids to vivaminiviva@live.co.uk
The girls will be performing on the Big Top stage at the Isle of Wight Festival, on Friday, June 11th. Other artists performing on the same night include Suzi Quatro, Juliette Lewis, Marina & the Diamonds and I Blame Coco. The festival takes place at Seaclose Park, Newport, and will run from June 11th to 13th. For more information, visit the Isle of Wight Festival website.
Mini Viva's new single "Do You Want A Candy", which they debuted live at the Jazz Café a couple of weeks ago, is getting good reactions on the web:
-- Tokyo was perky, I Wish was lovely - so thank the pop gods there is a third chance in the offing. It's a tremendous new track they performed at the Jazz Cafe and live it already sounds like a fluffy piece of brilliance, so one can only salivate in anticipation at a magnificent studio production... FizzyPop
-- Mini Viva also charged through next single ‘Do You Want A Candy’, which the world and his wife will tell you sounds like Mel & Kim meets Girls Aloud – because it does. We Are Pop Slags
-- This is exactly what I want to be hearing from Mini Viva. Punchy, fiesty, fun songs. They do wistful well too (love I Wish), but I can't help but think that this suits them more. Even if all the Xenomania "fun" songs are going to Mini Viva now (save "classy & sophisticated" for the Girls), that would be fine with me. sushimuffin
Keep checking the Vivapedia fansite for more up-to-date Mini Viva news (also on Twitter now).
This is the first official video from Alex Gardner, for his debut single "I'm Not Mad". It was directed by Ray Kay in Los Angeles. Read an interview with Alex on BBC Newsbeat to know more about the song, the video and his work with Xenomania.
"I'm Not Mad" is out on March 22nd.
Note: If the video is blocked in your country, watch it on BBC.
Vagabond have announced their decision to split up. Luke Fitton has posted this message on Twitter:
«We have all moved on to new projects as things haven't worked out the way we would have hoped with Vagabond. We are all very much in support of each others decisions to move on musically and there is no hard feelings. I'd personally like to thank everyone who has supported us and we assure you that everything we are currently working on is very exciting and we hope you enjoy it just as much.»
Luke Fitton and Stephen Carter will continue to work on various projects with Xenomania. You can follow what they're up to on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/lfitton http://twitter.com/StephenCarter85 Karl Penney and Sam Odiwe are doing various session work and Alex Vargas has started a new solo project. On his MySpace, Alex says that "electro rock'n'soul" is now his musical path.He posted this message on Vagabond's MySpace: «Currently I am in LA recording. Gotta love the sun! Changes are happening, it's all very exciting! The new material is sounding great and some of it will be ready for you guys to hear in a matter of days.»
Vagabond were the first act launched by Xenomania. The group consisted of Alex Vargas (vocals, acoustic guitar), Stephen Carter (backing vocals, guitar), Luke Fitton (backing vocals, guitar), Sam Odiwe (bass) and Karl Penney (drums).
The band released their Xenomania-produced debut album, You Don't Know the Half of It, in August 2009. "Sweat (Until The Morning)" was released as the first single from the album as a free download in June 2009, followed by "Don't Wanna Run No More", which was released on 3rd August 2009.
The Pet Shop Boys' live double-pack DVD and CD Pandemonium is out now.
The DVD includes the full Pandemonium show, featuring songs from the Xenomania-produced album Yes plus many of the duo's greatest hits. It was filmed by David Barnard in London, on 21st December, 2009.
There are also seven extra features on the DVD: "My girl" and "It doesn't often snow at Christmas" (Live at the O2); the music videos for "Love etc.", "Did you see me coming?" and "All over the world"; the complete 2009 Brits Awards performance and an audio commentary by Pet Shop Boys and stage designer Es Devlin.
The CD includes 17 songs from the show and has been mixed by Stuart Price.
Whatever situation you might be in, here is a list of songs for Valentine's Day, all of them written and produced by Xenomania:
SONGS ABOUT LOVE
Girls Aloud - It's Magic (2005) Key lyric: "With you, only you, I know that I can be myself / Funny how I could find love with you and nobody else"
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - If You Go (2007) Key lyric: "I've got my summer sun, I'll take my love and run, I got you babe"
Pet Shop Boys - Love etc. (2009) Key lyric: "I believe, call me naive, but love is for free"
Natacha Atlas - When I Close My Eyes (feat. Myra Boyle) (2003) Key lyric: "You're shining in my eyes, walking on my ocean, sailing in my skies every time I see you there"
Girls Aloud - Untouchable (2008) Key lyric: "Without any meaning we're just skin and bone, like beautiful robots dancing alone"
SONGS ABOUT LUST
Dannii Minogue - All I Wanna Do (1997) Key lyric: "All I wanna do is touch you"
Vagabond - I've Been Wanting You (2009) Key lyric: "Keep it going baby, you know I don't need no sleep / 'Cos the urge is getting stronger, more of you is what I need"
Girls Aloud - Graffiti My Soul (2004) Key lyric: "Out the bedroom, down the stairs, along the carpet, no one cares / On the table, on to the floor, it's procreation - and nothing more"
Girls Aloud - Watch Me Go (2005) Key lyric: "I wanna feel that funky fever, baby I'm at the door / Got the keys, got the gasoline / Pour it on, I'm ready to blow - ow!"
Girls Aloud - Money (2006) Key lyric: "Getting deep-deep-deep and then I'm gonna... gonna beep your beep-beep and then I'm gonna... jump on that man!"
Girls Aloud - Fling (2007) Key lyric: "Nothing more than a fling, baby, fling, baby / Just a bit of ding-a-ling baby, bling baby / Don't want relationships, so swing, baby"
SONGS FOR BROKEN HEARTS
Alexis Strum Nothing Good About This Goodbye (2003) Key lyric: "Tell me, will you miss me when I'm in your history? / Baby, there ain't nothing good about this goodbye"
Mini Viva - I Wish (2009) Key lyric: "And I go oh-oh no, he could be the one who hits the light inside my soul"
Girls Aloud - Whole Lotta History (2005) Key lyric: "Baby, I miss you, so tell me, is she really that beautiful? / Each time she's kissed you, tell me, is it really that good for you?"
Sugababes - Never Gonna Dance Again (2007) Key lyric: "I lost the rhythm when you said it's over / And as the final record starts to fade / I feel the dancefloor turning colder"
Jessie Malakouti - Standing Up For The Lonely (2009) Key lyric: "I saw the warning signs from the start but I never thought you'd break my heart / I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind"
SONGS FOR MOVING ON
Sugababes - Hole In The Head (2003) Key lyric: "Seven hours since you went away, 11 coffees, Ricky Lake on play / But late at night up when I'm feeling blue, I'd sell my ass before I think of you"
Rachel Stevens - Funny How (2005) Key lyric: "My heart got tired, it's way past three, take these fools away from me"
Frank - Complicated (2006) Key lyric: "Don't, I'm better on my own, just leave me all alone 'cos I feel suffocated"
Mania - DNA (2004) Key lyric: "I'm no maniac, don't want you back, I won't retract - no way"
Saint Etienne - Lightning Strikes Twice (2005) Key lyric: "Everyone should have a reason to believe, so I still believe that lightning could strike twice for me"
Moonbaby - I'm Thru With Love (2000) Key lyric: "Had it up to here, I'll take a running jump if any boy comes near / I'm thru with love, it didn't do much for me"
Alex Gardner's first ever music video for his debut single "I'm Not Mad" will premiere next week. The video was shot in LA and directed by Ray Kay. Alex gives a sneak preview on MySpace:
«The making of the video was exciting as it was my first ever trip outside of Europe! The set looked great, everyone was buzzing, until the night before the shoot no models turned up and we had no girl for the video 10 hours before shooting. Thankfully we got a girl on the morning of the shoot who was amazing and everything turned out perfectly. It was a 13 hour shoot and by the end everyone was falling to pieces out of tiredness, but we were all definitely proud of the end result, I hope you’ll all like it too.»
"I'm Not Mad" will be released as a single on March 22nd.
According to entertainment magazine Variety, Xenomania will work on the music for a new film, "The Chalet Girl".
Directed by Phil Traill and written by Tom Williams, "The Chalet Girl" tells the story of a working-class girl who lands a job at a glamorous ski resort to find out she's out of her depth, until she discovers her natural snowboarding genius.
The romantic comedy stars Felicity Jones, Ed Westwick, Tamsin Egerton, Christine Baranski and Bill Nighy, as well as professional snowboarder Tara Dakides. Sportswear giant Roxy/Quicksilver will brand the film, and the production will work with pop music production house Xenomania on the music.
The project appears on the slate of the new U.K. sales joint venture between Metropolis International Sales and Timeless Films, and will be launched at the European Film Market.
This is a video with Florrie Arnold and Fred Falke remixing "Call 911". You don't really get to see them working on the remix, but you can see Florrie & Fred getting into the groove, with plenty of head-bopping, arm-waving and fist-pumping. We also find out that Mr. Falke likes the Japanese manga/anime One Piece ("it's a pirate story").
Oh boy better get on your bike All the girls they wanna take a ride Never one to wanna compromise I'm the chase and you're my FBI, not Gonna get you off your head Don't you wanna take a ride instead Just remember every word I said Baby blow it bang bang you're dead!
Are you tickin' on the line like a time bomb? Are you pickin' up the pace got your face on? Are you making my escape, keep away from Are you calling in the chase, wanna race on I cracked the code Are you watching me baby lose control? I'm running they're coming go crazy Gotta get gotta get gotta get gotta get Gotta go home
Gotta go I've blown another name Boy take a seat let me explain Don't break the chain Come get your beat back in the game Gotta put my foot down switching lanes Sensation pumping through my veins Let's go again I got your back so let it rain!
Call 911 she's on the run (x8)
I'll meet you on a Friday night Play the game we're gonna keep this tight Listen up we'll get em' on your side Reel it in and baby then you bite, back Undercover keep your head Kinda like a bit of infra-red Just remember no you won't forget Baby blow it bang bang you're dead!
Are you tickin' on the line like a time bomb? Are you pickin' up the pace got your face on? Are you making my escape, keep away from Are you calling in the chase, wanna race on I cracked the code Are you watching me baby lose control? I'm running they're coming go crazy Gotta get gotta get gotta get gotta get Gotta go home
Gotta go I've blown another name Boy take a seat let me explain Don't break the chain Come get your beat back in the game Gotta put my foot down switching lanes Sensation pumping through my veins Let's go again I got your back so let it rain!
Call 911 she's on the run (x8)
You play with fire, this love love was running from the start Full of desire this love love let it break my heart
Call 911 she's on the run (x7)
Are you tickin' on the line like a time bomb? Are you pickin' up the pace got your face on? Are you making my escape, keep away from Are you calling in the chase, wanna race on I cracked the code Are you watching me baby lose control? I'm running they're coming go crazy Gotta get gotta get gotta get gotta get Gotta go home
Gotta go I've blown another name Boy take a seat let me explain Don't break the chain Come get your beat back in the game Gotta put my foot down switching lanes Sensation pumping through my veins Let's go again I got your back so let it rain!
The Internet has been kind to the Fred Falke remix of Florrie Arnold's "Call 911". Blogs, messageboards and the like seem to be very enthusiastic about the song. Here a few reactions:
Like all Fred Falke remixes it is so good that it will make you want to weep slightly. Popjustice
Obviously, it's difficult to judge a new pop star on one remix (well, we have heard another half-finished demo, but let's just stick with complete tracks for now), but that Xenomania stamp shines through clearly underneath Falke's jiggery pokery. Her vocals are good, too. Strong without too much affectation, and with a similar tone to that of Little Boots. In the unlikely event that she turns out to be one of the production team's few misfires, this track is certainly a keeper. CMU Daily
When it comes to British pop music, Xenomania have undoubtedly been the producers of choice over the last decade. (...) This is Florrie, their drummer, with the very first piece of music we've heard come directly from her. It's called 'Call 911' and with a slice of help from Fred Falke sounds like a good way to make us feel like it's Friday night on this dreary Wednesday morning. Secret DJ
Florrie is a songwriter and part of JFK, the in-house band over at Xenomania towers. I saw her perform as the backing band to all the artists at the brilliant Xenofest showcase the production ‘outfit’ held over the summer but now she’s just released her first piece of music via youtube. Complete with a trademark Xenomania style rap and the gorgeous swooshing club beats of a Fred Falke remix, it reveals her to be perhaps an unexpected new pop starlet for this year. Karinski.net
Mini Viva performed their new single "Do You Want A Candy" last night in London. This is what Popjustice has to say about the song: «You sort of need to hear the studio version to appreciate the greatness but it's precisely the sort of thing that makes you slightly less worried about whether this year will or won't see a new Girls Aloud album.»
Brand new song from Xenomania solo artist Florrie Arnold. This is the remix by frequent Xenomania collaborator Fred Falke. Update: Here's a link to download the Fred Falke remix for free (and legally).
To promote his upcoming single "I'm Not Mad", Alex Gardner visited UK radio station Hallam FM, where he talked about his debut album: «My album's very versatile. Everything is on there. I’ve got reggae tracks, rock tracks, blues tracks, drum-driven tracks, bass-driven tracks, ballads. Everything. You want it, I've got it».
Click here to watch the interview or read about it on Idolator, where you can also listen to the single "I'm Not Mad".
Alex Gardner kicked off the new year with a "New To Q Session" at The Tabernacle, London, alongside I Blame Coco and Mike Snow. He will now play a series of headline shows up and down the UK before heading out on tour with Scouting For Girls throughout April and May (check his MySpace for dates).
Tomorrow he's performing at Cherry Jam and on Thursday he's playing the Next Big Thing show at the Jazz Café with Paloma Faith. He will also be heading to some radio stations around the South from Monday - check his Twitter to keep up to date with where he's going to be.
Here's a few reviews from his show at the Tabernacle:
Xenomania protégé Alex Gardner warmed up with soaring power ballads that will be as essential as sun cream come June. Daily Star
There is a soulfulness in his voice which is nice. The opening song was forthcoming single Yesterday's News and that is one thing that won't happen to Alex. From listening to the set Alex does have a bright future ahead of him. Planet Music Reviews
Young Alex Gardner opened up the bill to a steadily filling room. Most reviews I had read of him previously had focused just as much on his looks as his music, and as he strolled on to the stage with buttoned down flannel shirt revealing a butt neked chest, you could tell there was a bit of a sweat induced from the young ladies and cougars in the room alike. He's got one hell of a set of pipes on him too - his live vocal sounding distinctly Buble (which looks a bit ridiculous without the accent), as he defied early technical issues and delivered the songs with a composed confidence belying his age. Standout track Yesterday's News was very well received and will no doubt be a commercial success in the months to come, but I felt the rest of his set lacked a similar spark. Not that there was anything wrong with it, and I'm sure that with time a repertoire of tracks will emerge of a quality that he's already proved that he is capable of. On/The/Reg
Setlist: Yesterday's News, Heartbreak, Yes I've Tried, I'm Not Mad, Where Were You?
Florrie Arnold is a 21-year-old drummer, singer and songwriter. She's the drummer in one of the Xenomania house bands, JFK, which also features Jason Resch (guitar) and Kieran Jones (bass), and also plays guitar, writes and sings her own material.
She recently set up her own website, which includes several pictures with fellow Xenomanians and a few videos with drumming lessons and a new song titled "Call 911" (listen to the Fred Falke remix and watch Florrie and sound engineer Toby Scott working on a remix). There's also an older song called "Name In Lights" on her MySpace.
Florrie played the drums on two of Xenomania's biggest hits in recent years: Girls Aloud's "The Promise" and Alesha Dixon's "The Boy Does Nothing". She also co-wrote Sarah Harding's "Too Bad", which appears on the St. Trinian's II soundtrack. With JFK, she has played live backing for some of Xenomania's new acts (Mini Viva, Jessie Malakouti, Alex Gardner, Eliza Noble, Maxine, etc.).
List of drumming credits: -- Girls Aloud: "The Promise", "We Wanna Party" -- Alesha Dixon: "The Boy Does Nothing", "Don't Ever Let Me Go" -- Banned of St. Trinian's: "Theme To St. Trinian's", "Up & Away", "We Got The Beat", "I Can Get What I Want" -- Sarah Harding: "Boys Keep Swinging"
Alex Gardner and his guitarist Tommy are on the road on a radio tour. They are going to be on the road until next Monday and going through Manchester, Stockport, Birmingham and Liverpool (stations include The Pulse, Rock FM, Wish FM, Key 103, Real Radio North West, Juice 107.6, Imagine FM, Radio City in Liverpool, Signal One and BRMB in Birmingham).
A girl auditioned on American Idol with "Something Kinda Ooooh" by Girls Aloud. After she finished singing, Simon Cowell said, sarcastically, «One of the most meaningful lyrics ever written», to which fellow judge Victoria "Posh" Beckham replied: «Better than zigazig-ah?». Watch the audition video here. At one point you can even see Cowell singing along to the lyrics ("ooh").
The lovely Florrie Arnold (drummer in Xenomania's house band JFK + singer + songwriter, etc.) has set up a website. Soon you'll be able to watch videos with drumming lessons from Florrie. For now there's a few pictures and funny out-takes and bloopers filmed by Xenomania's sound engineer Toby Scott. You can also find Florrie on Facebook and YouTube.
Fred Falke said in an interview that he really enjoys collaborating with Xenomania: «I really enjoy my time spent with at Xenomania, a writer and production team based in Kent, England. I get to work in a team of brilliant people, with them for Mini Viva recently was a wonderful experience.»
Former Xenomania singer/songwriter Carla Marie Williams has set up a joint venture production/management company called BigMouthEntertainment. They are about to launch their first act, a new female collective called RD (aka Ruff Diamondz). With Xenomania, Carla-Marie co-wrote several Girls Aloud songs (including "The Promise" and "Sexy! No No No..."), Alesha Dixon's "The Boy Does Nothing", Mini Viva's "Left My Heart In Tokyo", Sarah Harding's "Too Bad" and many others. She also sang with Neil Tennant on Pet Shop Boys' "The way it used to be".
Mini Viva will be DJing at two upcoming nights in the UK: The Nightingale in Birmingham on 13th March and a TBC venue in Leicester on 22nd February. Keep checking their MySpace for the confirmed Leicester venue.
Gabriella Cilmi's "Hearts Don't Lie", the only Xenomania-produced track on her new album, has leaked in full. The Beat Review has reviewed the song: «It kind of redeemed her identity back after that gruesome 'On A Mission' (...). 'Hearts Don't Lie' doesn't escape the 1980's sound Gabby's trying to achieve. Although it doesn't sound anything like 'On A Mission', 'HDL' is more of a soul-dance-jazz fusion.»
Girls Aloud's "The Promise" is nominated for "Best BRITs performance from the last 30 years". You can vote here.
"Jump Off" by the Banned of St. Trinian's has been remixed by Almighty. Click here to listen to the previews and buy the remixes. "Jump Off" is one of the eight Xenomania tracks on the St. Trinian's II soundtrack.
NiteVisions are beingtipped as "ones to watch" for 2010. Here's what CityLife says about them:
«Calling NiteVisions ‘the Duran Duran Juniors’ isn’t merely an aesthetic and musical comparison – for members Andy and James Taylor are the sons of (respectively) New Romantics Andy and Roger Taylor. In their former guise as The Electric City, they even had Simon Le Bon’s nephew on drums. With sharp suits, a great look and killer hooks, stardom seems to have been hardwired into the pair’s DNA: you can’t help but think they came out of the womb holding hairspray and pouting (possibly thinking: ‘This is like the Girls On Film video’).
«Britain’s premier hit-factory Xenomania (Girls Aloud, Mini Viva) are currently helping the duo straddle the shiny high-wire of genius pop: the retro-nouveau disco-pop of Fire, for instance, blitzes forth like a more high-energy Cut Copy, and is so ridiculously danceable, it makes you wonder if at Xenomania’s Kent HQ, they’re putting amyl nitrate into their Glade Plug-Ins. Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos has declared himself a fan. You will be too.»
Mini Viva are appearing at HMV's Next Big Thing Festival. Britt & Frankee will be performing at the festival on Tuesday, February 9th, at London's Jazz Café, alongside Girls Can't Catch and Eliza Doolittle. Get your tickets here.
The girls have been playing a few DJ sets. They will be spinning tonight at Sheffield's Population.
Britt Love recently revealed on Twitter that Mini Viva were in the studio to "beef up" their third single. Both the new single and their debut album should be out around March.
About.com selected Pete Hammond's Retro Club mix of "Left My Heart In Tokyo" as one of the Top Remixes of 2009. Music writer Jason Shawhan says: «I will make the controversial claim that what Hammond does here with Mini Viva actually tops “Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)” by Mel and Kim».
The girls appear on the February issue of InStyle magazine. They are featured on a 8-page spread with brand new photos of Britt and Frankee, along with a short interview.
Alex Gardner has been confirmed as the main support on the upcoming Scouting For Girls spring tour. All shows are 14+, but the Blackpool show requires 14-17 year olds to be accompanied by an adult. These are the dates:
Wed 28 April - Nottingham, Royal Centre - 0115 989 5555 royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk Thu 29 April - Liverpool, University - 0151 256 5555 - gigsandtours.com Fri 30 April - Birmingham, O2 Academy - 08444 77 1000 - livenation.co.uk Sun 02 May - Newcastle, City Hall - 0191 261 2606 - gigsandtours.com Mon 03 May - Edinburgh, HMV Picture House - 08444 999 990 - gigsinscotland.com Tue 04 May - Glasgow, Academy - 08444 999 990 - gigsinscotland.com Thu 06 May - Leeds, O2 Academy - 0844 477 2000 - gigsandtours.com Fri 07 May - Manchester, Apollo - 0844 477 7677 - gigsandtours.com Sat 08 May - Blackpool, Empress Ballroom - 0871 2200260 - gigsandtours.com Mon 10 May - Sheffield, O2 Academy - 0844 477 2000 - gigsandtours.com Tue 11 May - Swindon, Oasis - 01793 445401 - livenation.co.uk Wed 12 May - Bristol, Colston Hall - 0117 922 3686 - livenation.co.uk Fri 14 May - Bournemouth, Solent - 0844 576 3000 - livenation.co.uk Sat 15 May - Plymouth, Pavilions - 0845 146 1460 - livenation.co.uk Sun 16 May - Portsmouth, Guildhall - 023 92824355 - livenation.co.uk Wed 19 May - London, HMV Hammersmith Apollo - 0844 844 4748 - livenation.co.uk Mon 24 May - Brighton, Brighton Centre - 0844 847 1515 - livenation.co.uk
Alex Gardner also has a few shows scheduled for February and March:
10 Feb Cherry Jam, London 11 Feb Jazz Cafe - SOLD OUT London 23 Feb Cherry Jam, London 11 Mar O2 ABC, Glasgow 12 Mar Caberet Voltaire, Edinburgh 13 Mar Dog House, Dundee 14 Mar Snafu, Aberdeen 16 Mar The Lexington, London
Xenomania is a songwriting and production house based in Kent, England. It was founded by songwriter and producer Brian Higgins.
Since 1996, Xenomania have written, produced and remixed tracks for a string of successful artists including Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys, Sugababes, Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Saint Etienne, Cher, Gabriella Cilmi and many others.
The latest issue of Flavour Magazine has an interview with Carla-Marie Williams, formerly one of the three top-line songwriters at Xenomania. Over the past 18 months, she has achieved five top 10 hits, including BRIT-award-winning number one single "The Promise".
