Xenomania news

Xenomania in 2012: what's coming

2011-12-11T20:32:00.028Z

GOSSIP

In early November 2011, Gossip tweeted about being at Xenomania, so it is expected that their new album will include some sort of collaboration with the team.

JBAG (Jerry Bouthier & Andrea Gorgerino, from Kitsuné/Ponystep) are also working with Xenomania on new songs for Gossip's new album.

Gossip are an American dance-rock/blues-punk trio led by Beth Ditto. Their latest release as a group was the album Music For Men, back in 2009. Beth Ditto released her debut solo EP this year, produced by the electro-house production team Simian Mobile Disco.

THE GOOD NATURED

This English pop noir trio has been in the studio with Xenomania working on their debut album, which is expected to be released in 2012.

The Good Natured consists of 20-year-old Sarah McIntosh (vocals and keyboards), her brother Hamish McIntosh (bass) and George Hinton (drums).

They have an electro-pop sound with a dark/gothic twist and have already released three EPs: Warriors (2008), Your Body Is a Machine (2009) and Skeleton (2011).

You can listen to some of their songs on YouTube.

ANNIE

According to her Facebook, Annie has been spending quite a lot of time at the Xenomania studios.

She might be writing for other artists (let's not forget she co-wrote Mini Viva's "Left My Heart in Tokyo"), but she's probably also working on her new album, the follow-up to Don't Stop.

She has also had sessions with Timo Kaukolampi, German techno producers ND Baumecker and Sam Barker and Norwegian DJ and producer Skatebård.

Annie has been working on music for a film called The Night Within, in which she is also set to act and sing. That is also the title of her new EP, set to be released in early 2012.

FLORRIE

2011 was a big year for Florrie.

Not only did she release her second EP Experiments (which received rave reviews), but she also spent the year travelling around the world doing live shows, writing and modelling.

She is still working on her new EP, which will probably be out next year, but meanwhile there will be a little surprise released before Christmas.

ALEX GARDNER

During the past few months Alex Gardner has been updating his fans via Twitter/Facebook saying that he's working at Xenomania, possibly on his debut album.

Besides Xenomania, Alex has also been recording with people such as James Fauntleroy (who co-wrote "No Air" by Jordin Sparks, Ciara's "Love Sex Magic" and "Shades" by Diddy-Dirty Money) and the 1500 or Nothin' collective.

He released two singles in 2010 - "I'm Not Mad" and "Feeling Fine" - and a Italy-only Xenomania-produced self-titled EP.

TRES B

Tres B has worked with Xenomania on a new release set for 2012.

Together they have created what has been described as a "soulful floor filler", inspired by his childhood idols including Congolese legends Papa Wemba. Drawing influence from his Congolese heritage, Tres B's music mixes central African folk, hip-hop and soul.

Tres B's new single, "Lonely Man", a song about being young and lonely in London after leaving the Congo due to threat of political violence, will be released in February 2012.

He was signed to Roundhouse Records in June 2010 and has since supported The Black Keys and been nominated for Best Male UK based Afro/Caribbean Act of 2010 at the BEFFTA Awards. His debut EP Best Friend was released in February last year.

SARAH HARDING (or Girls Aloud?!)

It is known that Sarah Harding has been spending time at the Xenomania studios, we just don't know what for. Feeding the ducks? Working on solo tracks? Working on *gasp* new Girls Aloud songs?

In 2009 she recorded three Xenomania-produced songs for the St. Trinian's 2 film soundtrack. Last year, Sarah apparently said that she was working on a solo album, but nothing's been heard ever since.

And Girls Aloud will definitely do "something" in 2012, to mark their 10th anniversary since "Sound of the Underground" was released. It will probably be a tour, but it could also be a new single/album, hopefully with Xenomania.

Pre-order Nicola's solo version of "Memory of You"

2011-12-11T16:50:00.001Z

Nicola Roberts' third single, "Yo-Yo", will feature a solo version of Girls Aloud's "Memory of You" as a b-side. It will be available on the iTunes bundle, which also includes five different remixes and edits of "Yo-Yo". Pre-order it now, before it gets released on January 8th: http://bit.ly/w14pnO

"Memory of You" only featured vocals from Nicola and (mainly) Kimberley Walsh and is regarded as a cult favourite among Girls Aloud's enthusiasts. It was originally released on 7'' vinyl as the b-side to "The Loving Kind". It later appeared on the Girls Aloud boxset in CD format.

Listen to a 1'30'' sample of Nicola's version:

Girls Aloud - Tangled Up (instrumentals)

2011-12-11T14:23:00.002Z

1. Call The Shots (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Cowling/Sommerville)

2. Close To Love (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Cowling/Coler/Lei)

3. Sexy! No No No... (Girls Aloud/Xenomania/Nazareth)

4. Girl Overboard (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Coler/Lei)

5. Can't Speak French (Cooper/Higgins//Powell/Coler/Lei/Williams)

6. Black Jacks (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Coler/Cowling)

7. Control of the Knife (Cooper/Higgins/Sommerville/Shave)

8. Fling (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Coler/Williams/Moguai)

9. What You Crying For (Cooper/Higgins/Cowling/Larcombe/Boyle)
(not available)

10. I'm Falling (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Maru'e/Scarlett)
(not available)

11. Damn (Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Coler/Cowling)

12. Crocodile Tears (Girls Aloud/Cooper/Higgins/Powell/Coler/Sommerville/Larcombe)

Listen - Rebecca Ferguson - Mr. Bright Eyes (2011)

2011-12-05T16:48:00.003Z

Available on: Heaven (2011) (album)
Produced by: Xenomania
Written by: Rebecca Ferguson, Brian Higgins, Luke Fitton, Matt Gray, Toby Scott and Owen Parker.

Listen - The Wanted - I'll Be Your Strength (2011)

2011-12-05T16:46:00.004Z

Available on: Battleground (2011) (album)
Produced by: Xenomania
Written by: Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, MNEK, Matt Gray, Owen Parker, Toby Scott & The Wanted

Listen: The Saturdays - Get Ready, Get Set (2011)

2011-12-05T16:46:00.003Z

Available on: On Your Radar (2011) (album)
Produced by: Xenomania
Written by: The Saturdays, Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, Nicolas Dresti (Space Cowboy), MNEK, Tim Deal, Matt Gray

Alex Gardner is back at Xenomania

2011-08-10T19:51:00.004+01:00

Alex Gardner is back at Xenomania HQ to work on his debut album.

After recording exclusively with the team throughout 2009 and 2010, these past months he was busy going around the US working with new producers in various studios - New York, Atlanta, Miami and LA.

Alex Gardner was part of the roster of acts that were discovered and developed by Xenomania (which also included groups like Mini Viva and Vagabond). In 2010, he released two singles - "I'm Not Mad" and "Feeling Fine" - and a Italy-only self-titled EP, but his debut album is yet to be released.

Besides Xenomania, Alex has been recording with people such as James Fauntleroy (who co-wrote "No Air" by Jordin Sparks, Ciara's "Love Sex Magic" and "Shades" by Diddy-Dirty Money) and the 1500 or Nothin' collective.

Video: The Saturdays - All Fired Up (2011)

2011-08-10T12:47:00.002+01:00

Listen: The Saturdays - All Fired Up (extended mix)

2011-08-06T15:22:00.002+01:00

This is Xenomania's extended mix of the new Saturdays single. "All Fired Up" will be released on September 4th. Find out all about the available formats and tracklistings here.

The Wanted are working with Xenomania

2011-08-04T00:28:00.007+01:00

The Wanted have been spending time in the studio with Xenomania. The British-Irish boy band are currently working on their second album, after releasing their self-titled debut last year.

The Wanted have played a big part in resurrecting a previously dying genre — One Direction (whom Xenomania have also worked with) and JLS are other key groups from the new crop of boy bands. For their new album, The Wanted have also been working with Steve Mac and Ed Drewett.

You can watch a recent video of the boys at the Xenomania mansion, with brief appearances by Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper:

Listen: The Saturdays - All Fired Up (2011)

2011-07-22T21:08:00.005+01:00

The Saturdays' brand new single was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Nick Dresti (Space Cowboy), Jason Resch, Matt Gray, Eliza Noble, Annie Yuill, Uzoechi Emenike (MNEK) & Tim Deal. "All Fired Up" is out on September 4th. Pre-order the signed CD, maxi-CD and 7" vinyl all for £6 - http://bit.ly/AFUBundle.

Secrets of the Pop Song - Xenomania

2011-07-11T02:43:00.002+01:00

Brian Higgins appears on episode 2 of the BBC series Secrets of the Pop Song, which explores the process of songwriting, following from pen and paper to first public performance. In this episode, Brian Higgins talks about how the chart single has changed over the last 50 years and reveals the process of writing Sugababes' "Round Round", the first number 1 single produced by Xenomania.

You can view all the Xenomania-related bits in the video above. If you're in the UK, you can watch the entire show on BBC iPlayer - it also includes appearances from Guy Chambers, Mark Ronson, Boy George, Neil Tennant, Lamont Dozier and Rich Harrison.

Video: Florrie - I Took A Little Something

2011-07-11T02:25:00.001+01:00

Nicola: "It would be a crime not to go back to Xenomania"

2011-06-17T22:19:00.002+01:00

Nicola Roberts seems keen to be working again with Xenomania once Girls Aloud decide to get back together. She told Digital Spy that the girls have a solid history with Xenomania, personally and musically, and it would be a "crime" for them not to reunite with the production/songwriting team:

Digital Spy: So when are Girls Aloud releasing a new album?
Nicola Roberts: We know next year is our tenth anniversary, and personally, I would love for that to happen.

DS: You've previously said you'd like to write songs for the next Girls Aloud album. Would you work with Xenomania again too?
NR: It will probably be a bit of both to be honest. We have a history with Xenomania both personally and musically and it's very solid, so it would be a crime for us not to go back. I'm looking forward to us all setting up camp and working as a team again like all the other records. Now we're a bit older though, there's definitely room for some creativity.

DS: Do you think they've got a load of songs ready and waiting for you?
NR: They're definitely not pressuring us to get back together, but they've probably got a load of stuff ready for us! I wouldn't be surprised at all

Let's get physical: Pre-order Florrie's Experiments EP

2011-06-17T11:06:00.009+01:00

Florrie's new EP is now available to pre-order on her website. You can get it on 12'' vinyl (£6.99, despatched end of July) or on CD (£3.99, despatched from the start of July). Click here to buy them - you'll get a free badge set with every order.

There are plenty more things you can get from Florrie's shop:

Download Florrie's new EP

2011-06-14T12:40:00.005+01:00

Florrie's brand new 6-track EP is now available to download on iTunes worldwide and is streaming on her website.

Experiments is her second EP, after Introduction, which you can still download for free - or buy it on vinyl.

Search your local store for Experiments or click a store below:

Xenomania work on the new Saturdays single

2011-06-12T23:53:00.005+01:00

Xenomania are one of the producers that will appear on the new Saturdays album. Their new single, "All Fired Up", was produced by Xenomania and Space Cowboy, who is best known for his work with Lady Gaga.

"All Fired Up" will be the second single taken from The Saturdays' upcoming new album, after the recently released "Notorious" (produced by Steve Mac).

Girls Aloud to return without Xenomania?

2011-06-11T16:35:00.006+01:00

If the Daily Mirror is to be believed, Girls Aloud - all five of them - are apparently set to get back together in January 2012 to record a new album.

However, according to "a source", they will no longer work with Xenomania and instead plan to draw on personal experience for their next album.

The "source" says: "In six months time it'll be back to work as normal – they are itching to get back in the studio. At the moment the Girls are really excited about their new beginning, although they are scratching their heads over who will create signature hits for them."

"They are all grown women now. (...) They have all got so much more experience between them now. They have all been through so much and come out fighting – and they will reflect this in their tracks."

Video: Florrie - Experimenting With Rugs

2011-06-09T15:52:00.005+01:00

New song from Experiments, Florrie's second EP. It can be downloaded on iTunes from 14th June, along with the rest of the six tracks from the EP.

Video: Florrie - Begging Me

2011-06-09T15:02:00.002+01:00

The Florrie mixtape

2010-10-18T13:59:00.003+01:00

For the past few months, Strangers In Stereo has been selecting DJs, artists and producers alike to create mix tapes as part of the Strange Sounds series. This month it was Hard Candy's turn to take the reigns, and they decided upon Florrie to create a mix for their Strange Sounds instalment.

Download: The Florrie Mixtape

Tracklist:
The Rapture – No Sex For Ben
Duck Sauce – Barbra Streisand
Cee Lo Green – Forget You
Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Garden
Annie – My Love Is Better
Delphic – Doubt
Florence And The Machine – You Got the Love (Jamie xx Rework ft. The xx)
Alex Gaudino – Destination Calabria (ft. Crystal Waters)
Burns and Fred Falke – You Stopped Loving Me

Florrie:
«Here are ten of my favorite tunes at the moment; some are old, some new, but they all make me wanna dance around like a crazy person with a mean bass player expression on my face. I used Ableton Live to put the mix together. I’ve opened the mix with a song called “No Sex for Ben” by the Rapture. It’s an older track but I love the way they’ve created the beat out of bits of his vocal, and it was the soundtrack of my last trip to New York. It lasted about 24 hours and I played this song a hundred of times! I’ve put some Two Door Cinema Club in there; I’m touring with them at the moment and they are preeetty damn cool. There’s some Annie too. We’ve written together recently and I think she’s awesome.

Two words: Barbra Streisand. I asked my fans what song they would choose for this mix and this Duck Sauce tune was one of the most popular. After a long awaited release it’s finally out this week in the UK and has gotta be heading for number one. It. is. brilliant. I get properly excited when I hear it!. Who next? Ah yes, Monsieur Fred Falke! He’s just done a new track with Burns and I think it’s gonna be BIG (check out the video, it’s tres jolie). I write a lot with Fred and he’s working on my album too…I love him! I won’t give away any more, you’ll have to listen for yourself…enjoy! *BARBRA STREISAND*»

Nadine: Girls Aloud will come back when/if the time is right

2010-10-15T00:40:00.006+01:00

Nadine Coyle was interviewed by The Guardian and she inevitably spoke of her time as a Girls Aloud. Here's an excerpt from the article, where she talks about her favourite Girls Aloud records, how she recorded the initial vocals to all their songs and that the group will come back when the time is right and if the time is right:

From Girls Aloud's debut album onwards, Coyle sang all the initial vocals in the studio, at the express wish of their producer, Brian Higgins of Xenomania. "From day one. Well, maybe not day one, but definitely week two. And that's how it worked from then onwards. The girls just left me to it." She nods. "And then they would come in and do their parts, and they would have their holidays."

So Girls Aloud don't always make records together? "Oh yes. We were very, very separate. We didn't know it any other way." Coyle speaks in the past tense about the group all the time – although she bats off questions about whether they have split, or are splitting. "After the last record, it was the right time to go and do our own individual things, and then come back together when the time was right, if the time was right." Even when she is pushed, this is as far as she will go.

However, she brims with enthusiasm for her favourite Girls Aloud records – their second album, What Will the Neighbours Say?, and their 2007 single, Can't Speak French. She liked dressing up in Marie Antoinette frocks for that video, she laughs, although "all that stuff" is far less important than the music.

New Florrie UK live dates

2010-10-14T15:43:00.000+01:00

Florrie will be a busy girl in the coming months. Besides touring with Two Door Cinema Club in November in France, she will stop by Barcelona for a gig at Razzmatazz Club.

She has also just announced a new set of live dates throughout the UK in February 2011. The tickets will go on sale tomorrow, 15th October - for full information on tickets for all live shows, events and concerts, go to Florrie's Gigs & Tickets page.

Florrie's upcoming live appearances:

6 Nov - Barcelona (info)

Supporting Two Door Cinema Club (France):
15 Nov - Lille @ Aeronef (info)
16 Nov - Strasbourg (info)
17 Nov - Lyon @ Transbordeur (info)
18 Nov - Toulouse @ Le Bikini (info)
25 Nov - Paris @ Olympia (info)

2011 dates, UK:
3 Feb 2011 - Glasgow @ King Tuts (info)
4 Feb 2011 - Manchester @ The Ruby Lounge (info)
5 Feb 2011 - Nottingham UK @ Stealth vs Rescue Rooms(info)
7 Feb 2011 - Bristol @ Thekla (info)
9 Feb 2011 - Leeds @ Cockpit 3 (info)
10 Feb 2011 - Sheffield @ The Forum (info)
11 Feb 2011 - Stockton @ Shine Like Stars (info)
12 Feb 2011 - Birmingham @ HMV Institute (info)
15 Feb 2011 - Brighton @ Coalition (info)
16 Feb 2011 - London @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen (info)
18 Feb 2011 - Tunbridge Wells @ Forum (info)
19 Feb 2011 - Southampton @ UNIT (info)

Saint Etienne talk about Xenomania

2010-10-14T15:19:00.004+01:00

Rock Feedback has published the first part of an interview with Pete Wiggs (Saint Etienne) today. An interesting detail: when the journalist met him in the pub for the interview, Pete was with ex-Xenomania Nick Coler. This is the part where Pete Wiggs talks about Xenomania:

Rock Feedback: Going back to Xenomania, there’s some history there?
Pete Wiggs: Yes, the first thing he (Brian Higgins) did was ‘He’s on the Phone’, as part of Motiv8, and they did a great mix of it, well, they made the song really, so there’s been some history, also on Finisterre there’s Xenomania input so yes, it’s been good for us.

We met Nick [Coler] at Xenomania, when working on Tales From Turnpike House. Some of it was recorded there, 3 or 4 songs, the rest was with Ian Catt in Coulsdon, which is where loads of our stuff is recorded. Both Bob and I grew up in Croydon, and I’ve known Bob since I was approximately one.

Did you find yourself in one of their song-writing rooms?
Yes, Pete, Bob ad Sarah had a year of song writing there, and some of those songs ended up with us, and others with Xenomania,

Such as?
A Gabriella Cilmi track, not the big one [laughs] the follow up to that, (2008’s ‘Save the Lies’).

In the interview, Pete Wiggs also talks about the next Saint Etienne album. He says: «It’s probably going to be more of a hotchpotch than a unified concept; we’re writing with different people, it might even be a double album.». Another former Xenomania member, Tim Powell, has already announced that he's working on Saint Etienne's new album.

[Beyond Xenomania] Miranda Cooper is working with SoundGirl and Jodie Connor

2010-10-12T13:13:00.004+01:00

Miranda Cooper has recentely been in the studio with SoundGirl (a new girl band) and Jodie Connor (from Roll Deep's "Good Times").

SoundGirl, the new girl group launched by Mercury Records, said on Twitter today that they are "nailing another track in the studio" with Miranda.

The girls have also been working with Brian Higgins, among other writers and producers.

SoundGirl are Nicole, Olivia and Izzy, three girls from London with an r&b sound inspired by TLC, Salt 'N' Pepa, Destiny's Child, Rihanna and Aaliyah.

Links: official site | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | MySpace

Jodie Connor has revealed through Twitter that she has been in the studio with Miranda Cooper and David Dawood.

Jodie is a singer from Manchester known for being featured on Roll Deep's number one single "Good Times".

She has also performed vocals on other club tracks (rooted in trance, funky house, bassline & grime) by Wiley, Tinchy Stryder, Bailey and Devlin.

Jodie is currently working with producer/ DJ David Dawood on her debut album.

Links: MySpace / Twitter / Facebook

Video: Alex Gardner - Where Were You When I Was Sleeping? (acoustic version)

2010-10-12T00:33:00.003+01:00

New Annie album in 2011; new single out soon

2010-10-11T11:56:00.000+01:00

Annie has been busy doing DJ sets, releasing mixtapes and working on the follow-up to Don't Stop (2009). Her third album is expected to be released next year and, in the meantime, a new single should be released soon.

On her website, Annie has been writing about the time she spends at the Xenomania studios and she has even posted a few shots of the Xenomania garden (no ducks, though). Annie says: «I really love Westerham. It's a very special place and Brian Higgins and all the musicians who work there are really talented and wonderful people to work with.»

She adds: «Last time I was here we had a jam session with Fred Falke, Kieran Jones & Jason Resch, and I was singing. So this time I was writing lyrics to some of the stuff we were recording in August. (...) I try to go to Westerham and work there for at least a week every month. I work really good there. And it's inspiring to be somewhere with lots of hardworking creative people. Makes me working even harder I guess.»

[Beyond Xenomania: Tim Powell] New Pet Shop Boys single is out on November 29th

2010-10-11T11:46:00.013+01:00

Pet Shop Boys' new single, "Together", was written and produced by Pet Shop Boys and ex-Xenomania Tim Powell at the beginning of September.

It will be released on November 29th on two CDs and digital download. The track-listings will also include "Glad all over" (a version of the 60s hit by The Dave Clark Five, arranged and produced by Pet Shop Boys and Tim Powell), "I cried for us" and "Together (extended version)", remixed by Tim Powell.

"Together" will also be included on Pet Shop Boys' new greatest hits album, Ultimate, to be released on November 1st.

Listen to a clip of the song:

New Saint Etienne reissues are out now

2010-10-08T00:10:00.004+01:00

The new expanded versions of Saint Etienne's Tales From Turnpike House (2005) and Good Humour (1998) are out this week. Both albums now have an extra disc of original b-sides and unreleased material.

Tales From Turnpike House features two tracks co-written and produced by Xenomania: "Lightning Strikes Twice" and "Stars Above Us". One of the b-sides, "Got A Job"/"Gotta Jump" was also produced by the team. The original version of the album included a bonus EP of children's music, wich had a song co-written by Xenomania called "Let's Build A Zoo". That EP is, however, absent from this reissue.

TALES FROM TURNPIKE HOUSE (2005)

Disc 1
Sun In My Morning / Milk Bottle Symphony / Lightning Strikes Twice / Slow Down At The Castle / A Good Thing / Side Streets / Last Orders For Gary Stead / Stars Above Us / Relocate / Birdman Of EC1 / Teenage Winter / Goodnight

Disc 2
Murder In E Minor / Take Me Home (On A Pushbike) * / Another Cup Of Coffee * (Mike & The Mechanics cover) / School Run * / You Can Judge A Book By It's Cover / Who Pays The Rent * / Woodhenge * / Got A Job / Must Be More * / Holiday Song * / The Leyton Art Inferno / Missing Persons Bureau / Inside The Hive * / Aqualad * / Book Norton / Quiet Essex

* previously unreleased

GOOD HUMOUR (1998)

Disc 1
Wood Cabin / Sylvie / Split Screen / Mr Donut / Goodnight Jack / Lose That Girl / The Bad Photographer / Been So Long / Postman / Erica America / Dutch TV

Disc 2
Hill Street Connection / Hit the Brakes / Madeleine / Swim Swan Swim / 4.35 In The Morning / Clark Co. Record Fair / Zipcode / My Name Is Vlaovic / Afraid To Go Home / La La La / Do You Love Me * / Cat Nap / Jack Lemmon / Constantly / The Emidisc Theme / 4.35 In The Morning (original version)

* previously unreleased

[Beyond Xenomania] New Tim Powell song: Japayork - Lydia

2010-10-06T18:18:00.008+01:00

The next release from the Popjustice Hi-Fi label includes a song co-created by 'exnomania' (*) Tim Powell.

It's called "Lydia" and it's the b-side to the single "Teenagers" from the singer/producer/graphic designer Japayork. The single is out on December 5th as a download and as a 7" gatefold CD.

The single's b-side is the first fruit of sessions with Tim Powell. You can download "Lydia" free over at the Popjustice Hi-Fi site, where you'll also find more info on the single release and Japayork himself.

Listen to it below:

(*) term coined by Popjustice to define a former member of the production/songwriting team Xenomania.

Listen: Florrie - Sunday Girl (Blondie cover)

2010-09-28T17:08:00.002+01:00

This is Florrie's version of the Blondie classic "Sunday Girl". Production by Xenomania and drumming by Florrie. If you're in France, you can buy this right now on iTunes.

Further reading:

» Florrie Arnold fronts the new Nina Ricci fragrance campaign
» Florrie, Nina L'Elixir & 'Sunday Girl'
» Florrie - Sunday Girl (lyrics & TV ad)

[Beyond Xenomania] Miranda Cooper is working with Emeli Sandé

2010-09-28T13:30:00.005+01:00

Emeli Sandé announced on Twitter that she is writing with Miranda Cooper this week. Last year, Miranda Cooper talked to Red Magazine about Emeli. Miranda said: «She's part of an exciting new generation of producers and writers, and I am always hearing great things about her.»

Emeli Sandé is a 23-year-old Scottish singer and songwriter who has been writing songs since she was 11. A former medical student, she has achieved two top 10 singles in the UK, by collaborating with rapper Chipmunk on "Diamond Rings" (2009), and then with Wiley on "Never Be Your Woman" (2010).

She also sings on Professor Green's "Kids That Love To Dance", and on Tinie Tempah's "Let Go" and is working on her debut album.

Links:
Emeli Sandé Wikipedia
Emeli Sandé MySpace
Emeli Sandé Twitter
Emeli Sandé Facebook
Emeli Sandé interview

Buy: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine (single)

2010-09-27T23:31:00.020+01:00

Alex Gardner's new single is in stores now. "Feeling Fine" is the follow-up to his debut "I'm Not Mad". It was produced by Xenomania and written by Alex Gardner, Brian Higgins, Jason Resch, Kieran Jones, Tommy Baxter and Simon Tellier.

After receiving mixed feedback, a new version of the song, with reduced vocal effects, is now being released. The digital bundle comes with a remix by Wez Clarke, while the CD-S is backed by an acoustic version of "I Wanna Be With Her".

If you buy the CD from the Universal Music store you'll get an exclusive signed copy - buy it here. See the reviews, read the lyrics and watch the video.

BUY: Digital - iTunes | Amazon | Play | 7Digital
CD single - Universal | Amazon | HMV

Nadine Coyle wants lyrics that make sense

2010-09-27T17:34:00.014+01:00

Nadine from Girls Aloud has said that her debut solo album has a running storyline and that the self-penned tracks each tell a part of the story:

«I wanted the album to be very real, in terms of real instruments. No auto-tune, a full gospel choir on there, really heavy backing vocals, lyrical content that made sense - but not lyrics that only made sense to me, but could make sense to everybody listening. You can take from it what you will, but there's a storyline, and just music that I wanted to hear.»

Nadine also revealed that it was different to record an album for Girls Aloud: «In Girls Aloud, except for 'Stand By You' and 'See The Day', none of our other songs had any storylines whatsoever. It was deliberate, it wasn't about storylines, it was about the music and the fact it could be worked with clothes and it was a backing canvas for us to go as crazy as we wanted with costumes and hair and stuff, so it was a different style.»

She also told Digital Spy what it was like to write her own material away from Xenomania and Girls Aloud:

«I found it liberating. The best thing was being able to come back to songs and re-jig bits: adding a bit of drums here, some BPM there, a bit of drum 'n' bass on that. In Girls Aloud it was always someone else making those decisions. None of us were quite sure who that 'someone' was, but it's great knowing that it was me for this album. It makes the whole thing feel genuine, although I was always half-expecting someone to be on my shoulder telling me, 'No, not like that!'.»

[Beyond Xenomania] Bright Light Bright Light - 'Love Part II (Pepptalk remix)'

2010-09-27T10:50:00.022+01:00

This week Tim Powell scored his first top 10 post-Xenomania with the single "I'm In Love (I Wanna Do It)", which he co-wrote. Some of his upcoming productions include Pet Shop Boys' "Together" and Ed Drewett's "Champagne Lemonade" and he has also been in the studio with Saint Etienne.

Today sees the first official release of his remixing alias "pepptalk", from the man who was once known as "Tony Lamezma". Visit Pepptalk's MySpace to listen to his reworks of Bright Light Bright Light's "Love part II" and Love Is Electric's "Beating Like a Drum".

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT is singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rod Thomas. He is the second signing from PopJustice HiFi.

"Love Part II" includes the b-side, "Cry At Films", (with guitar and backing vocals from Scissor Sisters' Del Marquis) and a remix from Pepptalk.

The single is out now digitally and as a limited edition CD in gatefold 7" sleeve. Buy it now:

Digital:
iTunes | Amazon | Play | 7Digital
CD single: Amazon | HMV

POPJUSTICE HI-FI is a label that specializes in "above-average pop tuneage". Its first release was "Waterfall" by Rosanna.

The label is a joint venture between Popjustice founder Peter Robinson, Dan Stevens and David Laub from Darling Artists and Virgin Records, so it's somewhere between an indie and a major label.

Popjustice Hi-Fi treats pop music like the most important thing in the world "because there is little evidence to the contrary". Click here for more.

TONY LAMEZMA was the generic name given to Xenomania's in-house remixes between 2004 and 2008. Those remixes were mostly done by Tim Powell, although occasionally other Xenomania members also had some input.

He mostly remixed Girls Aloud's singles; the only non-Xenomania production he reworked was Sophie Ellis Bextor's "Me & My Imagination".

Lamezma's remixes became cult favourites for their euphoric extravaganza and the "club banger" status. With Tony Lamezma you always knew what you were getting, and that was no bad thing at all.

2004: Girls Aloud - The Show / Girls Aloud - Love Machine / Girls Aloud - I'll Stand By You / V - Hip To Hip
2005: Girls Aloud - Wake Me Up / Girls Aloud - Long Hot Summer / Girls Aloud - Biology
2006: Girls Aloud - Whole Lotta History / Girls Aloud - Something Kinda Ooooh / Girls Aloud - I Think We're Alone Now
2007: Girls Aloud - Sexy! No, No, No... / Girls Aloud - Call the Shots / Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Me and My Imagination
2008: Girls Aloud - Can't Speak French

Links:
Tim Powell Wikipedia
Tim Powell Discogs
Tim Powell Twitter
Pepptalk MySpace

Alex Gardner's "Feeling Fine" is out now on iTunes

2010-09-26T12:05:00.010+01:00

"Feeling Fine" is now available to download from iTunes - click here to buy. The download bundle features a new version of "Feeling Fine" with reduced vocal effects (listen here), the video and a remix by Wez Clarke, a South London producer and resident DJ for Hed Kandi.

The CD-single will be out tomorrow - pre-order now from HMV or order a signed copy here. The b-side is an acoustic version of "I Wanna Be With Her".

Go to Alex's YouTube Channel to watch a behind the scenes video on the making of "Feeling Fine", plus an acoustic version of the track:

Legendary producer Mike Chapman teams up with Xenomania

2010-09-25T01:35:00.017+01:00

Mike Chapman has began working with Xenomania this week. In the photo above (tweeted by Florrie) you can see the man during a writing session at Xenomania HQ. That's Florrie, Mike Chapman, Fred Falke, Toby Scott, Kieran Jones and Jason Resch's head. Brian Higgins is either taking the picture or simply hiding from the camera.

Mike Chapman is an Australian-born producer and songwriter who was a major force in the British pop music industry in the 1970s. He created a string of hit singles for artists including Sweet and Suzi Quatro with co-writer and co-producer Nicky Chinn. He later produced breakthrough albums for Blondie and The Knack.

Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman - the "Chinnichap"

In collaboration with Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman was among the most successful songwriters of the 1970s. He was in the group Tangerine Peel when he first teamed with Chinn. Under the supervision of RAK Records' chief Mickie Most, the duo quickly composed a series of smashes for acts including Sweet ("Ballroom Blitz"), Suzi Quatro ("Stumblin' In"), New World ("Living Next Door to Alice"), and Mud ("Tiger Feet"), in all scoring over 40 U.K. hits during the 1970s.

Mike Chapman with Debbie Harry and Ronnie Spector. Pop royalty.

As a solo producer, Chapman enjoyed his first hit with Nick Gilder's City Nights (1978). But his real breakthrough was Blondie's classic Parallel Lines, which launched the blockbuster "Heart of Glass". The album also includes "Sunday Girl", which Florrie recently covered for the Nina L'Elixir campaign.

Florrie with Jason, Kieran & George at the Nina L'Elixir launch.
Any similarity with Parallel Lines is not a coincidence.

The partnership between Blondie and Mike Chapman catapulted the group from the underground to mainstream chart success. He produced three more Blondie albums -- Eat to the Beat (1979), Autoamerican (1980) and The Hunter (1982) -- and most of Def, Dumb and Blonde (1989), a Deborah Harry solo album. Chapman also teamed with The Knack, whose Get the Knack yielded "My Sharona" (quite possibly influencing Girls Aloud's "No Good Advice"). In 1979, Chapman and Chinn formed their own label, Dreamland, and created hits like Exile's "Kiss You All Over" and Toni Basil's "Mickey".

Chapman remained in demand through the 1980s and 1990s as a songwriter and producer. His compositions have included Tina Turner's "Simply The Best" and Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield", while he has produced albums for Altered Images, Australian Crawl, ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog, Divinyls, Rod Stewart, Lita Ford, Baby Animals, Material Issue and Bow Wow Wow.

Links:

Mike Chapman Wikipedia
Mike Chapman discography
Article: Blondie & Chapman partnership

Buy: Florrie - Sunday Girl (France-only)

2010-09-24T20:11:00.002+01:00

"Sunday Girl" is now available to download from iTunes France - click here to buy. It was produced by Xenomania and recorded by Florrie, who also plays drums on the track. "Sunday Girl" is a new version of the original 1970s song by Blondie, written by Chris Stein. Florrie has slightly tweaked the lyrics to fit in with the ad.

Florrie is the face and voice of Nina Ricci's new advertising campaign for the Nina L'Elixir fragrance. The song is played on the TV advert:

Lyrics: Florrie - Sunday Girl

I know a girl from a fantasy
A world of rainbows and mystery
Close your eyes, Sunday Girl

Hey, I saw your guy under the apple tree
He said hold tight and come with me
Run and fly, Sunday Girl

Hurry up, hurry up and wait
Until the sun comes up and breaks the day
Cherry trees and honey bees
Won't you come and hide with me

She can catch up with the fireflies
Dance across the blueberry skies
Live in dreams, Sunday Girl
Baby, meet me under the stars tonight
Think I've got something you might like
Come with me, Sunday Girl

Hey, I saw your guy under the apple tree
He said hold tight and come with me
Run and fly, Sunday Girl

Hurry up, hurry up and wait
Until the sun comes up and breaks the day
Cherry trees and honey bees
In our world of make believe

My sky is blue
Please please please come see
What you do to me
My sky is blue
My Sunday Girl, my Sunday Girl

Beyond Xenomania: Tim Powell (II)

2010-09-24T15:03:00.010+01:00

Tim Powell was a member of Xenomania from the very beginning. In March 2010, after 14 years with the team, Tim became an independent producer and songwriter. His first co-write since leaving Xenomania is out now (Alex Gaudino's "I'm In Love") and Ed Drewett's "Champagne Lemonade" (which he co-wrote and produced) will be released on 1st November. Tim has also worked with the Pet Shop Boys for their new single "Together", to be included on their new Greatest Hits album. Also look out for his remixes under the alias Pepptalk.

Alex Gaudino & Maxine - I'm In Love

Alex Gaudino's new single was originally just a dance track with a catchy piano line and the looped "I'm in love" chant, in the same vein as Eric Prydz's "Call On Me".

But the song was given new life with a topline written by Tim Powell. A former Xenomania singer called Maxine Ashley stepped in to perform the vocals.

The single is out this week, on the Ministry of Sound label, and has been steadily climbing up the iTunes chart.

Buy it now: iTunes

Ed Drewett - Champagne Lemonade

"Champagne Lemonade" is Tim Powell's first production work since leaving Xenomania. The song, which he also co-wrote, is Ed Drewett's debut single, to be released on November 1st. This is the video:

Pet Shop Boys - Together

The track-listing for the forthcoming Pet Shop Boys' greatest hits album includes 25 years of hits from 1985's "West End girls" to 2009's "Love etc." and concludes with a new song, "Together", written and recorded this month.

The new song was written and produced with Tim Powell and will also be released as a single. The release date will be announced shortly. Ultimate Pet Shop Boys will be out on November 1st.

Pet Shop Boys' latest album Yes (2009) was entirely produced by Xenomania. The team also co-wrote three songs on the album: "The way it used to be", "More than a dream" and the single "Love etc.".

Bright Light Bright Light - Love Part II (Pepptalk remix)

During his Xenomania days Tim Powell was also known as "Tony Lamezma", whose remixes became cult favourites. Now he continues to remix tracks under the name Pepptalk.

The first official Pepptalk release is a remix of Bright Light Bright Light's "Love Part II". The single is released 27th September on the Popjustice Hi-Fi label (pre-order it now). Have a listen:

"Amazing."

Videos: Florrie (live at King Tuts, Glasgow)

2010-09-17T14:34:00.004+01:00

Three videos from Florrie's first night on her UK tour:

Florrie - You Wanna Start Something

Florrie - Go

Florrie - Call of the Wild

Pre-order a signed copy of Alex Gardner's "Feeling Fine"

2010-09-17T11:42:00.004+01:00

You can now pre-order a special edition signed copy of the new Alex Gardner single - click here to buy. "Feeling Fine" can also be pre-ordered from Amazon and HMV. It will be released on September 27th. This is the CD tracklist:

01 Feeling Fine (Vocal Mix) 03:38
02 I Wanna Be With Her (Acoustic) 02:50

A new version of "Feeling Fine", with reduced vocal effects, will be the one released as a single - listen to the vocal mix. The song has also been remixed by Wez Clarke, a South London producer and resident DJ for Hed Kandi. The remix should be available to buy digitally.

Nadine Coyle: "I learnt everything I needed to learn about myself as a singer and songwriter from Brian Higgins"

2010-09-16T18:23:00.008+01:00

In her new biography as a solo artist, Nadine Coyle talks about the time she spent being a Girls Aloud and recording with Xenomania:

"We developed a machine-like mentality. I don't regret a second of it. It taught me amazing discipline. I learnt everything I needed to learn about myself as a singer and songwriter from Brian [Higgins]. We made some amazing records with him. And I got to do that alongside four great girls".

Nadine also talks about how her dream was singing songs where "every line means the world to you" with the full back-up of a live-band . She says that the closest she got to that dream with Girls Aloud was when the five girls wore the sparkling gold gowns in "The Promise" video. She even adds that "The Promise" is among the top five songs Girls Aloud ever made.

She also talks about her vocal register in Girls Aloud: "If you listen to all the Girls Aloud records, they're in a really low register. It was because I'd just come off tour and we had to record with my throat tired from three months singing at full energy on the road. I didn't want to have the same constrictions this time."

There is also an interesting paragraph in her biography that explains in a very succint and superficial way how Girls Aloud's albums were made:

«If in modern music industry terms two years seems like a lengthy gestation period for an album, consider for a moment how long Girls Aloud were given to put their five records together. Nadine Coyle has certainly earned her dues. At the end of every one of their ever-increasing tours, Nadine would be sequestered off to the house of GA producers Xenomania in deepest, darkest Kent. She’d work with producer Brian Higgins for two weeks, three maximum, putting vocal licks for songs together, run off on holiday for a week and then return. A week for mastering and bingo! There’s your album. Six weeks, maximum.»

Pet Shop Boys release new Greatest Hits collection

2010-09-13T15:21:00.010+01:00

Pet Shop Boys announced on their official site that they will release a new greatest hits compilation on November 1st. Ultimate Pet Shop Boys will feature 19 hit singles in chronological order from "West End girls" to the Xenomania-produced "Love etc.".

The Special Edition version will feature a DVD containing a series of classic BBC TV performances from Top Of The Pops and other shows recorded over the last 25 years, as well as Pet Shop Boys' Glastonbury headline show from June.

Pet Shop Boys have also revealed on Twitter that they have recorded a new song, apparently with ex-Xenomania member Tim Powell.

Pre-order: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine

2010-09-13T13:23:00.020+01:00

Alex Gardner will release "Feeling Fine", the follow-up to his debut single "I'm Not Mad", on September 27th.

A new version of "Feeling Fine", with less vocal effects, will be the one released as a single. Click here to listen.

You can now pre-order the single on CD from HMV (no details yet on b-sides/remixes).

"Feeling Fine" is a song written by Alex Gardner & Xenomania and produced by Xenomania. Watch the video, read the lyrics and check the constantly updated reviews page.

Saint Etienne reissues details revealed: Tales From Turnpike House and Good Humour

2010-09-12T20:06:00.006+01:00

The expanded and re-mastered versions of the Saint Etienne albums Tales From Turnpike House (2005) and Good Humour (1998) will be out on October 4th 2010. Both albums will be re-released as Deluxe Editions featuring the original album, an extra disc of original B-sides and unreleased material.

These are the final pair of original Saint Etienne albums to be given the deluxe re-issue treatment. The set will be rounded out in Spring 2011 with the release of the remix compilation Casino Classics.

Tales From Turnpike House, the band's most recent studio album, included two tracks co-written and produced by Xenomania: "Lightning Strikes Twice" and "Stars Above Us". One of the b-sides, "Got A Job"/"Gotta Jump" was also produced by Xenomania. The reissue will feature a second CD of rarities, with sleeve-notes penned by author Travis Elborough and Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller.

View the tracklists and pre-order:

TALES FROM TURNPIKE HOUSE (2005)

Disc 1
Sun In My Morning / Milk Bottle Symphony / Lightning Strikes Twice / Slow Down At The Castle / A Good Thing / Side Streets / Last Orders For Gary Stead / Stars Above Us / Relocate / Birdman Of EC1 / Teenage Winter / Goodnight

Disc 2
Murder In E Minor / Take Me Home (On A Pushbike) * / Another Cup Of Coffee * (Mike & The Mechanics cover) / School Run * / You Can Judge A Book By It's Cover / Who Pays The Rent * / Woodhenge * / Got A Job / Must Be More * / Holiday Song * / The Leyton Art Inferno / Missing Persons Bureau / Inside The Hive * / Aqualad * / Book Norton / Quiet Essex

* previously unreleased

GOOD HUMOUR (1998)

Disc 1
Wood Cabin / Sylvie / Split Screen / Mr Donut / Goodnight Jack / Lose That Girl / The Bad Photographer / Been So Long / Postman / Erica America / Dutch TV

Disc 2
Hill Street Connection / Hit the Brakes / Madeleine / Swim Swan Swim / 4.35 In The Morning / Clark Co. Record Fair / Zipcode / My Name Is Vlaovic / Afraid To Go Home / La La La / Do You Love Me * / Cat Nap / Jack Lemmon / Constantly / The Emidisc Theme / 4.35 In The Morning (original version)

* previously unreleased

Brian Higgins interview (Popjustice, 2004)

2010-09-07T16:10:00.017+01:00

In antecipation for tonight's £20 Music Prize, Popjustice has provided a download of the 2004 Twenty Quid Music Prize programme, which features interviews with Brian Higgins, Cheryl Tweedy, Richard X and many others. Click here to download it.

You might learn that Richard X and Hannah Robinson actually wrote "Some Girls" with Girls Aloud in mind, instead of Rachel Stevens. Since they knew that Brian Higgins was doing the whole of What Will The Neighbours Say?, they didn't even send the song to Girls Aloud. In her interview, Cheryl Tweedy says that Brian Higgins should be on the back of the £20 note, as well as Miranda Cooper, who is "an unsung hero of Girls Aloud". She is also left wondering if "The Show" is indeed a song about anal sex.

Here is Brian Higgins' interview:

Popjustice: Is Ricki Lake often 'on play' down at Xenomania towers?
Brian Higgins: Only when Sugababes are in attendance. They tend to watch a lot of the American shows like that when they're not singing.

If 'Hole In The Head' wins the Twenty Quid Music Prize, who gets the money - your lot, or the band?
The band.

Which shortlisted singles are your favourites?
'Leave Right Now', 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex', 'Some Girls' and 'Superstar'. Having discussed it with the team, we think for overall sincerity and delivery, Will's record wins.

Is there anything that the shortlisted singles all have in common?
The majority sound like British records - they're not attempting to ape the huge volume of American product we're being served. And the majority are sincerely trying to give the artist a definite individual identity, which is what it's all about.

Why did 'Hole In The Head' get to Number One and 'The Show' Number Two? Was 'Hole in The Head' better?
There are two contributing factors: firstly Sugababes have the full support of all UK pop radio and Girls Aloud do not. Secondly, 'The Show' is a quirkier record and less easy to get your head around.

Why was 'Hole In The Head' eventually a Sugababes song rather than, say, a Girls Aloud song?
The music was pretty much there before the song was written. We'd gone away to write for three days just to focus on Sugababes - I brought all of the backing tracks we'd made over the last six months and as soon as the 'Hole in The Head' track came on I instantly knew it was the single. Writing the melody and lyrics was easy, so sure were we about the music. Those moments of clarity are the best bit about the music business. We try to find perfect matches unique to the artist we are working with. It doesn't always work, but that's the aim.

The word 'shit' stayed in 'Hole In The Head', but was removed from 'No Good Advice'. Why?
I'm sure that when Girls Aloud sell as many records as Sugababes have, their work won't be so readily edited. Sugababes definitely have a lot of adult buyers, which is a credit to them - and hopefully Girls Aloud will get those same people over time. The record company would have made the decision to delete the word.

You've told us in the past that, currently, pop groups aren't getting a big second chance in terms of making a big impact. You worked with V on their second single. Was that their second chance?
The story started last year when Island asked us to work with V. We were right in the middle of Mania's album so we were unable to do it. In April they asked me again, as they still felt that they didn't have an ideal second single, and we agreed to meet the band. We thought they were great. Bright and motivated, with a lot of charisma. We've done four tracks with them and we're very happy with all of them. I think V have the potential to be very big. When we decide to work with an artist it is normally a decision based on personality and the challenge we feel it holds for us. I think V's first chart entry of Number Six wasn't bad.

How much cash do labels spend marketing duff track into the charts, blind to the fact that a decent song does a lot of the legwork itself?
Marketing is a murky word - one in which music, great or poor, definitely takes a back seat, and money spent seems to start at six figures, although I think the general public is more discerning than it was three years ago. And don't forget that good pop records are as hard to come by as good records by traditional bands.

You wrote Cher's 'Believe'. What's Xenomania's next global hit?
I have genuinely no idea. We're working with some very big international artists at the moment so I would say the chance to do well internationally over the next 12 months is definitely there - we just have to be as good as we can possibly be, and make sure we stay fresh and don't get too tired. I am not sure at all if we would ever do something on the sheer scale of "Believe", but I would love to have another big hit in the States.

Is the pop single ever likely to die out completely?
In the case of hard copy CDs, I suppose the answer is yes. Over time, methods of delivery will become easier and everyone will have downloadable music at their fingertips. In terms of the pop single as a piece of music disappear, I think not. Pop music just goes through phases. At the moment, it has become very trendy to slag it off as a genre and the word 'manufactured' is pulled out at every opportunity. But over time a new set of producers and writers will emerge - these people will be influenced for a high quality modern sound. Bands had it all going on in the mid 90s and then, a couple of years later with Spice Girls, modern pop dominated. In the last couple of years we've seen the resurgence of those bands, which is the legacy of Britpop. The same will happen with pop music over the next few years as the bands start to fade creatively. I think it's inevitable.

What role have the Sugababes played in Xenomania's road to success?
A crucial role. We first met them in October 2001 and we'd spent the previous twelve months working on our own musical direction. We were getting quite desperate as we were struggling to connect with the predominantly R&B artists we'd get sent. Our ideas seemed a bit out of place, and for that reason we connected with the Sugababes as I felt they too were a little out on a limb from the pop mainstream at the time. To me they represented something superior to what was out there. As a result, the Sugababes undoubtedly brought the best out of us as we always felt under pressure to produce results that would do justice to their voices and overall talent. As it happens it was the pressure to match 'Round Round' that led directly to 'Sound of the Underground'.

What role have Xenomania played in the Sugababes' road to success?
We found a way to make their songs more accessible without removing too much from their characters. This crossed them over to a larger audience which helped them sell loads of albums. 'overload', 'Freak...' and 'Stronger' have also been crucial songs too - we're just very, very happy to have played a role.

Download: Florrie - You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club Edit)

2010-09-07T13:59:00.004+01:00

Fred Falke has sprayed some more magic on Florrie's "You Wanna Start Something". You can see the man at work in the picture above (taken by Alistair Strong) and download his new Club Edit below:

» You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club Edit) (MP3 320 kbps 15 MB)
» You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club Edit) (MP3 128 kbps 6 MB)
» You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club Edit) (FLAC 37 MB)

"You Wanna Start Something" was written by Florrie Arnold, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Jason Resch, Kieran Jones, Toby Scott and Fred Falke.

[Beyond Xenomania] Miranda Cooper working with Starsmith

2010-09-07T11:48:00.006+01:00

Starsmith revealed in an interview that he has been working with Miranda Cooper. He said: «I have a couple of people that I've worked with extensively on other projects. I called them, and they were interested, so I got to work with Alan Braxe, Miranda Cooper from Xenomania whom is just amazing. I've found a really big musical bond with her! You’ll have to see when the album comes out. Anything can happen by then».

Starsmith (real name Finlay Dow-Smith) is a 22-year-old electronic remixer, composer, producer and musician. He has created remixes for Katy Perry, Little Boots, Private, Lady Gaga, Frankmusik and many others, and also produced tracks for Ellie Goulding's debut album Lights and Diana Vickers' debut album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree.

He has also been working with Cheryl Tweedy and is currently getting ready to release his own debut solo album. A song titled "28 Days", written by Miranda Cooper, Starsmith and Rob Davis was recently added to the Warner/Chappell database.

Download: Florrie - Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke + Justin Faust remixes)

2010-09-03T16:58:00.005+01:00

One of Florrie's most recent tracks, "Give Me Your Love", has once again been remixed by Fred Falke and Justin Faust. Download for free:

Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke Club Edit):
320 kbps MP3 | 128 kbps MP3 | FLAC

Give Me Your Love (Justin Faust Remix):
320 kbps MP3 | 128 kbps MP3 | FLAC

Create your own remix of Florrie's "Call 911"

2010-09-03T00:13:00.022+01:00

After all those remixes by Fred Falke, d.Franklyn, Bart B More, Beataucue, His Majesty André and even Florrie herself, "Call 911" can now be remixed by anyone.

Yes, even you. Visit the Remix Florrie page to download the "Call 911" acapella. The original BPM is 127.

If you use an acappella or a part in a work, don't forget to give Florrie credit and also link to http://florrie.com. If you complete a remix track:

1. Post the link to your own remix on Florrie's Facebook page;
2. Tweet the track link mentioning @florriemusic;
3. Link to Florrie.com from your website.

Every remix is guaranteed to get a listen and Florrie's favourites will be posted on her website so... get busy!

Listen: Jessie Malakouti - Who's That Man + Jungle Town

2010-09-02T13:00:00.013+01:00

Two Jessie Malakouti demos leaked onto the Internet this week. "Who's that Man" and "Jungle Town" were produced by Xenomania:

» Who's That Man

» Jungle Town

Jessie Malakouti began working with Xenomania when she was part of Shut Up Stella. Once the group finished, she flew to the UK to work as a writer on Girls Aloud's Out of Control.

But she saved those songs for herself: «The songs felt like mine, emotionally, so, when Brian [Higgins] said we could keep the songs for me to record, I was more than happy!».

The Xenomania-produced "Standing Up For The Lonely" was set to be released as a single on Hard2Beat/ Ministry Of Sound, but only ended up on a few dance compilations. A 4-track megamix of her Xenomania collaboration is still available to listen/download here.

Other Xenomania songs include "Baby Don't Ask Me", "Never Be The Same" and "Crash Bang Baby" (listen to Fred Falke's mix on her MySpace). Jessie's latest musical endeavour is called Jessie and the Toy Boys.

Videos: Florrie (live at Ponystep party, August 29th)

2010-08-31T18:32:00.004+01:00

MNEK working with Xenomania

2010-08-28T15:36:00.004+01:00

MNEK is an insanely talented, extremely tall 15-year-old from South London. He is a singer, songwriter, producer and a remixer. During these summer holidays, he's been spending some time at the Xenomania studios.

MNEK (pronounced M-N-E-K) began producing when he was only nine (9) and he is now signed to EMI Music Publishing. This electro-pop prodigy has been featured in The Fader, Dazed & Confused and NME (on the same issue as the Mini Viva 2-page spread last year, in the section edited by Peter "Popjustice" Robinson).

Follow MNEK on Twitter if you want to read what goes through his mind and visit his MySpace and Hype Machine page to listen to his work.

Florrie interview: new EP, working with Annie & Fred Falke

2010-08-27T19:05:00.008+01:00

On Florrie's first ever Australian interview, she talks about her upcoming EP (and limited edition vinyls), working with Xenomania, the Annie comparisons and her favourite Girls Aloud song. Things you'll learn from the interview:

• Florrie will release a free-download EP in October with new songs. It will also be issued on vinyl, limited to 500 copies. Some of those new songs were done with Fred Falke.

• There probably won’t be an album until August/September next year.

• Her sound is still developing: "I’m on a musical journey, if you like. I’ve done lots of work with Fred Falke – who has had a big influence on my sound at this early stage – so it’s quite electro. And I do love that but because I am a musician, I like to keep a live element in there as well. So I think it’s likely to be a mix."

• There are three different original versions of "Call 911", she's just "figuring out a way to mash it all together".

• She's been doing a "little thing" with Annie, "possibly" a duet.

• It's "lazy" to compare her with Annie: "I think if you listen to us side-by-side, we’re not actually that similar. I think a lot of people make their judgement based on hair colour".

• She's done a track with Benny Benassi, but she's not sure "what's happening with that". She'd love to do more collaborations, one of them being playing drums with Prince.

• Working with a team (Xenomania) is "great": "You just bounce [ideas] off everyone and I think that’s the best way to do things. (...) The good thing about the freedom we have here is that you can do two versions, one with my idea for example, and one with Jason (Resch)’s. There’s no boundaries". In the end, the final take is decided by Brian Higgins - "he's the top boss".

• The best Girls Aloud song is "Biology". As for the worst, "if there was one, we wouldn't have heard it".

Ponystep party: Florrie live + Brian Higgins DJ set

2010-08-27T14:14:00.011+01:00

PONYSTEP
BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY SPECIAL

Location:
Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (London)
Time: Sunday, 29 August 2010 20:00
DJs: JBAG / Matthew Stone / Brian Higgins (Xenomania) / Jefferson Hack / Gareth Pugh / Princess Julia
+ exclusive LIVE performance from Florrie

To RSVP send an e-mail to:
ponystep@mandisbasement.com

Lyrics: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine

2010-08-27T11:21:00.006+01:00

[Written by Alex Gardner and Xenomania]
[Release date: September 27th]
[Links: Video | Reviews ]
[Buy: iTunes | HMV | Amazon | Universal]

Asking for power of greatness tell ya feeling fine
It's a great life, promise always on my mind
I'm about to take this and I'm keeping mine
All of mine all of mine

There are times I feel low
There are times I feel cold
There are lights start to glow
Then my mind starts to go

Where do you go? Who you calling?
Why am I so tired of talking?
I won't play your kind of game
Play yourself away

Asking for power of greatness tell ya feeling fine
It's a great life, promise always on my mind
I'm about to take this and I'm keeping mine
All of mine all of mine

There are crimes ignore
They are mine, mine to store
Where do you go? Who you calling?
Why am I so tired of talking?
I won't play your kind of game
Play yourself away

Asking for power of greatness tell ya feeling fine
It's a great life, promise always on my mind
I'm about to take this and I'm keeping mine
All of mine all of mine

Thinking about a make shift, 'cos I'm
Pretty tired to take this, watch this
I'm about to mind my business
I don't wanna try and fake it
Thinking about the sweet bliss 'cos I'm
Pretty close to take this hopeless
Time will tell if I get your kiss
I don't wanna hear I've missed it

Asking for power of greatness tell ya feeling fine
It's a great life, promise always on my mind
I'm about to take this and I'm keeping mine
All of mine all of mine

Nicola Roberts back in the studio as a songwriter

2010-08-25T20:30:00.002+01:00

Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud has been busy working on songwriting. Contrary to rumours that she might be recording a solo album, it has been reported that Nicola was in fact given a publishing deal to write songs that could be used by other acts.

She reportedly said that she doesn't know yet who she was writing her songs for, but they were not for Girls Aloud:

«When I'm not busy with Dainty Doll [Nicola's make-up brand], I'm pretty much just songwriting at the studio. (...) I've always songwritten anyway throughout the band and I have a publishing deal. It's something that I love to do and I'm really passionate about.»

She added: «It's nice that we have the time to do it. I don't know [who I'd like to write for]. [I've written] for Girls Aloud and I was lucky that Brian and Miranda from Xenomania chose some of my songs for the Girls Aloud stuff, so that was really nice.»

Some of the Girls Aloud songs she co-wrote include "It's Magic", "I Say A Prayer For You" and "I Don't Really Hate You".

So far, the only Girls Aloud member that has released Xenomania-produced solo tracks was Sarah Harding, for the St Trinian's 2 soundtrack. Cheryl Tweedy and Nadine Coyle were also in the Xenomania studios to work on solo material, but those songs have yet to see the light of day.

No Xenomania tracks on the new Alesha album

2010-08-25T17:31:00.004+01:00

Alesha Dixon confirmed today that there will be no Xenomania tracks on her new album. Speaking to her fans via a uStream webchat, Alesha said:

«There's not actually any Xenomania tracks on this album. We did most of the record out in the States, but there are tracks on there by a couple of British producers (...) I worked with Toby Gad and I've written with a lot of fantastic British writers. But no, this is quite interesting, for the first time there's no Xenomania tracks on the album.»

Back in March, Alesha revealed that she had teamed up with Xenomania once again. She said: «I've hooked up with Xenomania again and they're on fire. Some great tracks coming out of the studio». Miranda Cooper has also been in the studio with Alesha and Toby Gad.

Alesha has been working closely with Xenomania since the beginning of her solo career, most notably on "The Boy Does Nothing", which was a top 5 hit across Europe.

SoundGirl working with Brian Higgins

2010-08-25T01:01:00.006+01:00

SoundGirl, the new girl group launched by Mercury Records, are working with Brian Higgins. Writing on their Twitter page, the girls posted: «In Studio with Brian Higgins amazing stuff happening here!! Love it»

SoundGirl are Nicole, Olivia and Izzy, three girls from London with an r&b sound inspired by TLC, Salt 'N' Pepa, Destiny's Child, Rihanna and Aaliyah.

Listen to some of their demos or watch them perform on their YouTube channel.

Links: official site | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | MySpace

Florrie live dates (UK & France)

2010-08-23T15:43:00.006+01:00

Here is a list of Florrie's upcoming live shows in the UK and France (where she'll be supporting Two Door Cinema Club). More to come soon!

United Kingdom:

14 Sept 2010 - Glasgow
@ King Tuts (info)
15 Sept 2010 - Sheffield
@ The Forum (info)
17 Sept 2010 - Manchester
@ Kraak Gallery (info)
18 Sept 2010 - Liverpool
@ The Shipping Forecast (info)
22 Sept 2010 - Nottingham
@ Basement at Rock City(info)
23 Sept 2010 - London
@ Shepherd's Bush Empire (info)

France:

15 Nov 2010 - Lille
@ Aeronef (info)
16 Nov 2010 - Strasbourg
@ La Laiterie (info)
17 Nov 2010 - Lyon
@ Transbordeur (info)
18 Nov 2010 - Toulouse
@ Le Bikini (info)
25 Nov 2010 - Paris
@ Olympia (info)

Reviews: You Wanna Start Something + Give Me Your Love

2010-08-23T15:10:00.012+01:00

» FLORRIE - YOU WANNA START SOMETHING
Download: MP3 128 kbps | MP3 320 kbps | FLAC

Popjustice: We're not entirely sure where Florrie's 'give a load of songs away for free and see what happens' plan is heading but that is for someone else to worry about, and while the tunes given away are like 'You Wanna Start Something' we're not complaining. Now you might say, "hang on, this sounds a bit like something off the fourth Girls Aloud album". And we would say, "yes. Yes it does. And that is why it is amazing.

Wears The Trousers: ‘You Wanna Start Something’ is, on the surface, a straight up dancefloor filler with a taut beat, driving guitars and some sultry vox, but a flirtatious speak-sing interlude and a Balearic breakdown in the middle keep things interesting.

Radio ClubFoot: This is a bit of a thrashier, rockier song juxtaposed against her somewhat innocent voice.

Sheena Beaston: It's got that Edge of Seventeen guitar rumble riff coupled with a slightly more rock-tinged tone from the singer, and yep, it's amazing as expected.

Coffee and Bars: I wanted to hear her, and the music she would be making, not what others were turning her into. So I am very happy that she has let loose on the world two of her own songs, un-remixed and in their original glory. I am also quite happy with the results, ‘You Wanna Start Something’ is right up my electro-rock alley, its a bit of Annie meets the pure pop sound Xenomania is known for. Truly great, dancey, energy filled pop.

Pop That Rocks: “you wanna start something” shows a little more of her xenomania roots than tracks past. in fact, it doesn’t sound too far removed from their work on annie’s don’t stop last year.

POP From The Block: Like Fascinate Me, it sounds like a Girls Aloud track circa Tangled Up. It resembles a lot of the sounds on that album, which is a compliment in itself. The pacing is quite upbeat (typical Florrie) and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. AGAIN with the amazing guitar riffs!

The Prophet Blog: “You Wanna Start Something”, begins with a funky guitar riff, before exploding into a Girls Aloud-esque blaze of glory on the chorus.

Electroqueer: “You Wanna Start Something” reveals a different side to Florrie. This one see’s her indulge in electro rock chic mode, that our one time disco dancefloor diva pulls off with convincing confidence.

Too Shy To Buy Lollipops: Two new quality tracks in the same week! You just gotta love her for that. “You Wanna Start Something” is a completely fun slice of electro-dance-pop.

Varnfiesh: The latest is You Wanna Start Something, which everyone is currently going crazy about and its a bit like Annie singing Rihanna’s Shut Up And Drive, only better.

It's Pop!: Give Me Your Love and You Wanna Start Something are two delicious slices electro-pop served that are catchy as hell, the latter being an absolute favourite of mine. I could see both songs on a Girls Aloud album and of course high on the charts.

» FLORRIE - GIVE ME YOUR LOVE
Download: MP3 128 kbps | MP3 320 kbps | FLAC

About.com: "Give Me Your Love" marks a track that embraces less of a remixed sound and something more earthy and real. If the percussion on "Give Me Your Love" doesn't convince you of this girl's aptitude for rhythm, then nothing will.

The track still has Falke on production which allows us to have excellent guitar and piano fluttering around the track but break down what really attracts you, and it's Florrie's captivating voice and the constant roll of her own personal drum line. Florrie's previous claim to fame was as a drummer in Xenomania's house band. This is the type of music the world should embrace, and can do so via free downloads from Florrie's website.

Coffee and Bars: Again it shows her rock tinged electro-pop goodness. Her sound is full, energetic and very hard to resist.

Wears The Trousers: ‘Give Me Your Love’, meanwhile, blossoms from drums and piano into a dreamy disco plea.

Pop From The Block: Give Me Your Love features fast-paced drumming and is probably the most "organic" Florrie song yet (Am I making any sense?). The guitar riff gives a lovely touch to it, and the piano brushes throughout the track adds a certain depth that bodes well for Florrie's cool vocals.

MuuMuse: “Give Me Your Love” is as much of a solid disco smash as it is an indie-rock track in disguise. It’s even conjuring some comparisons to Tegan & Sara‘s latest efforts in my mind. I swear, these are such sweet treats. Fred Falke songs performed by Xenomania house members–and all for free? GIMME MOAH.

holeytonal: Her first two tracks have gone far more down the house route, but with Give Me Your Love you can tell she’s put a lot of love into the drums and seems to have steered towards a stronger pop. (...) Florrie is extremely talented. If she sticks to her drumsticks and Fred Falke and gets signed to a good record company that treats her as a musician – she’ll rasp the crown off the tyrant GaGa and become the rightful queen of pop.

ArjanWrites: Emerging British pop sensation Florrie is making all the rights moves. Not only is Xenomania's latest darling cranking out premium class pop, she also giving it away for free. Let the goodness spread and the love will follow, must be her way of thinking. (...) If you're new to Florrie this is your moment to give it a lick and got hooked on her pop sweetness.

Neon Enlightenment: There’s been remix upon remix released these past few months but now we can finally hear an original track from her which showcases just how much of a talent she is. Very reminiscent of older Kylie material, in my opinion. And that is a GOOD thing.

Like Hot Cakes: Like Ladyhawke or label-mates Friendly Fires, Florrie produces music that appeals as much to chart lovers as indie hipsters; a combination which is sure to bring success. The new track, Give Me Your Love continues in this vein and represents the good side of pop; it’s fun, catchy and, most importantly, original.

XO's Middle Eight: I am going to be honest about Florrie: I am not convinced there is anything remotely unique about her. What we know: She looks like and she sings like a bit like Annie, works with Xenomania and Fred Falke, drums, is kind to her fans and is building a web community. About the latter though, there is a tendency now in the Twitter/blog world to avoid applying criticism to artists you communicate with. Everything they release becomes brilliant and amazing, when it's clearly not. Obviously this is all subjective, but sometimes you need to distinguish the between the person and their work. This could apply to any artist - it's not unique to Florrie. All of that said, Give Me Your Love is an elegant groove. It subtle and cool with a little bit of hipster cool and a lot of Florrie's drumming. The album could still be amazing, but I am not giving away the love easily. Yet.

Download: Florrie - You Wanna Start Something

2010-08-13T10:48:00.011+01:00

She promised, she delivered. Here is "You Wanna Start Something", the second track that Florrie is releasing for free this week. If you've signed up to Florrie's mailing list, you got it before anyone else - join now!

FREE Download: You Wanna Start Something (MP3 128 kbps 4 MB)
FREE Download: You Wanna Start Something (MP3 320 kbps 10 MB)
FREE Download: You Wanna Start Something (FLAC 51 MB)

"You Wanna Start Something" is today's Song Of The Day on Popjustice:

«We're not entirely sure where Florrie's 'give a load of songs away for free and see what happens' plan is heading but that is for someone else to worry about, and while the tunes given away are like 'You Wanna Start Something' we're not complaining.

Now you might say, "hang on, this sounds a bit like something off the fourth Girls Aloud album". And we would say, "yes. Yes it does. And that is why it is amazing. 'Amazingness' and 'sounding like something off the fourth Girls Aloud album' are not mutually exclusive".»

Download: Florrie - Give Me Your Love

2010-08-10T17:33:00.012+01:00

Here is the first of two tracks that Florrie is giving away for free this week.

"Give Me Your Love" was done with the help of French House master Fred Falke, Xenomania's sound master Toby Scott and the J & K from JFK, Jason Resch and Kieran Jones.

Choose your download:

FREE Download: 128 kbps 4 MB MP3
FREE Download: 320 kbps 10 MB MP3
FREE Download: 28 MB FLAC

Drums!

In the words of Florrie: "play it, share it, dance to it, stroke it, hug it and most of all LOVE IT".

Florrie news roundup: Music

2010-08-09T15:16:00.005+01:00

• HardCandyMusic.com posted a phone interview with Florrie (listen here). Things you'll learn from the interview:

Florrie was scared of Brian Higgins at first because he's really intense and "quite a character";
Labels don't seem to know how to build a fanbase so she's doing it herself;
She's been listening to Two Door Cinema Club, Lily Allen and things she finds on Hype Machine;
Xenomania use Logic and Stylus RMX (music software programs);
Fred Falke is "incredible", "hilarious" and "an insane bass player".

• Florrie joined Fred Falke on stage on his live set at MELT Festival in Germany - see a picture from the performance. Last week, Radio Club Foot played Fred Falke's edit of "Fascinate Me" on their BBC Radio 6 show.

• Florrie has released a new free remix of "Fascinate Me". The song has been reworked by Billa. Download: 320 kbps MP3 / 128 kbps MP3 / 35 MB FLAC

• She has readied two new tracks (originals). Look out for them this week on her website, Twitter and/or Facebook page.

• The house of Nina Ricci will launch its new fragrance with the support of a simultaneous music single and video release. They teamed up with Florrie, who has cut a specially made version of Blondie’s 1979 hit "Sunday Girl" for the launch of Nina L'Elixir. Florrie will also be the face of the international campaign.

• You can now watch Florrie's Nina Ricci presentation gig in Paris on YouTube. She performs four songs: "Go", "What You're Doing This For", "She Always Gets What She Wants" and "Sunday Girl". Watch: part 1 and part 2.

Florrie news roundup: Fashion/Advertising

2010-08-09T14:28:00.020+01:00

• The advertising campaign for the new Nina Ricci fragrance is a collaboration between the house of Nina Ricci and Florrie.

In addition to the 30-second film ad, Nina Ricci will produce a music video of Florrie's version of "Sunday Girl", which will be released at the same time as Nina L'Elixir. Florrie also features in the print campaign, which was shot by Ruven Afanador.

Nina L'Elixir will be launched from September in France, the Netherlands and Belgium, with Spain and the UK to follow in November.

• See a set of pictures and read a few reactions from the London press presentation of Nina L'Elixir.

• Florrie will also star in the new Bella Freud ad. See some behind scenes photos at Fashion's Most Wanted.

• Florrie went to the launch of Marc Jacobs' new men's fragrance at Harvey Nichols and even posed with the man himself, wearing a dress from the new Marc Jacobs collection. View pictures.

• There's a big Florrie feature on Vogue UK. In the interview she talks about meeting Girls Aloud and Kylie, her favourite designers (Marc Jacobs and Chanel), her style icon (Audrey Hepburn), her wardrobe must-have (jumpsuits, "because they're great to play the drums in") and getting involved in the fashion world. Florrie also shares some beauty tips - read it here.

Reviews: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine

2010-08-08T19:15:00.018+01:00

Last update: Sep 13

• ‘Feeling Fine’ hears the Scottish lad skilfully manoeuvre around the verses in a falsetto, recalling the tenderness of his ballad ‘There Goes My Heart’. Much like my impressions of Girls Aloud‘s ‘Crocodile Tears’, ‘Feeling Fine’ didn’t strike me as a potential until I woke up one morning with its chorus ringing in my head. Ta-dah! We have another slow-revealing Xenomania pop gem at hand. Feed Limmy

• ‘Feeling Fine’ is a heady blend of electronica, R’n’B and dancefloor flavours wrapped up in a perfect pop package and showcases Alex’s accomplished, soul-packed vocal, which impressively swoops up to giddy falsetto heights. Female First

• “Feeling Fine” follows the lead of “I’m not Mad” as another top Xenomania tune. Granted, I have no idea what the hell he’s saying on the Ke$ha-fied chorus, but I know that I like it. No, scratch that – I love it.
Naturally, Alex’s voice is built for acoustic rock and blue-eyed soul, so hearing his raspy vocals against the sleek backdrop of Xenomania’s perfect productions completely adds new dimensions to tunes that may have sounded a lot more standard in the hands of somebody else. The Prophet Blog

• "Feeling Fine" is a great synthpop song, slightly weaker then "I'm Not Mad", but maybe a bit more radiofriendly. ForeverMusick

• I was one of those people complaining about the auto-tuning that makes the words in the chorus of Alex Gardner's new single "Feeling Fine" incomprehensible. The highly processed sound was a sudden shift from the "Xenomania does singer-songwriter with some synths" of before and hid what many saw as Alex's main asset, his soulful voice. Don't summer singles largely live and die on the ability of a group of people to sing along with them? It's impossible to do that here (...) But in the end, you can't even blame the great quicktalking middle eight for your newly developed love of the song: that chorus, that darn gibberish-filled robotic chorus, has managed to burrow its way into your brain and, like the sand that a week later seems to have also found its way into every corner of your suitcase, refuses to disappear. Poster Girl

• We’re clearly fans of Alex, who has demonstrated that he’s full of blue-eyed soul. But that said, “Feeling Fine” isn’t exactly a great showcase for those vocals.
There’s a sampler containing five of Gardner’s tracks that has been doing the rounds since February, and on it is the sad, sweeping “Heartbreak.” The emotion in his vocals shines through, and Xenomania did a smashing job of creating the right sound bed of melancholy for the tune. Now that would have been a choice for a second single. Idolator

• It's hard to tell if Alex's "Feeling Fine" is a jam yet. The vocals on the chorus are a bit too liquid and Auto-Tuned for me to truly love this one right off the bat. Chart Rigger

• On first listen you’d be forgiven for thinking a new boyband single was pouring from your speakers, as Alex displays wildly differing vocal styles throughout the the track (including obligatory autotuned sections, of course). We Are Pop Slags

• I was a fan of "I'm Not Mad" but I find this a bit disappointing like many. The autotune is so thick on the chorus, I can't understand what he's saying. The problem is, I'm finding the chorus kinda catchy but am singing in my head "I've got a bowl with greatness" as that's what I can make out. Cool Beans

• His voice shouldn't be covered up by all of this production. I feel like "I'm Not Mad" was sort of straddling a line but NEW single, "Feeling Fine" crosses into OVERPRODUCED territory, bordering on blatant musical trickery! Auto tune? WHY is that necessary? That being said, when Gardner's voice DOES come through it sounds great. I honestly just think this is a case of a label forcing a singer to sing the wrong genre of music. Music Is My King Size Bed

• This is the sound of a brilliant singer smothered in vocoder. You can just hear the contemptuous, cynical record executives saying, "Let's make it more like Drake and Derulo and Cruz!"
Sample chorus lyric: "bleh bubbah feeling finnnnee belueb beebubb ahh promise always blee biee s uinnne inne." The vocoder might - might!- have been cool if used sparingly on the middle eight, but it's the apex of awfulness on every chorus.
(...) It is hard to watch a label falter again and again with an artist who has all the elements for success. XO's Middle Eight

• The song selected for his next single, 'Feeling Fine', isn't one we immediately recognised from seeing him live or listening to any of his various sampler CDs.
There is a good reason for it not having been on those sampler CDs - it's shit.
It's a shame really because Gardner's a brilliant live performer with a distinctive voice, some great tunes and a face that doesn't exactly send women running to the hills, but this really isn't the song he needs right now, and we have a feeling that every single person involved with this release probably agrees. Popjustice

• I hate to question the Xenomania gods, but I feel like the new Alex Gardner single, 'Feeling Fine,' is a missed opportunity. They have something unique in him (as I'm Not Mad & Heartbreak proved) but they covered his voice in AutoTune like he's Cheryl Cole. @rantsofadiva

• Even though the song is catchy and he looks insanely gorgeous, I was turned off by the ridiculously over-produced recording with its crazy use of over-the-top effects such as Autotune. I thought it was embarrassing and frankly a little gross, but if you are being produced by the pop powerhouse Xenomania, I guess you have to bow to their whims. There are enough YouTube videos available of him singing live for me to know that this kind of hyper-production, which groups like Girls Aloud rely on (nothing against them, but let's be real) are not only unneeded, but detrimental to someone like Alex Gardner. It just bothered me. Vera's Big Gay Blog

• The video is nice but the song is disappointing, especially compared to You See With Me, Heartbreak of Yesterday's News. Plus, his voice has a bit too much autotune here, even though it absolutely doesn't need it. Too bad. It's Pop!

Beyond Xenomania: Tim Powell

2010-08-08T16:01:00.027+01:00

Tim Powell, one of Xenomania's former core members, recently co-wrote two songs that will be released in the upcoming months: Alex Gaudino's "I'm In Love (feat. Maxine)" and Ed Drewett's "Champagne Lemonade".

» ALEX GAUDINO - I'M IN LOVE (FEAT. MAXINE)

Originally featuring just the title line as vocal loop, "I'm In Love" now features the voice of Maxine Ashley, a former Xenomania singer. The new vocal edit of the song was written by Tim Powell, Alex Gaudino and Giuseppe D'albenzio.

Maxine is a 17-year-old singer from the Bronx. She was briefly part of a Xenomania group with Katie McKenna (now a member of Lite N Dark).

Alex Gaudino is an Italian DJ and producer, known for tracks such as "Destination Calabria," "Watch Out" and "I Love Rock and Roll."

"I'm In Love" went to #1 in the UK Upfront Club Charts and will be released in the UK on Ministry Of Sound on September 19th.

Video: Alex Gaudino - I'm In Love (feat. Maxine)

Alex Gaudino: official site / MySpace
Maxine Ashley: MySpace /Twitter / Facebook / YouTube

» ED DREWETT - CHAMPAGNE LEMONADE

Ed Drewett is a British 22-year-old singer/songwriter. He's been writing his first album for the past year, which is set for release in early 2011.

His debut single "Champagne Lemonade" was co-written and produced by Tim Powell and is set to be released on October 25th. You can listen to a demo of the song on Ed Drewett's MySpace.

There's also a video on YouTube where you can see Ed Drewett singing "Champagne Lemonade" with Tim Powell on the piano ("Hello Internet!") - watch it here.

Ed Drewett recently appeared as a feature vocalist on the Professor Green track "I Need You Tonight", and he also co-wrote The Wanted's first single, "All Time Low".

Video: Ed Drewett & Tim Powell - Champagne Lemonade
Ed Drewett: MySpace / Facebook / Twitter

Video: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine

2010-08-05T23:03:00.006+01:00

This is the video for the new Alex Gardner single, "Feeling Fine", to be released on 27th September. The video was shot in Spain and directed by Luke Biggins.

Three Mini Viva nominations for the Popjustice £20 Music Prize

2010-07-20T12:36:00.008+01:00

All three Mini Viva singles are nominated for the 2010 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize. "Left My Heart In Tokyo", "I Wish" and "One Touch" are all included in the shortlist for the annual Popjustice awards.

Now in its eighth year, the prize rewards the best British single of the last 12 months and is given out on the same night as the Mercury Prize. In order to be included in the shortlist, singles are required to be "literally amazing". This is the first time that an artist/group has been nominated with three songs.

The winner will be decided and announced on September 7 and will receive twenty pounds (cash). Judging takes place in a London pub and judges are selected from readers of Popjustice.com (you can apply here). Here's what happened last year.

The Shortlist:

* ‘One Touch’ by Mini Viva
* ‘Left My Heart In Tokyo’ by Mini Viva
* ‘I Wish’ by Mini Viva
* ‘Once’ by Diana Vickers
* ‘Bad Boys’ by Alexandra Burke
* ‘I Am Not A Robot’ by Marina & The Diamonds
* ‘Kickstarts’ by Example
* ‘Wonderful Life’ by Hurts
* ‘Real Late Starter’ by Nerina Pallot
* ‘Bittersweet’ by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
* ‘I Won’t Kneel’ by Groove Armada
* ‘Never Leave You’ by Tinchy feat Amelle

Mini Viva - One Touch
Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Carla Marie Williams, Britt Love, Frankee Connolly, Florrie Arnold, Lisa Cowling, Tim Powell. Produced by Brian Higgins & Xenomania.

Mini Viva - I Wish
Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Tim Powell, Owen Parker, Lisa Cowling and Morgan Mackintosh. Produced by Xenomania.

Mini Viva - Left My Heart In Tokyo
Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Annie Strand, Fred Falke, Carla Marie Williams and Xenomania. Produced by Xenomania.

Previous winners:
2009: Girls Aloud - The Promise
2008: Girls Aloud - Call The Shots
2007: Amy Winehouse - Rehab
2006: Girls Aloud - Biology
2005: Girls Aloud - Wake Me Up
2004: Rachel Stevens - Some Girls
2003: Girls Aloud - No Good Advice

Video: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine (live)

2010-07-20T11:05:00.007+01:00

New single from Alex Gardner called ~~"Power Of Greatness"~~ "Feeling Fine". Click above to watch a live performance of the song at Dingwalls for MTV Presents.

Alex Gardner is currently touring with JLS and is flying off to Spain today to start shooting his new video.

New Saint Etienne reissues: Tales From Turnpike House and Good Humor

2010-07-14T12:26:00.005+01:00

Saint Etienne have announced that the deluxe editions of Good Humor (1998) and Tales From Turnpike House (2005) are set for release on October 4th. Both albums will be re-released with an extra disc of b-sides, rare tracks and unreleased material.

Tales From Turnpike House is a concept album about life in a block of flats in Islington, London. It features two tracks co-written and produced by Xenomania ("Lightning Strikes Twice" and "Stars Above Us"). One of the b-sides, "Got A Job"/"Gotta Jump" was also produced by Xenomania.

The albums are the latest in an on-going Saint Etienne re-issue series that has so far seen the release of Finisterre, Tiger Bay, Foxbase Alpha, Continental, So Tough and The Sound Of Water.

Saint Etienne have also announced that they have started writing their new album.

Florrie's Call 911: The Remixes is out now

2010-07-12T11:41:00.024+01:00

Florrie's Call 911 (The Remixes) EP is now available to download on most digital outlets. Click here to buy.

"Call 911" was written by Florrie, Fred Falke, Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper and Carla Marie Williams. The digital EP comes with remixes by disco-house legend Fred Falke, the French duo Beataucue, the Dutch techno-house producer Bart B More and the Italian electro-house DJ His Majesty Andre.

Tracklist:
01. Call 911 (Fred Falke Remix) 7:07
02. Call 911 (Bart B More Remix) 6:27
03. Call 911 (Beataucue Remix) 5:56
04. Call 911 (His Majesty André Call Me Instead Remix) 4:37

"Call 911" is the lead single to be taken from the Kitsuné X Ponystep compilation CD, in stores now.

Download Florrie in FLAC

2010-07-11T11:04:00.010+01:00

Florrie is giving away her music for free in the FLAC file format, specially for DJs and audiophiles. Besides MP3s, you can now download Florrie's music in this lossless format – visit her new Free Music Downloads page.

FLAC stands for 'Free Lossless Audio Codec', an audio format similar to MP3, but lossless, meaning that audio is compressed without any loss in quality.

It stands out as the fastest and most widely supported lossless audio codec, and the only one with an open-source implementation. You can play FLAC files in your favorite player just like you would an MP3 file. Learn how to play FLAC files.

Florrie's "Call 911" remixes EP will be released digitally tomorrow.

Alex Gardner releases debut EP in Italy

2010-07-08T12:46:00.010+01:00

Alex Gardner will release his debut EP in Italy. The self-titled EP will be on sale from Tuesday, on July ~~13th~~ 20th.

The Xenomania-produced EP will include six tracks (you can stream all of them in full on MTV.it):

1. Yesterday's News
2. I'm Not Mad
3. I Wanna Be With Her
4. You See With Me
5. There Goes My Heart
6. Heartbreak

Pre-order it here. Preview the EP:

Links:
Alex Gardner official Italian site
Alex Gardner Italia Facebook page

Kitsuné x Ponystep is out now

2010-07-05T16:00:00.017+01:00

The compilation Kitsuné x Ponystep is released today on CD and as a digital download. A new remix of Florrie's "Call 911" worked by French duo Beautaucue is included in the tracklist.

Parisian label Kitsuné teamed up with London fashion/music/culture webzine Ponystep this summer for a new compilation, mixing London edge with Parisian chic. The mixtape was edited and made into a cohesive piece of work by Jerry Bouthier from JBAG.

Kitsuné x Ponystep opens with the big late '80s bang of Róisín Murphy's latest single "Momma's Place" and moves through the Italo beach house of Munk's "La Musica", Freeform5's remix of the Lindstrøm classic "I Feel Space", the funky tribal rhythms of Rainbow Arabia's "Holiday In Congo" and Beataucue's frenetic vocal editing of Florrie's "Call 911". There's room for indie, disco, electro-pop and synth-rock over the 20 tracks, always with dancefloor-aimed sounds.

Preview Kitsuné X Ponystep with this mini mix:

Buy: Juno / Amazon / HMV / Play / iTunes

Kitsuné x Ponystep tracklist:

1. Róisín Murphy - Momma's Place
2. Bag Raiders - Turbo Love (Light Year Remix)
3. Munk - La Musica
4. Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk (French Horn Rebellion Remix)
5. Voltaire Twins - D.I.L. (JBAG’s Hot Pop Remix)
6. Florrie - 911 (BeatauCue Remix - JBAG Edit)
7. JBAG ft Louise Prey - X Ray Sex
8. Adamski - I Dream Of You (2010 Version)
9. Lindstrøm - I Feel Space (Freeform5 Remix / JBAG Re-Edit)
10. D-Pulse - Highway To Saturn (JBAG Edit)
11. Jupiter - Mama Used To Say
12. Act Yo Age - La Fumo Loco (In Flagranti Remix)
13. Rainbow Arabia - Holidays In Congo (Myd Remix)
14. Lo-Fi-Fnk - Steppin’ Out (Popular Computer Remix / JBAG Re-Edit)
15. May 68 - My Ways
16. David E Sugar - Party Killer
17. Booka Shade - Regenerate
18. Bunny Lake - Army Of Lovers (JBAG’s Hot Pop Remix)
19. Mustang - Try To Dance
20. Das Pop - Fool For Love (Aeroplane Remix)

Download: Florrie - Come Back To Mine (Jaxon Bellina remix)

2010-07-03T21:56:00.028+01:00

Florrie has sent out a new remix through her mailing list. This time "Come Back To Mine" has been reworked by another Xenomania collaborator, Jaxon Bellina.

Don't forget to sign up to Florrie's mailing list to receive exclusive updates and downloads like this one (don't worry, she doesn't spam!). Download it for free:

Come Back to Mine (Jaxon Remix)
FREE MP3 Download: 320 kbps MP3
FREE MP3 Download: 128 kbps MP3
Michael "Jaxon" Bellina is a German producer known for his work with Moguai and Phil Fuldner.

Some of his Xenomania co-creations include Kylie's "Mighty Rivers" and "Heartstrings", Girls Aloud's "Fling" and "Something Kinda Ooooh", Mini Viva's "Bedroom Viber", Sugababes' "In The Middle" and the songs on the St. Trinian's 2 soundtrack.

Florrie was yesterday's New Band Of The Day in The Guardian. Paul Lester writes:

    «Having studied Music Technology, she knows about programming and remixing and has worked the controls at Xenomania HQ for the likes of the Saturdays, plus she writes music and lyrics. That's three careers right there: drummer-for-hire, writer-producer, and pop performer in her own right. (...)
    She completely bypasses the sweaty authenticity of groaning determination for a slicker, brighter sort of pop desire. This comes across in her music. It's breezy.(...)
    Her co-compositions are great, her self-penned stuff (Fascinate Me, Name in Lights) shows promise, she's a model, she's a musician and budding programmer/producer ... No wonder she's not been signed yet. »

In other news, Florrie is the cover girl for this month's Flavor magazine. Click here to see a set of pictures shot by Cameron Smith, with styling by Phoebe Arnold.

Listen: Kylie Minogue - Heartstrings (Japanese bonus track)

2010-06-30T09:12:00.005+01:00

"Heart Strings" is one of the two Xenomania songs on Aphrodite, the new Kylie Minogue album. It is only available on the Japanese version of the album - click here to buy.

Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Matt Gray, Jason Resch, Kieran Jones, Gerard O'Connell and Jaxon Bellina. Backing vocals by Eliza Noble.

Listen: Kylie Minogue - Mighty Rivers (iTunes bonus track)

2010-06-29T18:00:00.012+01:00

"Mighty Rivers" is one of the two Xenomania songs on the new Kylie Minogue album Aphrodite. It will only be released as a bonus track on the iTunes Deluxe Experience Edition. Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Carla Marie Williams, Jason Resch, Gerard O'Connell, Jaxon Bellina, Tim Deal.

"Mighty Rivers" is a light and floaty disco-house number, with that kind of understated beauty that Xenomania do so well. The sounds are beautifully layered, with great vocals from Kylie, space synths, an oriental vibe, the sound of a river stream (might also be ocean waves crashing) and an amazing bassline. There's also a robotic breakdown where Kylie sings "Only you understand me/ Want the truth not the fantasy/ I'm as true as I can be/ Hear me now", followed by more waves and acoustic guitar.

Aphrodite release dates:
30th June (Japan)
2nd July (Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Spain)
5th July (United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, France, Denmark, Portugal)
6th July (United States, Canada)
27th July (Argentina)

Florrie's "Call 911 (remixes)" is out on July 12th

2010-06-29T11:55:00.063+01:00

Florrie will release her debut single "Call 911" on July 12th. The ~~limited edition CD~~ digital EP will serve as an early introduction to Florrie, ahead of her debut album next year.

The EP comes with remixes by disco-house legend Fred Falke, the French duo Beataucue, the Dutch techno-house producer Bart B More and the Italian electro-house DJ His Majesty Andre.

"Call 911", co-written with Fred Falke, is the lead single to be taken from the Kitsuné X Ponystep compilation CD, to be released on July 5th.

Florrie has spent the last two years honing her talents at Xenomania. She's performed over 100 live shows with fellow musicians Jason Resch and Kieran Jones, and played drums on tracks for Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue and Alesha, among others.

The former Xenomania house drummer is now taking centre stage as a singer/songwriter and is also fronting the new Nina Ricci fragrance, with her version of Blondie's "Sunday Girl" (produced by Xenomania), lined up to soundbed the company’s summer campaign.

For more Florrie go to www.florrie.com

(Note: post edited on 9th July)

Xenomania bonus on the new Kylie album

2010-06-28T16:47:00.015+01:00

Two of the songs that Xenomania wrote for the new Kylie Minogue album have ended up as bonus tracks.

"Mighty Rivers" will only be released on the iTunes Deluxe Experience Edition, while "Heartstring" will be the Japanese bonus track.

Aphrodite will be released in Japan in two days (30th June) - click here to pre-order. The iTunes Deluxe Edition will be available to download from July 2nd (in Australia and some of Europe) and on July 5th in the UK (pre-order).

Mighty Rivers: Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Carla Marie Williams, Jason Resch, Gerard O'Connell, Jaxon Bellina, Tim Deal.

Heartstrings: Written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Matt Gray, Jason Resch, Kieran Jones, Gerard O'Connell, Jaxon Bellina.

Beyond Xenomania: the new groups

2010-06-26T14:42:00.031+01:00

Four new acts who consist of people that have previously worked with Xenomania and no longer are with the team: Jessie & the Toy Boys, D E K A D E, Lite N Dark and Alex Vargas

JESSIE & THE TOY BOYS

Sounds like: Bubblegum 80s pop with an urban edge

Jessie Malakouti began working with Xenomania while she was a member of female trio Shut Up Stella. When she went solo, she worked with several producers, including Xenomania. During the time she worked with the team, she sang backing vocals for the Pet Shop Boys and went on a UK tour supporting The Saturdays.

The Xenomania-produced "Standing Up For The Lonely" was set to be released as a single on Hard2Beat/ Ministry Of Sound, but it only ended up on a few dance compilations. A 4-track album sampler/megamix of her Xenomania collaboration is still available to download here.

Her latest musical endeavour is called Jessie and the Toy Boys (the "toy boys" are mannequins, because "mannequins don't talk back and are easy to write songs with"). Jessie has been working with David Gamson from Scritti Politti, Matt Squire and Sam from The Bravery, Scott Storch, Richard Vission, Howie D. and Lil' Eddie.You can listen to her new demos on MySpace.

Links: Official site / MySpace / Facebook / Twitter
Xenomania songs: Standing Up For The Lonely, Baby Don't Ask Me, Crash Bang Baby, Jungle Town, Never Be the Same, Who's That Man

D E K A D E

Sounds like: Dark synth pop with big melodies

Andy Taylor and James Taylor started working with Xenomania when they were still known as The Electric City. Later they became a duo and changed their name to NiteVisions. More recently they have rechristened themselves DEKADE and are now working with producer Flood.

Andy and James, the sons of Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor from Duran Duran, continue the growing trend for male synth pop duos and take inspiration from the dark pop from the 80s and late 70s, when people like Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and New Order ruled the world.

Their new Flood-produced tracks can be heard on DEKADE's MySpace. The Xenomania-produced "Fire" can be found here.

Links: MySpace / Twitter / Blog
See also: NiteVisions, The Electric City
Xenomania songs: Fire (NiteVisions), Rapture (The Electric City)

LITE N DARK

Sounds like: Electro-pop-rap with hard club beats and boy-girl vocals

Katie McKenna (17) and Tim Talbot (21) met in the Xenomania house: Tim was playing keyboards for a new Xenomania act and Katie, as a recently scouted future starlet, was recording vocals.

Months later, once they had both left Xenomania to work on other projects, they met again and decided to team up as a duo. Their music is said to be a mixture of Soulwax basslines, Timbaland synths and Gaga rhythms.

Lite N Dark have been in the studio with Andy Taylor (from DEKADE - see above) and Matt Peel. For now their songs can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.

Their first ever live show had Britt Love of Mini Viva fame behind the decks. Click here to watch an amusing video from their Xenomania days, with Katie, Britt and Maxine making a rap about Xenomania and Westerham.

Listen/download: Losing Control EP / Nightfever (feat. Kay Maf)
Links: MySpace / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Bandcamp
Upcoming shows: August 1 - The Cockpit (supporting Starman) Leeds, UK

ALEX VARGAS

Sounds like: Rocking tunes with a soulful spirit and an electro twist

Alex Vargas was signed to Geffen Records in 2008 and formed the band Vagabond, the first act launched by Xenomania. Vagabond released their Xenomania-produced debut album, You Don't Know the Half of It, in 2009. Earlier this year the group announced their decision to split.

Throughout 2009, Vagabond toured the UK supporting artists such as James Morrison, McFly and The Script, and they also performed at Glastonbury, T in the Park and V music festivals in the UK.

Alex is currently writing and recording his debut solo album in London and Los Angeles. You can listen to four demos on his MySpace: "Supernova", "Higher", "Mr. Heartache" and "One Track Mind".

Links: MySpace / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Upcoming shows:
1 Jul Smash & Grab Loves TV Nights @ Proud Camden, London,
5 Aug Smash & Grab Loves TV Nights @ Proud Camden, London

Pet Shop Boys: "Xenomania are never [being] boring"

2010-06-26T11:43:00.004+01:00

Interview Magazine spoke to Neil Tennant ahead of Pet Shop Boys' Glastonbury performance tonight. He talked about Xenomania and the Grammy-nominated album Yes:

What are your thoughts on how your songwriting collaborators, production team Xenomania, have transformed mainstream music this decade?

TENNANT: They're fascinating because, like us, they work in the area of experimental mainstream pop music. Taking mainstream music by the scruff of its neck is the most exciting and difficult thing to do. They never stick to one sound, so they're never boring. They have a big range. It's a team of people who really love music, a situation which actually reminds me of my journalism days at Smash Hits–we were all obsessed with pop music. As musicians, Xenomania share that ethos and have a fresh outlook. So, working with them really suited us. We almost wrote with them for our previous record, Fundamental, but then we heard New Order were doing so, and we didn't want to deal with accusations of ripping them off, even though that collaboration ended up fizzling.

What was the process of recording with Xenomania's Brian Higgins like? He's notoriously tricky to work with—Franz Ferdinand actually quit working with the team because their energies clashed.

TENNANT: I know—it's a shame because I think that could have been an amazing record. For us, it was interesting because I find that Brian has a very flexible way of writing songs. But I think for a lot of bands, his methods are tricky, indeed. Brian is highly disciplined, and I think most acts find it very challenging to deal.

With those massive hooks, "Love Etc." should have been a #1 hit, no?

TENNANT: It should have been bigger! But when you're our age and you've been around a long time, it doesn't matter how good the record is. They're not going to play it! [UK's] Radio 1 said to us, "It's an amazing record—but we're not going to play it." It didn't fit their youth demographic; they don't want to introduce anyone new to the Pet Shop Boys. But in Germany, "Love Etc." was on the charts for months. Of course, we haven't been played in America for years.

Pet Shop Boys are set to headline the Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival tonight for the second time in their career. They are due onstage at 10.15 pm and their entire set will also be broadcast live on BBC3 TV.

Video: Florrie Arnold & Nina L'Elixir

2010-06-20T14:29:00.006+01:00

Florrie Arnold has been chosen as the face, and voice, of an international advertisement campaign for the new Nina Ricci perfume. The TV commercial features a new version of Blondie's "Sunday Girl", produced by Xenomania and recorded by Florrie. She also plays drums on the track and has slightly tweaked the lyrics to fit in with the ad.

Click above to view footage from the Nina Ricci L'Elixir ad, the private concert from the pre-launch party and an interview with Florrie and Nez, the ad director. In the interview, Florrie talks about her version of "Sunday Girl":

«It's an original Blondie track but the lyric of that is quite sad, so I thought I should probably re-write the lyrics to fit with the ad. It's about waking up in a dream land, you open your eyes and you see all these amazing things around you.»

The video for the Nina L'Elixir campaign was directed by Nez, who previously directed Lily Allen's video for "The Fear". He says:

«We started to look into singers that we thought could fit the role. Florrie came up and she was just perfect for it and then we kind of adjusted it a little bit to Florrie's style. Florrie was already launching her career, she was literally just starting, she started recording some stuff and that's what Nina wanted. They didn't want someone that was established, they wanted someone who was fresh and young, so they would help someone with their advertisement campaign come through as a pop star»

Links:
-- Video: Florrie - Sunday Girl (live)
-- Video: Nina L'Elixir TV ad
-- Video: Nina L'Elixir pre-launch party
-- Pictures: Florrie at the pre-launch party
-- Article: Florrie visits Bristol primary school

Video: Florrie Arnold in the Nina L'Elixir commercial

2010-06-13T11:23:00.012+01:00

TV commercial for the new Nina Ricci fragrance

Director: Nez
Model: Florrie Arnold
Production: Moonwalk films
Dress: designed by Peter Copping for Nina Ricci
Music: cover of Blondie's "Sunday Girl" by Florrie

Florrie Arnold fronts the new Nina Ricci fragrance campaign

2010-06-12T11:15:00.016+01:00

Florrie Arnold is the advertising face (and voice) for the new Nina Ricci fragrance. Nina L'Elixir is a new variation of the original Nina (2006) and will be launched in August 2010. Florrie is the new icon to embody the Nina princess, replacing the late model Ruslana Korshunova.

In the commercial for the fragrance (watch it here), the fashion house created a music video where Florrie sings a new version of Blondie's "Sunday Girl". See a video with Florrie, Jason Resch (guitar), Kieran Jones (bass) and George Nolan (drums) playing the Blondie classic live at a pre-launch party.

Here's a review from the pre-launch party: «The muse for this perfume is a young 21-year-old London singer, Florrie Arnold, super beautiful and very kind. She truly embodies the sweet and sensual princess. (...) The perfume ad is just brilliant! She is fresh, she exudes sweetness and the music is more than catchy. (...) We then had the great pleasure of discovering Florrie in a private concert with her band, and the least we can say is that the girl sings really well, despite being live!»

Like the original, Nina L'Elixir was developed by perfumer Olivier Cresp. It promises a true "love potion" composed of red fruit and jasmine, refreshed with bright green Caipirinha lime. The trace of musk completes the entire composition, placed into a new red apple bottle with silver leaves and stopper.

Congratulations to Florrie! View pictures and watch a video of the party:

Alex Gardner to support Leona Lewis on tour

2010-06-10T15:41:00.012+01:00

Alex Gardner will be supporting Leona Lewis tonight (10th June) in Birmingham. Leona Lewis is currently in the middle of her debut concert tour The Labyrinth, with dates across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Alex Gardner will replace Gabriella Cilmi as the support act at the LG Arena.

These are Alex Gardner's upcoming tour dates:

June 10 LG Arena - Birmingham (supporting Leona Lewis)
July 11 T in the Park - Balado, Kinross-Shire, Scotland
July 15 Dingwalls - MTV PRESENTS Alex Gardner & Eliza Doolittle - London
July 16 Westonbirt Arboretum - Gloucestershire (supporting JLS)
July 17 Escot Park - Devon (supporting JLS)
July 18 Sound City Festival - Peterborough (supporting JLS)
July 24 Ynysangharad, Memorial Park - Wales (supporting JLS)
July 25 Quex Park, Sound Island Festival - Kent (supporting JLS)
August 7 Belladrum Festival - Belladrum

Next week Alex will fly out to Italy to do some promo. If you speak Italian, visit his official Italian website and follow his Italian page on Facebook. His debut single "I'm Not Mad" is also available to download on iTunes Italia, backed with the Benny Benassi remix - click here to buy.

Alex Gardner recently covered Plan B's "She Said" with his tour band. Sign up to his official website to get first access to videos, blogs and pictures. You can now watch some of the videos on YouTube: behind the scenes footage, acoustic versions of "I Wanna Be With Her", "You See With Me", "Heartbreak", "Yesterday's News" and "I'm Not Mad", plus covers of The Beatles, Take That and Paolo Nutini.

Alex Gardner has been in the studio with Xenomania working on his debut album. His second single is expected to be released at the back end of summer.

Video: The Banned of St Trinian's - We Got The Beat

2010-06-10T12:56:00.007+01:00

The new Banned of St Trinian's video has been posted on Facebook - watch it here (it doesn't allow embedding - boo!). "We Got The Beat" is a song originally released by the all-female group The Go-Go's in 1980.

The Banned of St Trinian's cover is produced by Xenomania and was released last year on the St Trinian's 2 soundtrack (buy it on iTunes). You can find this and other videos on the recently released DVD of the St. Trinian's 2 film.

Banned of St Trinian's - We Got The Beat
Written by Charlotte Caffey.
Produced by Xenomania.
Mixed by Tim Powell.
Guitars by Nick Coler, Jason Resch.
Bass by Nick Coler.
Drums by Florrie Arnold, Nick Coler, Tim Powell.
Engineered by Dan Aslet, Toby Scott, Morgan Mackintosh.

The Banned of St Trinian's are: Daisy Tonge (Eco Warrior), Harriet Bamford (Geek), Jessica Agombar (Rude Girl) and Jess Bell (Emo).

Girls Aloud will "probably" reunite next year

2010-06-09T00:17:00.004+01:00

Kimberley Walsh has reportedly claimed that Girls Aloud will "probably" get back together next year. In this week's Star magazine, she is quoted as saying:

«Fingers crossed, we’ll be getting back into the studio at some point – probably next year because we’ve got a lot of solo projects going on. We’ll have a chat at the end of our break to see where we all are.»

Kimberley also told Star magazine that she doesn't know what to expect from the group's next album:

«I don't really know what direction the music will go in. We never plan any further ahead than a few months and never have. It has always been quite an organic thing. We never actually thought we'd end up still here, seven years down the line. God knows where we'll end up!»

Gabriella Cilmi's "Hearts Don't Lie" is out now

2010-06-06T12:07:00.013+01:00

The new Gabriella Cilmi single is now available as a digital download, backed with remixes by Moto Blanco and Steve Smart & Westfunk.

"Hearts Don't Lie" is the second single to be taken from Ten and the only Xenomania song on the album. It was written by Gabriella Cilmi, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Tim Powell & Owen Parker and produced by Xenomania.

Gabriella has said that "Hearts Don't Lie" is her favourite song on the album, with a Bee Gees-inspired chorus, a Betty Davis-inspired bassline and a modern disco sound.

Buy: iTunes UK | iTunes Australia | Play.com | 7Digital | Amazon.co.uk

Reviews:

Digital Spy: She's ditched the Barbarella-style silver spandex in favour of a slinky little disco number. "Tell me that you really want me / I need you b-b-baby tonight," she purrs here, as Xenomania supply a trembling bassline that wouldn't sound out of place on a Boney M record. (...) her glorious falsetto on said chorus is matched by the infectious "my heartbeat's ticking" hook, resulting in a track as catchy as it is downright phonkay. 4/5
Entertainment Focus: With a sound usually cherry-picked by the likes of camp quartet Scissor Sisters or Kylie Minogue, Gabriella takes a dive into the dance pool with a very impressive and invigorating outcome. From the first beat the track is infectious and pure high octane pop equalled only to the high notes Cilmi hits in the chorus. (...) Quick and flawlessly funky.
XO'S Middle Eight: Hearts Don't Lie is 1) her best single ever 2) the finest Xenomania production in a long while and 3) the proper rebirth of Diana Ross' Love Hangover-era disco.
The Arts Desk: A massively contagious disco belter that has the tune, raunch and electro-funk to sweep along anyone but grouchy music journos. (...) This is a monster, the best nouveau-Moroder wedding party classic since Scissor Sisters' "I Don't Feel Like Dancing".
SameSame: Sexy, fun, and anthemic, this song has hit written all over it.
The Times: Cilmi’s powerful pipes square up formidably to highlights such as Hearts Don’t Lie.
Yahoo!: 'Hearts Don't Lie' has a soul-funk Prince-meets-Grace Jones 70s and 80s disco vibe.
Sydney Morning Herald: Hearts Don't Lie is Chaka Khan singing over a Kylie song.
The Observer: (...) disco empowerment anthem "Hearts Don't Lie", where her throaty belter of a voice comes into its own.
ausp0p: ‘Hearts Don’t Lie’ is pure pop bliss. Disco beats, pulsing rhythms and a soaring chorus combine to create one of the first great pop tracks of 2010.
Vibewire Portal: Hearts Don’t Lie has Saturday Night Fever soundtrack written all over it. It’s an intense, slick production that finds Cilmi barely stopping for air – an aspect that fans have come to expect from the collaboration of Xenomania and Cilmi.
Sputnik Music: The inspired and updated disco sound of ‘Hearts Don’t Lie’, which channels Gloria Gaynor and could easily have found a place on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack!
Pop Culture Platinum: The true standout is the sole Xenomania produced Hearts Don’t Lie, a sultry and impressive disco number that should hopefully be a huge hit. If it’s not the world is missing out as this is one of the strongest things Xenomania have worked on in quite awhile.

Gabriella Cilmi: «'Hearts Don't Lie' came out of a disagreement»

2010-06-05T21:35:00.013+01:00

Gabriella Cilmi recently told The Telegraph that her new single "Hearts Don't Lie" (out tomorrow digitally) was created out of a disagreement with Brian Higgins:

«I wrote that with Brian Higgins, who produced my first record, and we actually had a bit of a tiff while we were writing it. I kind of stormed out, and he stormed out, and then we came back together and wrote this song», she said.

She also spoke to Digital Spy about working with Higgins: «I really like working with Brian because I think he brings out the best in me. On 'Hearts Don't Lie', the funny operatic vocal in the chorus started with me mucking around. He knows how to make my silliness good. Hopefully we can work together again - we did have a few tiffs, because when I'm recording I sulk, but I think it all turned out for the best in the end.»

«[Xenomania are] kind of crazy», she told GayDarNation. «I started working with them when I was 13. Brian, I guess, took me under his wing. He taught me a lot but we used to fight a lot, actually. We used to have arguments all the time about how we thought things should sound. But when we agreed on things, we really agreed.»

«I mean, they have a great technique and way of writing. We’ve got an awesome track on this album called ‘Hearts Don’t Lie’. It’s really funky and it’s got this kind of Betty Davis style bass line and an almost Bee Gee’s inspired chorus. It’s got really massive high vocals - you have to wear really tight knickers to sing along or someone would need to step on your feet. But it’s really fun - it’s my favourite track on the album, I think», she added.

"Hearts Don't Lie" is released tomorrow (Sunday, June 6th), backed with remixes by Moto Blanco and Steve Smart & Westfunk. You can pre-order it now on Play.com.

Florrie is one of the most blogged artists

2010-06-04T11:29:00.004+01:00

Florrie is one of the top 10 most blogged artists at the moment, according to The Hype Machine.

She has been sharing several new tracks on her website, that are making their way around the blogosphere. Florrie was on The Hype Machine's list of top-blogged artists on June 3 and The Independent even wrote a paragraph about her. Read the article here.

The Hype Machine is an MP3 blog aggregator that collects the most recently posted songs from a selection of music blogs (about 1,500) and lists them on the website's main page.

Registering is easy and it allows you to "love" songs. Hype Machine maintains a Popular List for the last three days and the previous week, both of which are determined by the number of "loves" given to each song.

Known for identifying up-and-coming artists, the site enables music fans to easily find out what music is hot in the blogosphere and to instantly hear and buy mp3s. Voting on tracks is also a good way to help new artists. This is Florrie's page on Hype Machine: http://hypem.com/artist/florrie

New Florrie tracks: 'Come Back To Mine' & 'Fascinate Me'

2010-05-31T17:41:00.014+01:00

We hadn't even grown tired of "Call 911" and "Panic Attack", but today we're being spoiled with two new Florrie songs. BIGSTEREO and Nialler9 have premiered "Fascinate Me" and "Come Back To Mine". It's Fred Falke vs. Moguai!

» Florrie – Come Back to Mine (feat. Moguai)

Produced by Moguai, the man who provided the BIG samples for Sugababes' "In The Middle" plus Girls Aloud's "Fling" and "Something Kinda Ooooh". "Come Back To Mine" struts its electro-glam stuff with a robotic swing and Xenomania's classic patchwork songwriting.

FREE MP3 Download: 320 kbps MP3
FREE MP3 Download: 128 kbps MP3

» Florrie – Fascinate Me (Fred Falke edit)

A pure pop confection worked over by Fred Falke. "Fascinate Me" has synths that are gleeful and bouncy, a luscious chorus and Falke's trademark ethereal middle eight. Beautiful and sexy.

FREE MP3 Download: 320 kbps MP3
FREE MP3 Download: 128 kbps MP3

Florrie interview at PonyStep

2010-05-27T17:22:00.019+01:00

PonyStep met up with Florrie at Xenomania HQ as she took a break from her writing duties to discuss her plans for the year ahead. Read the first Florrie interview at Ponystep.com (the same people that brought you the latest Brian Higgins interview). A few highlights:

First job at Xenomania
«My first job here was playing on The Promise by Girls Aloud, so I was thrown in at the deep end. The next one was The Boy Does Nothing by Alesha Dixon. That was literally within two weeks of starting. I remember hearing the first demo of The Promise and it had no melody or lyrics at that point. It was amazing to see the process of how it all worked and then the next thing I knew, they were playing it on The Brits.»

How Florrie got to work with Xenomania
«I met Gabriella Cilmi’s manager in an office one day. Then, a year and a half later, she called me and said, “I’ve got a friend, Brian, who’s looking for a drummer for the Xenomania house band”. I didn’t really know what Xenomania was, or who Brian was, so I Wikipediad him. I came down on the Thursday then again the next day, and he offered me the job. (...) I came down and played with Jason and Kieran, who are two of the writers here.»

The working environment at Xenomania
«It’s a bit crazy (laughs). It can go either way. We have days where it’s mad and I don’t see people upstairs for three days because they’re working away. It’s a different process to how you would expect to write songs and make a record. It is relaxed, but I have complete control into what I do, which makes it very hard work. I guess we have a good balance.

«It doesn’t get crowded, and, even in the busier times, everyone has their own space. Everyone gets on really well, it really is like a family. It’s like coming to your auntie’s house or something, Everyone is also totally on the same page. Totally creative and incredibly driven.»

The time spent at Xenomania
«[I'm here] every day. During the week and most weekends. That’s because I want to get everything right. I am totally involved with how my records are made. I work a lot with Toby, the engineer here, and I also work a lot here with Fred Falke whenever he is over from France. I play on all of my records, and I have also been remixing my own tracks. I record the songs here and Fred Falke also does some of the remixes. Panic Attack and Call 911 are already up on the web.»

«I’ve learned tons from the other amazing people that have walked through those doors. Things have changed - I was the house drummer and now I am an artist doing things in a totally different way. My whole life's changed. I lived in London when I started here. And I was like, “Do you know what? I am just going to move down here because it takes so long to get down from London”. I live just across the green. I think that the whole village is being taken over by Xenomania (laughs). It is quite small but it is amazing to get out of London and see a bit of the countryside. I didn’t want to go home at the end of the day.»

Building an online presence

«The music industry is all over the place at the minute. I think it’s really important to have that contact with fans and for them to be able to buy into your world or you as a person without any pressure from a corporation. It’s so difficult when you sign a deal and your record’s out and you get thrown out there. I guess the average person on the street doesn’t really have that connection.

«It’s important to know when you do gigs that people are going to come along already knowing your music. It’s a better way of doing it because people can feel like they discovered you as opposed to a major label. I want my fans to feel like they have some sort of ownership.»

The online response: positive and immediate
«That's the beauty of the internet and the blogging world. It's easier to stay in touch or respond when someone asks you a question; why would I not answer it? I guess it gets difficult when it grows into the thousands, or tens of thousands, it’s harder to keep it that personal... But I do little things like videos and blogs, then there’s Twitter, so people can see what you are up to. And I check what they’re up to as well.»

Transition from drummer to artist
«It was kind of a gradual thing, which I guess it had to be, for me to be able to get my head around it. When I came here, I was drumming half of the time, but obviously, to be here full-time, you wouldn’t need a drummer every day, so I was working in the admin side of it, stuffing envelopes and things like that. I knew that what I really wanted to do was just music, all day, so I took every opportunity that I had to get out of the office.

«I did lots of programming stuff, I learned how to make beats... I’d done a bit of that at school but nothing on Logic, so I learned that from scratch. That is an amazing thing to know now, so if I want to record something myself I can just go an demo some ideas or make beats. So, after I that, I did some lyricing and obviously, once you’ve lyriced something, it then needs to be demoed. So, I’d go up and record myself doing it, and Brian said, “Do you know that you can really sing?” - I’ve sung all my life, I like singing in the shower (laughs). So we worked at it together, we did more demos and tried different styles and I thought, “You know what? I can do this”.»

The drumming side of things
«I guess I am not doing it as much as I was. But I still drum on tracks that we do here. I love doing it, so probably once or twice a week I get down to the pool room and play. It’s a good place to rehearse, except in the night time and in the winter, when it’s dark and I just keep thinking that someone is going to jump out of the trees... It’s pitch black, and once Jason [Resch] actually hid round the corner. He jumped out and that scarred me for life! That room has an amazing sound and we’ve done some recordings in there which we’ve used as samples. All you need is one mic and a tape player, but mostly it’s for our rehearsals.»

First steps as a drummer
«I was six years old when I first said that I wanted to do it. We went on holiday to Greece, me and both my parents, and there was a bar down the road from the hotel with a band playing. We went a few nights in a row and I sat on this little housebrick, that’s how small I was, and I would just watch the drummer. One night he asked me if I wanted to do the hi-hat, just tap while he played… (...) On the way back, on the plane, I drew this picture of the drumkit, I’ve still got it, actually. And I remembered every little bit. I even put the worry beads on the hi-hat. I was only six years old, and that year I had my first gig ever. I was dressed as a fish in the school play and my class were all dancing and singing a fish song. I remember my feet not being able to reach both of my pedals because I had a tail.»

Musical influences
«I was brought up on 50s music like Chuck Berry and Elvis, all that sort of rock n’ roll that my dad listened to. I also really love nineties music, like The Spice Girls and everything. I think it’s good when people are influenced by their parents’ taste instead of just rebelling for the sake of it.»

«I listened to the radio a lot when I was younger, well, all my life, really. So, I guess a lot of what I like is mainstream, apart from the stuff that my dad likes. I think that it’s good to be able to sing along in the car with your parents, instead of listening to some sort of crazy metal headbanging thing.»

The sound of Florrie
«I’ve got different ideas. Different styles and ways to do it. I like to make music that people want to dance to. Obviously, I love beats, but I also like the raw sound that you get with a guitar. So it’s going to be a big mixture: Kind of a sixties, organic feel merged with modern pop beats and electronics.»

The future
«I can’t wait to get out there and do some gigs again. I love getting my music out there. At the minute I'm giving away tracks for free to fans, which is how I think it needs to be done. There needs to be a switch around, because people don’t really buy albums any more. There is a new route to be taken.»

Photos by Kate Bellm.

Mini Viva shows cancelled

2010-05-27T15:27:00.002+01:00

We have received confirmation that three upcoming Mini Viva live appearances have been cancelled: Isle Of Wight Festival (June 11th), Birmingham Pride (May 29th) and the Razzmatazz club in Barcelona (June 5th; cancelled due to "changes in management plans"). No more information is available at this time.

It's not the best news, especially after "One Touch" (unbelievably) failed to reach the Top 100 Singles Chart in the UK, landing at number 124. Fingers crossed for Mini Viva. ♥

Download: Florrie - Panic Attack (Fred Falke Club Mix)

2010-05-22T15:32:00.005+01:00

Fred Falke has worked on a new chilled out summery remix of Florrie's "Panic Attack". The new Club Mix is, as usual, available to download from Florrie.com. The track is also on the Hype Machine if you want to heart it.

FREE MP3 Download: 320 kbps MP3
FREE MP3 Download: 128 kbps MP3

New Florrie remix on the Kitsuné x PonyStep compilation

2010-05-22T15:00:00.008+01:00

A new remix of Florrie's "Call 911" will be released on the new Kitsuné x Ponystep compilation. The track has been remixed by Beataucue, a french duo renowned for their powerful production and remixes.

Parisian music and fashion label Kitsuné (home to Digitalism, La Roux & others) teams up with the London webmag Ponystep for a summer compilation fusing pop, electro, indie, disco and more.

Kitsuné x Ponystep will be released on July 5th and will be available on all digital outlets. This is the tracklist :

1. Róisín Murphy - Momma’s Place
2. Bag Raiders - Turbo Love (Light Year Remix)
3. Munk - La Musica
4. Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk (French Horn Rebellion Remix)
5. Voltaire Twins - D.I.L. (JBAG’s Hot Pop Remix)
6. Florrie - 911 (Beataucue Remix –JBAG Edit)’
7. JBAG ft Louise Prey - X Ray Sex
8. Adamski - I Dream Of You (2010 Version)
9. Lindstrøm - I Feel Space (Freeform5 Remix / JBAG Re-Edit)
10. D-Pulse - Highway To Saturn (JBAG Edit)
11. Jupiter - Mama Used To Say
12. Act Yo Age - La Fumo Loco (In Flagranti Remix)’
13. Rainbow Arabia - Holidays In Congo (Myd Remix)
14. Lo-Fi-Fnk - Steppin’ Out (Popular Computer Remix / JBAG Re-Edit)
15. May 68 - My Ways
16. David E Sugar - Party Killer
17. Booka Shade - Regenerate
18. Bunny Lake - Army Of Lovers (JBAG’s Hot Pop Remix)
19. Mustang - Try To Dance
20. Das Pop - Fool For Love (Aeroplane Remix)

Lily Allen: "Xenomania have just offered me a job"

2010-05-21T10:54:00.004+01:00

After winning three Ivor Novello awards yesterday (including the category where "The Promise" was nominated), Lily Alen was reportedly offered a job at Xenomania.

She told the Mirror:

«Writing for other people is what I want to do, you won't see me performing after this year. Lady GaGa would be the ideal person I'd want to write for, but she's doing a pretty good job herself.

«What is funny though, is that the Girls Aloud people from Xenomania have just offered me a job to come in-house as a writer for them. Pretty mad! Er, I'll have to think about that one.»

Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin received three awards for "The Fear", which won Most Performed Work, Best Song Musically & Lyrically and Songwriters Of The Year.

Video: Alex Gardner - Where Were You? (live)

2010-05-17T14:56:00.005+01:00

New song from Alex Gardner that he has been performing live for some time. Someone has finally uploaded it on YouTube:

Alex recently revealed that his second single will be out at the back end of summer and that he is still working on his debut album:

«It’s progressing very well. I’m never happy or satisfied though – I’m going back in six weeks (to work on it) when I’ve got the time. The second single will be out at the back end of summer. It’s got to be perfect or it will haunt me for the rest of my life!»

Mini Viva press roundup

2010-05-14T19:50:00.012+01:00

» TeenToday: video interview part 1 | part 2

» The Chemistry Is Dead: One Touch review
"They have a fantastic posey, pouty video and an outstanding song sung by a cool duo that stand out from the blandness of The Saturdays and Girls Can’t Catch (...). “Hips, lips, fashion, status”, the middle eight, “AW” and the vocodered “takes me over” ad lib near the end are amongst the best bits of an addictive song that will go down in our books as 2010’s lost No.1"

» Totally Dublin: One Touch review
"Pop’s not going to solve any of the world’s problems. And no-one expects pop music to last, it is an art-form that doesn’t strive for longevity; it’s supposed to be transient, of the moment, fleeting and inconsequential - and yet great pop is what tends to get remembered. Mini Viva’s last single tanked at a lowly 73 in the charts, but even if One Touch follows suit and bombs, hearing it in the distant future will doubtless cause a Proustian rush in me that takes me back to the summer of 2010."

» Music-News.com: One Touch review 5/5
"This track is real Girls Aloud material; boppy, catchy, a slightly edgy sound and more than a smattering of 80’s synths. It does take a couple of listens to get into the groove of the track, but persevere and you will be rewarded with an absolute gem of a track. 'One Touch’ really is a pop master piece, and will hopefully see Mini Viva chart once more."

» Spark*: Mini Viva interview by Laurence Green

«Laurence Green chats to pop sensations Mini Viva and gets the low-down on their London gig

The venue is London’s hallowed Hammersmith Apollo and I’ve come to see the dynamic pop duo that is Mini Viva. Launched onto the music scene in 2009 with the irresistible Left My Heart In Tokyo, as the opening bars of that very track are met with a chorus of whoops and cheers from the audience, Mini Viva’s Frankee Connolly and Britt Love kick off their four track support slot for Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity in style.

Dressed in black, the two girls exude effortless chic, blasting through the song with an impressive energy. The choreography is slick and immaculately rehearsed; the perfect accompaniment to the crème-de-la-creme of pop music. Next we’re treated to the shimmering, melancholy vibes and dreamy synths of I Wish and the epic balladry of Emotions of Love, a standout track from the girls’ forthcoming debut studio album. Even within such a short set-list, Mini Viva pack in versatility, showcasing that they’re just as skilled at down-tempo numbers as the dancey singles which have led them to chart success.

The highlight of the night comes in the form of new single One Touch. With a delightful refrain of ‘Do you wanna candy, hey baby’, it’s quite simply one of the best pop tracks to come out of the UK this year. Feisty to the max and packed full of attitude and catchy hooks, all wrapped up in the girls’ sultry vocal delivery, it’s mindblowingly good stuff.

Before the gig I sat down with the girls for a chat and they filled me in on what it means to be Mini Viva. The duo currently broadcast a weekly webchat on social networking site Twitter, giving fans a unique insight into their lifestyle.

“To us, all our fans are really important and to have an interaction with them is even better,” say the girls. It’s through mediums like this that fans really see the band grow and Frankee outlines Mini Viva’s own beginnings.

“We had to work so hard, and we’re still working now. When we weren’t even signed we would go gigging in these really grungy places in London. It was good for us, it got us that experience.”

“We’ve performed for all different types of audiences now; we’ve learnt to be strong,” adds Britt. “When we performed for Clubland people would be throwing glowsticks and being crazy and I think it’s made us realise we’re going to come across people who’ll either love us or hate us.”

And what’s the best thing for them performing live?

“It’s the vibe, feeding off people. When you see people singing the words, enjoying themselves and dancing it just gives you that extra oomph! Sometimes it’s hard for us because we don’t normally mime so when we do stuff for TV we have to do pre-records and it feels weird because we prefer singing live and with a band.”

Mini Viva are renowned for working with production house Xenomania, the team behind some of the finest pop records around. Led by chief writers Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper, from their recording studios in the heart of Kent they lead their assault on the British charts, having penned hits for the likes of Girls Aloud, Kylie and the Sugababes.

“When you’re in the studios it’s a totally different experience to on stage,” say the girls. “Xenomania are amazing and we go there to write music - we never feel tense though, it’s really relaxing. Brian and Miranda have taught us so much. With I Left My Heart In Tokyo, even though it was their song, we put our vocal influences on it. And especially with One Touch, we co-wrote that with them and it feels like ours. It’s like our baby.”

I then quizzed the girls on their musical influences and how they felt they slotted into the current music scene:

“TLC, Destiny’s Child, All Saints, En Vogue – all those greats from back in the day, they were so strong. There hasn’t been a girlband like that for a long time. We just take influence from all their little things. We wouldn’t want to copy anyone else so we look at other bands from the past, take out what’s good about them and try and add that into our own style. There’s so many amazing, strong female artists out there at the moment too like La Roux, Lady Gaga, Beyonce... That’s what we want to be like.”

And can the girls envision what route their lives might have taken if they hadn’t become singers?

“Before I was doing this I was just at college studying to be a make-up artist but now I’ve got my music career, I don’t think I could have ever done that. I can’t imagine anything else, It’s really strange!” explains Frankee.

Fate, it seems, has worked out just right. Going back to the girls’ new single One Touch and its confectionary-based lyrics, the question had to be asked, what was the girls’ favourite sweet?

“Mine has to be jelly babies!” says Britt.
“I love those long red things with all the sugar on them. Strawberry laces!” enthuses Frankee.

And if the girls had to describe One Touch in just three words...
“Feisty. Cheeky. Sugary! It’s definitely feisty, but it’s got that sweetness to it too.”

The girls go on to explain about their eye-catching music videos, including their work with Norwegian director Ray Kay, who was also the brains behind Cheryl Cole’s Fight For This Love video.

“He likes to do really iconic stuff like that and he definitely brought that to Left My Heart In Tokyo too. There’s like two million views or something of it on YouTube. It’s incredible! In the One Touch video we’ve got bright make-up on, but we didn’t want it to be too much, like really kiddy. We like to keep a kind of Japanese inspired style to us too.”

The girls also revealed what it was like getting accustomed to the high-energy lifestyle that comes with performing live and dancing in music videos and on stage.

“I remember when we supported The Saturdays on tour - it was only about a year ago but it feels like a million miles away now and it was a shock to our system as it was the first tour we ever did,” says Britt. “Now that we do more dance moves we’re more used to it and it feels more comfortable, so yes, we do have to train hard.”

“When we first started out it was hard trying to sing and dance at the same time, we were like getting out of breath, thinking how do people do that! But now it just comes naturally,” adds Frankee.

At some point in every artists’ career, there’s always the opportunity for a spot of collaboration and the girls are eager to chat about the subject,

“We’d love to do something with Jay-Z, maybe Will.I.Am... definitely some American artist. We’ll be going over there soon so hopefully something might happen - we’re on the same record label as Will.I.Am and the Black Eyed Peas. The R&B/Hip-Hop thing is really in at the moment – people like N-Dubz... Tinie Tempah... He actually asked us ages ago if we could collaborate. But first we just want to get our album out there though, so people know who we are, and then we can think about starting to collaborate.”»