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Xenomania in 2012: what's coming
Posted at 8:32 PM, 11 December 2011 - 10 Comments

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.


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Alex Gardner is back at Xenomania
Posted at 7:51 PM, 10 August 2011 - 3 Comments

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.


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Video: Alex Gardner - Where Were You When I Was Sleeping? (acoustic version)
Posted at 12:33 AM, 12 October 2010 - 1 Comments



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Buy: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine (single)
Posted at 11:31 PM, 27 September 2010 - 0 Comments

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


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Alex Gardner's "Feeling Fine" is out now on iTunes
Posted at 12:05 PM, 26 September 2010 - 0 Comments

"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:




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Pre-order a signed copy of Alex Gardner's "Feeling Fine"
Posted at 11:42 AM, 17 September 2010 - 0 Comments

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.


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Pre-order: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine
Posted at 1:23 PM, 13 September 2010 - 0 Comments

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.



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Lyrics: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine
Posted at 11:21 AM, 27 August 2010 - 1 Comments

[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



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Reviews: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine
Posted at 7:15 PM, 08 August 2010 - 0 Comments


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!


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Video: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine
Posted at 11:03 PM, 05 August 2010 - 1 Comments


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.



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Video: Alex Gardner - Feeling Fine (live)
Posted at 11:05 AM, 20 July 2010 - 0 Comments


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.


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Alex Gardner releases debut EP in Italy
Posted at 12:46 PM, 08 July 2010 - 5 Comments

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


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Alex Gardner to support Leona Lewis on tour
Posted at 3:41 PM, 10 June 2010 - 0 Comments

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.


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Video: Alex Gardner - Where Were You? (live)
Posted at 2:56 PM, 17 May 2010 - 0 Comments

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!»

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Alex Gardner supporting Whitney Houston
Posted at 7:43 PM, 30 April 2010 - 8 Comments

Alex Gardner will be supporting Whitney Houston tomorrow night (Saturday, May 1st) in Glasgow at the SECC.

Alex is currently on tour with Scouting For Girls, which will last throughout May. In July he will be touring with JLS. Go to his website for details.

Don't forget to register on his website to get access to the members area, where you can watch exclusive acoustic videos (the most recent is "I Wanna Be With Her"), interviews, webisodes, tour diaries, etc.

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Alex Gardner on tour
Posted at 7:57 PM, 19 April 2010 - 0 Comments

Alex Gardner is going on tour across the UK supporting One Republic, Scouting For Girls and JLS.

He is giving away tickets to every single show on the tour. The winners will also get to meet Alex on the night.

To be in with the chance of winning you just have to go to his website, click on the date you would like to go to and fill in your contact details. Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email. Good luck!

You can watch 'on the road webisodes' on the members area of his website. Sign in/register now to view. Also, new Alex Gardner acoustic videos will be uploaded over the next few weeks and you can decide which one to see first. Head over to his Facebook to vote now.

These are the dates of the tour (more info on Alex's website):

19/04/10 Norwich UEA - Supporting One Republic - Norwich
20/04/10 Shepherds Bush Empire - London
28/04/10 Royal Centre - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Nottingham
30/04/10 O2 Academy - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Birmingham
02/05/10 City Hall - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Newcastle
03/05/10 HMV Picture House - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Edinburgh
04/05/10 O2 Academy - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Glasgow
06/05/10 O2 Academy - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Leeds
07/05/10 Apollo - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Manchester
08/05/10 Empress Ballroom - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Blackpool
10/05/10 O2 Academy - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Sheffield
11/05/10 Oasis - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Swindon
12/05/10 Colston Hall - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Bristol
14/05/10 Solent - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Bournemouth
15/05/10 Pavilions - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Plymouth
16/05/10 Guildhall - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Portsmouth
18/05/10 Winter Gardens - Supporting Scouting For Girls - Margate
19/05/10 Hammersmith Apollo - Supporting Scouting For Girls - London
24/05/10 Brighton Centre - Supporting Scouting For Girls
15/07/10 Dingwalls - MTV PRESENTS ALEX GARDNER & ELIZA DOOLITTLE - London
16/07/10 Westonbirt Arboretum - Supporting JLS - Gloucestershire
17/07/10 Escot Park - Supporting JLS - Devon
18/07/10 Sound City Festival - Supporting JLS - Peterborough
24/07/10 Ynysangharad, Memorial Park - Supporting JLS - Wales
25/07/10 Quex Park, Sound Island Festival - Supporting JLS
07/08/10 Belladrum Festival

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Xenomania news roundup
Posted at 5:10 PM, 05 April 2010 - 0 Comments

  • ALEX GARDNER's "I'm Not Mad" debuted in the UK Singles Chart this week at number 44.

    As Chart Rigger puts it, "'I'm Not Mad' will go down as another sadly lost gem that was touted in the blogosphere — and one that truly deserved the hype! — but overlooked by the general record-buying/music downloading public".
  • MIRANDA COOPER is in the latest issue of Red Magazine talking about new singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé. Miranda says: «She's part of an exciting new generation of producers and writers, and I am always hearing great things about her.» Emeli Sandé wrote Chipmunk's "Diamond Rings" and also appears on Wiley's "Never Be Your Woman".
  • New Xenomania protégée BROOKE X has been finishing her debut album, so it won't be long until there's new music out there. Meanwhile, here's the top 3 Brooke X tweets from the past week:

    -- "If I like my record anymore I'd marry it, have lots of song babies together and live happily ever after in the rock and roll hall of fame."
    -- "Holy shit, we are KILLING this album! I'm on aural pleasure overload!"
    -- "I've just heard the sound of love, and it's on my goddamn album."
  • Through some intensive Twitter investigation, Popjustice discovered that there is a GIRLS ALOUD cover of The Go-Go's' "Our Lips Are Sealed" hidden somewhere in the Xenomania vaults.
  • MINI VIVA talk about the pressure of working with/for Xenomania:

    «There’s always that little bit of pressure because they’re well known for the Girls Aloud stuff and it’s always in the top ten. We just wanna have the same success if you know what I mean. We just wanna do well for them and we want people to love ‘em [the songs] as much as they love Girls Aloud songs.»
  • "Jump Off" by the BANNED OF ST TRINIAN'S has been remixed and re-recorded by Almighty and J.K. The track has been released as a download, CD-R and is now on the compilation Almighty: Definitive Collection: Volume 8. Listen to clips and buy it here.

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Brian Higgins & Alex Gardner interview
Posted at 1:13 AM, 30 March 2010 - 1 Comments

A new interview with Brian Higgins and new Xenomania protégé Alex Gardner was published on the latest Scotland on Sunday. You can now read the article online. This is one of those rare and insightful interviews with Brian Higgins.

Important things that you might learn: Brian's work ethic comes from his father, who was so committed to being a GP that he barely saw him; he stopped composing at the piano a long time ago; «pop music is maths»; he's been listening to New Order, Kate Bush and Lady Gaga; Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" is «the best pop song of the past 15 years». Highlights:
  • Brian Higgins says that melody is life-sustaining. "Water is the more precious resource – but only just," he chuckles. He is currently listening to: "Classic New Order as always, Kate Bush's Cloudbursting and Poker Face by the fantastic Lady Gaga."
  • Higgins on Franz Ferdinand: "Given they'd worked on new songs for three years, I expected them to have more urgency. But I still love them. Take Me Out is the best pop song of the past 15 years."
  • Xenomania had started above a pine furniture shop but Higgins always believed that songwriting required blissful surroundings. "My fantasy had been to write songs in Paris. I got there eventually and out of that experience came All I Wanna Do for Dannii Minogue – my first top five.". [Another notable song written in Paris was Girls Aloud's "Call The Shots".]
  • Alex Gardner thought he'd entered a fairytale world even before he knew of the Alice In Wonderland connotations with the Xenomania mansion. "The house is incredible. In every cubbyhole, people are making music – and in the summer they take their guitars into this beautiful, three-tiered garden. I guess that must have been a massive inspiration for Alice – it's the most amazing, peaceful, creative place."
  • Higgins was impressed by Gardner's work ethic. "I know I'm demanding, but we're not here to make up the numbers. My work ethic comes from my father who was so committed to being a GP that I barely saw him. Most people, when they're writing songs, trust their first instincts; I'm always suspicious of that. And I stopped composing at the piano a long, long time ago."
  • Alex gives away Brian's secrets: "He'd sing into a dictaphone in one corner and in another I'd do the same. At first I found him intimidating but he quickly became giggly and excited."
  • Alex first auditioned to be the singer in Xenomania's house band JFK. Higgins: "I'd heard him sing some songs by a couple of the guys who work here and, to be honest, Alex didn't do it for me until I was persuaded to listen to one of his own compositions. It was terrific. Then he came in to Xenomania and, after hardly any time in the house, I told him: 'I'm not going to let you leave until we've made a great pop record.'" Higgins says that "working with Alex was inspirational" and that he is an "extremely personable lad".
  • Alex Gardner can't decide which is his favourite pop moment at Xenomania HQ: bumping into Alesha Dixon and Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue saying "hi" or Sarah Harding asking him where she could get some meatballs (oh dear).
Alex Gardner's first single "I'm Not Mad" is out now in stores and on iTunes.

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Alex Gardner's "I'm Not Mad" is OUT NOW
Posted at 2:44 PM, 29 March 2010 - 0 Comments

Alex Gardner's debut single is out in stores today. "I'm Not Mad" is backed with a new b-side titled "Superfree", which you can only find on the CD-single.

"I'm Not Mad" was produced by Xenomania and co-written by Alex Gardner & Xenomania.

Don't forget that you can get a limited signed edition via the official site, so go on and grab your copy. You can also download it from iTunes.

Buy the single: iTunes - Amazon - HMV - Official site (signed) - Juno

Reviews:
  • A rich, elegant tune and a good showcase for Alex's impressive pipes. - Popjustice
  • First there's the young Scot's voice, which is rich, manly and intriguingly husky (...). Then there's the fact that his debut single, 'I'm Not Mad', builds on this intrigue. A glossy-yet-gloomy electropop affair, and very much a grower not a shower. 4/5 Digital Spy
  • Xenomania's influence is not hard to spot on this radio-friendly debut, as a synth-led production provides the backdrop to Gardner's distinctive voice. - Music Week
  • Xenomania's squelchy synths and glistening pads conjure imagery of tears shining in the light from disco balls (...) Xenomania, whether wittingly or not, always manages to create dark undertones that give even the most innocuous of lyrics depth. Regardless of Alex's image or age, "I'm Not Mad" as a track actually comes up trumps, a depressing love song sang to a club beat. 8/10 The Lost Children Sanctuary
  • 'I'm Not Mad' is catchy electro pop. But it's the surprisingly rich voice - like a smoother, sweeter James Morrison - that seals the deal. - The Star

  • In debut single 'I'm Not Mad' the deep melancholic sad pop that characterised Girls Aloud's 'Out Of Control' finds a perfect bed partner in Alex's simultaneously soft and strong vocals. - Attitude

  • Alex has the same raspy voice of fellow Scot Paolo Nutini, but his tunes are more polished. Pop overlords Xenomania add whooshing rave beats under Alex's tender vocals, and the mix works on this debut single. - News Of The World

  • I’m Not Mad is a pulsating electro-pop record that should see Gardner easily glide in the UK Top 10. His husky Scottish tones perfectly complement the pop beats of the verses before launching into an irresistible and catchy chorus. Entertainment Focus

  • Look at this amazing guy with his gorgeous eyes and magnificent voice and even well dressed! And this awesome song,the lyrics that actually have a meaning unlike other songs these days and the beat that can shake the windows! - Irina's Blog

  • Structurally, that bass-led one-chord groove at the heart of things is perfectly nice. There's a pretty synthy mist that hangs over proceedings which recalls some of the Pet Shop Boys's frostier moments, and Alex has a soft, plaintive croon which suits what he is singing about pretty well. 3/5 - BBC Chart Blog

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"I'm Not Mad" is available to download now
Posted at 1:04 PM, 28 March 2010 - 0 Comments


Alex Gardner's debut single "I'm Not Mad" is available to download from iTunes today. The single is backed with a remix by Benny Benassi. Download now.

The CD, in stores tomorrow, includes the b-side "Superfree". Order a limited edition, hand-signed copy from Alex Gardner's official store.

Tomorrow you can also join him in the In4merz Lounge at the Habbo Hotel for a live webchat at 4pm. Get your questions ready - if you want to submit a question in advance click here.

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