Brian Higgins made his DJ debut at the Ponystep party on April 24th.
The Daily Record published an article about "the chart-toppers you've never heard of.. the songwriters" where they mention Xenomania, Cathy Dennis & Ryan Tedder. Read it here.
There's a thread on the Popjustice forums about Xenomania that was set off by the question "Xenomania: past their prime?". The answer to that is obviously a big "NO" but it still makes an interesting read.
A bunch of unreleased Shayne Ward songs leaked last week. A couple of them sound like they might have been produced by Xenomania.
We've posted about the Almighty cover of "Jump Off" by The Banned of St Trinian's but we forgot to mention that they previously recorded a version of another Xenomania song: Gabriella Cilmi's "Sweet About Me". Visit Almighty's website to listen and buy.
Dekade (previous incarnations: NiteVisions + The Electric City; have worked with Xenomania, are now working with Flood) are receiving rave reviews from Popjustice, Daily Star, Yahoo! Music and Disco Potential. They will be performing tonight at Camden Crawl. Listen to the track "Haunt You".
Jessie Malakouti has been working with Scott Storch, Richard Vission, Howie D. and Lil' Eddie. Follow her on Twitter to see what she's up to.
Alex Vargas, previously the lead singer from Vagabond, is working on new music. Listen to a few demos on his MySpace and follow him on Twitter.
Vagabond have announced their decision to split up. Luke Fitton has posted this message on Twitter:
«We have all moved on to new projects as things haven't worked out the way we would have hoped with Vagabond. We are all very much in support of each others decisions to move on musically and there is no hard feelings. I'd personally like to thank everyone who has supported us and we assure you that everything we are currently working on is very exciting and we hope you enjoy it just as much.»
Luke Fitton and Stephen Carter will continue to work on various projects with Xenomania. You can follow what they're up to on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/lfitton http://twitter.com/StephenCarter85 Karl Penney and Sam Odiwe are doing various session work and Alex Vargas has started a new solo project. On his MySpace, Alex says that "electro rock'n'soul" is now his musical path.He posted this message on Vagabond's MySpace: «Currently I am in LA recording. Gotta love the sun! Changes are happening, it's all very exciting! The new material is sounding great and some of it will be ready for you guys to hear in a matter of days.»
Vagabond were the first act launched by Xenomania. The group consisted of Alex Vargas (vocals, acoustic guitar), Stephen Carter (backing vocals, guitar), Luke Fitton (backing vocals, guitar), Sam Odiwe (bass) and Karl Penney (drums).
The band released their Xenomania-produced debut album, You Don't Know the Half of It, in August 2009. "Sweat (Until The Morning)" was released as the first single from the album as a free download in June 2009, followed by "Don't Wanna Run No More", which was released on 3rd August 2009.
Whatever situation you might be in, here is a list of songs for Valentine's Day, all of them written and produced by Xenomania:
SONGS ABOUT LOVE
Girls Aloud - It's Magic (2005) Key lyric: "With you, only you, I know that I can be myself / Funny how I could find love with you and nobody else"
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - If You Go (2007) Key lyric: "I've got my summer sun, I'll take my love and run, I got you babe"
Pet Shop Boys - Love etc. (2009) Key lyric: "I believe, call me naive, but love is for free"
Natacha Atlas - When I Close My Eyes (feat. Myra Boyle) (2003) Key lyric: "You're shining in my eyes, walking on my ocean, sailing in my skies every time I see you there"
Girls Aloud - Untouchable (2008) Key lyric: "Without any meaning we're just skin and bone, like beautiful robots dancing alone"
SONGS ABOUT LUST
Dannii Minogue - All I Wanna Do (1997) Key lyric: "All I wanna do is touch you"
Vagabond - I've Been Wanting You (2009) Key lyric: "Keep it going baby, you know I don't need no sleep / 'Cos the urge is getting stronger, more of you is what I need"
Girls Aloud - Graffiti My Soul (2004) Key lyric: "Out the bedroom, down the stairs, along the carpet, no one cares / On the table, on to the floor, it's procreation - and nothing more"
Girls Aloud - Watch Me Go (2005) Key lyric: "I wanna feel that funky fever, baby I'm at the door / Got the keys, got the gasoline / Pour it on, I'm ready to blow - ow!"
Girls Aloud - Money (2006) Key lyric: "Getting deep-deep-deep and then I'm gonna... gonna beep your beep-beep and then I'm gonna... jump on that man!"
Girls Aloud - Fling (2007) Key lyric: "Nothing more than a fling, baby, fling, baby / Just a bit of ding-a-ling baby, bling baby / Don't want relationships, so swing, baby"
SONGS FOR BROKEN HEARTS
Alexis Strum Nothing Good About This Goodbye (2003) Key lyric: "Tell me, will you miss me when I'm in your history? / Baby, there ain't nothing good about this goodbye"
Mini Viva - I Wish (2009) Key lyric: "And I go oh-oh no, he could be the one who hits the light inside my soul"
Girls Aloud - Whole Lotta History (2005) Key lyric: "Baby, I miss you, so tell me, is she really that beautiful? / Each time she's kissed you, tell me, is it really that good for you?"
Sugababes - Never Gonna Dance Again (2007) Key lyric: "I lost the rhythm when you said it's over / And as the final record starts to fade / I feel the dancefloor turning colder"
Jessie Malakouti - Standing Up For The Lonely (2009) Key lyric: "I saw the warning signs from the start but I never thought you'd break my heart / I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind"
SONGS FOR MOVING ON
Sugababes - Hole In The Head (2003) Key lyric: "Seven hours since you went away, 11 coffees, Ricky Lake on play / But late at night up when I'm feeling blue, I'd sell my ass before I think of you"
Rachel Stevens - Funny How (2005) Key lyric: "My heart got tired, it's way past three, take these fools away from me"
Frank - Complicated (2006) Key lyric: "Don't, I'm better on my own, just leave me all alone 'cos I feel suffocated"
Mania - DNA (2004) Key lyric: "I'm no maniac, don't want you back, I won't retract - no way"
Saint Etienne - Lightning Strikes Twice (2005) Key lyric: "Everyone should have a reason to believe, so I still believe that lightning could strike twice for me"
Moonbaby - I'm Thru With Love (2000) Key lyric: "Had it up to here, I'll take a running jump if any boy comes near / I'm thru with love, it didn't do much for me"
Vagabond left a message on their MySpace stating that they will be back next year with new material:
«Hi everyone: So sorry we haven't checked in for a while! As we announced a while back we're busy writing and recording new material. We want to have a new record ready for the new year which is why we have decided to stop touring for a bit and not release another single this side of Christmas. Pleeease bear with us. We'll be back with new music soon!! Much love. Vagabond.»Meanwhile, if you want to be updated on the band's work in the Xenomania studios, you can follow Vagabond's Stephen Carter and Luke Fitton on Twitter:
Vagabond are in the studio working on new material. They updated fans on MySpace: «We just wanted to tell you that we're going to be in the studio working on new material for a while. We're really excited about having new music for the new year and will keep you posted with video clips and tweets from the studio.»
The new Pet Shop Boys single, the Germany-only "Beautiful People", is out now. You can buy it on Pet Shop Boys' official shop.
NiteVisions' next show will be the Gold Dust night at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, on October 21st.
Mini Viva have been selected by MSN Music as one of the Best Girl Groups Ever. Also in the Top 12 are The Supremes, The Bangles, Bananarama, Spice Girls, All Saints, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, TLC, Eternal, Atomic Kitten and Destiny's Child.
They say: «OK, so they may have only had one top 10 single so far, but as far as we’re concerned, Mini Viva AKA Frankee and Britt are the future of girl bands. A bit Girls Aloud, a bit Mel and Kim, their first hit Left My Heart in Tokyo already has a celebrity fan in the form of Cheryl Cole, and with hit-producing team Xenomania behind them and the NME saying they have “the catchiest single of 2009” we reckon they’re the future.»
The re-release of the Alesha Dixon album The Alesha Show will have three additional tracks: "To Love Again", "Shake" and the Xenomania-produced "The Light". The Alesha Show: The Encore is out on November 23rd.
Ahead of the release of the digitally remastered versions of The Beatles' studio back catalogue, The Guardian has been trying to find out if the Fab Four continue to inspire new bands today.
Paul Morley talked with Alex Vargas and Stephen Carter from Vagabond to see what it's like to be a group going for it almost 50 years after the Beatles found their name and their purpose. Watch the video here.
Paul Morley writes: «The young, ambitious and very knowing Vagabond are not a boy band, although they are all male and possess looks that suggest they have been designed to send much of the pop-based world swooning in their jeans. Alex glows with casual pop star intensity and seems to be the result of a genetic experiment in pop star production that blended the DNA of Bolan, Kylie and Arthur Lee of Love.»
Beatlemania
He adds: «They are unlined, prepossessing and shapely, although Alex sings Vagabond's glistening soul songs as though he is a little lined, and shapeless, and potentially troublemaking, and while critics detect a little Wet Wet Wet and Simply Red, in his heart and soul he's hearing a little Tim and Jeff Buckley.»
In the interview, Paul Morley talks of how the Beatles were sonically interesting and at the same time created a hysteria with their fans, a formula that is the ultimate goal for a new young band. Alex Vargas agrees: «Someone wrote a review about us and wrote as a negative thing that we had girls screaming at the front of the stage and I don't get it, because one of the bands whose success we all aspire to reach, that's what they had».
Stephen Carter, who had his first taste of pop music with the Beatles, notes that they managed to be constantly surprising: «I think that to be a true great you have to surprise people... Sgt. Pepper's sounded completely different to Rubber Soul, and Rubber Soul to A Hard Day's Night because they wanted to evolve and test themselves. It's obviously quite arrogant in a way, but I think you have to be. To be able to do that, you have to test yourself and not be worried of what might come out or what people might think.»
Alex Vargas: «Four albums down the line, I would hate it if we sounded exactly the same as we do now. Hopefully I'll be a lot smarter and not just write about the things that I write about now, which is nothing wrong for a 21-year-old to be writing, but I dont want to write about that at 25».
When asked which Beatles song they would like to cover, Stephen mentioned "Got To Get You Into My Life", because it has «the big Motown influence, and we love Motown». However, he probably wouldn't like to cover "Eleanor Rigby" - «there was a video for Eleanor Rigby and I remember it just scaring the life out of me (laughs)».
The new Vagabond single, "I've Been Wanting You", is scheduled to be released on October 26th.
This will be the third single from Vagabond's debut album You Don't Know The half Of It, after "Don't Wanna Run No More" and "Sweat (Until The Morning)".
Vagabond's Thelondonpaper Headliners show on 16th September has been cancelled, in light of the imminent closure of Thelondonpaper. Refunds will be available for those who purchased tickets.
Written by: Johnny Davis Published: Q (October 2009)
VAGABOND: Throaty soul-rock outfit fronted by Michael Hutchence-like Alex Vargas. Proof Xenomania do more than just girl pop. Brian Higgins: «Alex is a true star. Their best is yet to come.» Key track: "Don't Wanna Run No More"
MINI VIVA: "In yer face" female double act, the likes of which haven't been seen since Salt-N-Pepa or (ye Gods) Daphne and Celeste. Very pop. Brian Higgins: «The're a rare act where it all seemed to come together, to make sense.» Key track: "Left My Heart In Tokyo"
PAGEBOY: Catchy pop-rock with a soulful side: singer Brooke X was discovered fronting female US Led Zeppelin tribute band Lez Zeppelin. Brian Higgins: «She has charisma and stage presence not seen in a long time.» Key track: "My Love"
ALEX GARDNER: Nineteen-year-old, sometime Edinburgh model; already being talked up as "the next Duffy". Only male. Brian Higgins: «He has a timeless way about him, far beyond his years. Looks like a matinée idol.» Key track: "Yesterday's News"
GOLDMARK: Think a dancier Coldplay. Gerard O'Connell fronted failed major-label indie types The Rushes, before signing with Higgins. Brian Higgins: «He's in possession of a remarkably powerful voice. He shakes the rafters.» Key track: "Call Within A Minute"
NITEVISIONS: AKA Andy and James Taylor - sons of Andy and Roger of Duran Duran. Used to feature Simon LeBon's nephew on drums. True. Brian Higgins: «The best bits about synths and guitar-led pop rolled into one.» Key track: "Fire"
Vagabond's debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It was released this week and went straight into the iTunes top 10.
Sam Odiwe, Vagabond's bass player, said in an interview: «We couldn't have asked for a better start, and we hope that by Sunday we will have broken into the top 20 in the album charts. So much has happened this year that we are really proud of but one of our best qualities is performing live.»
The band is playing today (3:15pm) at V Festival, on the Virgin Media Union Stage. Vagabond have been consistently praised for their live shows. A recent review from their Bush Hall concert said: «A great gig from a band who tick all the boxes - they're everything pop music is supposed to be about. They're doing something a bit different, injecting life into tried and tested formulas and proving that music can be interesting and still make girls scream.»
Here's a few excerpts from recent Vagabond interviews:
Meeting Brian Higgins: Alex Vargas – When I first met him he told me that he wanted to become successful and be the best until his dying day I suppose. He wanted to be at the top and never stop working. It’s someone like that who you want on your team. You really can’t know what you’re in for until it’s done with Brian. It can be a roller coaster ride. I guess making an album can be like that who ever you’re working with. I didn’t really know what to expect, but the outcome is definitely something to be proud of.
Working with Brian Higgins Luke Fitton – He limits you to a certain amount of time to get the freshest ideas. We came back with a recording and loads of ideas. I said to him ‘I don’t know what you had in mind. We’ve got loads of ideas’. He was like ‘I don’t care what it is as long as it’s fantastic. As long as it’s amazing’ (...) And so that’s intense but you end up learning a lot more and you get an idea of what his thoughts are. Then you start growing and judging yourself a lot better and being a bit more hard on yourself and choosing the best ideas rather than thinking that everything that comes out of your head is fantastic.
Alex Vargas – Brian never sort of sat down and said right this is what you have to be. Brian finds your talent and brings out the best in whoever he’s working with. So there was no way we were ever going to end up being a disco/electro band. There’s one song that was very disco but we’ve taken it off [the album] because it doesn’t match our sound.
Xenomania's new direction Luke Fitton: We are kind of a new direction for Xenomania. I think anyone will learn a lot from working with Brian. He is capable of most things. Steve Carter: He still is having success with Girls Aloud. I could imagine if you have had so much success with something like that, you would be interested in a new direction, a new path. It shows that he can work in a different way.
Luke Fitton – It’s more other people presuming that when you work with a pop producer like that, you work with Girls Aloud’s producer. He’s worked with loads of other people. Everyone assumes you’re going to have songs like that. But if you’ve met the guy… You could talk to him about an old Blues record and he’d pull out the best Blues record and give you a reason why and what it would be nothing like Girls Aloud. They’re moving away from that as well and trying to be more interesting and diverse with what they’re working with. We’re definitely not a Boys Aloud or anything.
The Motown influence: Steve Carter: We can find a lot of similarities in the way we formed, not just in the actual sound, but in the way the music was put together, the way the quality was looked at, and not really sneered at. There is a strong connection there, more of a relationship with Motown than, say, Factory Records. We can relate to it more. Alex: I do find a lot of inspiration in soul music. Luke Fitton: We all do. Much in the same way the Stones and the Yardbirds were indebted to American soul in the 60s - they were these white English guys listening to American soul music.
Vagabond's debut album is out today. You Don't Know the Half of It was produced by Xenomania and contains 11 songs.
If you haven't snapped up your copy yet, Vagabond will be adding one track to their MySpace music player every day this week. Today’s track is live favourite "Ladelle".
Tracklist: 01. Sweat (Until The Morning) 02. Don’t Wanna Run No More 03. I Know A Girl 04. I’ve Been Wanting You 05. Ladelle 06. Smile Of Mona Lisa 07. I Said Hello 08. I Hope You Know Better 09. Clouded Circus 10. Drifting 11. You Talk To Me
Reviews:
Album opener and former single Don’t Wanna Run No More is a strong start (...) Just when you fear that Vagabond have settled into an album long routine, however, they drop I’ve Been Wanting You, which trades the funk for synth-pop and really makes the most of Xenomania’s presence. (...) You Talk To Me ends things on a moody, chilled vibe that shows they know how to work up the ballad moments to optimum effect. (...) Vagabond have plenty in their arsenal and are nothing if not diverse. But the album could do with a greater consistency in quality, as this only really impresses in fits and starts. IndieLondon 3/5
There are some decent moments, such as the hugely tuneful Don't Wanna Run No More and the downhearted Smile of Mona Lisa, but it's a shame Xenomania didn't add a bit of their electro-wizardry - now, that might have been interesting. The Guardian 3/5
’You Don’t Know The Half Of It’ has the machine tooled efficiency of prime INXS with the smooth blue eyed soul grooves of a young Simply Red. They sound like a stadium rock band in the making. The Telegraph
The decision of hitmakers Xenomania to use one of music's most reliably sexless styles - mid-tempo wine bar funk - must rank among the year's strangest. Odd electronic feints and the synth-assisted "I've Been Wanting You" bear fleeting testament to the pedigree behind this debut album. The Observer
The impressive firepower behind this new UK band include Xenomania (...). That means a familiar slightly brittle, high-gloss approach, mashing elements of bygone pop into something intensely 2009. But perhaps Vagabond’s greatest asset is Alex Vargas, a voice which seems to have been marinaded for years in American funk and soul. (...) There’s a lot of character to this set, and Vargas easily shrugs off any accusation that this is just another widget falling off the Xenomania production line. CityLife 3/5
It really is a curiosity of a record, starting off so radio-friendly it wanders into Boyzone territory in places, before morphing into New Order (I've been Wanting You), then Girls Aloud (the riff on Ladelle is almost a carbon copy of last year's hit Can't Speak French) and the intro of Clouded Circus sounds like the Smashie and Nicey favourite You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet by Bachmann Turner Overdrive. Add to that Alex's Nickelback-esque growl (in your mind's eye he's playing air guitar on a windy cliff top) and Xenomania's big choruses and shiny production and you've got a record that's reassuring familiar but manages to sound fresh too. Evening News 24
Vagabond, the first band being launched by Xenomania, release their debut album today. The band is seen as an odd offering from Xenomania, given their background in pure, shameless pop, and their long-term association with a group like Girls Aloud.
Vagabond guitarist Luke Fitton told The Telegraph: «Everyone thinks we’re gonna be Girls Aloud with guitars, but we’re a proper band. We just didn’t get together at school, we got together in Brian’s house.»
Frontman Alex Vargas went to the Xenomania studios for a songwriting session and wound up forming Vagabond with other young musicians working around the house. Brian Higgins said of Vargas: «Alex is a stunning songwriter, and I want to nurture that because he is going to take us to places we wouldn’t otherwise go».
Vargas (vocals, acoustic guitar), Stephen Carter (backing vocals, guitar), Luke Fitton (backing vocals, guitar), Sam Odiwe (bass) and Karl Penney (drums) are now putting out their debut album, You Don't Know The Half Of It.
To celebrate the release of the album, Vagabond will be doing an in-store signing and performance tomorrow (Tuesday, 18th August) in London. You can catch them at Pure Groove (6-7 West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9JX) - arrive at 6pm for a 7pm performance. There'll also be Vagabond merchandise to buy at the venue.
In their series of acoustic covers, they've recorded a version of Marvin Gaye's classic, "What’s Going On" - watch it here.
Vagabond's performance at the iTunes Festival is now available to buy for £1.99. The EP includes five songs: "Don't Wanna Run No More", "Drifting", "Sweat", "Ladele" and "I've Been Wanting You". Click here to buy.
Vagabond's debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It is available to pre-order on iTunes.
If you pre-order it until Sunday 16th August, you'll get a FREE bonus version of the David Guetta / Kelly Rowland hit, "When Love Takes Over", recorded by Vagabond. Make sure you don't miss out – next week will be too late.
You can watch Vagabond performing "When Love Takes Over" here.
You Don't Know The Half Of It is out on Monday. You can pre-order your physical copy on Amazon.
21-year-old American singer/songwriter, professional dancer and actress. "Standing Up For The Lonely" is Jessie's official first single, to be released on Ministry of Sound on 21st September. Popjustice describes the song as «a defiant modern disco record with a slightly mournful, triumph-over-adversity element» and says that she «is destined for quite big things». Jessie is working on her debut album, to be released later this year.
British pop/rock band fronted by Brooke Gengras, a fantastic singer and performer from Brooklyn, NYC. Brooke has been a member of bands such as the soul-influenced Rider and Lez Zeppelin (an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band), before being spotted by Xenomania's A&R. Pageboy are signed to Geffen and have been gigging for the last six months. Earlier this year, Pageboy were selected by The Times as one of the hot music acts of 2009.
Links:MySpace, Twitter Upcoming shows:
10 Aug 2009 Monto Water Rats, Londont
17 Aug 2009 LIVE at 229, Great Portland Street, London
ELIZA NOBLE
21-year-old singer/songwriter from London. Eliza Noble started singing and playing guitar when she was 11 and she also plays the piano. She has been gigging for the last few years and is currently working on new music with Xenomania.
Listen:The One Way (demo) Links:MySpace, Twitter Upcoming shows:
5 Aug 2009 The Fly, London
10 Aug 2009 Monto Water Rats, Londont
MAXINE
16-year-old girl from the Bronx, NYC. Maxine Ashley is a sassy/soulful singer who's one part Neneh Cherry, one part Beyoncé. She has just started out with Xenomania.
Influences: Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, India Arie, Paramore, Panic At The Disco.
17-year-old from Scotland, recently signed to Universal Records after a bidding war between three record labels. It's the biggest deal Universal has signed since Mika. He's been doing a weekly residence at Water Rats and recently performed at T in the Park - The Herald says he was «soulful and youthfully confident». Alex is currently working on his debut album, due this Autumn.
Links:MySpace Upcoming shows:
Aug 5 2009 - The Fly, London
Aug 17 2009 - Showcase:LIVE, London
NITEVISIONS
Once part of the Electric City, the singer Andy Taylor and guitarrist/writer James Taylor have started up a new band called NiteVisions, with a leaner, more electro sound. Read a review of one their gigs: «(...) it has always been evident that these boys can write a Pop song, and if these early glimpses of Night Visions are anything to go by, the Taylors just keep getting better. This short set was brimming with 80’s synth sounds, jagged guitar work, phat with a capital ‘P-H-’ slap and slide bass lines and Indie-Disco drum beats».
Soulful soloist with a big voice. Once signed to Island as part of The Rushes, Gez O'Connell joined the Xenomania family this year and is one of their newest stand out talents. Recently performed at the iTunes festival.
JFK
Xenomania's in-house band, now turned into a "proper" band. They usually provide live backing for some of Xenomania's new roster of acts (those that don't actually have/are a "band" - Mini Viva, Jessie Malakouti, Alex Gardner, Eliza Noble).
Members: Jason Resch, Florrie Arnold, Kieran Jones
MINI VIVA
Mini Viva are Britt Love (20, Mini) and Frankee Connolly (19, Viva), a pop duo looked after by Xenomania and managed by Spice Girls’ former manager Simon Fuller. Debut single "Left My Heart in Tokyo" is already C-listed on Radio 1 and is Scott Mills' Record of the Week, 6 weeks before its release on September 7th. NME named Mini Viva «the next biggest girl band in the universe» and The Guardian says that Mini Viva are «the act most likely to encourage a productive dialogue between indie and pop, between the art world and the chart world». Mini Viva's debut album is out in November.
International five-piece pop/rock band with a bluesy and soulful sound. They have been crafting their sound under the guidance of Brian Higgins/Xenomania and are signed to the newly reformed Geffen Records UK. Vagabond release their first physical single "Don't Wanna Run No More" on 3rd August 2009. Their debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It is available August 17th. Vagabond are heading out on tour this month, having previously toured with artists such as James Morrison, McFly and The Script. The Guardian says they could be «the world's biggest new band».
Upcoming shows:
6 Aug Bush Hall London
7 Aug Bristol Cooler Bristol
8 Aug Southampton Joiners Southampton
10 Aug Nottingham Bodega Nottingham
11 Aug Manchester Moho Manchester
12 Aug King Tuts Glasgow
14 Aug Cockpit Leeds
15 Aug Norwich Arts Centre
17 Aug Masque Liverpool
22 Aug V-Festival Stafford, Northwest
23 Aug V-Festival Chelmsford, East
"Don't Wanna Run No More" is available from August 3rd. This is Vagabond's first physical single from their debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It, out August 17th.
Vagabond's frontman Alex Vargas cites this gospel-edged, soulful track as being particularly close to his heart: «It's about giving up the chase and realising there is no point in fighting anymore».
Tracklist: 1. Don't Wanna Run No More (radio edit) 2. Don't Wanna Run No More (Bimbo Jones remix)
Reviews:
-- Slickly produced by Girls Aloud collaborators Xenomania, the whole thing screams epic - Angry Ape -- Potentially the biggest hit machine since Stock, Aitken and Waterman, Xenomania practically breathe radio-friendly efforts and while this gospel-tinged single sounds nothing like their Girls Aloud work, it's headed for the upper echelons of the charts without a doubt - inthenews -- Very brilliant indeed and could end up being the sound of independent local radio until the end of time itself - Popjustice
Vagabond are just about to release their new single, "Don't Wanna Run No More", on August 3rd (pre-order on iTunes). Their debut album follows on August 17th. They have recently shot the album cover in New Forest, Dorset, with the photographer Andrew Whitton.
Vagabond guitarist Luke Fitton celebrates his birthday today (have a happy one!). Coincidently, the Huddersfield Examiner has published an article about Luke and Vagabond. They say: «A few years ago, Huddersfield guitarist Luke Fitton was just starting out in his band career. Now he’s a member of pop rockers Vagabond, who are being tipped for promise in 2009.»
The group has been running a series of competitions - check their MySpace blog for details. They will be answering questions from the fans, so if there's anything you'd like to know, send in your question.
Vagabond will perform "Don't Wanna Run No More" on GMTV next Monday, 3rd August (single release day), and on T4 very soon. You can also catch the video on the following TV request channels: TMF, VH1, The Box, Chart Show TV, VMX / Homechoice, 4Music, Bliss and Channel M.
Vagabond are heading out on tour in August. For more details, you can visit their MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Twitter, etc. (they're everywhere, really)
"Don't Wanna Run No More" is now A-listed on BBC Radio 2 and remains on the B-list of Radio 1's playlist. Terry Wogan, Greg James and Jo Whiley have been the biggest supporters on BBC radio.
Vagabond have recently added the guitar chords and lyrics of "Don't Wanna Run No More" to their MySpace. Go and have a look. The single will be released on August 3rd. You can pre-order it now on iTunes.
Angry Ape has reviewed the song. Read their verdict:
«Slickly produced by Girls Aloud collaborators Xenomania, the whole thing screams epic. And with its piano-intro, chiming guitars, acoustic strums, tsunami-sized chorus and the rich vocals of Alex Vargas, it sounds like something from Richard Ashcroft's acclaimed debut solo album 'Alone With Everybody'. Having supported The Script and James Morrison on tour, it won't be long before Vagabond are selling-out huge venues of their own.»
After recording "Fans" by Kings of Leon (as selected by the, err, fans), Vagabond have posted the choices for their next cover version:
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones Hard To Handle - Otis Redding Ramble On - Led Zeppelin Layla - Eric Clapton
Let them know which track you would like the band to cover by posting your choice on their MySpace.
The new Vagabond single is now available to pre-order on iTunes. You can also pre-order it on Amazon. "Don't Wanna Run No More" will be released on August 3rd.
The single has moved up to BBC Radio 1's B-list and remains B-listed on Radio 2. Click here to see who's been playing the song on the radio - Jo Whiley seems to be the biggest supporter.
Vagabond have recorded an acoustic cover of "Fans" by Kings of Leon, as voted by the fans. Watch it here (Afro Sam is seen briefly doing abdominal crunches...). Stay tuned for another vote on which cover you'd like to see next.
"Don't Wanna Run No More" has been added to BBC Radio 2's B-list and is now C-listed on Radio 1.
You can listen to the Bimbo Jones remix of the song on YouTube. The single is out on August 3rd.
Meanwhile, Vagabond will be busy touring the UK. These are this month's scheduled dates:
10 Jul T in the Park 11 Jul Liverpool Echo Arena (With Mcfly) 12 Jul Mouth Of The Tyne Festival 12 Jul Durham Cricket Ground (Supporting James Morrison) 16 Jul ITUNES FESTIVAL - The Roundhouse, London 17 Jul Rochester Castle (With Mcfly), Kent
Read a few recent live reviews:
Support-act Vagabond gained a huge reception from the 10,000 strong crowd after performing a string of quality, high tempo hits from album You Don't Know The Half Of It. In Alex Vargas, the band have a lead singer who oozes cool. His rock star haircut and confident swagger on stage are reminisent of a young Lenny Kravitz, definitely a group to look out for. Click Liverpool
Their look (apologies for beginning with the superficial) is… unusual. The frontman with his long curly locks could be Michael Hutchence; funky, afro-haired bass player Sam wouldn’t look out of place in The Jackson Five and the other skinny two look like they should be in Franz Ferdinand. Yet when the music began, they all gelled well. The sound? It’s mainstream, but it’s darn catchy. old-fashioned, 70s-style soul balladry for those who loved the original r&b, with a touch of urban and white-man’s blues, their songs are pinned down by Vargas’ impressive, gritty vocals and his band-mates chilled-out grooves. The track that got the crowd going most tonight was debut single, er, ‘Sweat Until the Morning’, and if they can sing a song with a name like that and get away with it, then these boys surely have a future. The Irish World
Vagabond's frontman Alex Vargas recently spoke about Michael Jackson and his influence on the band: «I can't believe it – it's such a loss. You can't reinvent music in 2009, you can only mix together what's come before - he was one of the last musicians to really make something unique and new.»
The band had spent the whole day in the Xenomania studios when they heard the news: «I got a call from a friend. Steve (Carter, guitarist) is the biggest fan so we ran over the road where Luke (Fitton, guitarist) lives and put the news on. History was the first album I spent my own money on and I guess he's had quite an influence on the band.»
Vagabond have been putting the finishing touches on their debut album - they recently recorded a new song titled "You Talk To Me". The album's synth-tinged rock and soulful guitar pop is seen as a surprising mix coming from the Xenomania team.
Alex denies feeling under pressure to match Xenomania's chart-topping success: «You can see it as pressure or as motivation. The way I see it is that it's great these people at the top believe in us. In fact I'm the one stressing myself out. I believe in the record so much – what if it doesn't do well? What do I do then? I'm so nervous about it, I've had to warn the guys that I'm going to be a ***** until the album comes out! A big ego is very heavy, so it's going to be a tough month.»
Vagabond met when they were working as backing musicians at the Xenomania mansion. «I was in there doing some work on my own music and as we got working together, it just worked», Alex says. «We all get on really well – we've said to each other that we want to be doing this for a long time, so we need to treat each other like family and have patience with each other and look out for each other.»
«It's important for me because I don't have my family around me here - I left home in Denmark when I was 17 to move to England, but I'm still close to them and I love going home and lying on the sofa while my mum runs around after me!»
Vagabond's buzz single "Sweat (Until The Morning)" recently played on EastEnders. Alex Vargas said in an interview that the song is based on a short fling he had: «[It] is basically just about sex, stopping to have a glass of wine and a smoke and then back to bed again». «"Sweat" is probably our most produced track and it’s definitely not the biggest track on the album but we decided to release it first to give people a taste of better things to come.»
He added: «There are a lot of uplifting songs on this album and we wanted to do this because there is a lot of depressing shit out there. It isn’t wrong but I think too many writers are afraid to admit they’re actually ok – we’re happy so we write uplifting music.»
Vagabond's debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It is set for release on August 17th. The single "Don't Wanna Run No More" is out on August 3rd. Pre-order both on Amazon: album + single
Xenomania is a songwriting and production house based in Kent, England. It was founded by songwriter and producer Brian Higgins.
Since 1996, Xenomania have written, produced and remixed tracks for a string of successful artists including Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys, Sugababes, Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Saint Etienne, Cher, Gabriella Cilmi and many others.
