EIS Newsletter:

Hello

Thank you so much to everyone who has already taken the time to send over questions for the special interview with Vince and Andy that is being planned for the booklet to accompany the forthcoming 21st Anniversary release of 'The Innocents'. If you have questions about the album you'd like to see considered for the interview then you still have a few days to email them over to me.

Lots of you have also sent over your thoughts, memories, stories and anecdotes relating to 'The Innocents', what the album means to you and how it has had an impact on your life. I've been reading through them and compiling them to be sent over to Mute for consideration in the album booklet and I have to say they have been absolutely fascinating, thank you. If you want to share your thoughts about 'The Innocents' them please do email them over to me as soon as you can.

Vince Clarke Wins Ivor Novello Award

Vince Clarke attended last week's prestigious Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London where - in recognition of his work with Depeche Mode, Yazoo and Erasure - he was presented with the 2009 award for Outstanding Song Collection by Mute Records' boss Daniel Miller. See the News section on the website for pictures and more information about the Ivor Novello awards.

The Innocents - 21st Anniversary Edition

There has been much excitement this week following the news of the forthcoming 21st Anniversary edition of 'The Innocents' in last week's newsletter. The question that I have been asked over and over again this week is whether the release will be a straightforward reissue of the album in a remastered format, or whether it will be something more substantial and, although I can't reveal too many details just yet, I can tell you that 'The Innocents' will be available in a standard CD edition AND a special Deluxe Edition... more news when I have it!

Andy Bell 'Bay Area Reporter' Interview

Andy was recently interviewed by The Bay Area Reporter for a 'Total Pop!' feature which is online now. The interview revolves around the release of 'Total Pop!' and takes a broad look at Erasure's history and includes a look at the way Vince and Andy work together, the band's various fashion statements (!), touring and television appearances and is well worth a read!

Andy Bell USA Tour T-Shirt

Lexer Music have just received a small number of the Andy Bell tour t-shirts, produced for Andy's appearance on last year's 'True Colors' tour. The shirts are available now at Lexer Music.

More next week!

Cheers

Richard

Erasure Information Service
www.erasureinfo.com

Vince Clarke Honoured At The Ivor Novello Awards

Vince Clarke attended prestigious Ivor Novello Awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House hotel where he was presented with this year's award for Outstanding Song Collection - in recognition of his work with Depeche Mode, Yazoo and Erasure - by Mute Records' boss Daniel Miller.

The Ivors celebrate the outstanding writing achievements of songwriters, composers and their music publishers. The awards either celebrate artistic excellence in a specific work, exceptional sales or performance figures in the award year or recognise the outstanding achievements of a particular songwriter or composer throughout their career. You can find out more about the awards at the Ivor Novello website.

Source: EIS

Vince Clarke with his wife		Vince Clarke with his wife		Vince Clarke with his wife

Vince Clarke		Vince Clarke		Vince Clarke

Vince Clarke

Vince Clarke		Vince Clarke

Vince And Feargal Assemble At The Ivors

It was a near-reunion of Vince Clarke and Feargal Sharkey's short-lived collaboration The Assembly at the Ivors last week. The mid-80s musical union, comprising Vince, Feargal and producer Eric Radcliffe who was not present at the event, produced just one single, albeit a hit, "Never Never," which reached #4 on the UK charts.

Clarke and Sharkey shared a laugh and a smoke out front of the Grosvenor House in London and caught up on old times, not having seen each other for nearly twenty-five years.

Source: vinceclarkemusic.com

Andy Bell At Gay Day In San Francisco

Last week Andy Bell performed at 'Gay Day' event in San Francisco, California. These were the songs that he did (in no particular order):

1. Crazy
2. Breathe
3. Blue Savannah (Der Deutsche Mix I)
4. I Could Fall In Love With You (Monteverde Radio Edit)
5. Caught In A Spin
6. Drama (Andy Bell And JC Remix)
7. Always (Manhattan Clique Remix)
8. Electric Blue
9. Chains Of Love
10. Oh L’Amour (Kenny Hayes Remix)
11. A Little Respect

Andy mentioned he had really wanted to see Vince Clarke but they had passed each other in the air on Thursday while Vince was flying to the UK and Andy was flying to the US. Vince had had a big celebration party and had really wanted Andy to be there...

There is also a new interview with Andy Bell, which can be read here.

Many thanks to cal for the info and report.

Another report about Andy Bell performance (with photos) can be found here. See additional photos here.

And finally, Andy Bell has been caught at Lookout bar in San Francisco (photos: Wilson Hardcastle, click to enlarge):

Andy Bell and Pollo Del Mar		Andy Bell with fan

Andy Bell Tour T-Shirts

The Erasure Shop (Lexer Music) have for sale the Andy Bell tour T-shirts as sold on the "True Colors" Tour in the USA during 2008. There weren't many of these left so if you do want one then the time's now!

EIS Newsletter:

Hello

How exciting! News of the first Erasure release since I took over the EIS and I'm particularly delighted that it's a very special reissue of one of my own favourite records, The Innocents, so without further ado here's this week's very exciting news...

The Innocents - 21st Anniversary Edition

Mute Records today confirmed plans for a very special 21st Anniversary remastered edition of Erasure's 1988 album 'The Innocents' to be released in the Autumn. I don't have too many details for you yet, but you can read Mute's Press Release in full in the News section on the website.

Vince and Andy will be doing a special interview about the release to be included in the new edition's sleeve notes, so if YOU have any questions for them about any aspect of The Innocents (the recording process for example, or the songs, the artwork, the tour, whatever you can think of really!) then please email them to me.

I'd also love to see any photographs you have that are related to the album, and hear what The Innocents means to you; your memories, stories and anecdotes, email them over - you never know, they might be used in the booklet too! Thanks...

Vince Clarke Remixes Space Cowboy

Vince Clarke has remixed Space Cowboy's 'Falling Down' and his mix is currently streaming at the Cherry Tree Records website. Also, Vince's remix of 'If I Know You' for The Presets is now available to buy via iTunes in the USA and the UK. More information on both tracks can be found on Vince's website.

Andy Bell On Madonna And Debbie Harry

Part two of Andy's recent interview with AOL's Spinner.com is online now and talks about Madonna's influence on Andy and his friendship with Debbie Harry.

More next week!

Cheers

Richard

Erasure Information Service
web: www.erasureinfo.com

Andy Bell Goes 'Cosmic' For Madonna

"As a remixer, Erasure's Andy Bell says he'd love to have a go at Madonna. "Who wouldn't?" he asks Spinner. But while the Material Girl hasn't handed over any masters yet, Bell isn't waiting around to take his stab at one of the early catalog songs he dreams of redoing. "On my new record I'm working on at the moment, I've got a track called 'Cosmic Climb,' which is one of her old demos," Bell says. "So I would like to pick one of those things, cause she did some really good electro stuff right from the beginning, very punkish."

Read the new interview with Andy Bell here.

Andy Bell At Gay Day In San Francisco

On Friday, 22nd May Andy Bell will appear at 'Gay Day' party in San Francisco, California. It is now confirmed that Andy will be performing live on stage (thanks to cal for the info).

Further info about 'Gay Day' available here. Tickets can be ordered here.

The Presets' "If I Know You" Available On CD

The latest single from Australian band The Presets, "If I Know You", that features Vince Clarke remix is finally available on CD in Australia. Further details are listed below:

CD5: 2009 AU (Modular; MODCDS066) [enchanced cd]

1. If I Know You
2. If I Know You (Alternate Version)
3. If I Know You (Vince Clarke Remix)
4. If I Know You (Video)

The Presets - "If I Know You" Out Now In UK

The latest single from Australian indie electro band The Presets, "If I Know You", out this week in the UK. The single features Vince Clarke remix which is described by the press as a "mystic voodoo breakbeat version". Vince's mix available for digital download from many music retailers, such as Amazon and iTunes.

Andy Bell To Appear At Gay Day

On Friday, 22nd May Andy Bell will appear at 'Gay Day' party in San Francisco, California. The 11th annual Gay & Lesbian Night is a "private party with rides, dancing and a chance to meet both new and old friends."

It is currenty unknown if Andy Bell will be DJing or performing live on stage.

Further info about 'Gay Day' available here. Tickets can be ordered here.

Erasure TV Report

There is a new Erasure TV report featuring new interveiw with Andy Bell talking about "Total Pop!" and future Erasure plans. Click here to watch it.

EIS Newsletter:

Hello

In last week's newsletter I asked for interview questions for Andy Bell and I was bowled over by the response from you all, with literally hundreds of questions sent over to choose from for use in my interview with Andy, thank you everyone!

I met up with Andy in the studio on Friday and spent some time with him and Pascal Gabriel (who is producing the album), took some pictures and talked to them both about the project for use in future features on Andy's website and also had time to do a brand new Ask Erasure feature with Andy using some of the most interesting and frequently asked questions I received from you all... that Ask Erasure feature is online at ErasureInfo.com for your reading pleasure right now!

Here's this week's news...

Vince Clarke Official Website

The brand new Vince Clarke website went live today at VinceClarkeMusic.com. The site is off to a great start with lots of content online already (including a peek into Vince's new studio!) with more on the way, so I suggest you get yourself over there right away for a nose around!

Andy Bell - Italian Interview Online

There's a treat for Italian-speaking fans in the current issue of Andergr@und Magazine which features a four-page interview with Andy Bell. The magazine is currently available to browse and read online (just click on the magazine cover on the homepage to load it, the interview with Andy is on page 20). The interview, which is in Italian, is loosely about the release of 'Total Pop!' but covers all sorts of subjects from Andy's solo work to his musical influences to his ideal collaborations.

Erasure - The Musical!

Andy Bell talks about the idea of an Erasure musical at AOL's Spinner.com which also includes a twelve-picture photo gallery of pictures taken at Andy's recent White Party appearance, which includes more pictures with Lady GaGa, Andy on the decks and shots from his signing session at the event.

Have a great week...

Cheers

Richard

Erasure Information Service
web: www.erasureinfo.com

"Pop!" & "Pop2!" Out This Week!

Both remastered versions of "Pop! The First 20 Hits" and
"Pop2! The Second 20 Hits" out this week in UK on CD.

"Pop! The First 20 Hits":

01) Who Needs Love (Like That)
02) Heavenly Action
03) Oh L'Amour
04) Sometimes
05) It Doesn't Have To Be
06) Victim Of Love
07) The Circus
08) Ship Of Fools
09) Chains Of Love
10) A Little Respect
11) Stop!
12) Drama!
13) You Surround Me
14) Blue Savannah
15) Star
16) Chorus
17) Love To Hate You
18) Am I Right?
19) Breath Of Life
20) Take A Chance On Me
21) Who Needs Love (Like That) (Hamburg Mix)

"Pop2! The Second 20 Hits":

01) Always
02) Run To The Sun
03) I Love Saturday
04) Stay With Me
05) Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer's Day)
06) Rock Me Gently
07) In My Arms
08) Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me
09) Rain (Al Stone Mix)
10) Freedom
11) Moon & the Sky (Jason Creasey's Heaven Scent Radio Re-Work)
12) Solsbury Hill
13) Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)
14) Breathe
15) Don't Say You Love Me
16) Here I Go Impossible Again
17) I Could Fall In Love With You
18) Sunday Girl
19) Storm In A Teacup
20) Always (2009 Mix)

EIS Newsletter:

Hello

I want to start by saying a huge, huge thank you to everyone who took the time to fill in the Erasure Fan Survey I put on the website last week, and that is literally thousands of you! The feedback on what you want to see from future special edition releases has been collated and sent over to Mute and made for interesting reading, thank you!

Here's this week's Erasure news...

Total Pop! US Press & Reviews

I've been sent a couple of reviews for 'Total Pop!' by Erasure's US label, both have appeared recently in the USA and you can find links to them in the news section at ErasureInfo.com. There are also links to two more interviews with Andy Bell, both of which touch on his recent DJ appearances, the US release of 'Total Pop!', what Andy's currently listening to and the status of his solo album. They're both quite short but they're still worth a look and the links to them are also in the news section at ErasureInfo.com!

Andy Bell - Any Questions?

I'm going to be catching up with Andy at the end of the week to interview him about everything he's up to at the moment, and I'd be really interested in hearing from you if you have any questions you'd like me to consider asking him. If you have - and it's really questions about Andy's forthcoming solo album that I'm looking for this time - then please email them to me by 5pm (UK) tomorrow (Thursday) and I will include as many as possible in my interview. Thank you.

Have a great week...

Cheers

Richard

Erasure Information Service
web: www.erasureinfo.com