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Wednesday 29 May 2024

Synth-Pop Veterans Blancmange Serve Up Career-Spanning Collection & A Live Date @ The Old Market In Hove

Hove-bound Blancmange's story is one of two distinct chapters. In the early 80s they infused the emergent synth-pop scene with oblique lyrics, wry British humour and occasionally tabla-tinged sonics, an unlikely mix which saw them soar into the Top 10 singles chart.

Since 2011's Blanc Burnalbum they've taken that singular style into a new century and somehow become more prolific than ever. 

Now Blancmange bring all - well, thirty-eight to be precise - of these highlights together with the career-spanning collection Everything Is Connected, released on 11th May 2024.
 
The collection shows that Blancmange's roads less travelled are just as remarkable as their big hits. 

While some of the songs may be new to the listener, their textures are familiar: primary-coloured electronics with a hidden edge, or a rain-spattered bleakness that's somehow comforting, often delivered with blunt Northern humour. 
 
Vocalist and songwriter Neil Arthur says: 

"I'm really lucky to be able to make the music completely on my own terms. Within myself there are no limits, there's a massive palette inside and I will try anything." 
 
Blancmange's history has also been shaped in unexpected ways. Neil met multi-instrumentalist Stephen Luscombe at the Harrow School of Art in 1979, and as synths weren't readily available, they toyed with experimental homemade instruments which at least sounded vaguely like synths. 

Signing with London Records in February 1982 they embarked on one of the great Imperial Phases of synth pop. 

Sadly Stephen left due to ill-health, which unlocked a prolific side to Neil, resulting in seven more Blancmange albums

Blancmange play The Old Market, Hove on Sunday 2nd June 2024. CLICK HERE for tickets.

by: Mike Cobley




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Credit: Mark Sellger

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