Tag: Mesh (Page 5 of 7)

Lost Albums: MINERVE Please

13 March 2016 /

MINERVE Please

As far as Germany’s leading electropop bands go, MINERVE had implanted themselves quite quickly into the scene, after forming in 2002.

Compromised of Mathias Thürk, who looked after the production and Daniel Wollatz, the lead voice of the establishment, demanding studio sessions gave birth to their first long player entitled ‘Breathing Avenue’. Gems as ‘High Pitched Emotions’ and ‘Clear’ paved the band’s way into gigging extensively alongside acts such as PSYCHE, THE CRÜXSHADOWS and SPEKTRALIZED.

Eastern Europe took an exceptional liking to the newcomers; Poland being their main bread winner, as well as the Czech Republic and Hungary. 2005 saw the band receive the prestigious nomination and prize in the German Rock & Pop Association’s Awards, and further gigs followed with IRIS and MELOTRON. The following year, the duo became a trio, with Andreas Wollatz as the addition on keys and MINERVE entered the German Alternative Charts at a respectable No16 with ‘My Universe’.

MINERVE-03

As their popularity grew with further tours and more albums, MINERVE continued climbing the steps of excellence throughout Russia, the former Yugoslav countries, Bulgaria, Turkey and of course, Poland, Ukraine and their native Germany.

‘Please’, which was released in 2010, remains the group’s most acknowledged album. It was produced by a widely recognised name in the electronic circles of Germany.

Olaf Wollschläger had successfully looked after artists such as AND ONE and the UK’s best export MESH on their albums including ‘Perfect Solution’, ‘Automation Baby’ and the forthcoming new release ‘Looking Skyward’. Wollschläger was joined by the mastering legend John Cremer, who fine-tuned the collection of adept tunes with finesse and electronic know-how.

‘Please’ contains twelve, non-filler tracks, each one emotionally loaded and ready to transport into the world of the dark and lonely, yet remaining hopeful and warm. The opening ‘Hold Me Tight’, mirroring the signature beats of MESH, is a quintessential dance track, fortified with alluring synth sounds and the competent voice of Wollatz.

‘Every Day’ follows with mantric beats, which continue the electronic disco theme, pulsating and orbiting around the lyrics describing the mundanity of life. ‘Down To The Ground’ slows the tempo somewhat, introducing a grunge guitar riff, while ‘Life Is An Illusion’ probes deeper into the slowness of synthpopia, with an excellent chorus.

‘You Don’t Know Me’ turns into a full on ballad, with ‘Don’t Ask Me Why’ returning to the club-worthy rhythm of layered synths and capable production. ‘Phoenix’ rings powerfully, exploring the cacophony of electronic sounds to perfection, as does ‘Read My Memories’.

The title track enters, ushering the era of a gentler type of melody a la SIMPLE MINDS, before returning to more retro beats of ‘Forbidden Love’. ‘Save Me’ returns to the blueprint of “slower is better”, while ‘Under My Skin’ closes the creation with the heavier, beefy synth of a near-MESH experience.

After the release of ‘Repleased’ in 2011, which contained remixes by SEABOUND, SPEKTRALIZED and others, founder member and main programmer, Mathias Thürk decided to leave the band to pursue other projects.

MINERVE-02

While MINERVE have yet to follow-up ‘Please’, the remaining members promise new levels of electronic pleasure to come soon, and perhaps more gigs alongside CAMOUFLAGE, DE/VISION and other legends.

Fingers crossed that will happen soon; for now, ‘Please’ is a fine example of what those Berlin based boys are capable of.

‘Please’ is still available on CD and download via Gravitator Records

https://www.facebook.com/Minerve-official-104954206201966/

http://www.gravitator.ru/english_version/

Text by Monika Izabela Goss
13th March 2016

Introducing PRESENCE OF MIND

15 September 2015 /

PresenceOfMind by Krichan Wihlborg

Although PRESENCE OF MIND released recordings as early as 1995 on the cult synth compilation ‘Circuit One’, the Swedish trio only released their debut album proper in the summer of 2014.

Their first recordings borrowed from the Vince Clarke school of synth programming but today, PRESENCE OF MIND are a much darker but no less song based proposition.

Influenced by the likes of MESH, DE/VISION and inevitably ‘Violator’-era DEPECHE MODE, childhood friends Christoffer Lundström, Johannes Ambros and Anders Wallroth have taken their time.

But without the pressure of constant touring, they’ve utilised a developing songcraft and life experience to pay dividends on the resultant long player entitled ‘Interpersonal’. Utilising the crisp production ethos of Wallroth and Ambros, ‘One Step I’ takes some killer squelch bass and places it alongside the strong, melodic vocals of Lundström.

Just accorded a new promo video, the track is a great bleep forward from their earlier work and the interim ‘Between Emotions’ EP from 2005. Another good example of their passionate synth rock is ‘Queen Of Redemption’, an obvious second cousin of ‘Enjoy The Silence’ but with a Svenske twist.

PRESENCE OF MIND are an enticing live proposition, as proven by their impressive appearance at the pre-party of Electronic Summer 2015 in Gothenburg. Lundström in particular, is a charismatic and engaging frontman with a lively but controlled stage presence that contrasts the dark, but danceable electronic soundtrack.

With excellent uptempo songs such as ‘Alive’ and sensitive ballads like ‘In My Dreams’ in their repertoire, the threesome from Mariestad are already at work on a second album to maintain their new-found momentum with tracks such as ‘Brittle Bones’ already having received public premieres. PRESENCE OF MIND are now finally knocking on the door of Northern Europe and making a positive impression on its independent electronic pop scene.

‘Interpersonal’ is released as a download and CD via Cramada

https://www.facebook.com/PresenceOfMindSwede

https://twitter.com/POMelectro

Text by Chi Ming Lai
Photos by Krichan Wihlborg
15th September 2015

DESTIN FRAGILE Halfway To Nowhere

10 September 2015 /

DESTIN FRAGILE Halfway To NowhereSome bands crop out of nowhere, quickly put together the material, not knowing what the real direction of the album they’re writing is, then place high hopes for a fast success.

Other musical creatures work for years to develop their sound and perfect their trade, while branching out into other projects, just to come up with a masterpiece. The formation of DESTIN FRAGILE dates back to 1993 when Swede Pontus Stålberg started collaborating with various musicians before joining forces with Daniel Malmöf and Stefan Nilsson for live performances.

Nilsson and Stålberg ran a side project, the EBM inclined SPETSNAZ, who released four albums and enjoyed fair amount of popularity. Malmöf returned to complete the DESTIN FRAGILE cycle, which has culminated in the release of ‘Halfway To Nowhere’ on Dark Dimensions.

Since it’s been a 20 year wait for the album, the expectations run high; ‘Run Away’, which opens the production, immediately brings to mind a mixture of vintage DEPECHE MODE and elements of Germany’s AND ONE with a clear vocal by Stålberg, that is quite different from what SPETSNAZ ‘s fans are used to hearing. Ethereal and gentler in tone, it somewhat resembles Mark Hockings of Bristol’s own UK electronica masters MESH.

Clever, heavier synth follows on ‘In Your Eyes’; burly, very AND ONE and decadent, it leads to ‘In the Frame’, which is characterised by CAMOUFLAGE-like landscape, off beat drum patterns and irregular keys. ‘Alive (It’s Up To You)’ opens with a recognisable Gahan influence, a definite gloomy love affair, bearing Doug McCarthy’s vocal stamp, with a filthy synth finish. The poppier and gentler title track floats in, with TEARS FOR FEARS meets ‘Ultra’ era DM qualities. Rather superb in its simplicity, it is roughly interrupted by the incoming ‘April Light’, which couldn’t be more AND ONE in its texture.

DESTIN FRAGILEThe rhythmic ‘Change’ brings out qualities of SPETSNAZ at first, to transcend into the perfect synth pop tune, just before ‘Worlds Apart’ breaks the beat, followed by ‘In Plain Sight’.

Unsurprisingly, elements of FROZEN PLASMA are rather palpable; many a band this year has used their influence in their own creations. A dance tune at its best – fast, to the point, not over complicated with unnecessary filler sounds and simple enough to please.

‘Out Of The Darkness’ is delicious vocally and musically alike. The PET SHOP BOYS styled production is marked with eloquent formulation of synths from the lost era, combined with AND ONE’s ‘Virgin Superstar’ style of manufacture of a superior electronic track.

The closing bonus ’11’ is fabulously surprising, a vintage Merry- Go- Round, Victorian music box, horse cart and choir certainly aren’t a concoction one would expect as the culmination of this record. But that’s exactly what you get. Truly inspired and wonderfully wrapping this excellent album up.

To some, the obvious DEPECHE MODE and AND ONE characteristics, so often audible on this production, could be a turn off. It has to be said, however, that DESTIN FRAGILE have made those influences their own and the overall effect is highly pleasing.

Sweden certainly doesn’t cease to give birth to some excellent acts in the genre. Stålberg and friends have the aura of the weathered, grown up daddies of electronica about them, which differentiates them from many an act on the scene.

DESTIN FRAGILE recently showcased their material at Gothenburg’s Electronic Summer 2015 Festival at The Brewhouse with considerable success. Let’s hope they continue creating synthpop soundscapes worthy of the ever expanding electronic Swedish music scene.

‘Halfway To Nowhere’ is available as a CD or download via Dark Dimensions

https://www.facebook.com/destin.fragile.pop

Text by Monika Izabela Goss
10th September 2015

MESH + VILE ELECTRODES Live at The Garage

4 February 2015 /


Exciting are the times when two great bands come together to do a gig, one that will lighten up the darkest and coldest January night.

MESH and VILE ELECTRODES performed at The Garage and the event was certainly one to remember. Richard Silverthorn of MESH mentioned that he would never choose mediocre bands to support them, as he was more interested in the overall experience for the ticket buyer, rather than being the top dog and shining above all others.

That certainly was true for this gig; the headliner being one of the most celebrated alternative electronic acts that the UK has to offer with years of experience and multiple albums to showcase their immense back catalogue; and the main support, an extremely unique duo with superb synth interplay and quirky vocals, fast gaining popularity both in the UK and Europe. The Garage was certainly the place to be.

2014 closed a chapter for VILE ELECTRODES, a period which has seen them support OMD and JOHN FOXX as well as playing live in front of ex-members of KRAFTWERK. So for their first gig of 2015, the South Coast based synth couple took the opportunity to air some new material.

Despite taking a running start with the accessibly groovy ‘Empire of Wolves’ from their first album, it was straight onto the road test with ‘Drive’, a great little electronic ditty that was pleasingly immediate, yet fresh as well.

The dynamics of studio and live performance are quite different so although very promising, ‘Last Of The Lovers’ went on a bit too long, a fact that was dwelled upon by Anais Neon who endearing admitted to forgetting to cut out the last verse in the planned edited version they had rehearsed.

But while not yet fully formed, the other new songs ‘Evidence’ and ‘Stark White’ showed why VILE ELECTRODES have been winning music awards in Germany and enthusiastically championed by OMD’s Andy McCluskey.

Non-album EP track ‘Re-Emerge’ made a welcome return to the set, its energetic arpeggios now augmented by a barrage of Simmons drums from Martin Swan.

Meanwhile ‘Proximity’ and its haunting synth line borrowed from JOY DIVISION’s ‘Decades’ closed a well received set in front of an almost capacity crowd. MESH began their part proceedings with singer Mark Hockings standing by the mixing desk with stripped down renditions of ‘Trust You’ and ‘Not Prepared’.

This was a brave way to start with the beany capped Hockings exposed, but fully relishing his challenge. The full live band of Silverthorn, Sean Suleman (drums) and Richard Broadhead (keyboards) launched into ‘Flawless’ as the singer rejoined his bandmates on the stage and so began a passionate set, dealing with the downturn of relationships, both personal and virtual.

Indicative of the Bristol combo’s success in Europe, fans had come from all over the continent for this special show with German being the dominant language in the venue.

These fans were treated to a wonderful surprise in a terrific cover of YAZOO’s ‘Tuesday’ as Hockings did a fine tribute to Alison Moyet without actually trying to imitate her. This early Vince Clarke song was effectively turned into one of MESH’s own while still retaining its original essence and grace.

The dark yet uplifting ‘Crash’ from 2006’s ‘We Collide’ provided a great dance rock moment with plenty of anthemic qualities. And it’s this that MESH do best, emotive gothic tinged electro with melodies and the occasional dancefloor tendency. There was another surprise when REPUBLICA front woman Saffron made a special guest appearance on ‘Who Says’, a number from ‘A Perfect Solution’ which was originally a boy/girl duet with Julia Beyer of cult German band TECHNOIR.

The surprise pairing certainly kept the crowd in good spirits as they went on to enjoy further excellent songs from MESH’s most recent album ‘Automation Baby’ such as ‘Never Meet Your Heroes’, ‘Just Leave Us Alone’ and ‘Adjust Your Set’.

Incidentally during ‘You Didn’t Want Me’, former MESH live keyboardist Geoff Pinckney made a passing remark that watching his former colleagues live from the other side was “very emotional”.

The rousing stomp of ‘You Want What’s Owed to You’ and a fine crowd singalong conducted by Richard Silverthorn during the closing bars of ‘Taken For Granted’ was warmly embraced by all in attendance, with that latter now possibly MESH’s own ‘Never Let Me Down Again’. Returning with fan favourites ‘Born To Lie’ and ‘Friends Like These’ for the encore, MESH ably delivered to their loyal public.

With every UK MESH gig, the audience receives a rare treat. First of all, the exquisite performance from the band themselves, both musically and vocally, with Mark Hockings being indistinguishable from the album recordings.

Secondly with the choice of their main support; VILE ELECTRODES were a perfect pick and followed in the footsteps of KLOQ, DE/VISION and TORUL, each unique and fresh, making the whole experience truly one to remember. It was a most satisfying way to begin the year’s busy gig schedule.

ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK gives its warmest thanks to Richard Silverthorn

MESH play ‘Gothic Meets Classik’ with COVENANT and ANNE CLARK at Leipzig Haus Auensee on SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER and Lepizig Gewandhaus on SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER. Details at http://www.gothic-meets-klassik.de/

VILE ELECTRODES play ‘A Secret Wish’ at The Lexington in London on SUNDAY 18TH APRIL with SISTA MANNEN PÅ JORDEN and guest DJ JOHN FRYER. Tickets are £10 in advance or £15 on the door, available from https://billetto.co.uk/asecretwish

http://www.mesh.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/vileelectrodes

Text by Chi Ming Lai with thanks to Monika Izabela Goss
Photos by Ray Davis and Andrew Garley
4th February 2015

A Short Conversation with MESH’s Richard Silverthorn

4 December 2014 /


MESH are the UK’s secret gem, celebrated widely in Europe, America and South America alike.

Starting with 1996’s ‘In This Place Forever’ and continuing onto ‘Fragile’, ‘Fragmente’, ‘The Point At Which It Falls Apart’, ‘Who Watches Over Me?’, ‘We Collide’ onto ‘A Perfect Solution’ and finally the jewel that is ‘Automation Baby’, MESH have established themselves with electronic music fans portraying life, relationships, love and technology in a way not many acts can. Electrifying tunes like ‘Crash’ or ‘Friends Like These’ have become well known staples of the live MESH diet that induce the audience into a psychedelic state totally under the influence of Mark Hockings’ solid voice.

Upon the fantastic news that in January 2015, there will be a MESH concert on home soil with VILE ELECTRODES, ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK had the great pleasure of talking to Richard Silverthorn of MESH in preparation for the event. So ‘Adjust Your Set’, ‘Hold It Together’, as ‘This Is What You Wanted’!

Your last gig in London was with DE/VISION, whom you seem to like sharing the bill with. What’s the story between the two bands?

We have been good friends for many years. In 1998, we supported them on their ‘Monosex’ tour which took us across Europe. In 2011 we also did a joint headlining 3 week tour of the USA with them along with IRIS. Our paths have crossed many times at festivals too. We have remixed many of their singles including ‘Strange Affection’, ‘Hear Me Calling’ and ‘Rage’. When we returned to the UK on our ‘Automation Baby’ tour, we asked them along as an additional support. I think we have a mutual admiration of each other.

This time the acclaimed VILE ELECTRODES will take to the stage supporting you. You don’t invite any old mediocre support acts, do you?

Well I always think it is good to put on a quality show. I don’t like the “let’s get a crap band as support to make yourself look good” theory. People have paid good money to see you so let’s make it a good event. I have read and heard quite a lot about VILE ELECTRODES and thought it would be a good band for our audience. I am sure they will go down really well and we are looking forward to seeing them. We also have another band called THE DOMINO STATE who I quite like too.

meshYour first album was released in 1996 and much has changed since then in the music industry?

The internet has changed the music world. I think it has certainly evened the playing field for most bands nowadays. Back when we started, it was very difficult to get noticed outside your home town. Luckily enough for us (and our persistence) we got exposure from a large UK based music technology magazine which kick started everything for us. Financial budgets have also changed a lot too. Everything is all about cost and record companies have been hard hit by illegal downloads which has a knock on effect to the artist.

Being a secret UK export, do you wish the UK media recognised MESH more?

Yes, of course but I think we have accepted a long time ago that the UK market is so blinkered. Luckily for us we found a market for what we do and it’s not so important to us now. I really would love for some UK recognition for what we have achieved. We do still send out material with every new release to relevant people here and generally get a good response so we haven’t given up just yet.


Following the huge success of ‘Automation Baby’, how do you plan to match its success with any future releases?

‘Automation Baby’ was a huge success for us. It topped all the Alternative European charts and even entered the mainstream German Album Charts at number 33, so trying to better that is going to be a challenge. I always feel a lot of pressure when it comes to writing.

I am constantly thinking “is this better than the last album?” but hopefully this is what pushes us on. In the last month, Mark and I have started writing again. Let the stress begin.

How do you feel about UK electronic music scene in general at the moment?

It still has a long way to go but it all looks very positive at the moment. There seems to be a lot of new bands writing new material and lots of shows and festivals for this kind of music genre starting up. This has got to be seen as a very positive step forward. Again I think the internet and social media has helped this come together. People are travelling from far and wide to attend these events.

How does the current live line-up of MESH with yourself, Mark, Richard and Sean compare to any previous ones? Do you think you have the perfect team?

Yes, I think it is quite a strong unit musically and socially. Spending so much time in each others company you have to all get along. I guess bands evolve and change as they go along. Ultimately MESH has always been Mark and myself writing and producing. The live line-up has changed over the years because of people’s commitments but things are good and strong at the moment.


You have a lot of friends and fans alike, helping out with the MESH enterprise, be it either on social media or in other capacities, how does that feel?

I always feel overwhelmed by people’s enthusiasm for everything we do. I get so many emails and messages through Facebook etc and I do my best to answer them all as I feel we have a good family of friends and fans. This is why we are still here doing what we love. If you upset these people, you may as well give up. Any band with longevity has a great fan base behind them. As well as our fan base, we also have a great team of people that work behind the scenes with us and believe in what we do.

Yourself and Mark, unlike many bands, write actual songs with meaningful, thought through lyrics and complicated melodies. Does that stem from years of experience or your true writing capabilities?

We are firm believers in real songs, songs that stand up on their own without all the fancy production. This is always the starting point. Mark is an amazing lyricist. His songwriting always leaves the listener feeling they have lived through or felt the emotion he is singing about. The song subjects are never obvious and are open for interpretation in many different ways. We played a big show just outside of Dresden in a castle recently. When I was walking back to the dressing room after the show, I was stopped by a girl who hugged me and thanked me for writing the soundtrack to her life. She said that our albums have helped her though so many tough times in her life. What the hell do you say to that? Erm… thanks? That for me sums it all up and is why we do this.

ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK gives its warmest thanks to Richard Silverthorn

MESH, VILE ELECTRODES + THE DOMINO STATE play The Garage, 20-22 Highbury Corner, London N5 1RD on SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY 2015.

http://www.mesh.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/meshtheband

Text and Interview by Monika Izabela Goss
4th December 2014

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