“She’s a model and she’s looking good.” In February 1982, the sophisticated deadpan of Kraftwerk’s Ralf Hütter hovered like a drone over a UK top 10 that included Bucks Fizz and Shakin’ Stevens. “The Model” was originally released on the band’s classic 1978 album The Man Machine, but EMI revived the song as a B-side to “Computer Love.” DJs preferred “The Model”, so the label reissued it as the double A-side and created the first UK number one for an all-German group.
“Das Model” (in its original German version) evolved from a poem the band’s artistic collaborator Emil Schult wrote about the high-fashion models he observed in a Cologne nightclub. Some feminists claim the song objectifies its subject: a woman who only exists for the male gaze, smiling for money. Others defend it as a critique of the consumer society which reduces women to nameless automatons.
Ane Brun is a Norwegian-born, Sweden-dwelling songwriter who – fun fact – used to tour as one of Peter Gabriel‘s backup singers. She covered Alphaville’s debut single ‘Big in Japan’, the tune climbed to top of the charts in Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden. Oh, and on the super-prestigious Billboard Hot Dance Club Play list.
The DIY-to-the-core duo Twen have debuted with an album. Awestruck is a time capsule two years in the making and recorded in different locations along the way. Though unabashedly indie rock, Twen’s songs genre-bend from shoe-gaze-sized walls of sound to Beatle-esque call-and-response harmonies, while frontperson Jane Fitzsimmons’ voice weaves through guitarist Ian Jones’ guitar lines with Cocteau Twin’s inspired flair, giving breath of ethereal mysticism across the album. Tonight in concert at Heliogàbal.
Hockey Dad is Zach Stephenson & Billy Fleming, two childhood sweethearts who met when Billy dropped in on Zach surfing the point, at the tender age of 4. One day, after a few finger paintings and their daily nap, Billy & Zach made a pact to become the greatest band… out of Windang (Australia).
Fast forward a few years (about 15) and the boys still have their afternoon nap, only now it’s after surfs or jams, and often both. Combining their passion for the ocean with a love for garage and old school 60’s surf tunes, Hockey Dad writes some catchy as f*&k surf pop hits which they are ready to share with everyone outside their hometown.
Hockey Dad have announced their new album, ‘Brain Candy’. Produced in Seattle with John Goodmanson, the Aussie duo’s third full-length is due on 29th May via Farmer & The Owl / BMG, preceded by new single ‘Itch’.
KOMPROMAT is a new band performed by Vitalic & Rebeka Warrior (Sexy Sushi). Inspired by old berliner techno music, it’s somewhere between Einstürzende Neubauten and Crash Course in Science. Punk, rock, dark & sweet, KOMPROMAT smells like a battle cry and a call to prayer. It makes you wanna lift your arms in the air and dance while crying. Traum and Existenz is their debut album.
The “yéyé noir” of Juniore has always been rooted in the cinematic as much as the musical. The Paris outfit’s blending of 1960s French pop, hazy psychedelia, seamless pop, surf grooves and lush orchestration feels as intertwined with big screen aesthetics as greatly as it does being found in the grooves of vinyl. So it makes perfect sense that the band would sooner or later find themselves appearing on more film and TV soundtracks.
Venezuelan-American artist Devendra Banhart conquers hearts wherever he goes with his magical compositions and his charming trembling voice. This year he has presented his tenth album, “Ma” (Warner, 2019), in which he has the collaborations of Cate Le Bon and Vashti Bunyan. Filled with lush melodies and surprising string arrangements, Banhart – who is approaching his forties – deals with the death of parents and mentors and gives life lessons to the son he probably won’t end up having. Cruïlla Primavera presents him tonight in concert at Razzmatazz.
Radio Magazine about Barcelona's indie and alternative music & culture scene. Live broadcast every Thursday from 10.00PM to 11.00PM and Saturdays from 1.00PM t0 2.00PM at Barcelona FM 100.5
