{"id":17482,"date":"2020-02-25T09:15:18","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T08:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elgarajedefrank.es\/?p=17482"},"modified":"2023-10-19T21:54:45","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T19:54:45","slug":"interview-blancmange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elgarajedefrank.es\/en\/interview-blancmange\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview: Blancmange"},"content":{"rendered":"

For those who fell in love with synthpop thanks to songs like Blancmange\u2019s \u201cWaves\u201d, it was a pleasant surprise to see that they were returning in 2011 with a new record. Since then, they have exceeded our expectations with every record released. We have talked with Neil Arthur about the history of the band, that will be playing on the 24th of May at the W-Fest.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u2014Why did you choose a name like Blancmange (a French dessert) for the band? The desert has been featured in a few of the covers of the band.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014We needed a name quickly, something throw away. Of no importance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014The music of the debut 7″, Irene and Mavis<\/em> is more experimental, and the first demos of Happy Families<\/em> were also like this. How come you then changed to a more synth pop musi<\/strong>c?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014It happened over a 4 year period, where initially we could afford or get access to synths, so made do with what was at hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Last year we interviewed Minimal Compact who were pioneers in introducing eastern influences in pop music. Blancmange also used tabla and sitar on the single \u201cLiving on the Ceiling\u201d and had some eastern influences in songs like \u201cVishnu.\u201d How did you get the idea of including these influences in your music? I guess that both of you have been interested in eastern music according to other projects.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014We listened to lots of different kinds of music from around the world, some on short-wave radio stations, picking ideas as we listened I guess. The sitar and tablas arriving on \u201cLiving On The Ceiling\u201d came about by me making a mistake with the guitar, which created an unintended melody with a Middle Eastern feel. Much later our record company hearing this, introduced us to Deepak and Dinesh, sitar and tablas, respectively. They improved no end, what we had already recorded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014In the band\u2019s second album, Mange Tout<\/em>, there is this famous cover of Abba that according to Wikipedia was more successful than the original (at least in the UK) What did you like of \"\"the Swedish band\u2019s music? Would you say that they were an influence for you?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I loved and still love Abba<\/strong>. In 1983 not everybody else did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014During your stay in New York you used to go to Larry Levan\u2019s Paradise Garage. How was your experience in such a legendary place? Were you interested in disco and house music?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I had some interesting evenings and early mornings in New York.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014What happened with Pandit Dinesh, the tabla player (who was the third unofficial member of Blancmange at the time)?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Dinesh and I are still very good friends. He played on Blanc Burn<\/em> the Blancmange<\/strong> album released in 2011 and toured with us to promote it. He\u2019s a busy man\u2014a wonderful player.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014What happened with the video of \u201cLose Your Love\u201d from the Believe You Me<\/em> album? You said that it got banned on its first viewing (for allegedly inciting violence). Who got the idea for the video?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Zbig Rybczynski directed the film and came up with the idea. Yes, it had one viewing in the UK before it was banned. The most expensive video we ever did. You can see clips of it in the film Flight of the Navigator. At least Disney didn\u2019t ban it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u2014What was the West India Company? A band formed by Stephen? You appear as a member in Discogs with Vince Clarke. Can you please tell us a bit more about this?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014It was Stephen and Dinesh\u2019s project and Vince and I were invited to contribute, as and when.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014The fact that a band had stopped to save the friendship of the members is something unique in a world where even the most punk bands are breaking up due to royalty issues, don\u2019t you think?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014That\u2019s how it was for us. I can\u2019t speak for anyone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014After the band split, you released a solo album, Suitcase<\/em> (1994). How do you remember this work?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014It was great recording with Adam Fuest and slightly strange being with a different record label.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014You have been writing music for film and TV, can you please tell us more about this?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014From around 1989 up until recently I\u2019ve composed music for a variety of TV & film productions. It was great, no photos, no interviews, no tours. Ha ha.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014What\u2019s the song \u201cBy the Bus Stop @ Woolies\u201d from the album Blanc Burn<\/em> (2011) about?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u2014”By the bus stop @ woolies\u201d is a song set in my home town about a fictitious relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I think that \u201cDon\u2019t forget your teeth\u201d is an incredible name for a song, but there was a B-side of Fatboy Slim\u2019s Right Here, Right Now<\/em> called that way. Did you know this song?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014<\/strong>Oh, thank you, it made us laugh. No, I didn\u2019t know that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Why did you choose to redo the songs of your first album in Happy Families<\/em> too?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I was asked to do a so-called \u201cclassic album\u201d tour with Happy Families\u2014<\/em>I wanted to be able to offer the fans that came along to see the gig something new, so I set about re imagining the album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u2014In Semi Detached<\/em> there is a cover of Can\u2019s \u201cI want more\u201d and there are also influences of Neu! in some songs of Commuter 23<\/em>. Were you interested in Krautrock or German Electronic music from the seventies? Why did you choose this song by Can?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Simple \u2014I love Can<\/strong> and Neu! <\/strong>\u2013a huge influence on me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Semi Detached<\/em> is the first album without Stephen. How was working on your own?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Fine, I sent him a copy and he liked it, giving it the thumbs up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Nil by mouth<\/em> was your first instrumental album. Would you say that it was influenced by your work with soundtracks or more by your first works?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014<\/strong>I think a bit of both and the relief that I don\u2019t need to sing or find lyrics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Commuter 23<\/em> was another sonic adventure. Do you put any limit of where you want to go with Blancmange or do you want to try anything?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014There are limits, but in general, I\u2019d stick loosely to electronics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Unfinished Rooms<\/em> was the first album with Benge. How is working with him in songs for Blancmange?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014For what has been called a dark album, we had a lot of laughs making it. He\u2019s great to work with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u2014Was the band\u2019s last album Nil by mouth II<\/em> made as a continuation of the first one or did you just have some instrumentals to release?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I think I\u2019d have to say it was a planned continuation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014How is Stephen doing? He has been ill for a really long time, right?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Yes, unfortunately that is the case. We keep in touch regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I guess you must be really busy, being also part of Fader (the first project where you worked with Benge with an album released in 2019) and Near Future. Also last year you played with Kincaid, who is your son, right? Can you please tell me more about these projects?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Yes, we have 2 Fader<\/strong> albums out now and I\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be a third. Jez Bernholz and I are working on the next Near Future<\/strong> album and my son Joe, AKA Kincaid<\/strong> and I are writing more material for release in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014How is going to be your concert at W-Fest? More experimental or focused on hits?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014I think we\u2019ll play some songs from the new Mindset<\/em> album (out in May), along with some from the 1980s and some not so old. Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n