April 30th, 2017
single track
Robbie Williams – Heavy Entertainment Show
Robbie Williams is one of those artists that youth stations don’t play anymore. Arguably because of his (successful) swing projects. And it’s mainly his swing songs that are played by stations that aim for an older demographic. Nevertheless he is still very popular, looking at the large number of people who come and see him live. So, one could argue radio is missing the point nowadays, or at least ignoring a large group of people.
Well, perhaps that’s not a discussion for this platform…
When Robbie Williams released his 11th studio album Heavy Entertainment Show in November 2016, it was preceded by the epic title track. By then, this was only a teaser however, for the official first single Party Like A Russian came out only a week later. It performed underwhelmingly in the charts (and on radio, of course), like the later singles Love My Life and Mixed Signals.
Only now, Heavy Entertainment Show gets its full single release, accompanied by a video clip. I hope it’s not too late, for I think it’s a brilliant mix of Robbie’s pop and swing repertoire. A great song with a great video!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Confidence Man – Bubblegum
Since launching in 1990, Heavenly Recordings has proven to be a tastemaker record label, discovering artists like Manic Street Preachers, Saint Etienne and Doves. More recently, Heavenly gave us Temples, proving they still have a good ear for great music.
One of the latest signings on the label is Australian four-piece Confidence Man, who just came out with their official debut single Bubblegum. As the title suggests it’s pure pop music, but full of groove. Talking of which… it instantly brings back memories of Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart. We’re going to dance, and have some fun…
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Curse Of Lono – Pick Up The Pieces
Felix Bechtolsheimer formed Curse Of Lono in early 2015, though the songs on their debut album Severed were written over a 14-year period. They call their music ‘cinematic southern gothic rock’ and lyrically, the songs cover themes including infidelity and sexual jealousy, the death of friends, and Felix’s personal struggle with heroin addiction. “It’s about growing up enough to be able to share a drink with the ghosts of the past without letting them push you around,” Bechtolsheimer says.
The album was produced by Oli Bayston (Boxed In) and Pick Up The Pieces is Curse Of Lono’s new single. It has a lovely Paul Simon-like vibe about it.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Haim – Right Now
Since their acclaimed 2013 debut album Days Are Gone, that produced (radio) hits like Forever, Don’t Save Me, Falling, The Wire and (especially) If I Could Change Your Mind, the sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim have mainly worked with other artists. They played in the video for Chromeo’s Old 45’s, collaborated with Bastille, Calvin Harris, Brandon Flowers, M83, and made a ‘remix’ of Cause I’m A Man by Tame Impala (which was in fact a version of the song, sung by the Haim sisters, so it’s a pity they didn’t call it Cause Haim A Man or Haim Impala ?).
In the meantime, other bands stood up to (try and) steal their glory. Most recently The Aces with their wonderful track Physical. Just in time, Haim announced their new album. Something To Tell You will be released on 7 July. Even better timed, they just put out the first track. Or, more accurately, a live version of the album track Right Now. A slowly building song, rounding off with a confident “That’s how you fuckin’ do it!”
The official first single will follow soon, on 3 May already.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Tove Styrke – Say My Name
Sweden is a musical goldmine. It used to be just a musical mine, but the last – let’s say ten – years everything the Swedes touch, turns into gold. Sooner or later. For when Tove Styrke participated in Swedish Idol 2009, for example, she initially got bronze by finishing in third place. But she easily reached higher in the continuation of her career, that resulted in two hit albums so far.
Today, Tove Styrke released the first new material since her 2015 album Kiddo. The open structure and sparse production of this new song vaguely remind me of Sign ‘O’ The Times by Prince. Tove’s new track is a summer-ready pop gem titled Say My Name, a theme she’s particularly fond of (just like Prince, by the way), considering the title of her earlier single Call My Name.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
chart, ebbchart
European Border Breakers Chart 28 April 2017
The European Border Breakers Chart is the youngest chart around. Not only because it was introduced only a year ago, but also because it only features emerging European acts. In this case, ‘emerging’ means an act may not have put out its first international release longer than two years ago. Songs that are older, cannot enter the chart (but if they are already in when the turn two, they are allowed to stay in). This is the basic rule, along with the fact that only airplay outside the artist’s home country counts towards the EBBChart. All in all a recipe for a very interesting and upfront chart, week after week.
This week, the Top 100 has 13 (re)entries, 6 of which have never been in before. Dua Lipa’s new single Lost In Your Light (feat. Miguel; pictured) was immediately playlisted by EBU radio stations in 13 countries, causing it to enter the chart as high as #26. Plot Twist, the follow-up to Sigrid’s debut hit Don’t Kill My Vibe (still in the Top 10) comes in at #86. Vis à Vie by Calypso Valois has been picked up in Luxembourg and, funnily, in Poland, securing it a #92 entry. Also, I’m glad to see Revolution by Rat Boy checking in at #93. Finally, Jairzinho feat. Sevn Alias, Bko & Boef slip inside at #94 and Izo Fitzroy at #99.
To see all of this week’s 100 positions, click the ‘EBBChart’ tab in the top menu of this blog (loading of the PDF may take a little while). For more charts (like the Bubbling Under, which ranks the tracks that are on their way to the Top 100), please visit www.europeanborderbreakerschart.eu.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Dvicio – No Te Vas
One of Spain’s most popular bands at the moment is Dvicio. Their songs have been streamed 107 million times, their video’s viewed 134 million times, and their 2,2 million followers on Facebook pale compared to their 125 million followers on Twitter and even 359 million on Instagram.
Tomorrow, they release their second album Qué Tienes Tú. It’s preceded by this new single, which I think is their best yet. It could easily become a hit outside of their home country. It even makes me want to dance! (well, not literally, but you know what I mean…). Great stuff!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
album track
Christon – Younger Than Before
Christon Kloosterboer recently released his solo debut album Towns & Cities, that unites his EP’s Towns and Cities. He recorded the tracks in Nashville and wrote them with the fact in mind, that he should be able to reproduce them on stage with a loop station, and a loop station only.
If this is a new phenomenon for you: a loop station is a piece of equipment which allows you to record an instrument, then play a loop of this recording while you record another instrument. This way you can (re)build a song layer by layer. And because each individual layer can be switched on and off, the artist has the ability to create variety within the music or even improvise. But basically, what you see on stage, is one artist and one loop station. Period.
I can hear you think: isn’t that incredibly dull? To be honest, that was my thought exactly. But after seeing Christon live during the club tour he just completed, I know that the knowledge the artist is ‘living on the edge’ while conducting his technical tour de force, creates a sense of tension that is felt by the audience as well.
Christon finished his set with my favourite track off his album. A song about the relationship with his father.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track
Alice Paba – Te Lo Leggo Negli Occhi
Alice Paba is an Italian singer-songwriter who was born 20 years ago. Her parents used to throw mega karaoke parties in their home, causing Alice to flee to her room. Later, at school, she had better experiences with music, and went on to learn singing, beatboxing and playing guitar.
All of this eventually resulted in Alice Paba winning ‘The Voice of Italy’ 2016. She just released her debut album Se Fossi Un Angelo and the opening track, the classic pop song Te Lo Leggo Negli Occhi, is her new single.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 17):
Wildcard (week 17):
Arkells – Knocking At The Door
Arkell Street is a street in the Canadian port city Hamilton, where Max Kerman, Mike DeAngelis, Nick Dika, Tim Oxford and Anthony Carone lived and practiced their music. When they started a band, in 2006, they decided to name it after that street.
Arkells have won multiple Juno Awards for (New) Group Of The Year and Rock Album Of The Year. Their fourth album Morning Report was released only in August last year, but this new single is a totally new song already. It sits somewhere between Hozier and Imagine Dragons and I think it’s great. That’s why I chose it as next week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
