May 31st, 2017
single track
Wildwood Kin – Run
The first act signed on the Silvertone label in 1989 were The Stone Roses. A month ago, the label has been revived and the first act signed this time around was British trio Wildwood Kin. Big shoes to fillâŠ
The band (Wildwood Kin, obviously) consists of two sisters, Beth and Emillie Key, and their cousin Meghann Loney. Their voices blend perfectly, whilst they accompany themselves on a range of instruments. They showcase this on their new single Run, which will be followed by their debut album later in the year.
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
Nemesea – Dance In The Fire
In 2016, Dutch rock band Nemesea released its most commercial album, Uprise. It featured their most catchy compositions and tightest production yet. But then, disaster struck. Singer Manda Ophuis left the band and quit singing altogether, following her heart to pursue a career as a teacher for highly gifted children.
Her former band members decided to continue Nemesea, that built a worldwide following since they started, 15 years ago, this year. After auditions from singers (male and female) from all over the world, the band unanimously chose Sanne Mieloo as their new frontwoman. She has a rich musical and theatre background and, most importantly, an incredible voice, which she showcases for the first time on Nemeseaâs new single Dance In The Fire. A brand-new track, not from the album.
Still, I hope Sanne will also re-sing some of the outstanding tracks from Uprise. It would be a pity to deny them the success they deserve. Iâd love to hear songs like Light Up The Sky, Let It Burn and Get Out with her voice one day. A nice way to celebrate Nemeseaâs jubilee, later this year?
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 22):
Wildcard (week 22):
Soulwax – Do You Want To Get Into Trouble?
Just over two months ago, I listened to Soulwaxâs new album From Deewee. Halfway through the 12-track collection my ears were drawn to Do You Want To Get Into Trouble? A track with a great drive, courtesy of Belgian music masterminds the Dewaele brothers. I tipped it here on Carte Blanche Music and now it has been chosen as the bandâs new single.
With its infectious combination of beats, bass, synths and minimalist lyrics, Do You Want To Get Into Trouble? is a track that would stand-out on the radio. Hopefully, music programmers will allow themselves to be as adventurous as Soulwax themselves, for once.
As I said before: I like to put my money where my mouth is, so this great song is next weekâs Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Prominently positioned at the top of the sidebar for one whole week, all you have to do is click to have a good time!
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
Kita Menari – Young Lovers
Kita Menari is the new band of Micha de Jonge, formerly one half of the duo Me & Mr. Jansen. De Jonge came up with this band name after he ran out of oxygen while diving in Malaysia. After this near death experience, he decided to start living life to the fullest. Kita Menari is Malaysian for âwe danceâ, a metaphor for this change of spirit.
Young Lovers is the bandâs debut single, which has a sound half-way between Phoenix and Foster The People. Kita Menari is off to a good start!
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
Haerts – No Love For The Wild
Haerts (indeed written with âaeâ instead of âeaâ) operates from New York, but its band members Nini Fabi (vocals) and Ben Gebert (keyboards, guitars) are originally from Germany. I played their debut single Wings, the follow-up Giving Up and their Jeff Buckley cover Everybody Here Wants You regularly in my Carte Blanche radio show and now, theyâre back with another great track!
On No Love For The Wild the duo explores its more emotional side. The sophisticated instrumentation puts full emphasis on the beautifully sung lyrics.
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
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – La Mitrailleuse
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark are a hugely influential electronic music band. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, themselves inspired by Brian Eno and Kraftwerk, have often been called âthe Lennon-McCartney of synth-popâ. Their impact stretched out to artists as diverse as U2, a-ha, No Doubt, Talk Talk and Radiohead (and, more obviously: Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Information Society, Yazoo and Underworld).
On 1 September, OMD put out their 13th album The Punishment Of Luxury. It will be released in several CD and LP formats, but also on cassette. Humphreys describes the album as âstripped downâ. The first track that was made available might be representative for the musical direction. La Mitrailleuse (French for âthe machine gunâ) is just over two minutes long, and only features the lyric âBend your body to the will of the machineâ. This is sung with a Kraftwerk-like vocal effect, accompanied by a minimalist choir. After 45 seconds, sound effects of (machine) gun shots, bombs and jets flying over form a rhythmic backdrop to the ongoing choir. This makes for an alarming and intense atmosphere, which is only augmented by the 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.
werner's weekly
Wernerâs Weekly (week 22)
You may not have noticed it, but I was on holiday the past 12 days (yeah, it was great, thanks for asking!). In the meantime, of course, the new music just kept coming. I hope you did notice that, here on the blog, in my Spotify playlist Carte Blanche Music and/or elsewhere. New music automatically also means: new highlights. The following are last weekâs best new tracks, as far as Iâm concerned (presented in alphabetical order):
- Rocky – Love Is A Soft Machine (this weekâs Wildcard)
- Saint Motel – Destroyer (last weekâs Wildcard)
- RAC feat. Rivers Cuomo – I Still Wanna Know
- The The – We Canât Stop Whatâs Coming
- Triggerfinger – Flesh Tight
Well, those are only just artists and titles, arenât they? Through the Wernerâs Weekly player in the sidebar you can listen to each of the tracks above, and clicking the links directs you to the short recommendations I wrote about them. Fancy even more great new music? Then my 2017 container playlist Carte Blanche Music is the one for you. If you subscribe to it, Iâll do the âdirtyâ selection work for you from now on đ .
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
Triggerfinger – Flesh Tight
Belgian rock band Triggerfinger was founded in 1998 and became a live staple ever since. In 2012, they crossed over to the charts with a fun cover of Lykke Liâs I Follow Rivers, that was originally played as a gimmicky contribution to a radio show. Unexpectedly, popular demand made the gimmick Triggerfingerâs only hit to date, although the song is far from representative of the bandâs trade mark sound. If you want to know how they really sound, go to a Triggerfinger concert (the bandâs natural habitat). Expect hard, bluesy stoner rock, comparable with Queens Of The Stone Age and Led Zeppelin.
Their new single could give the band a shot at their second hit. Flesh Tight sounds like the younger brother of Roxy Musicâs Virginia Plain and David Bowieâs Boys Keep Swinging. Itâs a plain swinging track, so to speakâŠ
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
Mew – The Wake Of Your Life
Danish band Mew just released their seventh album Visuals. It features the wonderful single Carry Me To Safety and ten other tracks.
Music-wise, my favourite track on the album reminds me of Marillion (when they were still a symphonic rock band). This is never a bad thing. Great mewsic!
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 26 May 2017
If youâre interested in emerging acts, European artists and bands and singers that are successful outside their home countries, then you can of course read all music magazines, listen to all radio shows and follow all streaming playlists. But you can also follow the EBBCharts, collecting all debuting, border-crossing, European artists in one convenient Top 100. And you can find even more up-and-coming acts in the âBubbling Underâ chart!
For the full Top 100, click the âEBBChartâ tab at the top of this blog (loading of the PDF may take a little while). For more in-depth information, graphical representations of the figures and the ability to share your favourite tracks via social media, please visit www.europeanborderbreakerschart.eu. Happy discovery!
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.
