Hi guys!
Both: Hello
How are you doing today?
Both: Very well thank you
An exciting time, a new album came out of course just a couple of days ago, the "Light At The End Of The World". We've heard one single from that already, and the new single is going be "Sunday Girl" from that album, when's that coming out?
Andy: The 11th of June, yeah!
11th of June. So we'll play that in a couple of minutes time. Last time we spoke to you was around 2006, the last album which was your acoustic album where you reinterpreted lots of classic Erasure songs. And this album is stylistically is I supposed a return to the classic Erasure style in a way isn't it?
Vince: Yeah we wanted to make a true electronic record this time around, so that's what we've done.
An interesting way of this coming together, because Vince I think you now live in Maine, in the USA don't you?
Vince: Yes, I live in America now. I lived in New York for a while and then we moved up north to Maine, on the Canadian border.
And Andy you worked with Vince via the Internet when a lot of this was being put together?
Andy: Yeah, that was really at the beginning, we were just exchanging ideas backwards and forwards, and then we hooked up in Portland and did some writing every afternoon for two weeks, and got about 24 songs together, and then recording in a little house by the seaside which took about 2 months, and then 6 weeks for the mixing, it was all quite quick.
It sounds like it was a very enjoyable process?
Andy: It was really lovely.
Vince: It was great, because I mean we hadn't written songs together for a while, as the acoustic record was obviously songs that we had already written and so that this was all new material for us. and when you don't write together for a while, the new ideas pile up in your head and this was an outlet for those ideas.
It sounds like an album that you've had lots of fun making, a labour of love really. You mentioned that you wanted to make a classically electronic album again, is that the starting point that you had then, was that something that you went into the studio thinking we want to make something that is something classically Erasure, classically electronic?
Vince: That and also we wanted to make an up tempo record as well, as our previous records up to that point had started to get slower and slower as we got older and older! So we wanted to make a dance record again.
Well I suppose the same thing happened with the Pet Shop Boys in a sense, as they came back with an album last year which was also a big Trevor Horn production, but also a very classic sounding Pet Shop Boys record after a couple of albums which which as you suggested slowed down a bit and tried different styles.
Vince: Yeah, I mean we just copied the Pet Shop Boys! [laughs]
That wasn't the suggestion! Now you're touring this album as well, in September you'll be in Edinburgh at the Corn Exchange on the 9th September. And actually there is a link between you and the Pet Shop Boys here in terms of Edinburgh because their gig at New Year was cancelled as well.
Andy: Oh God!
Because of bad weather.
Vince: Oh no!
And of course that happened to you a few years ago didn't it?
Both: Yeah, yeah
Vince: In fact we got a review for that record, as it was already out. The concert was cancelled, and there was a review the next day in one of the Scottish papers saying how good the gig was!
That's always a risking proposition isn't it! Was it a good review though?
Vince: The review was great, yeah! Apparently we did really well!
That must have been surreal, waking up with what I imagine on New Year's day with something of a hangover on Hogmanay on New Year's morning and seeing a review for a gig that maybe you thought you had forgotten you've done!
Vince: Yeah perhaps!
It's quite a widespread tour as well, you're right across the country with this. When did you last tour the UK?
Andy: Last year I think it was?
Vince: No the year before last with the Acoustic tour, we toured the Acoustic record.
So it's a big album and a big tour and a very big sound as well - as I say, we've been familiar with "I Could Fall In Love With You" which was the first single from this new album. Tell me about "Sunday Girl". The first thing to clarify is that it's not a Blondie cover.
Andy: No, it's kinda of an ode to them. But it's a song of really just going out and not over doing it really, and taking care of your friend.
And lyrically Andy, you've been a difficult time in the past couple of years - A long term relationship which is sadly no longer. Has that fed into the writing process for you? I suppose it would?
Andy: It's not no longer, because Paul is my soul mate, and it's not like you just pack your bags and leave. You know, we're just working things. And so I tried to kind of put stuff that was kind of going on in my head into the lyrics and I think it's really healthy way of doing stuff, it's quite cathartic and it makes for a good song I think!
And Vince, we mention that you are now living in Maine, married with a young son, congratulations!
Vince: Thank you!
Has that changed your outlook, or improved your outlook in anyway or altered it in terms of the music that you make with Andy?
Vince: I think that if you're in a good place in your head, then it's bound to come across in the music. And this new record is definitely optimistic and forward looking, and having a kid definitely chances everything as you may know!
Through friends I think! Actually I became a God Father though a friend of mine, to a mutual friend in Aberdeen a few weeks ago, and we're splitting it. He's going to do all the baby holding until the child is grown up, and I'll take him to the pub!
Vince: I think that a good plan!
Got all bases covered there! 9th September, the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. The number is 0131 4430404 for tickets, that's 0131 4430404. We'll look forward to seeing you in Edinburgh, always welcome here of course. The fans that you have in Edinburgh are very loyal I think over the years?
Andy: Yeah the fans are great, we love playing Scotland.
Excellent stuff! Let's listen to the new single "Sunday Girl". Vince and Andy, Erasure, thank you!
Both: Thank you very much!
Thank you guys, much appreciated! See you in a bit, bye!