ANDERSON
is an indie-pop duo from The Netherlands, consisting of Bas van Nienes
and Jeroen van der Werken. Their debut album we radio anderson was
released by Dutch label VOLKOREN (16 Horsepower, at the close of every
day) in 2005. A mix of singer/songwriter-pop and fizzy electronics, the
album drew rave reviews from the music press, not just in Holland, but
throughout Europe, and even in Japan, where it was released by Thistime
Records. Successful tours followed through western Europe, the USA, and
Japan.
All this global travelling has obviously left its mark on
ANDERSON. "It Runs In The Family" is not only thematically more
ambitious than its predecessor, telling one central story through
different characters from across the world, the music is also bolder.
Comparisons to artists like The Postal Service and The Notwist still
stand, but the warm intimacy of the first record is enhanced with
heavier beats and synths, and irresistible eighties-grooves that could
make anyone from Prince to The Pet Shop Boys run to the dance floor.
Besides
writing and performing, Bas and Jeroen also produced and recorded it
runs in the family, with additional recording by René de Vries (This
Beautiful Mess) and Martijn Groeneveld (Solo), who also mixed the
record. Lydia van Maurik-Wever (Brown Feather Sparrow) provided backing
vocals.
About Julian Lennon
Julian's New Album is complete... waiting for it and we can't wait!
"If
I was gonna write again I had to live again … I had to look deep inside
myself and start again." So says Julian Lennon of his decision to
return to the music industry after an absence of seven years. Indeed at
the start of this decade it seemed unlikely that Julian would ever
record again. Despite the fact that he launched his career with the
international hit single 'Too Late for Goodbyes,' despite the fact that
between the years 1984 and 1991 he released four albums with combined
sales of five and a half million, Julian had tired of the media circus.
His original independent label Charisma records
had become absorbed into a major, and his success had attracted some
"advisors" who were more than ready to relieve Julian of his income:
"Control over your career is so important. How can you express yourself
when other people are trying to do it for you?"
So
Lennon quit. He spent the next few years living the life he had
previously been denied during his punishing schedule. Relaxing in his
lakeside house in Northern Italy. Sailing, Travelling. Accumulating
antiques, rifling through flea markets. Anything that didn't involve
the dreaded 'm'-word.
During this time Julian
even considered other career options: "I needed to think about a life
outside the industry. I've always been interested in architecture and
interior design, and even cooking … but in the end I started playing
again because of my love of music - and I didn't want to walk away from
it all with the last four albums as a legacy!"
However
this time round things had to be different. A chance meeting with
producer Bob Rose (Roy Orbison, Edie Brickell) drew Julian back to the
studio. He assembled supporting musicians including Simon Edwards
(Fairground Attraction) on bass, Manny Elias (Tears for Fears) on
drums, multi-instrumentalist Donal Lunny, guitarists Justin Clayton
(Julian's longtime friend and co-writing partner), Matt Backer and
Robbie Blunt. The result was over an album's worth of material.