Upbeat Andrea set for second album release

ON SONG: I hope all the mainstream fans who know me now will be interested in hearing my own album, says Andrea.By Geoffrey Rowlands

Anyone listening to Everything You Never Had (We Had It All), the UK top ten single by dance star Breach, real name Ben Westbeech, might wonder why someone with a classically trained voice should employ other vocalists to perform on his songs.

“I had that exact thought,” admitted London-born Andreya Triana. “I didn’t know Ben was a classically trained singer when he asked me to do the vocals on Everything You Never Had. But I’d heard the two albums he released under his own name so I knew Ben had a fantastic voice.

“He is so particular about his music. He simply didn’t think his voice was right for the song. The lyrics are obviously for a female but changing just a couple of words could easily have made them perfect for a male artist. Even so, Ben wanted a female singer and I was delighted to provide the vocals.”

Although she is largely unfamiliar to mainstream audiences, Andreya’s vocal ability is well known amongst dance and soul music fans. Apart from her own album, Lost Where I Belong, she has been the featured singer on dance anthems by artists such as Mr. Scruff, Bonobo and Flying Lotus.

“It was a collaboration with Flying Lotus in 2006 which got me noticed. We created a song called Tea Leaf Dancers at the Red Bull Music Academy in Australia. This was on his Reset EP and also released as a single. The track really took off and I found myself being talked about by a lot of important people.”

Andreya was desperate to be selected from the thousands of applicants to the Red Bull Academy.

“I screamed the house down when I discovered I’d been chosen. I was so thrilled. It was the ideal opportunity to make progress in my career. I got the chance to collaborate with so many fabulous musicians and producers.

“The song with Flying Lotus was one among hundreds of collaborations. The truth is I really didn’t know anything about his music at the time but we both felt Tea Leaf Dancers was something special and so it proved.”

Her interest in creating songs had begun at the age of seven.

“I’d spend hours in my bedroom writing poetry and using a couple of old cassette decks to sample music and record my songs. I grew up in Brixton which is a diverse, multi-cultural area. My family later moved to a predominantly white, middle class region in the Midlands. I felt quite isolated in this environment so spent even more time working on songs in my bedroom.”

Andreya’s critically acclaimed debut album features a mix of dance and soul tracks. The songs highlight what has been described as her unique voice. She also has a personal style of presenting her songs. Her Freeflo Sessions see Andreya use a sampler to loop vocals, sounds and beats to back her live performances.

“I think it’s such an interesting way to present my work. I’ve always loved improvisation so the Freeflos also allow me to improvise on songs rather than just copy my recorded performance.

“The bottom line though is I just love to sing and perform. I’m having a great time promoting the Breach track but I’ve also been working on songs for my second album. I hope all the mainstream fans who know me now will be interested in hearing my own album. It should be released early next year.”

IN BRIEF

Daft Punk

Daft Punk have been immortalised again via a brand new set of action figures.

Produced by Bandai and Japan’s S.H. Figuarts, the six-inch models were designed under the supervision of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. They depict the duo wearing their trademark leather outfits which were originally created by renowned French fashion designer Hedi Slimane. The look is completed with their famous robotic helmets and gloves.

The figures are on sale for US$44.99 each. They are likely to sell out quickly with investors being just as interested as the duo’s fans. A handsome profit can be anticipated as a range of Daft Punk action figures made some years ago by toy manufacturer Medicom now sell on auction websites for as much as $750.

Courtney Love

Considering the numerous problems caused by ill-advised tweets, it’s amazing that Twitter still remains so popular among celebrities.

Singer and musician Courtney Love is the latest star to face legal action over one of her Twitter postings. A Los Angeles judge has ruled that a jury should decide if Courtney defamed her former lawyer in a tweet and press interview. Unless an out of court settlement can be reached, the case will go to trial on January 13.

Courtney hired Rhonda Holmes to pursue a fraud case against those handling the estate of her former husband, Kurt Cobain. In addition to claiming Ms. Holmes failed to perform her task, Courtney accused her of accepting a bribe.

Such accusations hardly enhance the reputation of any lawyer so it is no surprise that Ms. Holmes took exception to Courtney’s Twitter posting. If the case does go to trial, it should set legal precedents for future cases brought against those who make controversial remarks on social media websites.

Love Crushed Velvet

New Wave revival quartet Love Crushed Velvet have stepped a little out of character by releasing a Christmas song.

“It’s a Holiday, Come Over!” is accompanied by an animated video starring a lonely reindeer. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1gzbj0Rj2k.

Three more of the band’s official song promos, live performances and a behind-the-scenes shoot can all be seen at www.youtube.com/user/LoveCrushedVelvet/videos.

Much more of their music is available to hear at (no www.) soundcloud.com/love-crushed-velvet. Four songs, Letter, Willie B, Goodbye Goldblatt and a cover of Pink Floyd’s Money, can be downloaded for free.

Mateo

R&B singer / songwriter Mateo has also released a Christmas song.

His Home For Christmas video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDgz4f-i3Fw. If you enjoy the track, it is available for free download from www.mediafire.com/listen/ewpdxysae1ujcrq/Home+For+Christmas.mp3.

The official videos for another four of Mateo’s songs, plus his cover of Lana Del Rey’s Blue Jeans, can also be found on YouTube by typing his name in the website search box.

More than 70 of his tracks can be heard at (no www.) myspace.com/mateo/music/songs.

Victory

Even more Christmas music is being given away by Victory.

The soubriquet of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert Fleming, Victory is offering his own song, Just Want You Here At Christmas Time, and a cover of The Beach Boys’ Merry Christmas, Baby. The tracks can be heard and downloaded at (www.) soundcloud.com/victoryismusic.

Many more Victory songs are posted on his SoundCloud page. Most of these tracks are also available to download for free.

Elliot & The Ghost

Not everyone is releasing Christmas music. New York-based indie rockers Elliot & The Ghost are too busy gearing up for the release of their debut EP, Is This Love, which hits the shops on January 21.

Lead single, Mamba, has already been issued. The song can be heard at (no www.) soundcloud.com/elliotandtheghost from where it is also available for free download.

A number of the band’s live performances can be found on YouTube but, as yet, there is only an audio posting of Mamba.