To mark the launch of Richard Evans’ new book ‘Listening To The Music The Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983’, Andy Bell talked to the author about his band Erasure, following their UK tour last year to promote their eighteenth studio album, ‘The Neon’.
Bell discussed the history of the synth-duo, from his audition to be a singer for electronic musician Vince Clarke, who was moving on from a failed project with Paul Quinn, to how, once he had been given the job, it had taken him time to find his confidence amongst synth men.
They moved onto some of the band’s televised performances on Top of The Pops, where Bell met the likes of Terence Trent D’Arby and Mel & Kim, and how fame had impacted his life. He also spoke about Erasure’s signing to Mute and working with Clarke, describing the instrumental recording process the two undertake in the studio and revealing they are yet to release their best work.
Evans’ book provides a detailed analysis of the electronic-pop genre with input from its pioneers, including Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure), who also did the foreword, Martyn Ware (The Human League, B.E.F., Heaven 17), who spoke at the launch, and Daniel Miller (The Normal, Mute), who Andy Bell called Erasure’s third member.
06/11/22: Richard Evans + Andy Bell @ Queen’s Gate House, London.
Photos © E. Gabriel Edvy/Blackswitch Labs.
© Ayisha Khan.