News
BRIT'S - A new member of the Brit's Voting Academy
As 2009 came to a close Andrew received the very prestigious invitation to join the Brit’s Voting Academy - of course he accepted. ‘2010 will be the Brit’s 30th birthday and it is an absolute pleasure to join the voting team at such a great time’. The launch party will be held on Monday 18th January 2010 and televised on ITV2 and the show itself will broadcast on ITV1 at 8pm on Tuesday 16th February. Good luck to all those who have been nominated!
AVATAR - The Power Station - New York
August was a great month for Andrew, he spent some time in New York and whilst there he found time to catch up with two of America’s great producers, Todd Whitelock (pictured right, famous for his orchestral work and his many years at Sony and at the time was working with Regina Spektor and Joshua Bell) and Dave O’Donnell (left, who has worked with the likes of Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor and Eric Clapton). They met up at the infamous Avatar studios (formerly The Power Station). The Power Station – Manhattan was rebuilt as a recording studio by Tony Bongiovi (Jon Bon Jovi’s cousin) in 1977 and was renamed Avatar in May 1996. Over the years it has been the temporary home of some many artists and captured musical history on mass. Some artists who recorded there are listed below, Chic even had a ‘retro Motown room’ there, use your musical history knowledge to match the artists with the dates.
The Kinks, Aerosmith, Counting Crows, The B-52's, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, Duran Duran, Dream Theater, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Serge Gainsbourg, Ryan Adams, Pat Metheny, Neil Young, Harry Connick, Jr., Iggy Pop, Madonna, George Michael, John Mayer, Moby, Blondie, Chic, Joan Jett, David Bowie, The Last Shadow Puppets, and the band Power Station, which was named after the studio itself, plus many more.
TOUGH LOVE - release mini album
As 2008 came to a close Andrew’s final project was working on a mini album for Tough Love, which is now on release.
Press extract:
Tribal pop sextet release their debut mini album ‘Tough Love’ on June 1st 2009
“The afrobeat Scissor Sisters” Guardian
“They look and sound like nothing we have seen in recent times” Music Week
“Brilliant – packed with pop hits and charisma.” Record of the Day
Having already made an impact with their flamboyant performances in London’s more eccentric clubs, “tribal pop” ambassadors Tough Love release their debut, eponymously-titled mini-album on June 1st.
The mini album delivers on the live promises made by a band who have managed to claim their own distinct identity as curators of one of London’s most outrageous “new vaudeville” club night, White Mischief. Hosted in venues including a 1920s theatre, a palatial Georgian mansion and London’s 1,100 capacity Scala.
MUSIC PRODUCERS' GUILD - new board members
In April of this year Andrew accepted the prestigious invitation to take a place on the board of Directors’ for the Music Producers’ Guild (UK) where he is actively involved in supporting the interests of the industry.
This news was followed later that month by legendary producer Steve Levine being appointed as the new chairman after the departure of Mike Howlett.
Everyone is looking forward to this new chapter.
MONYAKA - together again
After the successful partnership last time around Monyaka has returned once again. He and Andrew are planning to write a further two tunes, to be recorded at London’s Garden studio in the forthcoming months.
