August 2020

Today, Captured Tracks, Sharp Film and Larson Media have launched a Kickstarter campaign for the forthcoming documentary, The Jangling Man, the untold story of Cleaners From Venus’ Martin Newell. Though it would be wrong to say Newell is an “unknown“, he has never been directly in the limelight over the years and this film brings to light the amazing career and life work of the artist.

Martin Newell on The Jangling Man: “A film? About me? I’ve often wondered why that camera crew kept popping up everywhere. How marvelous! Can’t wait to see it.”

SEE KICKSTARTER HERE.

The documentary is being shot, directed and produced by James Sharp, co-produced and edited by Jim Larson, and features unseen performances and never-before-released footage from the extent of his career along with interviews from from John Cooper Clarke, Dave Gregory (XTC), Iain McNay (Cherry Red), Mac Demarco, Jessica Pratt, Zachary Cole Smith (DIIV), Jack Tatum (Wild Nothing) and more. The Kickstarter will be selling limited, exclusive merch, releases and more to help fund the project. Captured Tracks will also be reissuing Martin Newell’s acclaimed 1995 release, The Off-White Album, on vinyl for the first time. Kickstarters customers are able to pre-order it now as a reward for backing the documentary.

Considered by many to be an influential figure in the history of cassette culture and DIY recording, Martin has been an integral part of the British music scene since the 1970s, from glam rock and pop, to jazz, all the while keeping his glittery shimmer. He’s been produced by XTC’s Andy Partridge, and written for the likes of Captain Sensible of The Damned. Newell has also toured extensively with members of the Damned as his own backing band. During the 1990s Newell was one of the UK’s most-published poets as well as an established…gardener. It’s no wonder he has influenced the likes of Alphaville, MGMT, and Ariel Pink, to name a few. The life of Martin Newell may be one of the greatest untold stories of the music world.

Two unsuspecting friends whilst making electronic music with home-made gadgets manage to open up an interdimensional portal with code, slipping into a parallel utopian paradise they call ‘Soda State’. They quickly return to reality as digital versions of themselves. Hypnotized by what they’ve experienced, M & Tracie can’t rest until they find their way back…

Think The Blaze meets Gorillaz, Soda State is a brand-new all-encompassing dance music project and virtual band, brilliantly conceptualised and animated, totally original and are sure to be well recognised digital characters of the future.

They bring us their debut release ‘The Look’ on Potion Records, the label that is famously headed by The Magician.  This is a unique debut track, layered with 80s synths, kicking back beat and a beautiful euphoric vocal. Simultaneously contemporary and retro and a perfect slice of pop dance for those seeking a little nostalgia.

Taking influence from French House and iconic acts like Daft Punk, M83 and Duke Dumont’s Ocean Drive, Soda State incorporate the vibe and synth lines inspired by Digitalism, Cassius, Boys Noize and Gesaffelstein, all coming together to form their own inimitable signature sound.

“We want the music we create to take the listener into a place of escapism.
Lyrically, sonically and visually, there’s a sense of taking yourself away from
the world around you, whether giving yourself over to the moment or losing
yourself in a feeling of nostalgia. We call this feeling of escapism
‘The Soda State Of Mind’” – M & Tracie

The band come equipped with a fascinating back story, back in 2019, Mike “M” Ridley and Sam Tracie are in their garage recording studio in London. Using their laptops, classic analogue synths and an array of gadgets they’ve wired themselves, they stumble on a sound, a combination of 0’s and 1’s in digital code that unexpectedly opens an interdimensional portal, transporting them to an alternate reality: the Soda State.

Transformed into digital versions of themselves, M and Tracie find themselves in a utopian world. Euphoric and intoxicating feeling both nostalgic and brand new – like nothing they’ve experienced before. Immediately hooked, they vow never to leave this paradise.

Before long, they find themselves tumbling through the portal again, away from Soda State. Re-entering the human world in their digital forms. Hypnotized by what they’ve experienced, they can’t rest until they find their way back.

Now getting to grips with life in the real world as digital avatars, the friends are on a musical journey to rediscover the sound that will open the portal once more.

Soda State come to us with fascinating and highly creative imagery, they are also lovers of all things retro, think video games, fashion and of course, music. With an original video for “The Look’ in the pipeline and series of future releases already set in stone, these characters will become a common feature on the national airwaves, playlists and even performing live.
 
Soda State ‘The Look’ is out now on Potion Records

Connect with Soda State

Perth-based, Zimbabwe-born rapper-producer Arno Faraji today joins forces with Sydney-born production duo Two Another, to release their collaborative new single ‘Just A Phase‘. Listen HERE, watch HERE. 

Together, Faraji and Two Another craft a sound that sits between sensuous R&B, shimmering, soul-infused electronica, and wavy West Coast hip hop. With lush, warm synths, rounded bass lines, and an unhurried beat providing the perfect backdrop to Arno’s sly, nimble flow and casual delivery, ‘Just A Phase’ splits the difference between pastel sunset funk and late-night groove. The single highlights both artists ability to collaborate with others who, for Faraji, might not sit entirely within the hip hop world but share his irresistibly playful sense of style (like the Milan Ring produced ‘Scalin’‘); and continue Two Another’s spirit of collaboration with artists, unbound by borders both physical and categorical, and pepper their individual flavor throughout. 

Speaking on the release, Arno reveals, “The songs about noticing the way people treat you once you’ve got a good thing going when you HOT. It’s also about knowing a lot of things and people in your life only come for seasons and can dip just as fast as they came.”

Of the collaboration, Two Another also share, “When we linked with Arno in the studio last year he told us to play some ideas and we always had that beat up our sleeves for him. He got in the booth and freestyled the majority of the vocals – the pasta line came out in the first take and we knew it was game over after that!”

‘Just A Phase’ follows two major releases from both artists, arriving off the back of a moment’s 2019 for each. Arno Faraji’s ‘Bass Jumpin‘ saw full rotation adds across triple j and community radio stations nationally, in addition, to praise from Red Bull Music, Acclaim, Pilerats, Purple Sneakers, and more. The West Australian artist’ last year debuted his headline Australian tour ‘Faraji SZN‘ to widespread success, as well as support slots alongside Kwame and Cosmo’s Midnight, playing to sold-out crowds at the Enmore and Forum Theatres on their respective national tours. 

Two Another hit the ground running in 2020 with four major releases thus far, the most recent single ‘My Religion‘ garnering praise from Complex, Wonderland, Pigeons & Planes, The Line of Best Fit, Clash and more. Plus radio acclaim from BBC Radio 1 and triple j, following recent performances alongside Daniel Caesar, SG Lewis, and H.E.R.

‘Just A Phase’ by Arno Faraji and Two Another is out now,
buy/stream it here.

Stay connected with Arno Faraji:
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