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VALGEIR SIGURDSSON PRODUCES NEW ALBUM FOR CAMILLE

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The big review: Camille

Camille reminds me of Björk. Not in the way that Bat For Lashes’ Natasha Khan reminds me of Björk, by sounding exactly like her. But because she’s bold, experimental and can transform her extraordinary voice from goose-bump-inducing choral music to a sassy soul moan and a broken whimper – sometimes, all in the space of one song.

She beatboxes, grunts, squeaks, chatters sexily in French and uses the art of “body percussion” – stamping, thumping and clapping to create infectious beats. She samples noises such as water slopping, tea being poured and struck matches to create textured, atmospheric sounds best heard through big headphones. She even has people humming in place of basslines. In short, she rocks.

Over in Paris, Camille’s been an open secret for years. She won the Prix Constantin (the French Mercury Prize) in 2005 for second album Le Fil, a gold-selling record that had a single droning B-note running all the way through it. She sang a traditional-sounding musette song in last year’s blockbuster Ratatouille, and you might have already heard her guest vocals on tracks by hip French band Nouvelle Vague. On their debut album of bossa nova-style covers, she re-worked Too Drunk to F*** by the Dead Kennedys and Guns of Brixton by The Clash as brilliantly sultry lounge songs.

But hopefully this, her third album and the first written primarily in English, is going to get her the recognition she deserves over here. Jazz-pop sensation Jamie Cullum even makes an appearance alongside guest beatboxers, percussionists and a tap dancer. But don’t worry, he’s just playing piano.

If you’re going to download one song to sum up Camille’s weird magic, make it Cats And Dogs, a track that starts off sounding like a traditional Edith Piaf waltz. “Cats and dogs are not our friends,” Camille sings, broken-heartedly. “It’s just emotions we invent so we forget we’re by ourselves.” Then a buzzing bassline and a chorus of “meows” and “woofs” kick in, the tempo ramps up, and the whole thing starts sounding like a demented cabaret club performance overrun with furious pets. It’s funny, odd and it’s definitely one of a kind.

But just when you’ve pegged Camille as a kooky alt-pixie, she’ll launch into Mariah Carey-esque power pop (Sanges Sweet), finger-clickin’ gospel (Gospel With No Lord), pitch-perfect operatic warbling (The Monk) or downbeat introspection (Home Is Where It Hurts). The best thing about her isn’t that she’s a bit like Björk (they share a producer, Valgeir Sigurdsson, who’s also worked with Sigur Rós). The best thing about her is she isn’t really like anyone else at all.

TORE JOHANSSON'S LATEST PROJECT FOR DOMINO RECORDINGS - WILD BEASTS

As described by Downed In Sound, Wild Beasts "are a Kendal-hailing quartet whose music brilliantly distils all the best eccentricities of pop’s lunatic fringe; a genuine poetic sensibility nurtured in the hills of the Lake District and perfected in the hotbed of Leeds’ flourishing music scene. They are, in short, the real deal, even after you get past singer Hayden Thorpe’s extraordinary, pubescent choirboy wail." Tore has just finished producing and mixing their debut album.

GREG HAVER PRODUCES NEW TRACKS FOR THE MANICS WHOSE ALBUM DEBUTS AT No. 2

Greg Haver produced four tracks on the new Manic Street Preachers album "Send Away The Tigers". The album narrowly missed out on the number one spot by just 700 copies.

 

9 WEEKS AT No. 1 IN AIRPLAY CHARTS FOR OPSHOP

The new single from OpShop has dominated the airplay charts in New Zealand recently. The track - "Maybe" - was produced by Greg Haver and has currently been at number one on the charts for nine consecutive weeks. Greg also produced the rest of their album "Secondhand Planet". The band are signed to Siren / EMI.

NELLY FURTADO IS No. 1 ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS

Rick Nowels has co-written & produced "In God's Hands" for Nelly Furtado's third album, "Loose", that was no. 1 in the U.S., Canada, Germany & Japan and sold over 2,500,000 copies worldwide.

SIMON GOGERLY BRINGS HOME A GRAMMY

Simon Gogerly has won a grammy for album of the year at the 2006 Grammy Awards for his outstanding work on U2's "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". He was also nominated for the multi platinum selling album "Love, Angel, Music, Baby" by Gwen Stefani.

ROLLING STONE (GERMANY) HAS VOTED THE GO-BETWEENS IN AT NO. 6

'Ocean's Apart', produced by Mark Wallis and David Ruffy, has reached no. 6 in the 25 Best Albums of 2005 in the German edition of Rolling Stone

MELANIE C ALBUM REACHES GOLD STATUS IN GERMANY

Melanie C's latest album, Beautiful Intentions, produced and mixed by Greg Haver has enjoyed success across Continental Europe, spending several weeks in the Top 20 Album Charts. The album, which includes tracks written by Tore Johansson and Carsten Kroeyer, recently reached gold status in Germany.

2 NOMINATIONS FOR MARTIJN TEN VELDEN & MARK KNIGHT AT THE HOUSE MUSIC AWARDS 2005

Martijn ten Velden has been nominated along with his production and remix partner, Mark Knight for 2 awards at this years prestigious House Music Awards 2005. The nominations are for Best Remix and Best Artist and both categories see them up against stiff competition such as Martin Solveig, Mylo, Deep Dish and Armand Van Helden. The awards will be held at Hammersmith Palais on 17th November where winners will be announced. Please visit www.housemusicawards.com to vote for Martijn and Mark. Thanks for your support.

IAN GRIMBLE TO PRODUCE SPECIAL NEEDS ALBUM

Ian Grimble is working with a wide range of exciting new bands and is due to start work on a debut album for London based Special Needs signed to Poptones / Mercury. Ian is currently mixing an album for French band La Phaze who combine guitars, beats and electronica. Other acts Ian has worked with recently, or is about to work with include Tina Dico, KT Tunstall and Metro Riots.

GREG HAVER NOMINATED FOR PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AT WELSH MUSIC AWARDS

Greg Haver, who produced the latest Manic Street Preachers' album "Life Blood" has been nominated for the Welsh Music Awards, held in at the beginning of March. Greg was also on the shortlist of producers to be nominated for Best Producer at the Music Week Awards.

AWARDS HAUL CONTINUES FOR TORE JOHANSSON'S FRANZ FERDINAND ALBUM

Franz Ferdinand's eponymous debut album has collected an impressive number of awards and nominations and the list continues to grow. Produced by Tore Johansson, the album met with widespread acclaim for its distinctive sound and original production and has wiped the board at many of the major awards ceremonies since its release last year.

As well as winning Best Album and Best Track at the NME Awards, the band picked up two BRIT Awards and were nominated for three Grammys. The album won the Mercury Music Prize in September 2004.

Franz were also the only British act to win at the MTV Music Awards, where their single "Take Me Out" came out on top over the likes of the White Stripes, Kanye West and New Found Glory.

Tore is currently working on new albums for the Cardigans and Junior Senior and working on a track for Australian act Bumblebeez signed to Geffen in the US. He has recently produced tracks for OK Go, new UK act Spitfire, New Order and Swedish artist Titiyo.

GREG HAVER PRODUCES NEW MANIC'S SINGLE

Greg Haver produced the new Manic Street Preachers' single "The Love of Richard Nixon". Greg has a long standing relationship with the Manics and has worked on many of their previous records and has even played percussion for them live on several tours. Greg also produced their album "LifeBlood" which is released in November.

TORE JOHANSSON WINS THE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tore Johansson was presented with the Producer of the Year Award at the recent Roll of Honour ceremony held by the Music Managers Forum. He received the award in recognition of his work with Franz Ferdinand. Produced and mixed by Tore, Franz Ferdinand's eponymous debut album has been met with widespread acclaim for its distinctive sound and original production.

Tore is also well known for his work with The Cardigans, for whom he has produced five albums including Grand Turismo and First Band On The Moon. He is currently producing an album for US band OK GO signed to Capitol.

TORE JOHANSSON'S FRANZ FERDINAND ALBUM WINS MERCURY AWARD

Franz Ferdinand's eponymous debut album won this year's Mercury Music Prize. Produced by Tore Johansson, the album met with widespread acclaim for its distinctive sound and original production. With very strong followings already in the UK, Ireland, Japan and Australia the band are taking off in the States and are due to tour there again soon.

Franz were also the only British act to win at the MTV Music Awards, where their single "Take Me Out" came out on top over the likes of the White Stripes, Kanye West and New Found Glory.

RICK NOWELS WINS IVOR NOVELLO AWARD

Further to the recognition he has received in the music industry recently, Rick Nowels won International Hit Of The Year for Dido's "White Flag" at the Ivor Novello Awards. Building on the success of his collorations on Dido's first album (for which he produced three tracks including "Here With Me"), Rick co-wrote the track with Dido and Rollo. The track has acheived huge international success and picked up a Grammy award nomination and a win for Best British Single at the Brit Awards 2004.

Rick also received an award for Song Of The Year at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2004, a Grammy at last year's awards ceremony and another Grammy nomination this year.

STEVE LYON'S AMPLIFIER ALBUM WIDELY PRAISED

Steve Lyon has just produced an album for Amplifier, one of the Britain's most promising young rock acts. The self titled debut from the Manchester based trio has received amazing reviews across the music press:

KERRANG (5K): "Amplifier is the utterly electrifying sound of a British rock scene-altering record. Enjoy in all its infinite glory"
NME (8/10): "No other record this year will have the audacity to field such lofty ambitions, let alone have the skills to fulfil them"
METAL HAMMER (9/10): "Outstanding debut...the hottest property in British rock music for a long, long time"
THE FLY (5/5): "...it's a f**king revelation, file next to Led Zeppelin 1, Ritual de lo Habitual and Superunknown"
ROCKSOUND (9/10): "A polished, soaring rock epic"
PLAYMUSIC: "Your new favourite band...a classic...discover it early"

TORE JOHANSSON PRODUCES FRANZ FERDINAND

Legendary Cardigans producer Tore Johansson has just finished producing the debut album for Franz Ferdinand – "the band that will change your life in 2004" according to the NME. The album was recorded and mixed at his own studio in Malmo, Sweden, demonstrating Tore's mastery of his art. The Franz album was released in February. Tore also produced the first Franz single "Darts of Pleasure".

Since Franz came on the scene last year there has been a press frenzy including features in the Telegraph, a front cover and main feature for NME and being voted as No. 2 in the BBC's list of the Top 10 artists most likely to make it big in 2004. Last year's list included Mercury Prize winner Dizzee Rascal, Jamaican star Sean Paul, The Thrills and 50 Cent. Many radio stations are including Radio 1, Virgin & Xfm are featuring the new single "Take Me Out" on their playlists. The single debuted at No.3 in the charts, with the album also set for success on release in February. Off the back of this 2004 should be a busy year for Tore...

GRAMMY & BRIT NOMINATIONS FOR RICK NOWELS

A very successful year for Rick Nowels has been summed up perfectly with two Grammy award nominations and a variety of Brit nominations as well. Rick's exceptional work with Superstar artists Dido and Cher has been recognised for the 46th annual Grammy award ceremony, to be held on the 8th of February. Though very welcome, this success is not entirely new to the producer/songwriter, as Rick secured Grammy success for producing Santana's "Game of Love" in 2002. The 2004 Brit awards sees Rick and Dido being nominated for best single with White Flag, best album and best British Female Artist.

Rick has also recently been working on productions for Holly Valance, Charlotte Church, American Idol, Texas and Shaznay Lewis to name but a few.

WRITER / PRODUCERS –
NEED THAT No.1 INTERNATIONAL HIT ?

SBM's roster of hit making producer / writers offers a variety of opportunities for most artists. Working out of their own studios they can accommodate co-writing with the artists and are able to bring into the team renowned top-line writers (from within our stable or from outside) and can supply fully finished songs for the artists or supply backing tracks for the artist to write over in their own time and space.

The huge number of international hits created by SBM producer / writers speaks for itself and includes: Madonna's "The Power Of Goodbye", Dido's "White Flag", Santana & Michelle Branch's "The Game Of Love", Jewel's "Standing Still", Melanie C's "I Turn To You", Jamelia's "Thank You", "Bout" and "Money", Texas' "Inner Smile", Celine Dion's "I Drove All Night" and Atomic Kitten's "Eternal Flame" and "Love Doesn't Have To Hurt".

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2003