Interview: Bernard Sumner talks New Order

Published

1 year ago

May 17, 2022

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New Order with Bernard Sumner, centre. Photo by Warren Jackson

Perhaps one of pop’s most reluctant stars, Bernard Sumner of New Order has been behind some of the finest songs of the past 40-plus years. A couple of years back, Classic Pop caught up with the frontman at the O2 Silver Clefs, the Nordoff Robbins music therapy fundraising event where he received the Outstanding Achievement award.

Congratulations on winning your Silver Clef award!

Thanks. I don’t get a lot of awards… I give out a lot! I suppose ‘Lifetime Achievement’ means you are about to fall off the table. This is for songwriting, though, so it’s nice to get one that means something, because without the songs there would be nothing… there would be no Joy Division. Also, the Nordoff Robbins charity is really good. We all know somebody who has problems of one sort or another. We all have a family member who has been through something, and it’s nice to see somebody helping with music therapy. Music has been therapy to me over the years; when you’re feeling shit, you can put on a piece of music and it can lift you. That’s at a basic level, but obviously what they’re doing is much more than that. Music is power and therapy.

You spent some time on tour in Europe in late 2019. In the early days New Order didn’t enjoy playing live, but these days maintaining a pop career is all about gigging. How have you adapted to current economics?

You make the live work pleasurable – we play places that we want to play and the gigs now have been just phenomenal. The audiences are so special. I will always want to write songs, but you have to find a way of doing gigs so it’s successful and pleasurable and not like a chore. Everyone is loving it now.

Special events like the Manchester International Festival gig in 2017 must keep it fresh.

Yeah, it’s quite a unique thing that we did. I don’t think anybody had used a synthesizer orchestra before. And delving into our back catalogue like that; it was important that it was captured with the [Decades] documentary and live album.

Does touring mean there’s less time for songwriting?

I think we have to find a way of doing the music like that. Maybe it’s down to writing one song and playing it live, which is what we used to do in Joy Division. I have requested releasing some 12”s but apparently you can’t do that anymore… it’s a global market or something. It would be great to write an album but not record it, so no one can buy it… that’s a very New Order thing to do. Just play it live.

Is there any new material on the horizon?

The way I work, I gather micro-snippets of ideas on a recorder. I’ve got about 200 of them and I need to sit down, sort them out and make them into songs. They are inspirational moments but I don’t sit at home strumming a guitar anymore. I used to. Whether that’s a good thing or bad thing, I don’t know. Perhaps I should be worried.

Your old bandmate Johnny Marr recently said that he wants to get Electronic back together…

We’ve just done a gig with Johnny in Athens and I got up on stage and played [Electronic’s] Get The Message with him, which was great fun, but New Order is taking up so much of my time. I can’t even get time to go to the dentist. It’s really flared up, New Order all around the world. I love it.

When Joy Division ended, was it daunting taking centre stage?

I became an accidental singer but I enjoy it now. I consider it a blessing. In Joy Division I was the guitarist and keyboard player and I had no desire to be the frontperson. The trick is not to care too much, but just enough.

How did you cope with becoming the main songwriter as well?

I’m quite a private person, I like to watch and observe people rather than interact. Music is abstract, it’s a set of chords, rhythms, but once you get to the lyrics, that’s a literal thing. I didn’t know how to do it but I had to, or we’d fail. So I would sit there with a bottle of wine for hours and hours until something came out. It’s like a stream of consciousness thing, until two or three lines start to make sense.

Today there’s a lot of love for New Order, but you’ve had your ups and downs…

For all the success you’ve earned, you have to deal with the adversity that inevitably follows. It’s the same for most bands. Initially things go swimmingly well, you’ve got the energy of youth on your side. You climb that mountain but there’s only one place to go once you hit Everest, and that’s down.

How do you view contemporary music and streaming?

Eno came up with the concept of ambient music, but now technology has made all music ambient, it’s background music. A lot of commercial music on radio is basically a cash register. There always was an element of that, but there’s too much like that now.

What are you listening to at the moment?

I love Arcade Fire very much, and also Years & Years – I did a remix for them. I like esoteric stuff.

Would New Order consider playing Glastonbury when the festival returns in 2021?

We would love to do it again… the last time was in 2016. It only bloody rains when we do it, though. I’m a weather jinx. Don’t take me on holiday with you.

Is there a secret to your longevity?

I don’t like to analyse it. I think the best way to be good at what you do is just to forget yourself.

New Order’s website

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Listen to “Long Summer Nights” by Oliver Nelson and Lilla Vargen

Published

12 months ago

June 3, 2022

DJ Hittman

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Have you ever stopped to imagine what a collaboration between a Swedish producer and an Irish vocalist might sound like? If you wondered about this or if you do not think about this for that matter. You will soon find out. I am about to share with you. “Long Summer Nights” the new track from Sweden’s Oliver Nelson (producer) and Irish breakout artist Lilla Vargen (vocals).

The offering isn’t one of those summer anthems which pump up the bass and blares horns. The dance track emits a different kind of energy. Shimmering electro-tinged synths and emotively tender vocals. Create feel-good vibes that are flawlessly executed, and come together to form a soundtrack for sun-drenched days and hot summer nights.

It isn’t until the lyrics kick in that we are alerted the that song is not as joyous as it first seems. This is because of Lilla’s vocal unravels a story of a love gone cold. Although we could also look at the track another way. As an invitation to break away from the familiar to embrace new perspectives. For want of a better description. “Long Summer Nights” is this summer’s ultimate sad pop banger in this respect. A soft and soothing melody joined by vocals vulnerable with emotion.

“After all those long summer nights without you here. Dancing alone, feeling weird. And I’ve been far from home this whole year, just wishing I could disappear. (lyrics)

When the temperatures heat up. It is not unusual that our thoughts should turn to day trips outdoors. It is lovely to have some good music to help with creating a suitable ambience for our journies. Simply put. “Long Summer Nights” is a catchy and danceable track sure to be the perfect addition to summertime playlists. Blissful, upbeat pop that harnesses a carefree and driving disco feel.

Connect with Oliver Nelson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olkannelson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/olivernelson_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivernelsonmusic/

Connect with Lilla Vargen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lillarvargen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillavargen/

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Watch “My Demons” by Tears for Fears

Published

12 months ago

June 3, 2022

DJ Hittman

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British duo Tears For Fears released their new album “The Tipping Point” on February 25th, simultaneously receiving much acclaim. Already spawning singles “Break The Man,” and “No Small Thing,” as well as the album’s title track. The album “The Tipping Point” has topped the Billboard Charts in the USA and went top 5 in the UK. Sharing “My Demons,” their fourth focus track lifted from the long player. Curt and Roland have reached the point where they are willing to go a bit harder with the synths again.

The track that I was waiting for Curt and Roland to release is “My Demons.”. This is not least because of how electrifying and intoxicating with synths the track is. That it has the feel and stylising of something Depeche Mode might do. “My Demons” does shake up any preconceptions about Tears For Fears. They have still got it. In fact, they never lost it, whatever it is. It is in roaringly fine form on this song.

The legendary duo are very good at using their lyrics to inform and convey bold messages. It has always been their way to speak up on topics they are passionate about or spark a debate. So very definitely not another love song. In “My Demons,” they express their annoyance with a world that has become increasingly big brother. In their thought-provoking lyrics, they raise concerns about security measures in our modern-day society that act as a double-edged sword. Where tracking, monitoring and surveillance encroach our right to privacy. But also has the intelligence in place, to track down those who go off track and wayward in their lifestyle choices.

Yeah, we would have liked a video with Tears for Fears in it. They bestowed upon us one starring dancer and actor Ed Munro instead.

Curt and Roland have remained elusive about the release of the video for the song. Although I’d like to assume that “My Demons” was put out as their way of raising a toast to Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher who passed away last week.

Tears For Fears kicks off the UK leg of their “The Tipping Point” tour, July 1st. Also on the bill as support is Alison Moyet. (Further information, here.)

Connect with Tears for Fears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TearsForFears
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tearsforfears
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tearsforfearsmusic/

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Listen to “Mirror” by Russell Louder

Published

12 months ago

June 1, 2022

DJ Hittman

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Are you fed up with recycled pop songs? The ones that rely on heavy sampling and the ones that have endless cover versions. I feel this way sometimes. More than anything, I love to discover new music that breaks the mould. So, when I received a note alerting me to Canadian raised trans-singer-songwriter, producer and performance artist Russell Louder. (And upon reading their informative bio.) This artist intrigued me, that I wanted to find out more. Since they just dropped a new track, “Mirror,” I was able to do this easily.

I am glad I took a risk on Russell Louder. Their track “Mirror” was entirely what I needed. There is no lack of originality from this artist. They walk their own musical path. Some have compared their voice to that of Florence and the Machine, Eurythmics, or La Roux. There most definitely, is a powerful and ethereal quality present in the vocals. Where the vocals are both haunting and spellbinding at once. The other star of the show is the music, of course. This is where Louder comes into their own. By way of immaculate production and skittering off-centre electronica.

“Mirror, mirror, nothing is clearer. If I can’t see her, I can’t believe her. Lover, lover just like the others. It’s funny what a reflection uncovers.” Russell exclaims

The lyrics explore doubt and deception in a relationship.

“Don’t want to be away from love. Don’t want to stay just for your love.”

These are the words of someone carrying a heavy emotional load. A person burdened with torment. And yet, the track is highly fascinating and intoxicating. This is a blend I can’t get enough of. So I keep listening. While it fills me with a sense of uneasiness, I truly think the song has cast a hypnotic spell over me.

I shall check out more of Russell Louder’s tracks right away. They have a rare musical maturity. Something major is occurring here.

Connect with Russell Louder
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russelllouder
Twitter: https://twitter.com/russelllouder
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russelllouder/

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