Blancmange helped pioneer the electro sound of the 1980s with hits including ‘Living on the Ceiling’, ‘Blind Vision’ and ‘Waves’. In advance of their May 2020 UK tour, Jason Barnard speaks to their singer and songwriter Neil Arthur about Blancmange’s legacy and forthcoming album Mindset.
Hi Neil, what should fans expect from your new show? How much of your new album Mindset will you play on the tour?
I’ll be joined on stage by Oogoo Maia and Liam Hutton – synths and electronic drums respectively. We’ll be playing a mix of songs from the new album, I’m not sure how many at the moment. The set list will definitely include old favourites, like ‘Living On The Ceiling’, ‘Feel Me’ and ‘Blind Vision’. There’ll be a few surprises too.
What more can you share about Mindset – its sound and lyrical themes?
Very electronic, old synths feature throughout. Lyrically – the whole album touches on notions of truth, existing in a tangled mass of information or mis-information, there to be rearranged for our own ends whether it makes any sense or not!
How does it compare with your previous album Wanderlust?
I haven’t listened to Wanderlust since it was finished, but I’d say from memory, this is less dark, although not totally, than the last album. Groove wise it’s pacier.
How does playing live now compare with the music scene in the 1980s?
First thing I noticed, was the ‘travel miles’ seem longer. More bloody traffic. Gigs, sound systems generally better. Back stage still stuck in the 70’s.
How do you feel your sound has developed since you started – have you grown in confidence?
I’m not afraid to leave more space. The gaps between the noise are as important as the noise. Less is best, less is more. I doubt myself all the time. Better than being over confident.
‘Waves’ is a track that seems to have grown in stature over the years. Can you tell me about its inspiration?
I wrote the idea in an old caravan on a council road repair depot at Rayners Lane. The Young Marble Giants & Scott Walker were my inspiration.
I love your cover of ‘The Day Before You Came’. Was it a challenge remaking such a perfect song?
When we decided to cover this song, Abba were not universally popular. However, Stephen and I loved them. As for it being a challenge – everything is a challenge! We did this cover as our sign of respect for this wonderful group.
Using Agnetha in the video twists the song on its head, providing a male perspective to the track. Is that something you aimed for?
Yes, that is it. Abba and their record company gave us the thumbs up on the song and permission to use the footage.
What led you to re-making Happy Families in 2013 and how did you approach re-recording it?
I was asked to tour the album by my live agent. I said that I’d only consider it, if we could offer the fans something new. So, I re imagined the album. As for the approach – I decided not to listen to the originals for reference.
What inspires you to write currently, do you start with a musical phrase or lyric?
It varies, and surprises me. It might be a phrase, a collection of words that then suggest a melodic line. Sometimes, like last night, after football, I was chatting with a friend, who’s a baker. He was telling me about a strange gift he received at a market stall. That led me to thinking about a story where someone gives a loaf of bread to a baker, etc. like taking coal to Newcastle.
Out of all of your albums, which tracks are you most proud of and which go down best live?
Proud of ‘Sad Day’, ‘Wanderlust’. Best live, ‘Last Night I Dreamt I Had A Job’ and ‘Living On The Ceiling’
Many artists have cited you as an influence – would you be interested in working with them?
I’m always flattered! Possibly if they asked.
What are your plans after the tour – will you be doing more writing and recording?
Recording an album with my son Joe aka Kincaid and finishing several other projects, e.g. the next Near Future album, one with Liam Hutton and Finlay Shakespeare. Oh, and some football too.
Blancmange embark on the Mindset Tour with support from Oblong in May: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/blancmange-2020-uk-tour
The new album Mindset is out on 22 May and the first single of the same name is due out on 3rd April.
The Roman Flugel remix of Blancmange “Living On The Ceiling” is out now! The first of a new “London Remixed” series, a limited edition vinyl is also available to pre-order: https://londonrecords.lnk.to/LOTCRemixRomanFlugel
