All You Ever Think About Is Sparks
Music:Music Commentary
I wasn't sure if I was ever going to really delve into this one, but here you go! This will be another two-parter. Telex was a Belgian technopop group active from 1978 to 1988. They made the acquaintance of Ron and Russell Mael in 1979, through a mutual collaborator, the 18-year-old French pop singer Lio. Ron and Marc Moulin, in particular, struck up a lifelong friendship. But where the 1981 album Sex (hilariously neutered with the title Birds and Bees in the UK one year later) enters the Sparks canon is in that album's lyrics. Telex wanted to crack the Anglophone market with their third album, and enlisted Ron Mael to write the words. Songs like "Brainwashed," "Drama Drama," and "Haven't We Met Somewhere Before," sparkle with crystalline synth lines and disco grooves. And they really could pass for Sparks songs of the era.
I'm joined by John Ashdown, zooming in from London, on this one, and I can't thank him enough for his time and for sharing his insights. John himself produces electronic dance music under the name Christ on a Bike, and I strongly encourage you to check it out here: christonabike.net
You can always drop me a line at: podcastsparks@gmail.com
Episode 23: Introducing Sparks part 2 (1977-1978)
Episode 22: Interview with Sal Maida
Episode 21: Introducing Sparks part one (1977)
Episode 20: Martin Gordon returns!
Interview with Peter Gordon (NOT SPARKS-RELATED)
Episode 19: Interview with Hilly Michaels
Episode 18: Big Beat (1976) part two
Episode 17: Big Beat (1976) part one
Episode 16: Indiscreet part 2 (1975-1976)
Episode 15: Interview with Dave Thompson
SPECIAL EPISODE: What We Do Is What We Do, Episode 01: Dario Western and naturism
Episode 14: Indiscreet (1975) part one
Episode 13: Pini Schatz interview
Episode 12: Propaganda (1974) part 2
Episode 11: Interview with Martin Gordon
Episode 10: Propaganda (1974) part 1
Episode 9: Kimono My House (1974) part 2
Episode 8: Kimono My House (1974) part 1 + Monte Mallin
Episode 4 redux: Halfnelson/Sparks listening party + other stuff
Episode 7: Putting together the UK band (1973) + Interview with James Lowe
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