SPILL FEATURE: I’M SO BROKEN, AND YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL – A CONVERSATION WITH ANDY BELL (ERASURE)

I’M SO BROKEN, AND YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL

A CONVERSATION WITH ANDY BELL (ERASURE)

Andy Bell answered an ad in Melody Maker placed there by Vince Clarke. Clarke had experienced considerable success, first with Depeche Mode and then with Yazoo. He was putting together a new project, Erasure, and he needed a vocalist, enter a young singer with some experience, Andy Bell. It is hard to believe that that was 40 years ago, when Erasure made their debut. Over the years they have released 19 studio albums and numerous singles, many of which (“A Little Respect,” “Chorus,” “Always,” “Sometimes,” “Chains Of Love,” to name just a few).

However, over the years, while Erasure is still a going concern, both Vince Clarke and Andy Bell have worked on projects outside of the band. This year, Andy Bell released his sixth studio album, Ten Crowns. Working with Bell on the album is producer/DJ Dave Audé.

“To be honest I’d never thought of myself as a songwriter before, even though I’d been a co-writer with a few other people [excluding Vincent!]. I felt very fortunate when my partner Stephen [Moss] mentioned that Dave was a huge fan, which is very flattering. He suggested that we might try and write a few dance tunes.”

That collaboration did extremely well for Bell. The early dance songs became massive hits and the two enjoyed working together. Their sound is different from the music he creates with Clarke.

“Our first two collaborations were very successful on the US Billboard dance charts, so we thought it only natural to meet and write again when time allowed. I love club music and Dave is very accomplished in his own musical sphere and has worked with everybody in the industry. He works incredibly hard. Dave remains unjaded by the ‘business’ which I find very refreshing,

And he’s maintained his integrity throughout. I can always tell when someone likes my voice. We are equal partners on everything we write which is something I got quite comfortable with.”

The new album allowed Bell to collaborate with singers and artists that he has long admired and is a fan of, including Debbie Harry on the song “Heart’s A Liar.” This means the world to me. I know that she loves me, and the feeling is mutual, but you still need to keep a distance out of respect. Every time I hear her voice anywhere, in a taxi or in a supermarket, it’s like she’s saying hello.”

And Bell was able to work with new artists as well, such as Sarah Potenza. “Sarah was a Dave special discovery via a US television show and her voice is a tour de force which completely transformed the track [“Lies So Deep”]”.

TEN CROWNS ALBUM REVIEW

The new album, Ten Crowns, not only received very positive reviews, and sold well (making the UK top 20), but it provided an opportunity for Bell to go out on tour on his own, while Erasure are on a bit of a hiatus. Although Bell has performed solo in the past, the current tour involves a complete band.

“All the musicians were initially selected by Dave Audé and a are Nashville based, Which is very handy and puts me in the thick of the country music writing scene which is quite remarkable being a white gay electroboy. So, the dynamic is one of excitement, opposites attract and it’s a real fun eccentric bunch, full of energy and undeniable talent.

Jerry Fuentes brings a Siouxsie-type ethereal atmosphere to the songs apart from being a total flirt, and Sara Tomek is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She is a rock goddess feminist with a filthy imagination (like mine) and she kicks ass as hard as she plays the drums. Our new singer Chelsea is a natural successor to Hailey [Steele] and gives off the same Charlie’s Angels infectious charisma as well as being a singer at the top of her game. Dave goes without saying…for the Erasure tracks he has reprogrammed all the stems, which Vince kindly sent over, and has put his own stamp on them. He gets slightly nervous about how the whole show is dependent on him, myself and our incredible crew. The whole sound is fresh and dynamic. So far so good, not too many shows in one go, a great time on the bus, and general camaraderie at a good level, it’s a bit like being on a boat. The shows become this source of great energy.”

The current tour of North America is quite extensive. It runs for over three months with a stop in Toronto on October 16, and he is playing in many different cities. Although he is having fun, it is still work and can be exhausting.

“It is quite a daunting prospect, but we have done it before. We are visiting loads of new towns, and the venues are not too big, so I think we’re gonna have a great laugh. People have been saying it’s the best we’ve ever been, which is great to hear at 61.”

One thing is clear, however, no matter how successful the new album and tour are, Bell is still working with Vince Clarke. This does not spell the end of Erasure at all. It has just given Bell the opportunity to, once again, work with other artists and explore and expand his musical abilities.

“Vince has done an incredible mix for us and he told me he was very proud of me and this project. He says he doesn’t know where I get the stamina from…and neither do I! Vince and I are currently working together in the studio. It’s the 40th anniversary of Erasure’s first album next year, and we hope to have a new album ready to coincide with that.”

Andy Bell Links

Erasure Links

Main Photo Credit: Sean Black | Background Photo Credit: Andreas Blank