Everything But The Girl

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Ben Watt takes Fever Dream on tour Image

Ben Watt takes Fever Dream on tour // 08.05.2016 // 06h20

Following launch shows in London and Tokyo, see the new album live

Ben Watt tours the UK in May and June, bisected by an appearance at the Primavera Festival in Spain. He then travels direct to the US for dates June 15-29 in support of his new acclaimed solo album Fever Dream (9/10 Uncut, 4/5 Mojo, 4/5 Guardian, 8/10 AllMusic). Sideman and lead guitarist Bernard Butler plays on both trips. In the UK Watt adds album musicians Rex Horan (Laura Marling) on bass, and Martin Ditcham (Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden) on drums. In the US the rhythm section changes to Cameron Ralston (bass) and Pinson Chanselle (drums) famous for their work with Matthew E White. All dates and tickets here.

New Ben Watt solo album // 13.02.2016 // 07h21

Fever Dream is the new album from Ben Watt out on April 8 2016

Fever Dream, the new solo album from Ben Watt is released worldwide on April 8 2016 on Watt’s own imprint Unmade Road through Caroline International. It follows up 2104's award-winning Hendra. It renews key partnerships with Hendra’s vaunted guitarist-sideman Bernard Butler and engineer Bruno Ellingham, and sprinkles guest vocal cameos from Boston’s dream-folk singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler and Hiss Golden Messenger’s M.C. Taylor.

Hear the first single, see the video, pre-order album, book tour tickets and read more here.

New Tracey Thorn Solo Compilation // 22.10.2015 // 02h26

A new double album documenting Tracey's solo career outside of Everything But The Girl

A new double album documenting Tracey's solo career outside of Everything But The Girl and the Marine Girls is released on October 23 2015 by Caroline International in the UK. Entitled 'Solo: Songs and Collaborations, 1982-2015' it covers her work from her solo debut 'A Distant Shore' to her recent soundtrack album for Carol Morley's film 'The Falling' and includes her performances with Massive Attack, Working Week and The Style Council. A slimmed down single CD version will be out domestically in North America. More info.

Deluxe Re-Issues of Walking Wounded and Temperamental out Sep 4 Image

Deluxe Re-Issues of Walking Wounded and Temperamental out Sep 4 // 02.09.2015 // 03h21

Double CDs including original album, bonus tracks & rarities complete the long-running re-issue set.

The final two re-issues in the series of deluxe editions of all of Everything But The Girl's nine studio albums are released this week on Sep 4 2015. The latest are 1996's Walking Wounded and 1999's Temperamental. Both albums follow the template of the previous reissues through UK label Demon - hardback casebound booklet, sleeve notes by Ben and Tracey, rare photos and scans plus original and new audio. Order Walking Wounded through Amazon here. And Temperamental here.

Tracey's new film soundtrack for Carol Morley's The Falling // 15.04.2015 // 03h17

17-minute EP of songs for the acclaimed 5-star movie

Set in a girls school in the late sixties, ‘The Falling’ is acclaimed director Carol Morley’s (Dream of a Life, The Alcohol Years) atmospheric debut feature film, which garnerned rave 5-star reviews in the Guardian and the Times when it premiered at the London Film Festival in September 2014. The soundtrack is dominated by eight songs and sketches by Tracey Thorn gathered together on a new 17-minute EP - Songs from The Falling - released on Strange Feeling Records. Part folk, part minimal garage band, the music’s gauzy simplicity harks back to Tracey’s cult debut album ‘A Distant Shore’ (1982). The EP is out on Apr 27 on iTunes, CD and 10” vinyl. The movie is in UK cinemas from Apr 24.

Tracey's new book on singers and singing // 15.04.2015 // 03h08

Following her bestselling memoir Bedsit Disco Queen, Tracey publishes Naked at The Albert Hall

Part memoir, part wide-ranging exploration of the art, mechanics and spellbinding power of singing, Naked at the Albert Hall takes in Dusty Springfield, Dennis Potter and George Eliot; Auto-tune, the microphone and stage presence; The Streets and The X Factor. Including interviews with fellow artists such as Alison Moyet, Romy Madley-Croft and Green Gartside of Scritti Politti, and portraits of singers in fiction as well as Tracey's real-life experiences, it offers a unique, witty and sharply observed insider's perspective on the exhilarating joy and occasional heartache of singing. Published on April 30 by Virago.

'Romany and Tom' in paperback // 23.01.2015 // 04h00

Ben Watt's acclaimed memoir gets new edition

Longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2014 and greeted with a wave of acclaim on its publication in hardback last year, Ben's memoir about his parents is now in paperback. Buy it direct here or from Amazon here.

New single from Tracey // 23.01.2015 // 03h53

Cover of a Kate Bush song

Tracey has released a cover version of Kate Bush's Under The Ivy on Ben's imprint Strange Feeling. It was recorded especially for BBC Radio 4's flagship news programme, Today, for which Tracey was guest editor on Dec 27, and it is now a single. Ben plays piano on the recording. Beautiful strings written by Nick Ingman too! Buy direct or from iTunes. No vinyl or CD.

Ben Watt Trio back out on tour in the autumn Image

Ben Watt Trio back out on tour in the autumn // 31.08.2014 // 09h42

UK, Ireland and Japan dates in October and November.

Following summer trips to the US, Japan and Australia, Ben is back out promoting his new album 'Hendra' with a string of new dates this autumn with his new trio. Joining him with be Bernard Butler (Suede, Trans, Bert Jansch) on guitar, and Martin Ditcham (The Waterboys, Talk Talk, Sade) on drums and percussion. See all dates and ticket info here

Tracey's fortnightly column for The New Statesman // 31.08.2014 // 09h34

Earlier this summer Tracey was invited to write regularly for the political and cultural weekly.

As she puts the finishing touches to her follow-up book to 2013's 'Bedsit Disco Queen' due next Spring, Tracey has been writing a regular column for The New Statesman. If you want to catch up on all her columns and read her on a regular basis, go here

Ben Watt expands North American Summer Tour Image

Ben Watt expands North American Summer Tour // 31.05.2014 // 01h33

Following dates in NYC and LA, Ben adds another week of shows in July.

Building on the acclaim surrounding his new solo album, 'Hendra', Ben Watt follows his dates in New York and LA in June, with six more cities in July. Playing solo and accompanied by friend, album-collaborator and perhaps the finest lead guitarist of his generation, Bernard Butler (ex-Suede), expect songs from 'Hendra' and some vintage gems. Ben also finds time for two book readings and Q&As to help launch his new memoir, 'Romany and Tom', about the extraordinary lives of his parents. Already published to widespread plaudits in the UK, the US release is June 10. For a full list of North American events, go here.

David Gilmour joins Ben Watt on stage in London tomorrow, May 19. Image

David Gilmour joins Ben Watt on stage in London tomorrow, May 19. // 18.05.2014 // 01h42

Pink Floyd legend joins Bernard Butler in a stellar line-up.

Following his cameo on Ben's new album 'Hendra', Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour will make a rare appearance and play at Ben's live show in London tomorrow night, May 19, at Islington Assembly Hall. Here is a pic of them rehearsing with Bernard Butler and Ben's band. A few tickets left here and here.

'Hendra' out Apr 14 (except North America, Apr 29) // 12.04.2014 // 03h11

Ben's first solo album for 31 years

Picking up four-star reviews across the board, plus Album of the Month in Uncut (UK) and Rolling Stone (Germany), Monday sees the release of Ben's first solo album since 1983's 'North Marine Drive'. Ben is also back out on tour next week around the UK. Here's a fab pic of the vinyl edition including gatefold sleeve, heavy pressing, poster and 14-track free download code. All info is carried at his own website www.benwatt.com

Tracey writing new book and music for new Carol Morley film Image

Tracey writing new book and music for new Carol Morley film // 24.03.2014 // 05h43

Follow-up to 'Bedsit Disco Queen' is 'all about singing'.

Tracey is currently in the final stages of writing her new non-fiction book all about ideas and myths around singers and singing which she hopes to have published by Virago in 2015. She has also written, performed and sung new music and songs for the soundtrack of 'The Falling', the first feature film by English director Carol Morley (pictured), who made the brilliant semi-documentary 'Dreams of Life.'

30th Anniversary vinyl re-issue of 'Eden' for RSD 2014 // 14.03.2014 // 12h57

Gatefold art. Heavy pressing.

We're excited to announce that following their recent deluxe CD re-issues of EBTG's back catalogue 1984-1994, Edsel/Demon will be re-issuing 'Eden' as a special 30th Anniversary vinyl edition for Record Store Day 2014. Expect gatefold art, and heavyweight vinyl. Find your local indie record store and pre-order through them. Here is the recent test-pressing to prove it's real!

Watch live performance of 'Hendra' // 02.03.2014 // 03h54

Ben accompanied by Bernard Butler at north London studio

Ahead of the release of his new album, 'Hendra', (out Apr 14, except US Apr 29) see Ben playing the title track with friend and new collaborator, Bernard Butler. Click here.

'Hendra' is Ben Watt's first solo album for thirty-one years // 15.02.2014 // 12h22

Get the inside story. Get the title-track. Pre-order the album.

'Hendra' is the name of Ben's new solo album, his first for thirty-one years. It is on Ben's words, 'a folk-rock record in an electronic age.' Ten songs. Unsentimental. Impressionistic. Songs about close family and strangers, resilience and hope. All set in vivid landscapes where the outside comes inside and clings to the stories. To get the title track now and to pre-order the album go to Ben's website. Please note the North American release is delayed by a couple of weeks. More info here.

First ever solo shows in US for Ben Watt, April 1-4 Image

First ever solo shows in US for Ben Watt, April 1-4 // 08.02.2014 // 10h07

Premiering songs from his new album in New York and LA with Bernard Butler.

Fifteen years after Everything But The Girl last played in the US, Ben is back solo with his guitar and a raft of new songs up front of his upcoming spring solo album, 'Hendra' - his first for thirty-one years. Joining him with will be friend, album-collaborator and ex-Suede guitarist, Bernard Butler. They play April 1 (New York, Joe's Pub), April 2 (New York, Rough Trade) and April 4 (LA, The Echo). DJ gigs aside, these will be Ben's first ever solo shows in the US. More cities are promised after the album is released. More info here.

Ben Watt solo UK Tour, April 15-23 Image

Ben Watt solo UK Tour, April 15-23 // 01.02.2014 // 08h54

Joined again by Bernard Butler, he plays songs from his upcoming album, 'Hendra'.

Following his successful dates last year, Ben sets off on tour again in support of his new upcoming album, 'Hendra' - his first solo album since 1983's 'North Marine Drive'. He will accompanied by album-collaborator and ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. Two London dates in February at St Pancras Old Church sold out on the day of announcement recently, but catch him around the country in April. Tickets and info here.

Hear Tracey read her new essay on Germaine Greer for the BBC Image

Hear Tracey read her new essay on Germaine Greer for the BBC // 01.02.2014 // 08h44

An insight into the early lyrics of Everything But The Girl and more

Asked to write and read something for BBC's 'The Book that Changed Me', Tracey chose Germaine Greer's 'The Female Eunuch'. A deep influence on her lyrics and thinking ever since, hear her read her new 15 min essay here.

Tracey sings songs of Molly Drake for BBC Radio 4 Image

Tracey sings songs of Molly Drake for BBC Radio 4 // 21.11.2013 // 04h34

A documentary about the mother of Nick Drake features an interview and two performances.

Journalist Pete Paphides has made a half-hour documentary for BBC Radio 4 about the mother of acclaimed folk singer, Nick Drake. Molly Drake wrote her own songs which until recently were unknown to the general public. Alongside Nick's sister, actress Gabriella Drake, and producer Joe Boyd, Tracey takes part in the programme; she talks about Molly's songwriting and sings two of her songs accompanied by Ben Watt. Listen again for seven days here.

Ben sets out on first ever solo tour of UK, Nov 11-15 Image

Ben sets out on first ever solo tour of UK, Nov 11-15 // 02.11.2013 // 01h26

Five regional shows follow recent London successes. Bernard Butler joins him. Album in progress.

Following two low-key comeback shows in London in August, Ben had added more solo dates in the UK, and sets out on tour from November 11. Joining him on guitar, as in London, is Bernard Butler. They represent the first solo tour Ben has ever made as a solo artist and come as he is recording his first album since 1983's 'North Marine Drive'. The new album, featuring Butler on guitar, is being produced by Ewan Pearson and is due out next spring. Three songs were premiered on BBC 6Music this week and can be heard here while tickets and info for the mini-tour are here.

Deluxe re-issues of EBTG albums 1990-1994 imminent Image

Deluxe re-issues of EBTG albums 1990-1994 imminent // 24.09.2013 // 07h35

Second wave of double albums out before the end of the year

In the wake of the success of the deluxe re-issues of the first four Everything But The Girl albums (1984-1988) last year, Demon/Edsel in conjunction with Warner Music will release the next three albums, The Language of Life, Worldwide & The Acoustic EPs, and Amplified Heart in the UK before Christmas. Once again, Ben and Tracey have helped at every stage of the process, sourcing demos, rarities and memorabilia for the releases.

Ben launches new website // 24.09.2013 // 07h15

A new state-of-the-art resource for news, tour dates, recordings, writing and personal stuff.

It's finally launched and it looks a bit stunning! Check out Ben Watt's new state-of-the-art website. Background on recordings and writing, personal photos and picks, latest news, live dates and more all written by Ben. Essential viewing. Got to www.benwatt.com

Ben Watt sings and plays guitar live for the first time in 13 years Image

Ben Watt sings and plays guitar live for the first time in 13 years // 09.04.2013 // 08h09

A low-key return in Indianapolis on April 29

He may have been an in-demand DJ and respected record label boss of late, but it has been 13 years since Ben last sang and played live with a simple microphone and guitar - not since he and partner Tracey Thorn parked EBTG in 2000. As for solo gigs, you have to go back thirty years to 1983, to find a date when Ben last performed live, back to the days when he was recording acclaimed folk-jazz recordings as a 20 year-old for London indie label, Cherry Red, with stellar collaborators like Robert Wyatt and Kevin Coyne. But with the recent partial closure of his ten year-old label, Buzzin' Fly, he has announced he wants to find time for his own writing again. A non-fiction book, 'Romany and Tom', about his parents - the follow-up to 1996's 'Patient' - is scheduled for early 2014 published by Bloomsbury, but he has returned to songwriting too. But why Indianapolis? His relationship with Luna Music - Indianapolis' famous indie music store - goes back a long way. Old friends with Luna kingpin, Todd Robinson, he has chosen an offbeat Monday night to make his low-key return. 'I didn't really know how to come back. So let's call it a chance to roadtest a few new ideas in front of friends and family,’ is how he put it to Todd. Mon Apr 29. Free admission. 9pm. More here.

A fork in the road for Buzzin' Fly as it becomes an archive-only label // 14.03.2013 // 10h59

After ten years, Ben has decided to close his label Buzzin' Fly to new music .

It is with a bit of sadness and a lot of pride that Ben's Buzzin' Fly Records - in this, its 10th Anniversary year - has announced the closing of a significant door. As of now, the label will be scaling back its operations to become an 'archive label' only, with no new plans to sign new artists or release new work. As a small legacy of a great amount of love and effort, its back catalogue of underground club productions - starting with Watt's own 'Lone Cat' in 2003 and ending with Alex Blaxx's 'Evening News' in 2012 - will be kept available, and a clutch of new comprehensive deluxe digital anthologies will be released later in the year, starting on April 22 with Buzzin' Fly Anthology, Vol 1, 2003-2004. Read the full story here.

Tracey live Q&A;'s for 'Bedsit Disco Queen' // 10.01.2013 // 09h40

Tracey will be in conversation about her new memoir at the following events:

Feb 7th - Launch at Rough Trade East, London

Feb 13th - New Writing South, Brighton

Feb 19th - UEA Literary Festival, Norwich

Feb 27th - Virago Book Club at Foyles, London

6th April - Laugharne Weekend, Wales

12th April - Aye Write! Glasgow Book Festival

13th April - Cambridge Word Fest

2nd May - Liverpool Sound City

Tracey's new memoir 'Bedsit Disco Queen' published on 7 Feb 2013 // 09.01.2013 // 07h23

A journey through the music industry through her own eyes. Published by Virago.

In Tracey's words: 'I was only sixteen when I bought an electric guitar and joined a band. A year later, I formed an all-girl band called the Marine Girls and played gigs, and signed to an indie label, and started releasing records. Then, for eighteen years, between 1982 and 2000, I was one half of the group Everything But the Girl. In that time, we released nine albums and sold nine million records. We went on countless tours, had hit singles and flop singles, were reviewed and interviewed to within an inch of our lives. I've been in the charts, out of them, back in. I've seen myself described as an indie darling, a middle-of-the-road nobody and a disco diva. I haven't always fitted in, you see, and that's made me face up to the realities of a pop career - there are thrills and wonders to be experienced, yes, but also moments of doubt, mistakes, violent lifestyle changes from luxury to squalor and back again, sometimes within minutes.' Order through Amazon UK or Amazon US

Brand new official video for Tracey Thorn's 'Joy' // 10.12.2012 // 09h12

Filmed in Lille, Northern France, here is a Christmas video for a Christmas song

'Joy' is the opening track and latest single from Tracey Thorn's Christmas and winter album 'Tinsel and Lights'. The video is directed by Edward Bishop and Ben Watt. Have fun. See it here

Tracey's 'Tinsel and Lights' Advent Calendar // 05.12.2012 // 04h09

24 days of exclusive pics, tracks and clips

Based around her current Christmas and winter album 'Tinsel and Lights', Tracey has launched an online advent calendar. Each day features a festive link to exclusive tracks, clips, recipes and general seasonal nonsense. Happy Christmas.

'Bollocks. We lost. They won.' // 23.10.2012 // 06h01

Read Ben Watt's exclusive interview with indie titan and Beggars Group head honcho, Martin Mills

As part of his ongoing series of interviews at the website for his own indie label, Buzzin' Fly, Ben turns to one of the most powerful men in the music industry today - Martin Mills, long-time head of the Beggars Group. Check out the interview here.

The Making of Tinsel and Lights // 23.10.2012 // 05h19

New mini-documentary. A look behind the scenes at Tracey's new solo album.

Watch the trailer of Tracey's new mini-documentary 'The Making Of Tinsel and Lights' to get you in the mood for next week's album release.

New Christmas solo album from Tracey Image

New Christmas solo album from Tracey // 01.10.2012 // 03h12

'Tinsel and Lights' is the name of Tracey's new Christmas and winter solo album out on Oct 29/30

Tracey's brand new Christmas album 'Tinsel and Lights' will be out Oct 29/30 featuring lots of ace modern and retro seasonal classics plus two new songs by Tracey herself. There are early previews and pre-orders available now at the Buzzin' Fly & Strange Feeling online shop for the standard CD, the deluxe vinyl gift set and the iTunes version. Jump here for more info. North American fans should check out the Merge Records versions too

Interview with The Quietus // 20.06.2012 // 04h12

Ben and Tracey chat to Ian Wade

Read it here

'You feel like you're listening to a different person' // 18.06.2012 // 07h27

Ben and Tracey interviewed in The Observer

Nice interview with Ben and Tracey from Sunday 17 June's 'The Observer', also carried here on the Guardian website.

Venice Not Moscow // 18.06.2012 // 07h23

Printing error on re-issue

Following a last minute artwork alteration in the week running up to the printing of the booklet, the photo of Tracey beside Venice's Basilica of St Marco has been mis-captioned on the Love Not Money re-issue as 'Moscow 1985'. Thanks to fan, Mark Jones, for the spot. Doh!

Big interview with Tracey in The Word this month Image

Big interview with Tracey in The Word this month // 13.06.2012 // 02h04

David Hepworth talks to Tracey about the EBTG re-issues and more

Catch up with Tracey chatting about the EBTG re-issues, life on Twitter, singing live, her new upcoming Christmas album and her new book.

Re-issues out this week // 25.05.2012 // 01h37

The BBC 6Music Breakfast Show hosted a live interview with Ben and Tracey

on Wednesday this week to celebrate the release this week of the deluxe re-issues of the first four EBTG albums. Expect interviews coming up in The Word and Mojo too, plus another extensive interview for 6Music called 'The First Time ...' in July

Re-issues arrive from factory // 11.05.2012 // 07h06

Only two weeks until they hit the shops and online stores

Building on the original sleeve designs John Gilsenan at iwantdesign has created four sleeve hardback CD books for the EBTG re-issues. Each book contains 2 CDs (including orig albm + B-sides, radio session tracks and unreleased demos) slipped into the inside front and back flap plus 20-30 pages of lyrics, rare photos and scans of memorabilia for each release. Release date is May 28. Pre-order on Amazon here

'Temperamental' finally available on iTunes US // 09.05.2012 // 07h34

EBTG's 1999 album 'Temperamental' is now on sale on iTunes US after fans alerted us it was missing.

The reason for its absence has never been explained, and although it is now almost thirteen years since its release we hope MP3 fans are happy that it can now be downloaded. The album features the singles 'Five Fathoms', 'Temperamental', 'Blame' and 'Lullaby Of Clubland'.

Amazon pre-order for re-issues // 23.04.2012 // 07h32

All four of the re-issued EBTG albums (1984-88) are now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Each album ('Eden', 'Love Not Money', 'Baby, The Stars Shine Bright' and 'Idlewild') is re-issued on May 28 as a double CD packaged in a hard-back casebound book with the original album on CD1 and rarities, demos, B sides and session tracks on CD2. Rare photos, scans of memorabilia and new liner notes for each album by Ben and Tracey are also included. Pre-order here

Tracey embarks on new 'alternative Christmas album' // 12.04.2012 // 01h23

Tracey went back into the studio recently to start work on a new album of winter and Christmas songs

The album will feature 'obscure' cover versions and a couple of new original songs. The album is being produced by Ewan Pearson, and Ben is guesting on guitar and piano. The album will be out in October 2012 on Strange Feeling (ex-North America) and Merge Records.

First four albums to be re-issued // 12.04.2012 // 01h18

The first four Everything But The Girl albums (1984-1988) will be re-issued as deluxe 2xCDs.

The releases will feature the original remastered albums on CD1 and A-sides, B-sides, rarities and previously unreleased demos on CD2. The booklet features full track info, plus liner notes from Ben and Tracey and rare photos and memorabilia. The CDs are released on Edsel/Demon on May 28 2012.