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Alphabeat

 
Artist: Alphabeat
Alphabeat

Group Members:

Anders SG, Stine Bramsen, Anders B, Troels Hansen, Rasmus Nagel, Anders Reinholdt

Similar Artists:

Influenced By:

Formal Connection With:

Rune Westberg
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "This Is Alphabeat

Biography

The Danish pop act Alphabeat -- comprised of members Anders SG (vocals), Stine Bramsen (vocals), Anders B (guitar), Rasmus Nagel (keyboard), Anders Reinholdt (bass), and Troels Hansen (drums) -- entered the European pop scene in 2007 with a self-titled debut record. Featuring slick, upbeat singles like "10,000 Nights," "Boyfriend," and "Fascination," Alphabeat charted three hits on the Denmark charts while attracting a following throughout the European continent, particularly in the Netherlands and the U.K. The band had originally taken form in 2004, when the band members began embracing the regional festival scene while combining elements of the B-52's and Wham! into a sugary hybrid.

Alphabeat's '80s nostalgia-ridden charm soon earned them a contract with Copenhagen Records, and the band made its debut in 2007 with an album composed primarily by the band's guitarist, Anders B, and veteran pop producer Rune Westberg. The record's leading single "Fascination" spread the band's popularity throughout the internet, earning gold status via online sales alone. Alphabeat's meteoric national success caught the attention of label execs outside Danish borders, including the international booking agency The Global Talent Group and numerous English record companies hoping to re-release the band's debut album in Great Britain. Ultimately, Alphabeat's debut album was reissued in Europe in 2008, albeit under the name This Is Alphabeat. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Alphabeat
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Alphabeat

Alphabeat during a performance @ Gröna Lund , Stockholm in 2008.
Background information
Origin Silkeborg, Denmark
Genres Euro pop, Dance-pop, Indie pop, Wonky Pop
Years active 2004 - Present
Labels Copenhagen, Polydor
Website thisisalphabeat.com/ myspace.com/thisisalphabeat
Members
Anders SG
Stine Bramsen
Anders B
Rasmus Nagel
Anders Reinholdt
Troels Hansen

Alphabeat is a Danish pop band from Silkeborg, signed to Polydor label. Their single, "Fascination", was a major hit in Denmark during the summer of 2007 and a significant hit in the UK in 2008. The next single, "10.000 Nights of Thunder" (or just "10,000 Nights" in the UK) saw equal acclaim, and their eponymous debut album went to number 2 in Denmark and in the UK. It has sold over 100,000 copies and their 3 top 20 singles have sold in the region of 400,000 all together. [1]

Contents

History

2006-2008: This Is Alphabeat

The band is made up of six members, Anders SG, Stine Bramsen, Anders B., Rasmus Nagel, Anders Reinholdt and Troels Hansen. Their sound is mainly retro 80's melodic pop, taking inspiration amongst others from British bands Deacon Blue and Prefab Sprout with distinctive overlay of male and female harmonies.

The band was previously named Sodastar, but this was changed to avoid confusion with a German band.[2]

The band's native success attracted the attention of several major labels from larger markets abroad and Alphabeat was eventually signed to EMI's Charisma Records label in the United Kingdom. Its British debut single, "Fantastic 6" was released on 26 November 2007.

Alphabeat received several positive reviews in major British publications such as NME, The Observer Music Monthly[3], Digital Spy[4] and Popjustice.[5]

On 20 December 2008, it was announced via press release that the band had been dropped by its UK label Charisma Records, despite a Top 10 album and 3 Top 20 singles. In a statement from the band on 19 January 2009, it was confirmed that they had chosen to leave the label after being given the opportunity and was signed with a new label in the UK for the release of a yet unrecorded second album. It is also stated that they hope the album is to be released in 2009.

2009-Present: The Spell

It was announced on 6 March 2009 that Alphabeat had signed a new record deal with the label Polydor. The band's manager said "We are thrilled to be signing to one of the UK's most successful record companies and looking forward to achieving even more success with the band and Polydor in the coming years."[6]

In August 2009, Pop Justice premiered their new single "The Spell" which is set for a release of October and their second album The Spell to be released shortly after. [7] The title of the second album was subsequently changed to The Spell. It was originally set for release on 2 November 2009 in the UK.[8][9] but has since been pushed back until 15 February 2010 [10]

Discography

Touring

The band was offered to play as a warm-up for the Spice Girls during their reunion world tour 2007-8, but declined the offer, feeling that it would be "too weird" to suddenly play in front of a very large audience unfamiliar with the band's music.[11][12]

It has often been associated with the Wonky Pop movement - having played the Wonky Pop Tour and DJ'd various Wonky Pop events. It is currently penned to play the Wonky Pop Xmas party in London.

Alphabeat performed at T in the Park 2008 on "Camper's Friday"[13] and were announced in the line-up for the 2008 Roskilde Festival.[14] It also performed at T4 on the beach, and at the "Summerfestival" in Klaksvik, Faroe Islands, in early August 2008[15], and also in October 2008, along with many other bands at the NEC in Birmingham for hundreds of young girlguides.[16]

During late 2008, Alphabeat began a 22 gig tour of the UK and Holland, with many shows sold out.[1]

In 2008, the band was planning to play select shows with American singer Katy Perry on her 2008 world tour. However, in March 2009, Alphabeat cancelled its appearances in support of her US tour. Its management has stated that it is instead working on its second album and will be touring the USA later in the year.

Alphabeat have been confirmed as the support act for Lady Gaga on her U.K leg of The Monster Ball Tour in February and March 2010.

References

External links



 
 

 

Copyrights:

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alphabeat" Read more