Trembling Blue Stars
Encyclopedia
Trembling Blue Stars is a London
-based band that currently includes members Robert Wratten and Beth Arzy (who was also in Aberdeen
until they split up in 2005). Begun as a side project of Wratten's previous band Northern Picture Library
, Trembling Blue Stars became Wratten's main band when Northern Picture Library
broke up in 1995. Wratten took the name of his band from The Story of O
by Pauline Réage
. Trembling Blue Stars are characterized by slow songs with jangly guitars and introspective, painful lyrics.
Many of their lyrics deal with Wratten's attempts to come to grips with his relationship and subsequent break-up with Annemari Davies, who was in The Field Mice
and Northern Picture Library with him. Their first album, Her Handwriting, was released in 1996 to critical acclaim and had a small release on Shinkansen Recordings (the successor of Sarah Records
). The album was melancholic and moody as Wratten's lyrics went through the sad and happy moments of his relationship with Annemari. There was never meant to be a real band, just one album as mostly a solo project with some help from Annemari and a few others, but after the success of Her Handwriting, Wrattan put a band together, went touring and began work on a second album. In-fighting led to multiple line up changes, and original member Gemma Townley was replaced by Ian Catt
. In 2003, all members were let go by Wratten except for Arzy. Producer Ian Catt
has worked on every release.
Other previous members include Michael Hiscock, Keris Howard (previously of the Sarah Records-era band Brighter) and Harvey Williams
. Annemari Davies remains a frequent guest vocalist.
and refused to tour, although she was a part of later tours. Broken By Whispers, their third album, was released in 2000
saw them getting more press and radio play. Dark Eyes, the second single, was voted Single of the Week on Mark Radcliffe
's show on BBC Radio 1
. The mood was still melancholic, but this album saw the band experimenting with more bass and synth sounds. It was this album that was picked up by Seattle
's Sub Pop Records and gave the band their first release in North America
. They also were able to record a live session on the John Peel
show in 2001.
In 2001, Trembling Blue Stars released Alive To Every Smile, which still featured Annemari on vocals, along with Arzy. The album was widely acclaimed and adds more synth and beats to Wrattan's painful and frank lyrics, including one of their most famous songs "The Ghost of an Unkissed Kiss", which combined a dance-pop sensibility with more traditional twee aspects. Multiple EP releases have been regularly made in between the releases of each album. The band also collected some singles for a compilation called A Certain Evening Light in 2003. In 2005, their fifth album The Seven Autumn Flowers was released on Bar None Records in both the US and UK after they left Shinkansen. A brief mini-tour of the United States in late 2005 promoted it. Their sixth album The Last Holy Writer was released through Elefant Records
in 2007 and will be featured in the feature film The Sculptor (film)
.
Trembling Blue Stars released their seventh album Fast Trains And Telegraph Wires in October 2010.
Love Goes On (Tribute to Grant mcLennan), November 2007
Future Conditional, 2007
The Occasional Keepers, spring 2008
The group's music will be used in the Australian feature film 'The Sculptor' http://www.skyviewfilms.com/thesculptor.html
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based band that currently includes members Robert Wratten and Beth Arzy (who was also in Aberdeen
Aberdeen (band)
Aberdeen is an American rock band, who play twee pop.-History:The band formed in 1993 and by 1994 was signed to the seminal British label Sarah Records; they were one of the only American acts on Sarah. Aberdeen also released recordings through Sunday Records and the Tremolo Arm Users Club. After...
until they split up in 2005). Begun as a side project of Wratten's previous band Northern Picture Library
Northern Picture Library
Northern Picture Library was a British dream pop group, formed in 1993 by Bobby Wratten and Annemari Davies, both former members of The Field Mice. They were soon joined by former Field Mice drummer Mark Dobson....
, Trembling Blue Stars became Wratten's main band when Northern Picture Library
Northern Picture Library
Northern Picture Library was a British dream pop group, formed in 1993 by Bobby Wratten and Annemari Davies, both former members of The Field Mice. They were soon joined by former Field Mice drummer Mark Dobson....
broke up in 1995. Wratten took the name of his band from The Story of O
Story of O
Story of O is an erotic novel published in 1954 about love, dominance and submission by French author Anne Desclos under the pen name Pauline Réage.Desclos did not reveal herself as the author for forty years after the initial publication...
by Pauline Réage
Pauline Réage
Anne Desclos was a French journalist and novelist who wrote under the pseudonyms Dominique Aury and Pauline Réage.-Early life:...
. Trembling Blue Stars are characterized by slow songs with jangly guitars and introspective, painful lyrics.
Many of their lyrics deal with Wratten's attempts to come to grips with his relationship and subsequent break-up with Annemari Davies, who was in The Field Mice
The Field Mice
The Field Mice were an indie pop band on the indie label Sarah Records. Initially a duo from South London suburb of Mitcham comprising Robert Wratten and Michael Hiscock, their first EP, Emma's House, was released in November 1988, and reached number 20 in the UK Independent Chart...
and Northern Picture Library with him. Their first album, Her Handwriting, was released in 1996 to critical acclaim and had a small release on Shinkansen Recordings (the successor of Sarah Records
Sarah Records
Sarah Records was a UK independent record label active between 1987 and 1995, best known for its recordings of indie pop.The label was formed in Bristol in 1987 by Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes, and grew out of the fanzine scene at the time, Haynes having previously edited Are You Scared To Get...
). The album was melancholic and moody as Wratten's lyrics went through the sad and happy moments of his relationship with Annemari. There was never meant to be a real band, just one album as mostly a solo project with some help from Annemari and a few others, but after the success of Her Handwriting, Wrattan put a band together, went touring and began work on a second album. In-fighting led to multiple line up changes, and original member Gemma Townley was replaced by Ian Catt
Ian Catt
Ian Catt is a British record producer and multi-instrumentalist associated with several popular indie groups, notably Saint Etienne of whom he has been a touring member. He has also collaborated with Saint Etienne's vocalist Sarah Cracknell on her solo album, Lipslide...
. In 2003, all members were let go by Wratten except for Arzy. Producer Ian Catt
Ian Catt
Ian Catt is a British record producer and multi-instrumentalist associated with several popular indie groups, notably Saint Etienne of whom he has been a touring member. He has also collaborated with Saint Etienne's vocalist Sarah Cracknell on her solo album, Lipslide...
has worked on every release.
Other previous members include Michael Hiscock, Keris Howard (previously of the Sarah Records-era band Brighter) and Harvey Williams
Harvey Williams (musician)
Harvey Williams is a singer, songwriter and guitarist based in London , who was active in several Sarah Records bands in the 1990s. He recorded as Another Sunny Day, and also played instruments in The Field Mice, The Hit Parade and Blueboy...
. Annemari Davies remains a frequent guest vocalist.
History
Lips That Taste of Tears, the band's second album, was released in April 1997. The album received acclaim again, but was not supported through touring, like the first album, because Annemari had a case of stage frightGlossophobia
Glossophobia or speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking. The word glossophobia comes from the Greek glōssa, meaning tongue, and φόβος phobos, fear or dread...
and refused to tour, although she was a part of later tours. Broken By Whispers, their third album, was released in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
saw them getting more press and radio play. Dark Eyes, the second single, was voted Single of the Week on Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe is an English broadcaster who has worked in various roles for the BBC since the 1980s and remains one of Britain's most recognised DJs. He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, where he hosts an afternoon show five times a week alongside Stuart Maconie, called...
's show on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. The mood was still melancholic, but this album saw the band experimenting with more bass and synth sounds. It was this album that was picked up by Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
's Sub Pop Records and gave the band their first release in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. They also were able to record a live session on the John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
show in 2001.
In 2001, Trembling Blue Stars released Alive To Every Smile, which still featured Annemari on vocals, along with Arzy. The album was widely acclaimed and adds more synth and beats to Wrattan's painful and frank lyrics, including one of their most famous songs "The Ghost of an Unkissed Kiss", which combined a dance-pop sensibility with more traditional twee aspects. Multiple EP releases have been regularly made in between the releases of each album. The band also collected some singles for a compilation called A Certain Evening Light in 2003. In 2005, their fifth album The Seven Autumn Flowers was released on Bar None Records in both the US and UK after they left Shinkansen. A brief mini-tour of the United States in late 2005 promoted it. Their sixth album The Last Holy Writer was released through Elefant Records
Elefant Records
Elefant Records is an independent record label based in Spain. Elefant records was founded in 1989 by Luis Calvo as an offshoot of a fanzine he produced called "La Línea Del Arco"...
in 2007 and will be featured in the feature film The Sculptor (film)
The Sculptor (film)
The Sculptor is one of the first Australian feature films to be filmed using the new Red One camera, and has been funded by international private equity...
.
Trembling Blue Stars released their seventh album Fast Trains And Telegraph Wires in October 2010.
Albums
- Her Handwriting, April 1996
- Lips That Taste of Tears, February 1998
- Broken By Whispers, February 2000
- Alive To Every Smile, October 2001
- The Seven Autumn Flowers, January 2005
- The Last Holy Writer, April 2007
- Fast Trains And Telegraph Wires, October 2010
EPs/Singles
- ABBA on the Jukebox, 1996
- The Rainbow, November 1997
- Dark Eyes, October 1999
- Doo-Wop Music, 1999
- She Just Couldn't Stay, January 2000
- Ghost of an Unkissed Kiss, September 2001
- Slow Soft Sighs, April 2002
- Southern Skies Appear Brighter, June 2004
- Bathed In Blue, March 2005
- Beautiful Blank, 2007
- Exploring the Shadows, November 2007
- Correspondence,2011
Side Projects
The Occasional Keepers, 2005Love Goes On (Tribute to Grant mcLennan), November 2007
Future Conditional, 2007
The Occasional Keepers, spring 2008
The group's music will be used in the Australian feature film 'The Sculptor' http://www.skyviewfilms.com/thesculptor.html