Dear fans, friends, and followers,
Please excuse me for accidentally sending that empty draft earlier. I was distracted and now feel like someone who clicked “reply-all” on a company-wide email.
As the ancients used to say, “LOL.”
I promised myself I’d send out an update before the end of September, and for at least part of the world I will have succeeded. So sorry for the lateness! The good news is there’s finally enough interesting stuff to share.
Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Liz Fraser, by the way, who on 29 August turned 60 years old. Of course she looks and sounds marvelous. More on her in a moment.
I hope you’ve all been well. I have had a lovely spate of live semi-nostalgic concerts in recent months, including Slowdive in Boston just a few days ago. If you’re a fan of the Cocteaus you’ve probably heard of Slowdive, whose sound owes a lot to them. Their fourth LP, Everything is Alive, was released 1 September. I highly recommend it. The live performance was an absolute slice — Drab Majesty opened — and I got to hob-knob with the bands afterwards (thanks to a friend). They are all delightful, kind, funny, and sweet people, and it was so refreshing. Neil Halstead even gave me a beer and chatted amiably with me about how there are towns on Cape Cod (where I live) and towns in Cornwall (where he lives) with the same names. Because colonialism. And then the convo got awkward, so we joined the others, where Rachel Goswell told us how Neil sent them, like 20 versions of one song once while they were making the album and the others were like, “We need help.” This is why producers exist.
Anyway, I also got to see The Breeders the night before — obviously a very different vibe, sound-wise, but still wonderful. They payed Last Splash all the way through, then played an almost complete second set of songs from other releases (including Pixies’ hit “Gigantic”). I adore this band’s energy. Kim Deal seems like she’s playing live for the first time and saying to her bandmates, “It’s so cool that we get to do this!” She also was wearing a “Captain Picard” t-shirt that was perfect. The opening act was Screaming Females — not a band I knew — and they were phenomenal, especially their powerhouse lead singer-songwriter Marissa Paternoster. Check it out if you like tight, expansive rock music with powerful vocals and the occasional scream.
Regardless whether you’ve been able to get back out there, or if you aren’t able to go out, what music has invigorated you and made you feel inspired and alive lately?
Now, on to the latest updates from Cocteaupia.
Elizabeth Fraser unlocks a level of immortality few humans achieve: a celestial body now bears her name
The International Astronomical Union has formally named celestial body 2013 TF-19 “Fraser” in honour of our beloved former Cocteau Twins vocalist.
“Fraser” is classified as a “main belt” asteroid, and was first discovered on 31 August 2013 by Polish astronomers M. Kusiak and M. Żołnowski working from an observatory in Italy.
As for how such objects are named, according to the IAU, “when the first images of the surface of a planet or satellite are obtained, themes for naming features are chosen and names of a few important features are proposed, usually by members of the appropriate IAU task group.”
I haven’t seen a meme yet of Elizabeth smashing into and destroying the Earth, but if anyone is so inspired, be my guest.
And, next time someone describes Cocteau Twins music as “spacey,” you get to say, “Actually…”
While on this subject…
Sun’s Signature release remixes of tracks from eponymous debut
Elizabeth and her partner Damon Reece, working together and with other musicians as “Sun’s Signature,” have released a remix version of their debut. Elizabeth posted to social media:
“My project with Damon Reece, Sun’s Signature, will be releasing an extended version of our self-titled EP on the 25th of August. The new version will consist of the original EP and a whole new set of 6 remixes, which will be available digitally and on a 2-disc CD for the first time. The original EP will also now be available on yellow marbled vinyl...”
The remixed tracks are:
Underwater (Hinako Omori Remix)
Golden Air (Gwenno Remix)
Apples (Will Gregory Remix)
Bluedusk (LUMP Remix)
Golden Air (CUTS Remix)
Apples (John Grant Remix)
More details at Partisan Records.
Oh, and…
Elizabeth Fraser creates Spotify playlist?
Is this news? I don’t know. Someone mentioned this. Interesting to see which songs from her oeuvre (including a song she didn’t even perform on) have made it. (Heaven or Las Vegas is well-represented.) If you cannot see the embedded media, you can see (and listen to) the list on Spotify.
The Veldt released two tracks from Guthrie-produced LP
North Carolina-based band The Veldt — a band that got its start in the late 80s and early 90s, and opened for Cocteau Twins on the American legs of their early 90s tours — has been releasing tracks from their never-released Robin Guthrie-produced LP. (They did eventually release a mini-LP, Marigolds, with some of the tracks, but the production quality was different.) “Everlasting Gobstopper” has that Guthrie signature from the first note. It’s epic. And “Aurora Borealis” features Liz Fraser somewhere. Similarly gorgeous song. I struggled to make out her voice, but it’s there. Way more subtle than her usual contributions.
Robin wrote, referring to “Gobstopper”:
“What a song this is. I'm really happy this is finally getting released and that you'll get to hear the album. Just remember, if you can, what was going on in 1989 and what the world was like. Perspective and context everyone. Hopefully the album release will be before 2058.”
Simon Raymonde to launch radio show on new platform
The world’s coolest record label boss is launching a radio programme, entitled “Reflector,” on new audio platform ROVR.LIVE, coming in October. Until the platform officially launches you will need to request early (and presumably free) access. Not sure how it works, but that’s what they ask you to do.
And Simon’s memoirs are still forthcoming. Really looking forward to that! (I also recommend Miki Berenyi’s (Lush) memoir Fingers Crossed. Really worth the read.)
Celebrating the work and legacy of Vaughan Oliver
Northumbria University on 14 September hosted a lecture and retrospective on the life and work of the late Vaughan Oliver, graphic designer and head of 23 Envelope/v23. Guest speakers included Adrian Shaughnessy, Tim O’Donnell, and Chris Bigg.
Vaughan is a Northumbria alumnus and was one of the most influential British graphic designers of his generation. He is best known for his work with independent record label 4AD, and working with artists such as the Cocteau Twins, Pixies and The Breeders. His creativity inspired graphic designers as well as fashion designers, film directors, photographers and art directors and his unique approach to design attracted clients from a diverse range of organisations including Ballet Preljocaj, Sony, The Young Vic, John Galliano, Tyneside Cinema and film director David Lynch.
Oliver was largely responsible for crafting the 4AD brand in the 1980s, with Cocteau Twins record sleeves playing a very big role in the earlier years. While the Cocteaus didn’t always love the work Oliver and his studio produced, they also conceded it wasn’t always 23 Envelope’s fault. I think the fans mostly agree the two are almost inextricable, with those sleeves having become as iconic (at least to present company!) as the music they package.
Northumbria used the occasion to launch Vaughan Oliver Graphic Design Scholarships to “provide talented students from the North East, opportunity to study at Northumbria University, regardless of their social or economic circumstances, reflecting Vaughan’s own journey into the design world and his personal drive to help the future generations of designers.”
21st Annual CocteauFest
For the 21st year in a row — which is remarkable to me — fans have organised another CocteauFest. It has become customary in recent years to host the event at San Francisco’s Cat Club as part of “Dancing Ghosts.” This year’s was on 19 August. No photos or video yet, but if you were there let us know how it was!
Coc-tail Corner
PRESENTED BY SCOTT HEIM (Twitter: @Scott_Heim / Instagram: @scottheim926)
(If you don’t drink, skip to the end.)
In this edition of original cocktail recipes inspired by Cocteau Twins songs, we have “Muscat and Drums (after Musette and Drums).”
2 oz. Rye whiskey
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. juice from muddled Muscat grapes (5-6) and muddled fresh basil leaves (5-6, torn)
0.50 oz. maple syrup
Pour all ingredients into a shaker. Shake vigorously with large cubes of ice, releasing the basil and grape essence. Strain into glass. Garnish with fresh grapes and crescent of lemon.
I feel like that’s everything I have to share for now.
September is one of those months with a lot of Cocteau Twins “anniversaries,” usually record release dates, but also Lucy Belle Guthrie and Stanley Raymonde have birthdays. All of these things will make you feel old.
If you’re entering autumn, I encourage you to embrace the opportunity to be indoors — or at least very cozy if outdoors, with or without pumpkin spice anything. If you’re entering spring, I encourage you to get out there and connect with nature and be a part of the renewal of life. And, if you happen to live at the equator, stay hydrated.
From my primitive heart to yours,
Michael