From Bear Tree Records:
Honoured to have received this acetate from @thecure featuring audio fragments from their forthcoming remix album!
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Audio fragments in Brighton
From Resident:
Somethings just arrived @thecure.com 👀
Audio fragments from Mixes Of A Lost World have been pressed to vinyl acetate which will decay more & more with each play.
Keep an eye out on our socials for more info on how to get an exclusive listen!
More info - www.thecure.com/moalw/
Audio fragments in Edinburgh
From Thorne Records:
BIG NEWS:
We're the only shop in Edinburgh to get a "Mixes of a Lost World" acetate from The Cure—only 24 exist worldwide!
Hear it in-store daily 'til May 26, then we auction it for @warchilduk.bsky.social
It decays as it plays—very Cure.
More info: thecure.com/moalw
Signed turntable auction
From Secret 7":
We have 7 Rega turntables signed by Robert Smith to be won!
Our pals at @RegaResearch have generously donated seven Planar 1 turntables, signed by the legendary frontman of @TheCure.
Six signed turntables are up for auction, with the six highest bidders each receiving a signed turntable.
One signed turntable will go to the winner of our prize draw. By donating just £10 to @WarChildUK you could be in with a chance of winning.
🔗 Enter the prize draw and auction at https://secret-7.co.uk/rega-turntables/
⏰ Prize draw ends: Sunday 1 June 2025, 19:00 BST
Monday, May 12, 2025
Another podcast with Daryl Bamonte
Daryl Bamonte (Archangelo Music) shares insights from his 25-year career working with Depeche Mode and The Cure, and looks at the music industry’s evolution over the years since he started.
Friday, May 9, 2025
My Best Shot: Andy Vella
From The Guardian:
‘I’ve met people with tattoos of it’: Andy Vella on shooting the Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry cover
‘The guitar, the hair, the mystery – I think I captured who the Cure are with this picture. When I showed it to Robert Smith and the band’s manager, they jumped up and down’
Interview by Amy Fleming
Ithink this is the Cure image that’s most reproduced. I’ve met people with tattoos of it. It’s been bootlegged, like, millions of times. The bootlegs are rubbish, though – half the time someone’s obviously cut the stencil out with a scalpel, and it’s so crude.
This image was used for the cover of Boys Don’t Cry when it was rereleased in 1986. It was taken during the video shoot, which featured three boys playing the band when young. I used to just go to those shoots as a fly on the wall, grabbing shots where I could – you try to not get in the way.
Robert Smith does that thing with his hand when he relaxes – I guess playing guitar must be quite tiring on the hands – so there’s a lovely restfulness about the image. I like how reflective it is. The silhouette of Robert was always interesting to me: the guitar, the hair, it always seemed to work. I like the dramatic, mysterious feel of the image.
I’ve worked with clients who are not specific about what they want, and you’re always thinking in the back of your mind: “Am I doing the right thing?” Every creative probably goes through that. But Robert knows what he wants: it’s good to work with people like that.
I started collaborating with the Cure in 1981. Whenever we did a shoot, the band would ask: “Do you think you got something good?” And I would say: “I don’t know until I’ve developed it.” You’re grabbing things, you’re playing with spontaneity. You see stuff through the viewfinder, and you’re composing in that. It was only later on in my career that I also started taking Polaroids.
On this shoot, though, the film jammed. I wound it back into the camera, hoping for the best. When I took it to the lab I said: “I’m not sure anything’s on this.” But there was, and when I showed the pictures to Robert and the band’s then manager, Chris Parry, the next day, they jumped up and down and said: “That’s the picture we’re going to use.” It was frame 21 on the film and it had jammed at 22 – I was lucky. That’s the beauty of this kind of work: sometimes we’re successful because of the choices that we make, but sometimes it’s the choices other people make.
The original image is black and white but the record cover is a colourised version, where I’ve used photographic dyes on top of the print. There are slight pinks and yellows and things in there, but it’s subtle. I was taught at art school to add and enhance, not take away, so I still wanted it to feel on the monochromatic scale. I didn’t want it to look too tripped out, I wanted it to have realism. But I do think I captured exactly who the Cure are with that picture, and it’s been tried and tested since with the amount of people who relate to it.
When I was younger, I had a paper round specifically so I could buy records. Then I would hide away in the corner of my house with headphones on, immersing myself in the record sleeves. I remember thinking Meddle by Pink Floyd was the best thing. It’s just a brilliant cover – a big ear with water droplets on it. It was trippy and amazing and summed up a brilliant album. Now I’ve got students who want to get into music-industry design. I don’t know if it’s easy or difficult today, but I think if you’ve got talent and passion, you can do whatever you want.
Until 1 June, 700 unique artist-designed record sleeves, including Andy Vella’s new the Cure design, are in a global online auction in aid of War Child, the specialist charity for children caught in conflict
Andy Vella’s CV
Born: Hampshire, 1961
Trained: Royal College of Art
Influences: Man Ray, André Kertész, Raoul Ubac, Wols
High point: “There are three: being invited by War Child to design a sleeve for Secret 7” 2025; having my Obscure book of photographs exhibited in Sydney Opera House in 2019; and, at Mick’s request, shooting Mick Rock’s portrait”
Low point: “Not having my camera with me when I see a great photo!”
Top tip: “Shoot loads. Think of the composition within the frame, and what it is you are trying to capture or communicate. Use light, fogging or real distortion for effects rather than relying on post-production. Go for authenticity. I try not to get bogged down with the technical, I aim for what I am after and allow all mistakes to hijack what it is I am creating.”
The headline on this article was amended on 8 May 2025. An earlier version said that the image was used as the album cover of Boys Don’t Cry; in fact, it was used as the single cover upon its 1986 rerelease.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Monday, May 5, 2025
Reeves in Italy
WHAT THE PCTURES SOUND LIKE
Premiere of a new project from:
Reeves Gabrels
Jonathan Kane
Fabio Lannino
May 7th - Ferrara, Italy at Sala Estense. Free.
May 9th - Palermo, Italy at Mind House Tickets €14.
From Susan Gabrels:
Keyed to projections of iconic photos by ART KANE (Jonathan's late father), the trio will play songs by the subjects, including Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, Cream, Jefferson Airplane, Moondog, The Who and more.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Daryl Bamonte podcast
EP15: Daryl Bamonte - From The Council Estate to The Stadium Stage
"As well as his work with Basildon's finest, Daryl's touring career extended to a similar role with Hall of Famers, The Cure, where his brother, Perry, had taken a similar path - going from g tech to full-time member of the band - and we hear about the fantastic connections between these seminal British acts."
Lol in San Francisco
Tickets are on sale now.
From Lol:
Join us at The Chapel in San Francisco on June 15th, Father's Day, for an evening of music and conversation with Lol and very special guest topographies. Tickets on sale Friday at 10am.
There will be a VERY limited number of VIP tickets available at that time which will include a meet and greet with Lol, a copy of Goth: A History and an event poster for you to get signed -don't miss out on those.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Lol & Gray's set from Colmar, France
Lol & Gray Tolhurst's full set from Colmar, France on April 28th, 2025.
Includes covers of The Holy Hour, A Forest, Siamese Twins, A Strange Day w/ Miki Berenyi on vocals, Hanging Garden, All Cats Are Grey, and 10 :15 Saturday Night
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, April 20, 2025
MoaLW email tease
Email from The Cure teasing the Mixes of a Lost World announcement tomorrow.
Mixed up (ha!) names of the artists involved.
MoaLW vinyl too
From Amazon UK:
Conceived and compiled by Robert Smith, new remix collection from 2024 album Songs Of A Lost World, featuring remixes from Four Tet, Paul Oakenfold, Orbital, and more.
Double 180g heavyweight half-speed mastered black bio vinyl in gatefold sleeve.
ALL CURE RECORD ROYALTIES FROM ‘MIXES OF A LOST WORLD’ WILL BENEFIT WAR CHILD. At least £1 per physical product sold and £1 per download will be donated.
War Child is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 1071659). Company limited by guarantee no 03610100.
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1 I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE (Paul Oakenfold 'Cinematic' Remix)
2 ENDSONG (Orbital Remix)
3 DRONE:NODRONE (Daniel Avery Remix)
4 ALL I EVER AM (meera Remix)
5 A FRAGILE THING (Âme Remix)
6 AND NOTHING IS FOREVER (Danny Briottet & Rico Conning Remix)
7 WARSONG (Daybreakers Remix)
8 ALONE (Four Tet Remix)
Disc: 2
1 I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE (Mental Overdrive Remix)
2 AND NOTHING IS FOREVER (Cosmodelica Electric Eden Remix)
3 A FRAGILE THING (Sally C Remix)
4 ENDSONG (Gregor Tresher Remix)
5 WARSONG (Omid 16B Remix)
6 DRONE:NODRONE (Anja Schneider Remix)
7 ALONE (Shanti Celeste 'February Blues' Remix)
8 ALL I EVER AM (Mura Masa Remix)
Mixes of a Lost World
From Amazon UK:
Mixes of a Lost World out June 13th. 2 disc and 3 disc versions.
Description
Conceived and compiled by Robert Smith, new remix collection from 2024 album Songs Of A Lost World, featuring remixes from Four Tet, Paul Oakenfold, Orbital, and more. Deluxe edition with additional remixes from Chino Moreno (Deftones), 65daysofstatic, and Mogwai.
Triple CD in 8-panel digisleeve with foldout CD poster.
ALL CURE RECORD ROYALTIES FROM ‘MIXES OF A LOST WORLD’ WILL BENEFIT WAR CHILD. At least £1 per physical product sold and £1 per download will be donated.
War Child is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 1071659). Company limited by guarantee no 03610100.
Track Listing
Disc: 1
1 I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE (Paul Oakenfold 'Cinematic' Remix)
2 ENDSONG (Orbital Remix)
3 DRONE:NODRONE (Daniel Avery Remix)
4 ALL I EVER AM (meera Remix)
5 A FRAGILE THING (Âme Remix)
6 AND NOTHING IS FOREVER (Danny Briottet & Rico Conning Remix)
7 WARSONG (Daybreakers Remix)
8 ALONE (Four Tet Remix)
Disc: 2
1 I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE (Mental Overdrive Remix)
2 AND NOTHING IS FOREVER (Cosmodelica Electric Eden Remix)
3 A FRAGILE THING (Sally C Remix)
4 ENDSONG (Gregor Tresher Remix)
5 WARSONG (Omid 16B Remix)
6 DRONE:NODRONE (Anja Schneider Remix)
7 ALONE (Shanti Celeste 'February Blues' Remix)
8 ALL I EVER AM (Mura Masa Remix)
Disc: 3
1 I CAN NEVER SAY GOODBYE (Craven Faults Rework)
2 DRONE:NODRONE (JoyCut 'Anti-Gravitational' Remix)
3 AND NOTHING IS FOREVER (Trentemøller Rework)
4 WARSONG (Chino Moreno Remix)
5 ALONE (Ex-Easter Island Head Remix)
6 ALL I EVER AM (65daysofstatic Remix)
7 A FRAGILE THING (The Twilight Sad Remix)
8 ENDSONG (Mogwai Remix)
Friday, April 18, 2025
New music on Robert Smith's birthday?
As we know now, no, looks like the announcement is April 21st, release on June 13th.
From Rolling Stone Germany:
Robert Smith turns 66 on Monay, and The Cure's "MOALW": "Mixes of a Lost World" is also scheduled to be released that same day.
Rolling Stone Editorial Staff
A social media post by The Cure is causing joy among fans of Robert Smith and the band. On Friday (April 18), the Cure posted two photos and a snippet captioned "IV-XXI-MMXXV," which would have been Robert Smith's 66th birthday on April 21, 2025. In the past, the Cure boss has used his birthday to release albums (like "Wish" in 1992), thus giving himself and us presents.
The first image shows a mixing console. On it is a cassette tape cover (Note: This is wrong, it's the back of the ipod.) and the labels "Cure" and "MOALW." This could/should be the abbreviation for "Mixes of a Lost World." A remix album of the eight songs from the studio album "Songs of a Lost World," released last November.
Image two shows an iPod Classic, Robert Smith's favorite storage device (he said in an interview that he has several). Zooming in on the display reveals song titles like "All I Ever Am" with the remix caption "65 Slow Chord Version."
Finally, photo 3 shows a short music video, probably a remix of a Cure song from “Songs of a Lost World”.
Here's a closer look at those images:
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Miki & Lol's shows are coming up soon
From Miki Berenyi:
Frazzled after 15hr flight + jetlag but hitting the ground running (OK, maybe staggering) with rehearsals for EU dates next week!
Belgium, France, Netherlands... with the mighty Lol Tolhurst - expect to see some on-stage collabs! Ticket links at mikistuff.com/live
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Monday, April 14, 2025
Interview with Reeves
“It’s a special kind of moment when you hit that first note of a solo and you literally get nothing.” He’s played with David Bowie and the Cure, but Reeves Gabrels says things don’t always go right, even for the pros."
"That’s what makes live shows so extraordinary," the guitarist says. "You’re always on the high wire”
Read the interview at Guitar Player.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Robert's signed Secret 7' found
From Piccadilly Records:
Look who found the signed by Robert Smith The Cure Secret 7".
Andy Vella interview
From BBC News:
'People show me their intimate tattoos of my album art'
Author: Tim Stokes
Designer Andy Vella has been creating album covers for more than 40 years, with his work to be found in millions of homes around the world.
"The weird thing I get is whenever I design a new album or a new logo for The Cure someone sends me a tattoo that they've just had done of it," he explains.
"I've seen pictures of Robert Smith's silhouette from Boys Don't Cry on people's backs, on their arses, on their legs, on their arms.
"I met [comedian] Greg Davies and he said, 'Did you do Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me?' and he got on his knees and bowed to me. I was so embarrassed and he just said: 'Oh my God, I grew up with that on my wall.'"
For his latest record sleeve, Vella has used his much-lauded design skills for a project run by the charity War Child, as part of its fundraising efforts to help children caught up in conflict zones.
Vella's career in design has seen him work with various musicians and authors over the years, from Jeff Buckley to Margaret Atwood, but it is his work with acclaimed goth rockers The Cure, often in collaboration with lead singer Robert Smith, for which he is best known.
It is also where his career began, soon after the band formed in Crawley in the 1970s.
While still studying at art school, Vella was approached by on-off Cure guitarist Porl Thompson who wanted him to photograph another group he was playing in.
"He said, 'You've got a reputation at the college that you're really good at photography'... and by chance he showed Robert my work and then suddenly at the age of 18 I was being asked to design a record sleeve [for The Cure]," he says.
That record was the band's doom-laden third album Faith. Vella would later return to create the covers for some of The Cure's most iconic records, including the 1989's Disintegration, The Head on the Door from 1985 and last year's chart-topping Songs of a Lost World.
"With Robert, his lyrics are so inspiring... All you have to do is read one line quite often and suddenly you've got the start of something really great."
It was this and the expansive brooding sound of Songs of a Lost World which saw Vella and Smith hit upon the design for the record, which features a stone statue head lying on its side.
"The Cure sounded just as brilliant and massive as they did back in the 80s... so the album had to have something large, something incredibly poignant and solid to represent that," Vella says.
Even so, he admits the final look of a record can come about from something unexpected, as happened with the cover for 1987's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
As the band were on tour in Brazil, Vella was asked to fly out to Rio de Janeiro to get his design for the new album approved - despite the fact he was still working on it.
With the photo of a pair of heavily painted lips decided upon and the handwritten lettering printed on a separate sheet of clear plastic, he was experimenting with the layout in a taxi on the way to the airport when "we went over this sleeping policeman [speed bump] and the acetate just jumped to the middle of the sleeve".
"Now I would always say don't put type in the middle of the sleeve, and especially the top, but it just stuck in place so I stuck it down with Sellotape thinking, 'well it's an option'," he says.
"I showed it to Robert when I got to Rio and he said: 'I love that, that's brilliant! I love the way you've placed the type.'
"You can be really arty-farty about things but I think sometimes it's quite nice to let the universe take over," Vella adds with a laugh.
For his latest record sleeve, Vella has created a cover for War Child's Secret 7" project.
It sees 700 creatives, such as designer Sir Paul Smith, sculptor Antony Gormley and Radiohead artist Stanley Donwood, all forming one-of-a-kind untitled record sleeves for a song by one of seven different artists - this year including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Cure, Gregory Porter and Scissor Sisters.
The 700 records are then put on display at London's NOW Gallery, in Greenwich Peninsula until the start of June when they are auctioned off, with all the proceeds going to charity.
It is only when the sale is over that buyers discover the song that they've purchased and which designer was behind the cover.
It is not the first time Vella has taken part in Secret 7" having previously created record sleeves for the likes of The Rolling Stones, St Vincent and The Chemical Brothers.
However, it still left him a little stressed.
"There's just too much pressure! One year I was in there and I was next to [father of British pop art] Peter Blake," he says.
"It's a really amazing cause and you want to create something brilliant so that you raise a load of money for War Child."
The charity started up in response to the Bosnian genocide. The Help Album, which it released in 1995, featured artists including Oasis, Radiohead, Suede and Portishead. War Child now works in more than a dozen countries helping children living in warzones.
Describing the process of putting together his creation, Vella says it involved "going through the painstaking thing of creating about 20 iterations, all crap", before "suddenly you have that amazing Eureka moment".
That Eureka moment led to a cover he considers to be "quite deep" and "very meaningful" - although of course he won't reveal which song he created it for.
Vella says the project is something he's proud to be part of.
"It's such an amazing, powerful cause, helping children in war-torn countries. It just shows you as well how music and art can bring people together."
Secret 7" is on display at NOW Gallery, Greenwich Peninsula until 1 June with the 700 record sleeves then being sold in a global online auction on the project website in aid of War Child.
Friday, April 11, 2025
Great news from Roger!
From Roger on Bluesky:
I try not to make this too personal or public but so many people have been so kind..anyway all my tests came back great,all bloods normal. Spend a moment thinking about people who are scared or in the middle of all this AND if you are suspicious get CHECKED
Win a bookshelf speaker signed by Robert
From Record Store Day UK:
You could be in with a chance of one of these exclusive #RSD25 wrapped @BowersWilkins award-winning 607 S3 bookshelf speakers, signed by #RSD25 Ambassador @samfendermusic, @RobertSmith of @thecure and @suggsgmcpherson of @MadnessNews ⭐
Each entry is only £5, and you can enter as many times as you like! And it’s all for an excellent cause as all proceeds raised will be in aid of our official charity partner @WarChildUK.
Ready to elevate your RSD listening experience? Enter below👀
Sam Fender: bit.ly/3Ra4Bjj
Robert Smith: bit.ly/3R9kvdI
Suggs: bit.ly/42Aca8i
The competition will close at 12pm on May 2nd, 2025.
Please note, this competition is open to UK residents only.
GOOD LUCK! 🍀
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
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