Temposhark Blog

Watch Downton Abbey USA ad campaign feat. Temposhark's song 'Irresistible' on Masterpiece PBS now!

2011-10-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Watch Downton Abbey USA ad campaign feat. Temposhark's song 'Irresistible' on Masterpiece PBS now!

For those who haven't heard yet, my Temposhark song 'Irresistible' is being used on the USA advertising campaign for the upcoming series of Downton Abbey on PBS. To find out more about the series, please visit PBS online (click here).

To hear 'Irresistible' in full, visit YouTube (click here) or you can download at iTunes, Amazon MP3 or Spotify, taken from my second Temposhark second album 'Threads' (2010).

Downton Abbey is 'Irresistible' in the USA

2011-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Some good news.

My Temposhark song 'Irresistible' will be used on the USA advertising campaign for the upcoming series of Downton Abbey on PBS.

To find out more about the series, please visit PBS online (click here).

I'll try to update this blog soon with a video clip of the adverts. But in the meantime, to hear 'Irresistible' in full, visit YouTube (click here) or you can download at iTunes, Amazon MP3 or Spotify, taken from my second Temposhark second album 'Threads' (2010).

Temposhark songs on Time Warner TV show in USA 'Love Games'

2011-01-05T00:51:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

SliceThePie announced this week that Temposhark have a few songs from our second album Threads on another TV show in the USA, read more here: http://www.slicethepie.com/About/NewsItem.aspx?NewsId=1047

Wishing you all a very happy 2011.

R.x

Vote for Temposhark in the new Pepsi campaign

2010-08-06T02:47:00.000-07:00

Vote for Temposhark at the Pepsi website now, one of our videos has been chosen by Pepsi's new music campaign:http://bit.ly/c2urCc

It's really easy to vote, you just sign in using one of your social networking website such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube or Twitter and then click on the stars - go on, give us 5 stars!

You also get a chance to win an Amazon voucher to spend online if you vote.

Thanks for your support!

Temposhark HQ.

Temposhark team up with Marina Rinaldi and MaxMara Fashion Group

2010-07-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

MaxMara Fashion Group have teamed up with Temposhark, using 2 of their songs for new campaigns for their fashion label Marina Rinaldi.

'Crime' and 'Joy' will feature in videos for the fashion house, an example of which can be seen online now at the Marina Rinaldi website: http://www.marinarinaldi.com/en/Personality

A link to this collaboration can also been found here: http://www.maxmarafashiongroup.com/it/highlights

Other video collaborations will be on view in stores across the world including London's Old Bond Street store soon.

'Bye Bye Baby' music video on sale at iTunes

2010-05-18T04:17:00.001-07:00

Temposhark's music video 'Bye Bye Baby' is now available at iTunes worldwide. Check it out: http://bit.ly/boeBRW

Taken from the brand new album 'Threads' which is also OUT NOW: http://bit.ly/aBy5Qd

Temposhark HQ.

Good review in Boyz magazine, UK

2010-05-08T11:24:00.001-07:00

Good review of Temposhark's album 'Threads' in Boyz magazine, UK, May 2010.

Live in Paris and album reaches number 15 at iTunes chart

2010-04-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

Temposhark perform live in Paris with MaJiKer Sat 10th April 2010

Rob from Temposhark sings live this weekend in Paris at Espace B on Saturday night with MaJiKer! Be there from 8pm!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=372774249925&ref=ts

In other good news, Temposhark's album 'Threads' reached number 15 in the UK iTunes electronic albums chart this week! Thanks for all your support! We're happy to know you are enjoying the new album.

If you haven't download the new album yet you can download it now from iTunes worldwide with 11 new Temposhark songs plus 2 bonus remixes and an exclusive PDF album artwork sleeve with full lyrics, photos and credits: http://bit.ly/aBy5Qd You can also download it from Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/cRfv6X and Amazon USA: http://bit.ly/aR88rp

Temposhark's album at number 15 on iTunes UK electronic albums chart, April 2010

Temposhark HQ.
www.temposhark.com

'Threads' in iTunes Electronic Top 20 Albums Chart

2010-04-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has been downloading my new album 'Threads' from iTunes worldwide! It's currently at number 18 in the iTunes UK Top 20 electronic albums chart.

The iTunes version comes with 11 new Temposhark songs plus 2 bonus remixes and an exclusive PDF album artwork sleeve with full lyrics, photos and credits. Download here: http://bit.ly/aBy5Qd

R.x

Good review of 'Threads' in The Fly magazine

2010-04-06T03:58:00.001-07:00

Temposhark 'Threads' album review in The Fly magazine (Click to enlarge and read)

New Temposhark album OUT NOW iTunes/Amazon Digital

2010-04-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

Temposhark 'Thread's album OUT NOW

Great news!

Temposhark's brand new album 'Threads' is released today and has already gone straight in at number 22 on the iTunes electronic albums chart.

Download it now from iTunes worldwide with 11 new Temposhark songs plus 2 bonus remixes and an exclusive PDF album artwork sleeve with full lyrics, photos and credits: http://bit.ly/aBy5Qd

So be sure to grab your copy now from iTunes and if you have time, leave a review!

You can also download it from Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/cRfv6X and Amazon USA: http://bit.ly/aR88rp

Temposhark's new album 'Threads' at number 22 on iTunes electronic albums, Mon 5th April 2010

Enjoy the new music.

Temposhark HQ.

New album out Monday

2010-04-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

Me singing at ICA Gala, KoKo Camden, March 2010.

Hi gang,

The ICA Gala gig at KoKo, Camden last week was incredible, in fact it was my favourite show I've ever done in London! Plus, I had dinner with Vivienne Westwood and had a lovely chat with Ellie Goulding too, she performed before we did and her voice was incredible.

Just a reminder that my new album 'Threads' is released this coming Monday 5th April 2010 digitally from iTunes and Amazon.

The iTunes version comes with 2 bonus remixes and digital PDF sleeve/artwork.

You can preview the album NOW at Spotify in the UK:
http://bit.ly/cgbAPj

R.xx

Temposhark live at ICA Gala on Wed 24th 2010 at KoKo, Camden

2010-03-17T05:46:00.001-07:00

Temposhark are performing live at ICA Gala 2010 at KoKo, Camden on next Wed 24th March.

Tickets are £95 but Temposhark fans can get a reduced ticket of £75 if you call the ICA Box Office number +44 (0)20 7930 3647 and quote that you are ordering via Temposhark/Rob Diament.

Also performing live are Lily Allen, Bryan Ferry and CocknBullKid. There is a free bar for the whole evening. The event runs from 10pm-2am and more info is here: http://www.ica.org.uk/gala

See you Wed night for a wonderful fundraising party of live music and art.

Temposhark HQ.

Temposhark perform live at ICA Gala 2010, also Lily Allen, Bryan Ferry and I Blame Coco

2010-02-23T15:32:00.001-08:00

Temposhark are confirmed to be performing live at ICA Gala 2010 on Wed 24th March.

Other confirmed live acts are Lily Allen, I Blame Coco, Bryan Ferry and more. It starts at 10pm at KoKo, Camden.

To buy tickets and full line-up visit:
http://ica.org.uk/23662/Music/ICA-Fundraiser-Gala-Party-2010.html

Tickets are £95 each or £75 each for ICA Members.

Address: KoKo, 1A Camden High Street, Camden, London, NW1 7JE.
Venue info: http://www.koko.uk.com/venue-info

Don't miss this amazing night of live music and art to support the ICA, the UK's original, not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary arts centre. http://www.ica.org.uk/

Temposhark live TONIGHT in London, 9pm at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen

2010-02-16T01:33:00.000-08:00

Curious Generation present Temposhark live TONIGHT, Tuesday 16th Feb 2010, at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1 6NU.

On stage at 9.00pm SHARP so please arrive by 8.45pm at the latest. This is a special party to celebrate Temposhark’s new single ’Threads’ with Morgan Page remixes.

Support from Mr Fogg: www.myspace.com/mrfoggisapopstar

Entry price £5 - please email temposhark@gmail.com to add any names to the cheap entry guestlist which is priced at £5

OR you can pre-buy you tickets here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/70320

Best wishes,
Temposhark HQ.
http://www.temposhark.com

Purchase securely here:
Amazon: http://fburls.com/70-8kjcAC2b
iTunes: http://fburls.com/40-XU7RK9gT
emusic: http://fburls.com/2-pEAdb7Bw

New Temposhark single 'Threads' OUT NOW! Morgan Page remixes!

2010-01-17T16:34:00.001-08:00

Hi Temposhark friends,

The new Temposhark single 'Threads' is OUT NOW worldwide on iTunes and Amazon digital.

The single comes with 3 hot club remixes by Morgan Page, the awesome US dance artist who has worked with many stars including Madonna, Katy Perry, DeadMau5 and Nelly Furtado!

Download the new single now at iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/4sjqfM

For those who don't use iTunes, you can download my new single at Amazon digital in UK: http://bit.ly/5qmX7j or in USA: http://bit.ly/4ZRVtU

The single has been going down well in UK clubs and on dance radio... and even made it into Music Week's Cool Cuts chart!

Enjoy!

Temposhark HQ.

New single 'Threads' remixed by Morgan Page OUT TOMORROW, preview it NOW at ArjanWrites.com blog

2010-01-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

I have a new Temposhark single out tomorrow (Monday 18th Jan 2010) called 'Threads' remixed by US dance genius Morgan Page who I fell in love with via his remix work for Madonna, Nelly Furtado, DeadMau5 and Katy Perry.

Listen to his remix here exclusively at music blog ArjanWrites.com: http://www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/2010/01/exclusive-firstlisten-temposhark-threads-morgan-page-radio-edit.html

More details on how to buy the new single tomorrow. :)

Love Rob.x

CBS People's Choice Awards play Temposhark's song 'Knock Me Out' this week!

2010-01-04T12:21:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year all friends of Temposhark!

2010 is off to a good start - Temposhark's song 'Knock me Out' has been selected to be played on CBS television channel in the USA for their annual People’s Choice Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on January 6th 2010. You can download 'Knock Me Out' from all good digital stores now, including iTunes worldwide or Amazon digital.

The 36th Annual 2010 People's Choice Awards will be broadcast on CBS beginning at 9pm and is being produced by Mark Burnett, the mind behind the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, which also featured Temposhark's song 'Knock Me Out'. The show has already attracted a record breaking 60 million votes online.

Temposhark's new single 'Threads' with the awesome Morgan Page club remixes will be released digitally on 18th January 2010. Loads of DJs around the world have already been playing this track, more new on that release very soon.

Temposhark HQ.

New single at number 20 in Music Week's Cool Cuts chart plus new album cover revealed

2009-12-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hi gang,

My new single 'Threads' is currently at number 20 in Music Week's Cool Cuts chart.

The single has been remixed by USA dance genius Morgan Page and comes out digitally on 18th January 2010. To see the sleeve and to hear early clips, visit Amazon.co.uk! This remix is so hot that it will also be a bonus track on the album of the same title, out in February.

We've just revealed the new album artwork, see at the top of this blog or visit EQ blog to see what he had to say about it!

Happy christmas to you all. Wishing you a happy festive season and much happiness in 2010.

Love Rob.x

Last gig of 2009 Monday 14th December

2009-12-09T03:42:00.001-08:00

Hi gang,

Guy from cool record label Fierce Panda has invited us to do a gig in London on Monday 14th December. This will be our last Temposhark UK gig of 2009 so make sure you come party with us!

Address: Catch, 22 Kingsland Rd, Shoreditch, London, E2 8DA.
Door entry: £4
doors open: 7.45pm
Stage time: 9.45pm (Temposhark)
www.myspace.com/sohotsocold
www.thecatchbar.com

See you there!

Rob.x

New Temposhark songs on 'Styl'D' with MTV

2009-12-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hi gang,

7 songs by Temposhark are included in the brand new MTV series Styl'D. The shows are airing firstly in the USA during November and December, across the following episodes 104, 105, 106 & 107. The shows all air on Tuesday nights at 11pm ET/PT.

The exact details are below:

Episode #104 – "Irresistible" (song is chyron'd)

Episode #105 – "Green Lights"

Episode #106 – "Joy"

Episode #107 – "Not That Big" (song is chyron'd),
"The Last Time I Saw Matthew",
"Frames" (song is chryon'd),
"Invisible Ink"

In other news, UK magazine ArtRocker features a review of new Temposhark single 'Bye Bye Baby', out now. You can watch the video for the new single at YouTube.

Enjoy! Temposhark HQ.

Bye Bye Baby - new single OUT NOW at iTunes and Amazon digital worldwide!

2009-11-22T17:47:00.000-08:00

Hi gang,

My new Temposhark single is out now worldwide at iTunes. You can download here: http://bit.ly/7m9x4c

For those who don't use iTunes, you can buy from Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/6U6APZ
or from Amazon USA: http://bit.ly/5OZce4

The video to the single is also up on YouTube now. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/1GPfi1 or below:

I hope you enjoy the new track and video, it's been getting great response from music blogs around the world. The album will follow in Feb 2010, so not long now!

For those in the USA, make sure you watch MTV on Tuesday night at 11pm as another new song of mine 'Irresistible' will be on their new show Styl'd...

Thanks to everyone who came to see us play live last night for Electroqueer blog's club night in East London and also to everyone who came last week to see us live at Proud Galleries... it's been a great week!!

Love Rob.x

New music video/single, MTV placements, blog reviews and live gig this weekend!

2009-11-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

'Bye Bye Baby' - me on set of my new music video!

Photo by Chris James Edwards.

Hi gang,

Lots of good news on the Temposhark front.

My brand new music video for the single "Bye Bye Baby" is up on YouTube now and is already getting nice comments from bloggers around the world - check out USA pop blog ArjanWrites.com's comments from today by clicking here.

Whilst another hot US blogger MuuMuse.com has done this rather cool preview feature, click here to read.

London's super-cool Electroqueer has just posted the video too - with a comparison to none other than Edward Cullen from the movie Twilight! On an EQ blog tip, don't forget we're performing live this weekend at the EQ club night in East London at Bar Music Hall. We go on at 10pm SHARP and it's FREE to get in. Bonus!

In other good news, check out MTV in the USA this weekend as their new show Styl'd 'Episode #104' – Airdate 11/22/09 - features a full stream of new Temposhark song "Irresistible" plus the song is chyron'd so we get our name in lights! Ha.

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the new single/video. For those in London, see you on Saturday night at Bar Music Hall.

Love Rob.x

Live at Proud Galleries, Camden this Friday 13th November

2009-11-10T02:52:00.001-08:00

Hi gang,

I've just returned from New York and am preparing for my next Temposhark gig this Friday night 13th November at Proud Galleries in Camden. We go on stage at 11pm as it's a headline slot, so be prepared for a serious party! We're also hoping to have the first ever screening of the new music video for forthcoming single 'Bye Bye Baby'... I get the final cut tomorrow from director Ben Charles Edwards.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME TO THE GIG, PLEASE EMAIL temposhark@gmail.com with ANY NAMES FOR THE GUESTLIST, as this will mean your entry to venue will either be FREE or REDUCED ENTRY! The first 20 people will get in free, after that it costs £5 before 9pm, £8 thereafter.

Lots happening on the Temposhark front this month, don't forget the brand new single 'Bye Bye Baby' will be out worldwide from iTunes, Amazon and all good digital stores from Monday 23rd November.

In the meantime, details for Friday's gig are as follows:

Temposhark headline gig at Proud Galleries for ’Tales Of The Unexpected’ On stage at 11pm, Friday 13th November 2009. http://www.proud.co.uk
Address: Proud Galleries, The Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, London and South East NW1 8AH. Nearest tubes: Chalk Farm or Camden.

R.x

Remix & Rarities album number 20 on iTunes electronic chart!

2009-10-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Temposhark's brand new 'Remixes & Rarities 2004-2008' album reached number 20 on iTunes electronic album chart today! Thanks to everyone for downloading it.

This is a digital-only album featuring 20 rare Temposhark tracks - bsides, remixes and unreleased songs from 2004-2008. Plus there is a stylish iTunes-exclusive PDF artwork file.

Out now from iTunes worldwide. You can also buy this album from Amazon (UK)and Amazon (USA).

Remixes & Rarities digital album OUT NOW

2009-10-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Temposhark's brand new 'Remixes & Rarities 2004-2008' album is released today on iTunes worldwide and all good digital stores. This is a digital-only album featuring 20 tracks, plus an iTunes-exclusive bonus PDF artwork file.

The album includes never-before-heard songs such as The Coffee Girl, Hard Medium Soft and Switch Off. Plus unreleased remixes by Milosh, Akira The Don, Karin Ström, Banished To Frigia and Napsugar as well as other rare tracks such as the live acoustic radio performance of Katy Perry's hit I Kissed A Girl.

In the PDF sleeve notes, Robert explains: "I put this compilation together in response to many emails requesting hard-to-find tracks. Whilst it was not possible to include every unreleased Temposhark song or remix, this is definitely a great overview of the varied collaborations that took place between 2004 – 2008, in the build up to ‘The Invisible Line’ debut album. Turn it up loud! Robert Diament, London, October 2009".

The full track list is as follows:
1. Paris (featuring Princess Julia)
2. Not That Big (Metronomy’s ‘NotThatRemix’)
3. Neon Question Mark
4. Bang (Akira The Don Remix)
5. The Coffee Girl
6. I Kissed A Girl (The Selector Live Session)
7. Blame (Banished To Frigia Remix)
8. Knock Me Out (Napsugar Remix)
9. Crime (Masashi Naka Remix)
10. Lemonade
11. Invisible Ink (Avril ‘Coeur Changeant’ Remix)
12. Neon Question Mark (Border Crossing Remix)
13. Crime (Noblesse Oblige ‘Helotry’ Remix)
14. Hard, Medium, Soft
15. Blame (Milosh Remix)
16. Little White Lie (Cursor Miner ‘Acid Stomp’ Remix)
17. Joy (Melnyk ‘Mirth’ Remix)
18. Knock Me Out (Karin Ström Remix)
19. Snow
20. Switch Off

Out now from iTunes worldwide. You can also buy this album from Amazon (UK) and Amazon (USA).

New song played on BBC Radio 6 by Tom Robinson

2009-10-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Some of you will have heard our new song 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' on Tom Robinson's BBC Radio 6 show on Sunday 18th October 2009.

If you missed it, it is still available to listen to online thanks to the BBC iPlayer: click here and forward to the 1 hour 33 seconds point to hear it.

BBC interview & first play of 'Bye Bye Baby' plus new release dates

2009-10-14T02:57:00.001-07:00

Hi gang,

I did an hour long interview on BBC Radio's 'Introducing' show with Linda Serck in Reading last week, which aired on Sunday October 11th! This includes the first ever radio play of our next single 'Bye Bye Baby' which comes out in November. You can still hear it for the next week online at the iPlayer, click forward to the 11 minutes 50 seconds point to hear my interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p004mm5k/The_Session_11_10_2009/

Plus, next week Tom Robinson is going to be playing a new Temposhark track on his BBC 6 Music 'Introducing' show in London! I met up with Tom a few weeks ago, it was wonderful to see him, he's really cool - we did our first live session with Tom a few years ago during The Invisible Line album promotion - he was one of our first champions! :)

In other news, I have 2 important release dates for you. Firstly - the single 'Bye Bye Baby' will be released worldwide on 23rd November 2009. I just filmed the music video for this song in London's Limehouse Town Hall. It's a hammer horror inspired film directed by genius new director Ben Charles Edwards... there are photos already circulating on Facebook - I can't wait for you to see the actual video! The single itself comes with some cool remixes, so lots to look forward to.

We launch the video on the very apt Friday 13th November during our live show at Camden's Proud Galleries, for their new series of glamorous events 'Tales of The Unexpected'. More details on our MySpace. See you there!!

Also on 26th October 2009 (my birthday!), I'm releasing a 20 track 'Remixes & Rarities' album dating from 2004-2008 which includes lots of remixes and previously unreleased songs! You can see the full track list at Amazon. This will be available a digital album only, but comes with a stylish PDF artwork file too.

More soon.

R.xx

Temposhark free iPhone App launches!

2009-10-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

Good news for Temposhark fans with an iPhone! The first ever Temposhark iPhone app has just been launched. Download the app for free from iTunes by clicking here
or by following this link: http://bit.ly/1I81k8

The app will keep you up to date with all Temposhark's videos, live concert dates and new photos. Plus you can also interact by posting your own photos on the Fan Wall. The app is also linked to both Facebook and Twitter.

Enjoy!

Free acoustic gig at GAP, London this Friday 25th Sept.

2009-09-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

Following on from their Number 10 place in the electronic chart on iTunes UK, Temposhark have teamed up with GAP to perform a special live acoustic gig at the "GAP 1969" pop-up shop off Carnaby Street.

The gig is FREE and starts at 6pm SHARP on Friday 25th September 2009. Be there for 5.30pm to get your place to watch the band. http://www.gap1969.com/ Address: GAP, Kingly Court, London, W1B 5PW.

This is a special celebration gig for Temposhark as their single ’The World Does Not Revolve Around You’ out now from iTunes, Amazon and all good digital stores. Download here: http://bit.ly/U1ufr (2 track single) and http://bit.ly/31kqrS (music video).

Temposhark Podcast returns, Rising Star Awards, White Cubicle gallery.

2009-09-19T03:52:00.000-07:00

I met up with producer genius MaJiKer yesterday in London's Soho and interviewed him for the first of a new series of the Temposhark Podcast.

It's the first Podcast I've posted for 2 years, so it's nice to be back in Podcast land. As always, you can download them for FREE from iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/jV5iz

If you don't use iTunes, you can download the Podcast file directly from Libsyn here: http://bit.ly/B8fI8

Majiker, producer extraordinaire

Most of you will by now have MaJiKer's beautiful remix of new Temposhark track 'Threads' on the b-side of my brand new single. It's one of my favourite remixes ever as it really takes the track to a brand new place. You can listen to the mix at iTunes too (http://bit.ly/U1ufr). Thanks to everyone who downloaded the single this week as I had my highest electronic iTunes UK chart place so far! :)

In other news, I just heard Temposhark are in semi-finals of Rising Star Award for the British Music Week 2009! Thanks every1 who voted! Out of 10,000 bands!

Earlier this week I did lots of interviews including a cool one for BBC Manchester & BBC Lancashire with John Barnes. You can listen on the BBC iPlayer to catch it if you missed it: http://is.gd/3jL5h. My interview starts at the 1hr:5mins:45secs point on the iPlayer.

At BBC Radio's studios in Great Portland Street this week

I also did a fun interview with Phil Marriott at GaydarRadio.com which is now online in full to download as a Podcast by clicking here: http://bit.ly/JIKq3 Their website is also currently hosting my new music video for 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You'.

Finally, this Sunday 20th September I've been asked to 'cut the ribbon' to mark the opening of artist Julie Verhoeven's latest exhibition, in association with London Fashion Week, at the White Cubicle gallery in the bathroom of George & Dragon pub in East London. See you all there! http://www.whitecubicle.com Their nights are always a riot.

R.x

Number 10 on iTunes UK & BBC interview tonight

2009-09-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Quick blog to say THANKS to everyone who has downloaded my new single from iTunes so far!

WE ARE NUMBER 10 in the iTunes UK electronic albums chart! WOOHOO!!!
THANK YOU!!!

If you haven't yet got the new 2 track single, then you can download it NOW at iTunes, click: http://bit.ly/U1ufr (2 track single) and http://bit.ly/31kqrS (music video)

Also listen in to BBC Manchester and also Lancashire tonight for the John Barnes late show! I will be in the studio with him chatting about the new single and playing BOTH new songs! Between 10.30pm and 11.15pm

I'll write soon.
Rob.x

Temposhark at number 10 in the UK iTunes electronic chart! (Click image to see larger).

New single out now, launch party and Muzu competition

2009-09-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

Download the new 2-track Temposhark single/video 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' NOW from iTunes worldwide, Amazon UK and Amazon USA!

To download at iTunes, click: http://bit.ly/U1ufr (2 track single) and http://bit.ly/31kqrS (music video) Including the HOT remix by MaJiKer.

*SINGLE LAUNCH PARTY IS TONIGHT IN LONDON!* The Fly club on New Oxford Street, central London. We go on stage at 9.30pm! For full listings visit www.myspace.com/temposhark

To celebrate we have a COMPETITION running at MUZU.TV - you can win signed CDs and T-shirts, by entering. It's really simple! Sign up with MUZU.TV and answer the easy question. You can do this NOW at: http://www.muzu.tv/temposhark GOOD LUCK!

I hope you all enjoy the new single and see you tonight if you're in London.

Love Rob.x

Temposhark TV on MUZU

TWDNRAY: brand new music video online now!

2009-09-10T02:59:00.000-07:00

The video to my new single premiered online yesterday with a little intro clip of me at EQ blog. You can also see it now on YouTube by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/tempoworld

Enjoy!

R.x

New song on MTV's 'Real World' season finale: Wed 9th Sept 2009: 10PM ET/PT

2009-09-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

Good news for fans in the USA/Canada! I just heard from a music coordinator in Los Angeles, that my brand new Temposhark song 'Irresistible' is going to be on MTV tomorrow night, Wed 9th September 2009, in the season finale of 'The Real World: Cancun' TV series.

It's a vocal-up placement and Temposhark will be credited on-screen as it plays, so tell your friends to watch at 10PM ET/PT. :) It's really cool to be on another US show, just weeks after the Paris Hilton one went on air.

Hope you enjoy hearing this new song for the first time, and don't forget to visit EQ blog tomorrow too for the world premiere of my new video to 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You'.

R.x

TWDNRAY: Photo 3 + announcement

2009-09-08T04:20:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from EQ Blog (click here).

TWDNRAY: Photo 2

2009-09-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from EQ Blog (click here).

New single out 14th Sept and launch party

2009-09-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

My brand new Temposhark single 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' is released on 14th September 2009 worldwide from iTunes, 7Digital, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody and all good stores.

The music video will be revealed next week so keep an eye out at www.myspace.com/temposhark to find out when you can see it first.

To celebrate the single release, we are throwing a single launch party gig on Monday 14th September at The Fly on New Oxford Street, nearest tube Tottenham Court Road. Do put this date in your diary! You can order tickets online now at www.curiousgeneration.com or you can email temposhark@gmail.com to be added to the paying guest list. Support comes from The Good Natured, my favourite new singer - she's amazing!

I'll write soon, looking forward to sharing all the new music with you!

Rob.x
www.temposhark.com

TWDNRAY: Photo 1

2009-09-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from EQ Blog (click here).

Temposhark team up with GAP

2009-08-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

Temposhark have teamed up with GAP to celebrate 40 years of the fashion label.

Temposhark will perform an exclusive live acoustic gig at GAP’s pop-up shop off Carnaby Street at 6pm SHARP on Friday 25th September 2009. Be there for 5.30pm to get your place to watch the band.

Find out more at http://www.gap1969.com/ This new website launches on 9th September and will include some cool Temposhark stuff. In the meantime you can sign up your email to ensure you get all the info.

This will also be a special celebration gig for Temposhark as their brand new single ’The World Does Not Revolve Around You’ comes out in digital stores worldwide in September.

ArjanWrites.com EXCLUSIVE stream of new Temposhark single NOW!

2009-08-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

Temposhark fans! We have good news.

You can stream Temposhark's brand new single 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' at cool USA music blog Arjan Writes (www.arjanwrites.com) NOW!

In the word of Arjan, "'The World Does Not Revolve Around You'" is a fun and energizing straight up pop ditty with its tight, pacing backbeat and super hooky chorus. Get your hands clapping!".

Click here for the direct link: http://tinyurl.com/tempo arjan

Enjoy listening! Album 2 fun starts here.

p.s. Check out this new photo of Robert taken by Charles Moriarty, 5th August 2009.

Number 1 on EQ blog's top 50 tastemaker chart!

2009-08-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Number 1!!!!!!! Yeeehaaahh!!!

I just heard that my new single 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' is currently number 1 on the EQ blog's Top 50 tastemaker chart at www.electroqueer.com

Yay!

R.xx

Update: New single, Frankmusik, Majiker, Diana Vickers, The Good Natured and.... PARIS HILTON!!!

2009-08-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's me. I'm back. Back to the world of blogging.

Hi gang,

How are you all? (You can actually let me know at www.twitter.com/temposhark if you like!)

I'm good good good. Sorry I've not written sooner, it's all been non-stop since I last wrote. I did some song writing with Diana Vickers and Guy Sigsworth. I wrote a cool dance song with Neil Athale for a female popstar, and yesterday I went out of London and wrote a new duet with The Good Natured. Gonna be good! I also had lots of fun last weekend hanging out with Vince aka Frankmusik, there's some photos up on my Facebook and I've put one here:

Frankmusik and Temposhark, July 2009.

I've been busy getting stuff together for the first single to be taken from Temposhark album 2. You probably know by now that the single is called 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' and comes out on Monday 14th September 2009 worldwide as a digital 2-track single, with a lovely b-side remix of another song 'Threads' by the wonderous Majiker. If you don't know Majiker already, he co-produced French superstar Camille's albums 'Le Fil' and 'Music Hole' and has just released his own debut album too! He rules my heart and it was a joy to collaborate with him. You can listen to clips from the new single, it's already listed on Amazon.co.uk: http://twurl.nl/pp8z6n and on Amazon.com http://twurl.nl/63255j

My second Temposhark album will come out in early 2010... BUT for those who are impatient to hear new songs, the good news is that there will be another single before that, which comes out in early November 2009 - again with some cool dance remixes. I did some photos last month for the album cover which is exciting, all coming together, we have the concept all ready to go, yeeehaah!

ALSO, I meant to tell you a few weeks ago, that 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You', along with a few other new songs, are going to be featured on the new Paris Hilton series 'My New BFF' (season 2) in the USA in the coming weeks, which is fun! On top of the Paris Hilton show, some of our new music is also going to be used on these US shows, most of which are on MTV USA I'm told, all coming out very soon:

The Stylist

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (debuting August 2009)

The Real World

Road Rules (including Extreme Challenge)

The Bad Girls Club (Oxygen Network)

Thanks to everyone who came to see our recent live gigs in London. We had some very nice emails and reviews including this one from Electroqueer music blog.

Keep any eye on MySpace for news of gigs... and also you can chat about all things Temposhark at the new Forum at www.temposhark.com

Love to you all, R.x
p.s. check out this painting below of me by artist Sunci! Fun eh?

Robert Temposhark painted by artist Sunci, July 2009.

"More"

2009-05-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

The video shoots went off with a bang. Check out this photo from the first shoot for 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You'. It looks like the single will come out in September so not long now. In the meantime, check out the holding page with a brand new forum and shop at www.temposhark.co.uk

Me on set for 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You' video.

I did a gig this week at Worthless, a gallery exhibition space inspired by the downfall of Woolworths, set up by the team behind cool website Pollocks. It was a stripped back gig, just me and Leila singing with keyboards. We did a mixture of new and old songs, I even played 'Don't Mess With Me' on the piano at the end.

The Worthless exhibition where we played live this week.

Last night I was at Tracey Emin's beautiful new exhibition, we had an incredible dinner to celebrate at The Albermarle restaurant in Brown's hotel. Mark Hix rules, it's his new restaurant! The whole evening was very glamorous! Nice to catch up with my mates and dance the night away at Tracey's studio afterwards too.

One of Tracey's neon works on the wall at her studio party.

Tonight (Fri 29th May) we're doing a full band gig at EQ blog's club night at Underbelly, Hoxton Square. It's free to get in so see you there.

R.x

BE IN OUR VIDEO THIS WEEKEND!

2009-05-12T10:54:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

If you'd like to be in the new Temposhark video for "The World Does Not Revolve Around You" on Saturday, and you live in London or the UK and can travel to London, we need about 40 or more people to be extras.

If YOU wanna come join our party then we'd need you between 10am and 7pm on Saturday 16th May in an East London location.

Some of you might be able to leave earlier - possibly around 4pm or 5pm. But we're saying 7pm just in case it overruns.

We're looking for all different kinds of people, both male and female, who can dress up, be glamorous and be 'party' extras in the shoot?

We like the idea of glitter and dressing up as if you were going out on a fun party night! But to be honest, you don't have to dress up if you don't want to, the more the merrier.

Also you are able to dress up at the venue on arrival if you prefer to do this.

ALSO IF YOUR OUTFIT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE, YOU MIGHT EVEN BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BE A PROPER CAMEO IN THE VIDEO! We have a VERY special guest who will be in the video with us, so this is your chance to SHINE! :)

Does this sound like something you could do? Or someone you know?

If yes, please email temposhark@gmail.com if you're interested WITH A PHOTO and a link to your myspace or facebook if possible.

Sadly we cannot pay for any travel expenses, but we will provide drinks and some food at the shoot.

R.x

2 new song clips up today at MySpace! :)

2009-05-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

I've just uploaded 2 brand new song clips for you to hear, taken from my second Temposhark album, out later this year! Hear them now at MYSPACE.

The songs are: 'Bye Bye Baby' and 'The World Does Not Revolve Around You'. Enjoy! :)

We've got a gig in London coming up this week, hope to see you at Bar Music Hall on Thursday night, it's FREE get in and we are on early at 8.30pm SHARP.

Love Rob.xx

Cookham Festival ticket winners announced

2009-04-29T09:21:00.001-07:00

The three winners of a pair of adult tickets to Monday's Cookham Festival 2009 have been chosen. The winners are:

1. Hassan Harb

2. Alex Doherty

3. Michael Infinity

Congratulations! We have emailed all 3 of you with details of the event and how we will get your tickets to you.

Thanks to everyone who came to Temposhark's gig in London last night, it was amazing fun to play the new tracks. See you all the next gigs.

Rob.x

Live in London Tuesday 28th April 2009

2009-04-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

Hi gang,

Temposhark perform live in London next Tuesday 28th April 2009 at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen. 2-4 Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1 6NU.

Please note: We're on stage at 8pm sharp and will be performing a 30 minute set including 6 songs from my second album (to be released later this year).

To get your name on the cheaper entry guestlist please email: temposhark@gmail.com

If you can't make next Tuesday's gig, we're also performing a few more London gigs during May and June, to see dates visit: http://www.myspace.com/temposhark

In other news, my brand new website will be coming in June. In the meantime there's a new webshop which is now live: http://temposhark.bigcartel.com

This store accepts Paypal and although priced in UK Pounds, your Paypal will automatically convert into your own currency once you pay. So anyone from anywhere in the world can buy Temposhark CDs and Merch! :)

Finally, if you are using Twitter, you can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/temposhark

Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the gigs!

Rob.x

Win tickets to the Cookham Festival - 4th May 2009.

2009-04-09T05:32:00.001-07:00

Temposhark.com have 3 pairs of adult tickets for the Cookham Festival 2009 concert (each ticket is worth £15 each) to give away in a competition!

To be in with a chance of winning one of the 3 pairs, send an email to temposhark@gmail.com
with Cookham Competition in the subject line and the answer to the following (easy peasy) question in the body of the email message:

What was the name of Temposhark's debut 2008 album?

Good luck! COMPETITION CLOSES ON MONDAY 27th APRIL. The 3 winners will be announced that day (Winners must pay for your own travel/accomodation to the festival, we only offer free tickets, no expenses). For more info on Cookham Festival visit: http://rockthemoor.blogspot.com/

In other news, I am re-launching Temposhark.com next week, starting off with a little holding page which will eventually grown into a brand new website! This will include a new forum for all our supporters to hang out and chat! :)

Plus, our next live London gig (with new keyboard player Leila MacFie) is on Tues 28th April in Hoxton Bar and Kitchen venue at 8pm, it's the first slot so be there EARLY! We will be performing 6 brand new songs from my forthcoming second album.

Love to you all.
Rob.xx

"He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)"

2009-04-08T15:09:00.001-07:00

Hi gang,

Hope you're all fighting fit! I certainly am... considering that I'm now boxing every week!

Yes you heard right, I'M A BOXER and I'm loving it!! It's so much more fun than other exercise as it's more intellectually stimulating in a way - I love how focused it makes me... so wish me luck. :)

Monday and Tuesday this week I was in a London rehearsal room with Mark, Mathis and new Temposhark keyboard player Leila MacFie.

Leila is SO cool - you're going to love her. She's a mean keyboard-player and has wicked style to boot! She's already brought a big ray of sunshine to the rehearsals.

Sean joined us to guide us musically and help set up the computer side of it. We're going to perform 6 brand new songs at the forthcoming London gigs, along with 'Blame' from the last album. So it's an exciting time, and really refreshing to perform the new songs for the first time.

I've also been preparing clothes and ideas for the Album 2 photoshoot. Tom Lardner and I are heading into a studio early next week to do all the new shots with Morten Laursen (the photographer who did 'The Invisible Line' b&w photos). Plus keep an eye on www.temposhark.com as a new holding page will be going live in the coming week. I've decided to re-launch the whole website with help from my friends at Eskimopush. Hopefully it won't take too long to build... I reckon it'll be done by mid-May at the latest.

I've already built a new online shop. I'm very proud of it right now as I made it all by myself! That's right, I'm a shop-keeper now too. ;) Check it now, this is a little exclusive for y'all! http://temposhark.bigcartel.com

I bought loads of new music this week - the new albums by Bat For Lashes, PJ Harvey, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Antony & The Johnsons, Majiker and even Ciara's new single to name a few things... there is a lot of great music out there... so don't let anyone tell you otherwise! :)

So that's pretty much my week so far. I'll write very soon. If you use Twitter then you can follow me there... I've started regularly updating it, so it's the best way to find out what's new.

Kisses to you all from the boxing shop-keeper... night night... :)
R.xx

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Unbelievable!

2009-04-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Another me in a Sicibom painting!

I'll update you properly tomorrow with everything I've been up to over the past month! I'm also hoping to upload another video from the final mixing sessions we did last month with Andy Bradfield... ;)

For now, here's a new painting I was sent by Sicibom from China, who last year sent me a painting of my face (see http://temposhark.blogspot.com/2008/11/nobody-knows-me-like-you-know-me.html) - this time Sicibom has created a whole world for the painted-me to be... I love it, hope you do too! Here's to creativity!

R.xx

"I've Seen The Future, Baby"

2009-03-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hello gang!

Wow. So I haven't updated the blog in what seems like forever.

Here's a quick catch up. Sean and I have finished the recording and mixing of 11 new songs for my new album... Temposhark album 2!

We spent a few days at the end of last week tweaking everything and went to Andy Bradfield's studio in West London for a few days to give our feedback on his mixes and edit them to make them all sound perfect.

It's got to that funny point at the end of an album when both Sean and I can hardly tell what we think anymore of the record as we've heard it so many times now! But fear not - we know it's great and that you're going to love it! But we can't work out what track order to choose yet... so I decided to get out of the UK for a few days and am currently enjoying a short break in the sun, well not exactly sun - some sun, some rain and mainly lots of chilly breeze! But it's been a big relief for me to get away from both London and the songs for a few days. :)

We had loads of meetings over the past couple of weeks with all kinds of cool music industry people; it's been great to hear people's thoughts, see their reactions as we play songs and find out which ones they think are singles, the strongest tracks and all that!

I also hung out with my long-term design collaborator Tom Lardner and artist Julie Verhoeven who are both hard at work coming up with ideas for the album art work... and I've been in discussions again with my mate Ben Charles Edwards who is a great new film-maker about possible videos ideas. We were originally going to make a video to a song 'Joy' from my last album but we ended up deciding to wait and to make a few for this new album instead... we already have some great ideas! Ben made a film recently which was screened on MySpace called The Town That Boars Me - it features the acting talents of some of his mates like Kelly Osborne, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Sadie Frost to name a few... it really caught my eye when I saw it at the Notting Hill Film Festival last year, so I'm excited to collaborate with Ben.

Anyway, I had better get back to my 'holiday'... :)

I'll write soon...

R.xx

"Fashion, Turn To The Left"

2009-02-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

I met up with Tom today who is art directing the new album sleeve.

We had a long, animated chat which lasted a good hour or so, looking at some boards of images he'd put together for me, and working out what what we both want to do........ and the exciting news is that we're hoping to do the main photo shoot before the end of February. Cool!!!

It was really exciting to see how enthusiastic he is about the new songs... he's one of the only people who has heard any of the new songs so far! It was also an amazing feeling to realise that soon there will be a front cover, a finished product which will become the roof over these 11 new songs... it's exciting knowing the time will soon come when we're able to share all these tracks.

The mixes are all coming together now, it's sounding really sharp and fresh and thrilling to know we're almost there......................

Night night.
R.xxx

"Say I'm Sorry"

2009-01-30T03:36:00.000-08:00

Twitter!!

Hi gang,

I've spent the past few days singing, very gently, on the penultimate track for the second album... I can't believe there's only one more song left to sing now! We're so almost there!!!! WOOHOO!!!

And try again... ;)

I just revealed to the followers on Twitter that the song we're doing today is called 'Say I'm Sorry'... it's one the most chilled out tracks on this album; I love the electronic beats Sean made for it. They're pretty much the same as the original demo version we did during the song writing process, something magical happened that day. When Sophie Solomon was over a few weeks ago, she played some beautiful violin parts too which have made it even more special.

This morning Sean was singing some backing vocals which sound absolutely amazing, spellbinding. Since then he's been tinkling on the keyboard and also got his guitar off the wall to play... I've just filmed a bit for my next post, but for now here's a photo.

Sean playing guitar on 'Say I'm Sorry'.

Back to the subject of Twitter, I've been a member of it for ages, but have only just started to update it more regularly... it's fun! You can sign up and follow us at: http://twitter.com/temposhark

More soon,

R.xx

"You And Me Are Irresistable"

2009-01-24T08:51:00.001-08:00

Last night, Sean and I listened back to our new song 'Irresistable' and suddenly decided we'd like to get some female voices to sing with me in the choruses.

Considering we have to finish this track by Monday at the latest, we were a little like "AHHH!!".

To top it all off, I broke my iPhone last week so am waiting for it to arrive back. I therefore had hardly any numbers in this old phone I'm using; plus the battery decided to die just at the exact moment I wanted to start calling some friends...

So Facebook it was. I posted a message on my Facebook profile and what do you know? This morning we had 3 friends of mine: Gemma, Jana and Susanna!

The trio arrived bright and early on this Saturday morning to sing loudly - a bit like football team hooligan supporters!

THEN at 2pm, another four friends arrived: Lea, Jasmin, Bonnie and Ilana! It was brilliant!

Some of you may recognise Jasmin as she was actually a member of Temposhark in 2005, back when it was all beginning! We've stayed friends and I've been to see her band Zoot Woman perform live recently which was awesome. She rules! So it was a pleasure to have her back to sing on this song. :)

Today was AMAZING, so much fun. Here are two videos we filmed for you today!

Part one:

Part two:

More soon...

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!!

R.xx

"And now, the end is near"

2009-01-22T05:01:00.000-08:00

This week has been productive, the album is getting closer and closer to completion. Paul Stroud, who did some of the string and orchestral arrangements on the first Temposhark album, came over. He played trumpet and trombone onto one of the faster tracks, which has added an extra depth... plus we all stood around a stereo microphone set up to sing and scream the chorus! It sounds wicked.

That same day we went over to Simon from The Gadsden's house and ran through the final track for the album, which is a piano and voice track. I've loved The Gadsdens music for well over a year now, and saw them play live last week in London which really lifted my spirits.

I love the way Simon plays piano; he has such a unique way of playing... I can always tell its him as soon as one of their songs starts. It's amazing to be working with him for this song; it's a sad track about a friend that died and the piano arrangment Simon has come up with is perfectly suited.

Sean and I also realised that this new album is a bit more full-on than the first album in many ways, so it's good to have this one at the end to give a sense of space.

Yesterday we returned to Cookham and GOOD NEWS! The first 4 tracks for this album are now finished, we have final mixes! WOOHOO!! They sound beautiful. I'm thrilled... and it's beginning to feel really exciting; at long last we're going to have a new album! I can't wait to share it with you.

Here's a clip from yesterday:

More soon,
R.xx

"I don't think you understand, I'm your biggest fan"

2009-01-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

We've had an amazing 3 days in Cookham, mixing at Tufty's. A song a day, and the first three are sounding AMAZING, I'm very very excited... the finish line is getting closer and closer.

Next up is going back to London (tonight) and then singing tomorrow. I have a few more vocals to complete in the coming weeks.

We will have one more song for Tufty to mix and three more for Andy Bradfield to mix! And Sean is mixing the remaining ones. I can't believe we're almost there, album two!!!!!

I can't wait to start sharing clips with you on MySpace............

Here's a little video I shot for you this afternoon, and check out the world's two biggest Temposhark fans at the end of the clip! Plus we've reveal two more song titles from the new album, one is called 'Threads' and the other is the last song we wrote for the album, 'Frames':

More soon.......
R.xxx

"It's The End Of The Party, And The Morning Seems So Grey"

2009-01-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

Happy new year everyone.

We start recording again tomorrow! I'll be singing my heart out all day. :)

R.xx

"Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening?"

2008-12-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost here... I always love Christmas Eve, I like the excitement and everyone rushing around... a dear friend of mine gave me this stocking the other night, with my name on it! So sweet! So I'm very excited to open it tomorrow morning!

Get those presents wrapped!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! xxxxx

Lots of love,
R.xx

"I wrapped it up and sent it with a note"

2008-12-22T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hi gang,

We've begun our Christmas break as of today... it's been a mad few weeks - go go go go go!!! So we're now taking a short time off to rest up and re-energise out batteries in time for Jan, which is when we finish all the vocals and mixing! The new songs are sounding AMAZING and I know you are going to love it. I was listening to all the work we've done this far on my tube journey and it's very exciting... :)

As a little farewell until January, we made this little video clip for you at lunch today! I will try my best to update the blog over the coming week too, but otherwise we are officially back in the studio early January! Thank you for listening in 2008, it was another wicked year for Temposhark and I can't wait to share this new music with you!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and holiday season... and all the best for 2009. It's going to be an exciting year for all of us!!! Love to you all,
Rob.xx

"I'm s s s sorry"

2008-12-18T14:57:00.000-08:00

Sean and I are so so so so sorry!!!! We've been working so hard in the studio that we've not even had a spare second to write the blog... I have been singing my heart out over the past few days. Today we did loads of backing vocals which was fun too, they sound immense!

Anyhow... to prove there's been lots going on in Temposhark-land, check out this video clip from ITN music news in the UK, that I filmed with Mark the other day in London! Hopefully this will make up for our not blogging of late...

Also we want to send a very HAPPY HOLIDAY wish to all of you.... may all your dreams and hopes come true in 2009....

Love loads, Rob.xx

"Once Again I Made It Back"

2008-12-09T10:27:00.001-08:00

We're back... hello hello!

Sorry there's been no updates, I've been singing most days which meant we were unable to film because Sean is focused on recording my voice, while I sing... but I hope we'll get some vocal footage soon... ;)

To catch up on where we're at watch this video which I made earlier for you:

More soon...

R.xx

"Green Lights Up Ahead"

2008-11-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing day at the studio yesterday with Sophie Solomon, the genius violinist!

Soph plays violin solos on two tracks on our new Temposhark album as well as singing some backing vocals with me and Sean! All sounding GREAT!

Check out this video to hear a sneak preview of her violin parts and also to discover the name of one of our new album tracks, as leaked by Ms. Solomon mid-interview, ha!:

In other album news - I have begun singing vocals for all the album tracks... going well so far... more news soon!!!

R.xx

"Nobody Knows Me Like You Know Me"

2008-11-16T03:27:00.000-08:00

Thursday and Friday were brilliant. We marched ahead with the first single, which now has all kinds of wonderful noises, it's really bouncy and I can't help but laugh because the lyrics are so bitchy, but in a nice way, if that's possible. :) I'm really excited for you all to hear it!

You may wonder why no blog updates. Well I'm currently in bed with a stinking cold, so I'm fighting it off in order to begin singing next week. I blame it on the underground, I think traveling daily on London tubes right now is like inviting all germs to come and stay, with big open arms like 'Come on cold, come hang out with me!'.

Anyway, it's not all bad. Check out this painting which was emailed to the blog on Friday by a very talented Temposhark fan in China. Yes China! So a big thank you to Sicibom! Your painting has really lifted my spirits, and it's really cool to know that you're listening to my music all the way on the other side of the world. :) Life is good.

Check it out! It's me via the very colourful eyes of Sicibom!

Have a good Sunday everyone, and with a little luck, Sean and I will be back to work tomorrow. R.xx

"Hit Me With One Of Those Funky Basslines!"

2008-11-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello gang, we're back...

Yesterday we were working on the first single for the album, it's a really catchy, fun song - I'm really happy with the new sonic additions.

And today Mark's been here at the studio to play bass on that track, and also another slower one. Hadn't seen Mark for a while as he's been in Israel touring. Good Mark!

Oh and I've somehow managed to get my cold back having just recovered last week, argh! But as I start singing on Monday for most of the album tracks, I'm doing my best to recover quickly. All in all, I'm feeling particularly cranky today.

Anyway, check out this video we just filmed, sorry if it's a bit darker than usual but it is quite late now and the lights were dim:

"It's, Oh, So Quiet"

2008-11-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

It's strangely quiet in the studio today while Sean edits the drums recordings from earlier this week! Although it's a pretty silent process, it's luckily still very colourful...

"We Missed You Hissed The Lovecats"

2008-11-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Sean and I are back in the London studio now, with Sean hard at work editing all the drum recordings from the past 3 days spent in Cookham.

Here's one final clip from Cookham, this is me yesterday morning with the coolest cat in the universe, Newbie. Oh and listen out for a sneak preview of one of our new album tracks at the end of this clip:

In response to a number of emails about the previous blog dated November 5th titled "Music Can Be Such A Revelation", yes you are all correct... the fish in the studio screen-saver are in fact Clown Fish, not Gold Fish nor Angel Fish as Sean so smugly corrected me during the video clip! Ha! Just like Finding Nemo!

R.xx

"Pack Your S**t And Get The Hell Out"

2008-11-06T12:58:00.001-08:00

Our final drum recording day is over in Cookham, but here's one more clip for you:

"If You Believed They Put A Man On The Moon"

2008-11-06T04:49:00.000-08:00

Exclusive: I have landed on the moon!

Er... OK, so I'm actually in the Cookham studio garden, with two chickens, but I'm not that far off as the chickens are from space. Durr.

This is the proof - filmed for you earlier this morning:

"Music Can Be Such A Revelation"

2008-11-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

As promised, here's a little video from the recording we're doing here in Cookham.

This is Mathis warming up before recording his drum parts for the title song from our new album... Good Mathis!!! :)

Check it out:

And our Cookham progress update so far: we've now recorded drums for 3 whole tracks! Woohoo! Two more songs to complete tomorrow, then all done for Mr Richet's magic drum kit.

I'll write tomorrow, hopefully with a fascinating video clip of me on the moon, well almost... you'll see!

R.xx

"Eric B For President"

2008-11-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Hello, we're in a different studio for 3 days!

We've driven down to Berkshire. We're in a place called Cookham which is really near to where I grew up when I was a kid funnily enough! It feels lovely to be back here.

We're lucky to be working with a great mixer and producer called Tufty and it's been so much fun so far! He has a great spirit, and always have a very joke to tell us. Mathis has been playing like the demon that he is! The first two tracks are completed now, so three more to do over the next two remaining days... woohoo! The real drums are SO incredible on these songs, they've giving the tracks a breath of new life. Really lifting them up. Sean and I are getting very over excited. I'm filming lots today, so look out for a video coming up next!

Ooh, I'm loving the screen saver!

I'm also particularly happy for the USA today. Great news that Obama won the election. I stayed up as long as I could last night, finally went to bed at 3.30am UK time just after he had won Ohio... it was clear by then that he would be the 44th president. Congratulations to all our friends in the USA for this historic change. The future is bright.

"And The Drums, The Drums, The Drums"

2008-11-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

Mr Richet doing what he does best.

Today we headed over to our west London rehearsal rooms to rehearse 5 of the new songs which Mathis will be drumming on this coming Tues, Wed and Thurs in Berkshire. Sean ran through each track with Mathis working out what's needed and how we want it to sound. I got more and more excited as it went on, hearing these 5 songs loud in the rehearsal room, and with Mr Richet on live drums, was so exciting... I can really feel the album coming to life! Woohoo!

Bang!

We'll be back at Sean's studio tomorrow preparing the 5 backing tracks for the live drum recordings... :)

R.xx

"And Now You Hang Your Life In Frames, And It Moves Me"

2008-11-01T06:33:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

November has arrived and we're happy.

Track 4 is coming along REALLY well now, I'm thrilled with it. Sean has been hard at work on the production for the track. Not only is it probably the most epic track we've done on this album, but it also feels a bit like a Bond track, I could imagine 007 catching an evil villain to this one! Maybe one day! Ha ha... I always think it's good to have BIG dreams...

Here's a little clip of Sean adding some guitar this morning onto the last section of this new song for you to enjoy:

I spent the whole of Tuesday writing words to another song for the album. It was half written, I'd started it a while back in the middle of the night. It's a very personal, deeply emotional song, so it was quite tough on the emotions to pick up from where I'd left it all those months ago - but it feels good to know that it's now completed. We're thinking it could end up as the closing track on the album. We'll see.

By the way, when the album is released, some of you may spot that the lyrics to Track 4 were inspired by art... this is partly because on Wednesday and Thursday, I was in Edinburgh with Tracey Emin and some friends, which was the most amazing trip I think I've ever had (and the main reason why I'd not updated this blog sooner).

Edinburgh is an incredible place, I feel really connected with it now, and am looking forward to future Scottish trips to get to know Scotland better. Not only are the local people really cool, AND THEY SMILE A LOT in comparison to us Londoners, but the actual spirit of the place itself - the architecture, their galleries, and their food (especially the fresh fish) is second to none. We did some gigs in Glasgow a few years ago and I have a soft spot for Glasgow too, which is a very different kind of place, grittier, perhaps cooler in a way, with a very unique spirit.

Luckily for me, I saw Tracey's show two more times during this Edinburgh visit, which once again lifted my soul to new heights. It closes on November 9th, so if you've got time this week GO SEE IT! Click here for more information. And if you can't make the trip to Scotland, it will be travelling next to Malaga in Spain and then on to Bern in Switzerland so if you happen to live near those cities I know you'll enjoy the exhibition. Otherwise, I recommend you buy the accompanying book as it's a great insight into 20 years of Tracey's art.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we're rehearsing in west London with Mathis as 3 days next week we're heading to a recording studio in Berkshire where we're going to record Mathis' live drums for 5 songs from this new album. VERY excited! More updates soon...

R.xx

"Today Is A Birthday"

2008-10-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday today... woohoo! Thanks for all the kind messages on MySpace and Facebook! xxx

"They Would Not Listen; They Did Not Know How"

2008-10-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

We've been writing a brand new song over the past few days. Today we're finishing the lyrics and on the train here this morning I really enjoyed listening to the demo on my phone. It sounding very different to the other songs, and I don't think we've really done a song like this before. It's got a laid back big bass groove, it reminds me of summer.

So it's an unexpected direction, which should add something different to the album as a whole. We've been playing with some different lyrical approaches too, trying to make this less about a direct relationship and broader, looking at life from a larger scale I guess.

Lights Of My Life!
(no instruments were harmed during in the taking of this photo)

We had some good news on Thursday - South by Southwest music festival have invited us to play in Texas in March 2009. Our video to 'Blame' is also going to be screened the week before too at the SXSW Film Festival, so that's great too.

I love SXSW and can't wait to return to Austin, it's got a very different atmosphere to other parts of the USA that we've been to when touring, I think maybe because it's a lot smaller than some of the cities like New York, Chicago or LA for example. We played at SXSW once before in 2007 and it was incredible. I'll always remember coming out on stage and the room was packed, with lots of people at the front singing the words to songs like 'Blame' and 'Not That Big' and I was really shocked. At that point, our first album hadn't even been released. It just proves the power the Internet has in sharing new music super fast.

I imagine some of you reading this might make music yourselves? If yes, then head over to Acid Planet now and download the parts to our song 'Joy'. We've decided to open a remix competition which starts today. I'm excited to hear what you come up with!

I'm 28 tomorrow. Yeehaah!

In other news - it's my birthday in the morning! I'll be 28!! Wow!! And I just found out that the clocks are changing so I get a whole EXTRA HOUR to celebrate... :) I'm having the day off out of the studio and will be celebrating with friends from late afternoon, I can't wait to catch up with everyone.

"Destroy All That Is Keeping You Back"

2008-10-23T03:27:00.000-07:00

Sean McGhee writes the blog: It's been non-stop here at Canonical, although from our not-quite-as-daily-as-we-promised reports, you may think otherwise. Far from it! We've had a couple of tough days with Song 4, which was proving to be hard to get just right. And, so it will remain, because we've decided it's just not right for this record, so off it goes! We gave it a good chance, but in the end Rob felt there were stronger songs on the record that were similarly themed but better expressed. Strangely, it felt like a weight had been lifted - sometimes, you have to be cruel to be kind.

Sean was working very hard when this photo was taken,
hence only being able to see the back of his head.

Where does that leave us, you ask yourself? Far from idle, I answer. We went for lunch, then had a think about writing something new, and came up with something that might just plug the gap. It's only an hour old as I type, but it feels like it's really got something special about it. So, our plan tomorrow is to get it properly knocked into shape so we can decide its future!

What I said the other day about not being precious can be as true for a whole song as it can be for single part. On the way to this album, we wrote an awful lot of songs. Not all of them can be right at the top of the A list, and you have to be brutal when you choose what's going to make it to the final album. We can normally tell quite quickly if an idea is just not strong enough, and cut it loose accordingly. Alternatively, you might labour over a song for a few days only to find that the whole is less than the sum of the parts. And if it's not right, you either have to fix it or let it go!

So, we're a song down, but better to focus on the great moments. Let's see how the newest new song sounds first thing tomorrow...

"Feel Good, Shake It, Shake It, Shake It, Feel Good"

2008-10-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Ah, song 3, how we love you.

Seriously, it's hard not to feel very smug but we've pulled a real blinder with this one. It wasn't a song with an easy start - it began as a deliberate ploy on my part to push Rob in a certain direction to get something a bit faster happening. It worked, too - he came up with a really strong chorus very quickly, and the rest fell into place with the minimum of fuss.

Shh Shake it, Shake it, Got to Shake It, Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture!

Problem was, the music wasn't right. At all. So, what to do? Well, I did what I normally do - improvised. I started throwing a few musical ideas at the song to get it heading down a different road. First off, the bassline changed from a buzzing synth to a cut-up piano. Then some scratchy strings. Suddenly, something clicked. A touch of percussion and some careful layering of drum sounds led to a groove akin to a rowdy marching band. So, how about some brass? In it went - fantastic. And we were away!

I've learned over the years not to be precious about what I do - no matter how great a part might sound, if it's not working in context, you either have to ditch the part or change the context. The latter approach is what we've taken on song 3, as all the parts that I put in at the writing stage are still there, but performed in a very different way.

The only bugbear was the words. We had quite a few strong ideas from our various improvisations. We needed a solid direction, so we brainstormed and figured out what it could be. Great - a concept. But where to start? I was stumped. But then, Rob showed me a very interesting picture of a certain celebrity wearing singular shoes. Hmm.. could there be an idea in that? There was indeed, and, once again, we were off and running.

We did agonize over the words rather, but it was worth it - conceptually, the song makes perfect sense now, as well as having plenty of swagger and attitude. Listening back after Rob had sung the new words in, we knew we had something really special. Amazing how these things creep up on you.

So, song 3 is almost done. Vocals tomorrow, then song 4 (which I've actually already started).

"1 2 3 4, Tell Me That You Love Me More"

2008-10-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

So we continue... and I'm even happier with today's results.

Hope you enjoy the cheerleading. Yes, cheerleading. Who knew. ;)

Warning: the above video contains one rude word (maybe two rude words in fact).

"G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S"

2008-10-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

Another day and another glamorous video clip from us.

Song 3 is proving more and more and more fun... it's turning into a right ol' kick-ass march of a song with a wonky brass band to boot.

Me likes. A lot!

Finger snaps currently appear to be the key to success. Although whether these ones actually make it onto the track remains to be seen!!! Were they just a moment of late night madness??? All will be clear by morning, I'm sure... :)

"FL-FL-FL-FL-FLEX"

2008-10-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

We know. We've not updated the blog since the 10th October. We apologise.

To make up for it, we've made you this video. After you've watched it, I will explain why I've not been blogging. All will resume as of today, so fear not! :)

So what have I been up to? Well, in London this week it's Frieze, a massive art fair which sends the art world into overdrive. This all kicked off on Sunday for me at Tracey Emin's afternoon lunch in east London to celebrate her new Traveling Chess Set. I got to meet Jerry Hall there for the first time who, for the record, RULES!!! And we got to share our lunch with many other amazing people such as Kate Moss, The Kills, Tim Noble & Sue Webster and Kenny Goss...

Then sadly I spent Monday in bed as I had a terrible cold and was determined not to be ill for the rest of this week.

On Tuesday, I returned to Sean's studio and we worked on our new song, which is Song 2, and the mix was completed. The song sounds huge, it's a big hearted slow track but for some reason doesn't feel slow. We were using the word ballad a bit to describe it, but that's a word which seems to confuse people. Either people love that word or they can't stand it. Whatever. It's a ballad as far as we're concerned but not produced to sound like a ballad. Confused? Good.

So that was very exciting. After that we started Song 3... but for some reason we didn't post a blog that day as we finished very late and forgot! I also went out on Tuesday night to the White Cube party in central London with my dear friend Rachel Kneebone and we ate lots of amazing food and I even got to dance beside Lily Allen!

I spent the whole of Wednesday at the Frieze Art Fair in Regent's Park which was incredible, if tiring. I love to see all the different artists work under one roof. It gives an amazing overview of what's going on in the world right now, as there are artists from almost every country in the globe! I discovered two great new artists there yesterday, which is a bonus! I invited my mates Stella Vine, Annie Kevans, Eva Vermandel and Shona to come with me, and we loved every second. In the evening I went to another dinner, this time for USA gallery Lehmann Maupin, at Aspinalls just off Park Lane. Super glamorous, I felt like I was in a James Bond movie, there was even a casino there!

This morning, Thursday, we had a visit from a friend of ours who listened to some of our new music. It was great to be able to play him the songs and hear his encouraging words. It's good to play songs to people as you're going along, so we don't feel like we're in some cave far from the sun! I also enjoyed hearing them played, having had a day out of the studio, as I was almost hearing them with new ears. And the best bit was that I loved what I heard! Phew... ;)

We continued work on Song 3 for the rest of today, as you've probably just seen in the above video. And actually, Sean is now very happy with himself for his keyboard tricks have worked their magic already.

So, all in all, it's been a mind blowing week. And there's more tonight at the ICA. Woohoo!

"Let Me See You Stripped Down To The Bone"

2008-10-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

As you'll hear in a minute from Sean, Song 2 is almost complete! It's got all the parts now, I might just re-sing a few bits in it next week.

Last night I saw Emiliana sing live which was so so so so so incredible. I was still smiling this morning when I woke up! Her show was in a tiny church in Denmark Street, central London, called St Giles' Church. She sang all the songs from her past two albums 'Me And Armini' and 'Fisherman's Woman'. I strongly recommend you buying both of these as YOU NEED THEM IN YOUR LIFE!

The gig was so refreshing and each song she sang gave me a big kick in the stomach - it reminded me why I love making music so much, and why I started writing songs in the first place. Life is good! :)

***

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Getting nervous today, knowing it's now a week since we wrote Song 2 and it isn't quite finished. It's nearly there, though! I spent a lot of today just getting the drums right, and making sure the song sounds consistent all the way through, which is harder than it sounds, especially when you're working piece by piece on a computer. I sometimes envy bands who just set up and go, working it out as a team, but then, I make those records too, and it's rarely that simple.

One of our concepts for this album is to make it brasher and more upfront than "The Invisible Line". Proud as I am of that record, I knew I didn't want to make it again, so I'm trying to approach everything in a faster, less precious way this time around. A quick listen to something like "Blame" on the first album will reveal a lot of detail - and it's brilliant, of course - but it was slow, detailed work, with every section revealing a new sound or texture. I still do that now, of course, but now I want to not use 6 noises when 1 or 2 will do.

I think my experience of drilling the band in the rehearsal room has made me think about this - there is so much happening in songs like "Crime" or "Battleships" that it's hard to make it communicate live without stripping it back. For this album I'm using my best time management skills by putting less in to start with! And so far, so good...

Tomorrow, we take a look at song 3. It needs some help before we can make it shine...right now, it's got a great, great chorus melody but the music going on around it isn't right. We know what it needs, though, so we'll get in there and get it sorted. I'll mix song 2 on Sunday.

Also, here's a clue to the title of song 2 - it features the letter "O". You heard it here first...

"Get The Bow Going, Let It Scream To Me"

2008-10-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today at Temposhark album HQ, it's all about the love of strings:

...oh and some very dodgy camera work! Yes, OK, I admit it. I do probably have the worst camera-skills ever! But this really is how I see the world. :)

"I Think It's Amazing"

2008-10-08T10:06:00.001-07:00

Sean played his accordion on our new track today!!! It was all very exciting because accordions = greatness. :)

One of the tracks on our last album, Not That Big, actually has the very same accordion playing in the background... and it fits perfectly in this new song too!

I filmed this earlier while Sean was recording in some chords:

As you've just heard in the video, Sean LOVES Doctor Who! It's true! He even occasionally puts on an episode when we're eating our lunch. Who knew the recording process could be this exciting... recording music takes me to such magical places, even when we're not recording!!!

Don't get me wrong, I like Doctor Who too - I remember watching it growing up, in fact I think everyone in the UK with a TV must have watched it growing up. But Sean like.... er.... ....LOVES it BIG TIME!!!

YAY FOR DOCTOR WHO!!!!

So there you go... more soon!

xxx

"My Heart Is Beating Like A Jungle Drum"

2008-10-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

Today was all about drums... oh, and a keyboard, which I'll tell you about in a minute.

This morning Mr McGhee started to produce the brand new song we've written, and he focused in particularly on the drum track to get it perfect - as it's the kind of track that is pretty much led by the drum track and the way it relates to the big string lines which are already sounding incredible.

The demo we had from the end of last week had a kind of 80s synth-y-style drum kit and we didn't want it to sound exactly like that, so this meant blending the electronic drums with something a lot more real, and a little grittier...

Anyway, the highlight of my day was when I noticed Sean's baby keyboard sitting in the corner of the room. Sean has been using this little keyboard for most of his life, as he's had for the past 15 years or so, since he was a teenager and he still uses it on a lot of his productions!

Sean and his teenage keyboard. Ah the memories. Ah.

Anyway, I burst into laughter when I saw it, because I suddenly noticed that stuck above the left-hand speaker is a button badge of Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran. This also made me extra excited because I met Nick a few weeks ago and was really, no, REALLY cool! So to find out Sean was inspired by Duran Duran when he was growing up seemed very appropriate! I remember listening to them when I was 5 years old and loving it like crazy. Along with Wham! Ha ha... nice memories.

Nick Rhodes is the man. End of.

I also had another 80s legend on my mind today. Boy George. As I chatted on the phone with my dear friend Zee Asha today who, as well as being a megastar in Chicago in the West End, has also sung with George a number of times, in both his musical Taboo and on tour with his band Culture Club. Zee is amazing, and has the most incredible spirit, she's so encouraging and has this incredible positivity which rubs off on me, and makes me feel renewed... I saw George's documentary the other night when I got home from the studio and I really enjoyed it, hearing him discuss his music and his passion for David Bowie. All good.

More tomorrow...

"One Of Those Days"

2008-10-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sean McGhee writes the blog: It's been one of those days today. Yes, *those* days. It started so well; we knew we wanted to write a new song today, and we knew what sort of thing it was going to be, but somehow it just never happened quite like we hoped it would.

I spent a while referencing tracks, trying to get some ideas going, and then started three different ideas - sadly, two of them were rubbish, so they got ditched pretty quickly. The third one was going pretty well, until Rob pointed out some pretty obvious problems with it (i.e. some of it was a bit monotonous), so I went back to the drawing board and retooled it a bit. Finally, we got it sounding interesting, and Rob picked up the mic to sing.

And...

Well, like I said, it was one of those days. So, we packed up and moved on sharpish! Rob has taken the idea away as an mp3 so he can think it over, but we've decided that unless he has a 4am lighting strike of inspiration, we'll put it to one side for the moment.

So, what will we do instead? Well, next order of business is to start producing the new song we wrote at the end of last week. It's a thing of slowly unfolding melancholy grandeur, and we're both delighted with it. The direction it's going to take is already quite clear - we put quite a bit of music in as we were writing it - and I'm looking forward to getting it finished. There's nothing worse than something you've written being only half-done, so here's to getting it done and dusted!

"I've Got The Power"

2008-10-05T12:23:00.001-07:00

This morning, my alarm went off at 5.30am to get me out of bed in time for our sound check for our live gig at Sony Ericsson's 'Run To The Beat' marathon.

I picked up Mark at 6.45am and we drove down to Greenwich where our stage awaited. We performed for a whole hour, as thousands of runners ran by! We were filmed by Channel 4, so keep an eye out for the documentary later this month.

Even though it was raining quite a bit, we had a real laugh - I will always remember doing our soundcheck at 8.30am and watching loads of people peering out of their front doors looking VERY confused as to what was going on - it's the first time we've woken up a whole street with our music!

Mark filmed this video clip before our soundcheck. I'd just discovered this random luminous yellow sign and our sound man selected the PERFECT song to play whilst testing the speaker system! Check out the AMAZING passersby who decide they wanted a photo, gotta love them!!! If you've seen any of our previous Podcasts, then some of you may remember I've danced to this song once or twice before:

Sean and I finished writing and recording vocals for the new song on Friday and Saturday, and it's already sounding powerful at this early stage. I played it to the lads this morning before we went on stage, it's definitely the emotional heart of the new album...

Back to Canonical tomorrow for more recording...

"Out Of Nowhere It Appeared"

2008-10-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Change of plan today! Sean and I started the day off by spending an hour discussing all the songs we had so far, deciding a definite shortlist for the album out of all the many new songs we've got, and ended up choosing 12 or 13 which we're calling the A-List!

But on looking at the resulting A-list, we felt there were 2 types of songs missing - one killer slow track, with anthemic heart-breaking chorus, and a harsher rockier track, you know the kind of one where I get MEGA FURIOUS... ha ha... so we decided to take a day to write the former. AND WE DID IT! Out of nowhere, we now have written that missing anthemic slow track...

We also decided which songs were going to have real live drums recorded for, as played by the ever-fantastic Mathis Richet, and which ones will have real bass, but for this album not played by Sean himself, it will be performed by the rather marvellous Mark Ferguson. Plus we've invited Sophie Solomon, the legend that she is, to perform some proper-violin-solos for us on a few songs, the quality of which only she is capable!

How unexpected! We wrote a new song! A whole song! Well, almost whole...

So.... we have the plan. The masterplan in fact. And it's shaping up very well, even if I do say so myself.... Muhahahaaaahh!!!

And it's days like today that make me happiest; whenever you get to write a brilliant song that takes you completely by surprise, it makes everything seem INCREDIBLE and like I am the luckiest man alive.

I'm off now to cook some dinner, and then I want to try and write lyrics for the second verse of our new triumphant track! Night night

xxx

p.s. Sean isn't blogging with us tonight as he's having a night off to party with his mates in London town! See you bright and early tomorrow morning Sean! BRIGHT AND EARLY!!! :)

"Play It On Your Speakerphone"

2008-10-01T14:21:00.001-07:00

October is here... which means it's my birthday VERY soon!! Not that I'm trying to throw you all a hint or anything!!!???!!!

Today was another busy one... and *drum roll* - Song 1 is now complete and sounding HOT! I'm very happy - it was just a case of adding some special touches today, a little fine tuning...

I had to leave studio at 4.30pm to go to a band rehearsal on the other side of London for our gig on Sunday for the marathon event. I played Song 1 in my iPhone on the tube journey and then again in my car a few times on way back from rehearsal and it sounded great so we're definitely there!

I'm very happy it's passed BOTH the iPhone and the car test, as Sean will explain in a minute... this is the KEY to greatness!! :)

Plus, Sean has just emailed me the final edit as an MP3, which kick started the following reaction - me dancing like a mad freak around my flat, as my iPhone blasts out Song 1 on its mini speaker system! It works, it really works!!! :)

I Wanna Dance With Somebody!!!

Band rehearsal tonight was great - hadn't seen the lads for a little while so was cool to catch up... at first it felt a tiny bit mad to suddenly be singing all the songs off our first album, as my head is now so into the future and the new album, but it was good as it reminded me where I was and where I am now... the new music is definitely a step forward, and I'm feeling energized by the new developments musically... and I can't wait to get going with Song 2 tomorrow morning!

Mathis on drums.

Mark Ferguson, at tonight's rehearsal.

Luke Juby and his keys.

And my rehearsal mic, tonight.

***

Sean McGhee writes the blog: "I like tall speakers, I like small speakers". Thus spake Cliff Richard in the inestimably wonderful "Wired For Sound", and how right he was. People listen to music everywhere and on anything nowadays - hi-fi, lo-fi, no-fi - so it's important that to ensure our songs will work well on pretty much any speaker. Genelec speakers are my monitors of choice and they deliver a good sonic picture overall.

Wow, it's a speaker! An actual speaker!

But mixing on one set of speakers isn't enough. Piling into a car to check out a mix is a well-worn trick, and we did that plenty of times on "The Invisible Line" - the trick is to try and get the bass so deep that the car starts spontaneously bouncing up and down like in a hip-hop video. But now we've got to deal with laptops, iPods... even phones. How can we ensure maximum listening pleasure for all?

With all this in mind, visitors to Canonical this morning would have been treated to the sight of me bouncing around the studio whilst listening to a rough mix of Song 1 on my mobile phone. It seems ludicrous that I want my fantastically funky, layered mixes to work just as well on a crappy little phone, but I have to be realistic about how people will listen to the record when it's done.

McGhee's magic mobile!

In the old days (i.e. the 1990s), the speaker of choice for this job was an unassuming square brown box called an Auratone. More commonly referred to as Horrortone, they were designed to emulate a crappy AM radio speaker, so you'd have one to listen to the mix in mono. They were nasty, but if your mix sounded great on one of those, you knew you'd nailed it.

So, the phone is just the modern equivalent. Happily, Song 1 is now sounding rocking on phones, computers, cars and headphones. Now, I wonder what it would sound like on heavy rotation...? :)

Song 2 tomorrow. Very excited!

"Sticky And Sweet"

2008-10-01T05:17:00.001-07:00

I have no choice but to interrupt the seriousness of our recording blog to bring you a NEWS FLASH!!!

*****STUDIO SWEETS ALERT*****

This is serious!

Last night when I got home from recording, I found a letter had arrived from my dear friend Rachel Kneebone (who incidentally is one of the MOST AMAZING artists you will ever come across in your life!!).

Well, well, well... Rachel has once again achieved total greatness by posting me what is very probably THE BEST LETTER I'VE EVER RECEIVED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Fact Of The Week: this is very possibly THE best letter Rob has ever been sent!

YES!!!! YES!!!!! RACH SENT ME FRUIT SALADS JUST LIKE WHEN I WAS A KID!!!! I AM LIKE A 5-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF MYSELF RIGHT NOW - NO JOKE!!!!! (I was going to say "I kid you not!" but thought that would be taking this whole thing a bit too far!!!)

CHECK IT OUT: A WHOLE BAG OF FRUIT SALADS!!!

Anyway, you get the general idea. It's fair to say there is a jubilant atmosphere in the studio this morning as I am REVELING IN THE TOTAL GREATNESS THAT IS: FRUIT SALADS!!!!

I HAVE REAL FRUIT SALADS IN MY HAND!!!!

The only downside (not for me) is that Sean is a vegetarian so cannot eat Fruit Salads, well he can but not THESE Fruit Salads as they're not vegetarian friendly... Sorry Sean - life can be hard sometimes.

Reminder to self: SHARE these sweets out with your friends Rob!!!! Unfortunately, these sweets DO NOT have the same nutritional value of an actual Fruit Salad! :)

More from us later! Real work on the album is being done. Promise.

"Clap Your Hands, Clap Those Hands"

2008-09-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Song 1 is sounding HOT... :)

We've recorded lots of hand clapping today which was very amusing, I kept wanting to go 'Woo Yeah!' like a 90s dance record, but something tells me that wouldn't quite work... oh please??? Sean??? Picture it, me going WOOO YEAHAH, WOOO YEAHAAAHH!!!

Actually, Sean just told me that some of my Woo Yeahs actually MADE IT INTO THE TRACK!!!!! OMG!!!!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!!! I AM THE WOO YEAH LEGEND!!!! :)

It's all a blur........ or is it????

***

Sean Mcghee writes the blog: There's nothing more pop than handclaps. It's true. Everything Motown, "We Will Rock You", "Joy" by Temposhark...yes, all the best pop combos end at least one session with bruised hands (I've done this, and more than once.)

But, I hear you ask, what's the secret to good handclaps? Well, it's easy - flamming. Or, in layman's terms, making sure that the people clapping are all slightly out of time with each other. There's nothing worse than getting a bunch of really rhythmic people to stand in front of the mic and asking them to clap - you'll get something so boringly regimented that it'll be unusable. No, what you need is the people who can either fake being a bit rubbish, or those who are genuninely not that great at clapping in time. One of us is the former, and the other the latter, although I couldn't possibly say which one is which. Well, I could, but Rob would slap me, and who can blame him? Bet he'd miss, though.

Anyway, my advice is to put down some flamtastic takes of clap "action" and pop perfection is but a moment away. Here's us glamourously handclapping, earlier :

My favourite claps on any record are probably the ones on Radiohead's "We Suck Young Blood" - a fantastic song, and made even more entertaining by the funereal tempo and death-march handclaps. Radiohead aren't exactly competing with Girls Aloud, mind you.

So, Song 1 approaches a conclusion. I feel like I could spin some great advertising speak now, as it's at least 50% more funky and 100% more satisfying than it was yesterday. We have, however, identified a problem vocal, so we'll be starting tomorrow with some more singing. But we're this close to greatness now...and then it's time for Song 2!

My, my, that's a good photo.

"It's Contagious, What's The Latest?"

2008-09-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hiya!

When I arrived at the studio this morning, Sean and I listened back to yesterday's vocal session and I decided to re-sing two lines in the opening verse, as I wasn't happy with it. It just didn't feel right somehow so we had to get it perfect. Really happy we did as the whole track sounds great now - really in-your-face!!

Sean's been adding in lots of new production today, it's all started to really come to life. It's a lot beefier than the previous demo version, much clearer... In short, I love it sooooo much... and show this by repeatedly doing silly dance moves every time something in the track excites me!

***

A blurry Sean, tonight.

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Ah yes, the eternal problem of how to make the song sound amazing. We've been lucky so far, as almost everything we've written already has enough going on musically to suggest a clear direction for me. Song 1 is no exception; it's built over a very simple groove, so my aim is to make it as big and funky as it can possibly be without adding too many parts.

This is hard, as it means that every tiny detail you add has to be exactly right or the whole thing tumbles to the ground. Fortunately, my groove muse has been hanging out with Timbaland and 80s Prince today, so I've managed to add some cool parts into the track without disrupting its relentless flow. Often I'm trying to add something that's almost invisible - it should make you want to move your body (to the rhythm of love) but without screaming out, "LISTEN TO ME" or, heaven forfend, getting in the way of the vocal! (.....which = a very happy Rob!)

I always work with a "scorched earth" approach; I can tinker around with an idea for a short while, but if I'm not happy it goes in the bin. Partly this is because I don't like flogging a dead horse, but mostly it's because I'm very easily bored. I do feel that making record should be fun (at least some of the time!) because if we don't enjoy it, neither do you. I should be bouncing up and down at the computer or shaking my hips at the keyboard if we're getting it right - and if I'm not, the part goes into the bin and I try something else. Rest assured that you will be spared footage of my dancing... for now...

We think that we should have Song 1 nailed by the end of tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

***

I meant to say earlier, I chatted with Mark, Mathis and Luke today as we're doing a gig on Sunday for Channel 4/Sony Ericsson's event on Sunday, 'Run To The Beat' - it's a half marathon to music, where people run for their chosen charity, and us bands play live as they run by to encourage them. It's a free event so come down to Greenwich and see us perform - a little warning though, we're on VERY early for a Sunday - we're on our own dedicated Temposhark stage (number 6) in the MORNING at 9.55AM during the run!!! :) But we'll rock out as we always do, so it'll be a fun way to wake up for us!

More tomorrow!

R.xxxx

"Sunday Sunday"

2008-09-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Seeing as Rob was talking about songwriting yesterday, I thought I'd continue the theme. The new Temposhark songs were almost all written over the last 12 months or so, in 3 distinct bursts. We set aside time to get together regularly, which was very important - sometimes inspiration strikes when you least expect it, but a slightly regimented approach can work too, because it puts you in the right frame of mind to write.

One approach is for me to come up with a groove idea for Rob. I might spend an hour or two working on an idea for Rob to sing over; anything goes, as long as it's inspiring. Sometimes we'll get the beginnings of a song from his piano jam sessions - one song we've written for the new record started as a long, improvised set of ideas Rob performed at the piano. He brought it to me and I sifted through it until we found a part we liked. We took took this idea as a jumping-off point and wrote a whole new song around it.

As soon as he's ready to sing an idea, I'm ready for him - the handheld mic and his headphones will be set up ready before he arrives, and with just a couple of clicks in Logic, we're off. Often, his first pass through will be full of goodness, and it's a question of finding the great ideas and refining them. You're always looking for the moment when the track stops being a jumble of ideas and starts being a real song - and it regularly happens without you realising.

Canonical, Sunday evening.

There's a lot of passing the microphone back and forth; we'll both throw ideas into the pot. We want the song to be the best it can be, so we're critical and picky about what goes in and what stays out. Often I'll start doing the backing vocal arrangement whilst we're still writing so I can flesh the sound out at an early stage. Lyrically, we take ideas from anywhere - a piece of gibberish buried in a melody idea might suggest an angle, or a story; sometimes Rob has some lyrical ideas he plays with as he sings melody ideas. Once the melody is set, we'll work on the words. Sometimes this takes minutes, and sometimes days. Song 1 was quite a simple one lyrically - the (proper) title came very early on while Rob was improvising, and it was simple enough to extrapolate a lyrical angle from there. A couple of hours work, and we were done.

Of course, once the song is sung for real, things might change - what seemed like a clever piece of alliteration or a flowery way of saying something simple might go straight out the window if it doesn't feel right when it's sung. Rob keeps the worst of my lyrical excesses at bay - if I try to be too clever, he's brilliant at getting a simpler, more direct way of saying the same thing. It works both ways - he knows I'll pull him up sharp on a bad line! I never let a duff lyric go unchecked, so there's often a lot of tapping on the keyboard and frustrated grunting until I'm sure it's the best it can be. And I never ever ever ever ever use rhyming dictionaries. My songs are free of any toast / ghost / most nonsense.

You can't write a great song every day, though. and plenty of songs go into the bin on the way to the final album. A couple of weeks back we had a run of songs which would have been perfect for the end credits of a crap 80s teen movie - we managed to escape them.. But the time, the sweat, the swearing, the desperation and the endless Madonna impressions are always worth it - nothing beats that feeling of nailing a good song.

***

Not too much to say after that amazing piece by Sean! We did lots more singing today and managed to COMPLETE all the vocal sections for Song 1! Woohoo! :) It was a good day, hard work paid off... more tomorrow!

I'm going home now to watch the movie Atonement on DVD to wind down... hope it's good.

Putting my shoes back on... going home now... night...

"Home And Dry"

2008-09-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

I was at home today as Sean had to do a writing session with another artist so I got the day off! Back to work tomorrow though, yes it's a Sunday but when we record we forget about the conventional week and work pretty much every day! This means after a few days in the studio, you forget what day it is, and you don't remember any 'days of the week' until the album is completed and you return to the world outside!

Tonight I've been playing the keyboard in my flat. This is where a lot of the Temposhark song ideas come from... when I write alone this is how I do it - really simple, me and a piano. I prefer real pianos but this keyboard is perfect for my London flat as it's not as noisy, I can just put on headphones and disappear... I love it.

Me in my writing room in January 2008, by Stephen Dupont.

Some songs from my last album, like Not That Big, Winter's Coming and It's Better To Have Loved, were written in the middle of the night on this keyboard... at 4am when I'd wake up from my sleep and suddenly need to write! This time round, I've written LOADS of song sketches, verses and choruses, and then taken these to Sean's studio and we've co-written completed songs out of those initial sketches.

It's proved a really fun way to work, but I also really love writing directly over Sean's backing tracks, where he creates a music track - drums, synths or other sounds - which I will then sing over, it's instant, whatever comes into my head. It's good to have different starting points for songs, as these different methods provide different kinds of songs, keeping it interesting.

I get inspired by so many different things. There's never one set way that I'll write a song. Sometimes it's something someone will have said to me, that can give me a song title or a strong lyric... at other times, I'll read a book or be reading about an artist I love, and a phrase will spark off a whole thought process.

A keyboard, earlier.

Othertimes I sit in my lounge, play the piano, and a whole song appears out of nowhere... usually sparked off by an extreme emotional feeling - like if I'm furious with someone it'll all pour out into the song... or if I'm feeling super loved-up, it's the same thing...

I used to stress a lot if I was finding it hard to write a new song, if I felt like a creative block had hit, but I've learnt over the years (I've been writing songs since I was 13) that you just have to relax, and not to beat yourself up too much! The moment I chill out is always when something really great happens...

Sean and I both keep a lyric book too - where we'll jot down lyric ideas, as and when they come to us. As a songwriter, well for us anyway, this is something that becomes part of your everyday life. If I forget to take my book out with me, I usually end up making notes (or even singing into the recorder/answer phone) on my mobile phone - last week I got to grips with the Note Pad on my new iPhone, just in time before I forgot an idea!

I think it's important to write songs as much as I can... I like being productive... and in fact I'm at my most happy when being creative. I may not even realise that it's happening, but if I go for a few weeks without writing, I get into a bad mood! So it's something I need, something I can't live without.

Bottles by Julie Verhoeven.

These awesome bottles were made by my dear friend, the artist and illustrator Julie Verhoeven, and sit right next to my piano and often provide inspiration as they remind me of Julie's world... she's magical and inspiring. I love her! I took these off a table she had decorated at Maureen Paley Gallery's dinner last year at Claridges - it was a very posh night, and when I was leaving I asked Maureen if it was OK to take some souveniers, and she said YES!! :)

***

As I know I'm not going to get much time off until late December, I decided to go into central London this afternoon and walked around for a good 5 hours! I was exhausted by the end of it as I was speed walking, which is a bad habit of mine that my friends will all confirm - I tend to annoy most people walking with me! I'm like 'People I'm walking!' and off I go... ;)

I went to the INCREDIBLE National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, filled with Saturday tourists, I really enjoyed the Love exhibition currently showing. It has one of Tracey's embroidered works in it, and a wicked work by Grayson Perry, a small ceramic sculpture of a rabbit. The whole show was great, and the best bit is it's free to get in, so if you live in London, visit it before Sunday 5th Oct when it close (next Sunday).

I then walked through a sunny Green Park, by Buckingham Palace... I'd never actually walked there before and enjoyed seeing the ponds, really pretty. I arrived after about 40 mins at Tate Britain and saw the new Francis Bacon exhibition. GO SEE IT! Really fascinating. The only thing that annoyed me was that all the paintings were in big frames, behind glass, and I would've enjoyed it much more if they'd been out of the frames... but what a LEGEND!

Funnily enough, Metronomy (who remixed our Temposhark song Not That Big), was doing a live gig at Tate Britain while I was there today, so that was cool too! It reminded me of when we did our own live gig there a while back, nice memories! I'll try and set something up for when our next album comes out, as I love playing in unusual venues!

Anyways, after window shopping for a while, and walking LOTS more, I popped into White Cube and the Royal Academy in Green Park, then I came home and started writing...

Right well that's enough for now, I'll be back at Sean's tomorrow so speak then...

R.xx

"Where You From, How's It Going?"

2008-09-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Comping (short for compiling) is an essential part of recording vocals for almost everyone who makes records. After Rob performs, I chop his vocals up into lines or words and use my comp sheets to navigate through what he's sung. I pick my favourite sections and put them all together. We'll listen through; if one of us isn't happy with something, it's sung again. We very rarely tune any vocals.

Song 1 is more time-consuming than usual as we wrote it at a slower tempo, then decided it was dragging a bit, so we sped it up. Speeding up the music was easy as it was all based on synths and samples, but all the BVs had to be reperformed.

I'm singing quite a lot of backing vocals these days (hi, Alanis fans!) and most of the new songs have got me in there somewhere. I prefer to do the vocals in small sections, looping around a small section of the song and repeatedly singing it again and again. And again. Yes, it's maddening, but it's necessary, and it's always worth the effort.

Don't listen to Rob - it's all about me...

When I know I've got it right, I'll select my favourites, delete the rest, then move on to the next section. After a while, the Logic screen looks like this :

Comp, comp, comp.

Meanwhile, Rob's next door, listening to leaks of Britney Spears' next single. Yes, it's a hard life.

***

Er... actually Sean, I'm not just sat next door listening to Womanizer!!!! Well I am, but I've also been very busy posting the video clip (see below this entry) for all to watch on the wonderful land of YouTube! Incidently, HOW GREAT IS THE NEW BRITNEY SINGLE???!!! Ha ha...

"You got the swagger of a champion", Sean, but the mic is mine!!!

Sean is almost done now with his backing vocals, which means it'll soon be time for me to steal back the microphone from him and sing the last chorus section... I can't wait - well I can actually, I'M STILL WAITING SEAN, stop hogging the mic!!!

Gimme back the mic Sean... I'M WAITING!!!!

"Hello, Is It Me You're Looking For?"

2008-09-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

"Day One, Day One, Start Over Again"

2008-09-25T06:54:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, it's Rob here writing to you from Sean's recording studio in London, and I have some good news: WE HAVE STARTED to record the second Temposhark album today!

Me at Canonical, earlier.

We'll be working on this new record almost every day for the next few months and thought this blog would be a good way to both keep us sane, and let you guys learn more about how we make this album.

Today we've been recording my vocals for.......Song 1! This meant starting off with a vocal warm up, which I really needed today - having just been on holiday for 10 days without singing at all!

***

Sean McGhee writes the blog: Hello, I'm Sean. Welcome to Canonical, my studio.

Rob has done quite a bit of vocal recording with me now, so we're very comfortable with the setup we use. I have a corner of my room set up as a vocal area. It's surrounded by acoustic panels and I use a Reflexion Filter on the mic stand to act as an acoustic "fourth wall". This device kills off any nasty "springy" reverb bouncing back from the walls of the room, so it sounds comfortably dry and well-balanced.

I use a Gefell condenser microphone for Rob's vocal. It sounds clean and warm, but crucially it can take high sound pressure levels, which is very important to get a good sound from Rob, as he sings very loud when he goes for it!

Rob's view from the vocal area - the Gefell mic and the Reflexion Filter.

I used to use a TL Audio Ivory preamp for him, but I now use a Focusrite ISA220, which is a great all-in-one preamp, EQ and compressor. This was an invaluable part of my rig when I worked with Guy Sigsworth, so if it's good enough for Britney and Sugababes, it's good enough for Rob!

A very fuzzy photo of the preamps and the mixer - the blue box is the Focusrite preamp.

We both monitor on headphones when he performs. I have a 4 way headphone amp with 2 mixes available - I either hear what Rob hears or I can set up my own separate mix from the Aux sends on the mini-mixer. In my opinion, all engineers should be forced to be a singer for an hour to realise how critical a good headphone mix is - make the vocalist feel comfortable and they'll deliver at their best.

While Rob sings, I make notes. Here's a comp sheet from today - I number takes and use my own arcane system of symbols to keep track of the best parts of all the performances. Then it's just a case of comping it. Of which, more another time...

A comp sheet, today.