The Opiates (Billie Ray Martin and Robert Solheim) to release debut album
aaamusic | On 25, Aug 2011
Hollywood Under The Knife
Release date: 17 October 2011
Label: Disco Activisto Records
Format: CD/DD
Genre: Dark electronic pop
Distribution: Cargo UK
The Opiates is the latest project from the “queen of electronic soul” Billie Ray Martin, together with Norwegian musician Robert Solheim. Already dubbed by the press as ‘The Carpenters of Electro’, their album ‘Hollywood Under The Knife’ explores paths pioneered by the Chicago house and Detroit techno heroes, (not least Electribe 101), with the aim of taking things forward a step or two. Although Kraftwerk and Yazoo have been mentioned as influences, The Opiates’ unique brand of electronic music is not readily categorised. Theirs is a pursuit without compromise; a rare match of songwriting and cutting-edge beats and bleeps.
Turner Prize winner Wolfgang Tillmans supplies nine previously unseen and unpublished images for the album cover and booklet. Wolfgang Tillmans (famed for his sleeve design & videos for Pet Shop Boys, REM, Goldfrapp…) is a long-time fan of Billie’s work. He has photographed her twice and chose her as ‘most influential woman’ as part of i-D Magazine’s 25th birthday issue and celebrations. For ‘Hollywood Under The Knife’, Wolfgang opened his entire archive and gave The Opiates unprecedented access to choose their favourite images.
An EP entitled ‘Anatomy of a Plastic Girl’ was released in March 2008, accompanied by a much celebrated gig at London’s Rough Trade store, resulting in rave press reviews for both the gig and the EP. In Germany, the song ‘Anatomy of a Plastic Girl’ made it into the Top 20 listeners choice charts when added to the playlist at Radio One.
RAINY DAYS AND REMIXES : EP
Prior to the release of the album comes the digital release of the “Rainy Days and Remixes“ EP on 19 September. The EP includes exclusive remixes of three of the album’s songs by Kim Ann Foxman (Hercules and Love Affair), the legendary Chris and Cosey (Throbbing Gristle) and XHK, plus the single “Rainy Days and Saturdays“.
LIVE:
17.10.11. 6pm – HMV, Oxford Street, London – live performance and signing
TRACKLISTING:
1. Rainy Days and Saturdays
2. I’m Not Simone Choule
3. Candy Coated Crime
4. Anatomy of a Plastic Girl
5. Silent Comes The Nightime (again)
6. Oprah’s Book of the Month Club (part two)
7. Reality TV
8. Jalousies and Jealousies
9. Dinah and the Beautiful Blue
10. Candy Coated Crime (Alternative Version)
