Turning our sights from hit-makers and ground-shakers, this week we take a look at the formation of a new type of music that’s slowly making its way into your ear-holes. London based the Real Tuesday Weld offers up their self-titled “antique-beat” style that’s mixing the likes of early 20th century jazz with electronic beats (it’s also called “electro-swing). The band is set to release its 7th studio album, the Last Werewolf, on the 12th. As Cyrus (the Warriors) and Booker T once asked: “can you dig it!?” Methinks yes.
The Real Tuesday Weld, when not performing, is Stephen Coates, a visual artist turned musician. His albums are fresh collages that seem to both mash and blend exquisitely the sounds of old and new. Coates offered up his first taste of his alias, the Clerkenwell Kid (a character he often refers to in his albums), to the public in 1999 with the release of a few EPs and the band name simply Tuesday Weld (after the actress, but due to legal issues came the addition of “the Real”), demonstrating the depth and creativity that the Real Tuesday Weld had to offer. Come 2001 their first full length album, When Psyche Meets Cupid, hit the stands, offering a hearty helping of what more could be done.
The Clerkenwell Kid takes draws his inspiration from the stories of love and life and the struggles of the person within, but has also gone to his friend and author, Glen Duncan, for source material. The Real Tuesday Weld’s 2004 release of I, Lucifer takes on Duncan’s novel of the same name wherein Lucifer gets another shot at salvation through the possession of a host and ends up falling in love. His new album the Last Werewolf is another Duncan novel, released in April of this year, which is to have a backing soundtrack. Coates’ delivery of the themes and moods of Duncan’s novels truly bring the wit surrounding them to life, making the two go hand in hand.
Coates has proven himself a master of creation in his world of antique-beat. His talents have landed his songs in commercials for the Chevy Traverse, the end credits for Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist and he is responsible for the original music featured in Rockstar games’ most recent success, L.A. Noire. Coates’ music is one that maybe you feared getting into, but are certainly glad you did once you’ve listened to it. So come Tuesday, get yourself to your local record store and pick up a copy of the Last Werewolf, and buy the book to go with it. While you’re at it, on the 15th, if you’re in the L.A. area, head on over to Skylight Books on Vermont to get your book and album signed by both Duncan and Coates. Follow the links below for your fix of the Real Tuesday Weld.
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