ON THE RECORD:It seems that we may not see a return to the limelight by the Thin White Duke after all. This week, David Bowie's biographer Paul Trynka, who was publicising his recent Starmantome on the singer, said he believes we won't see Bowie on stage or releasing new music again.
“I think he would only come back if he thinks he could deliver something that will be seismic,” Trynka says. “If you pop back into the stage, it’s got to be something that has a big explosion and lots of flashes. It would be a bit of a miracle if he comes back, but miracles do happen.”
Bowie's last tour was on the back of his last album, 2003's Reality. He was due to headline Oxegen in 2004, but that show and a dozen other festival appearances were cancelled due to the singer's health problems.
While Bowie has spent the bulk of the last decade out of the spotlight, this absence has not diminished his lustre in any way. Instead, the back-catalogue (well, bar the Tin Machinealbum) continues to do sterling work for his musical reputation. In addition, unlike his heritage act peers, he hasn't done the dog with endless tours and has instead left fans wanting more. Money-wise, he probably still has some cash left over from his pioneering use of music royalty securitisation, which saw him earn $55 million from Bowie bonds in 1997. All the same, it would be fascinating to hear from Bowie again.
Many who picked up the Observer Food Monthlymagazine last weekend on the promise of a "Lunch with David Bowie" cover tagline were probably disappointed to be greeted by an old photo from 1973.
In an era of plenty, quality matters more than ever before, and Bowie has shown he can provide that. For now, though, the silence continues.
NEW MUSIC
WILL DE BURCA
Tracks like Slicedand American Scenefrom the debut 0415 EP by the Dublin-based producer showcase someone quickly figuring out how to add meaty, beaty electronic oomph to neatly finessed cinematic ideas. As tipped by 2fm's Dan Hegarty.
Soundcloud.com/will-de-burca
PHAELEH
Bristol producer who has already released a fine smattering of excellent dubstep-related tracks for labels like Surface Tension, Disfigured Dubz and Black Box. The Cold In YouEP is quite moody and magnificent.
Facebook.com/phaelah
THE YEAR THE MONKEYS LANDED
Coolock-based three-piece showing interesting widescreen indie-rock potential with tunes like the sprawling Savage Tomand the lovely menace and idiosyncratic twists of Mister Medic. Debut EP Brand On the Braindue soon.
Breakingtunes.com/tytml
NOW PLAYING
Emeli Sandé Heaven(Virgin) Debut solo single from Scottish singer Sandé combines killer old-skool hardcore beats and a soulful beaut of a voice. Consider us smitten.
Spoek Mathambo Control(BBE) Dark and dramatic township house take on the Joy Division classic by the Johannesburg producer.
Clams Casino Instrumentals(Type) Headspinning set of imaginative hip-hop instrumentals from the New Jersey dude who trained as a physiotherapist before opting to make adventurous beats in his mother's attic.
Hello Moon Only Count the Sunny Hours(Any Other City) Dublin indie-pop newbies deliver a charming debut album which comes with hooks and melodies galore.
Evie Sands Anyway That You Want Me(Rev-Ola) If you only buy one album this year featuring a smiling girl on a bike on the cover, make sure it's this one.
