Album Update
As you may know, I’ve been a bit poorly the last couple of days so I haven’t been doing much recording.
In a way, it’s been good to have a break. When you’ve listened to the same track for thirteen hours in one day, it’s highly likely you lose perspective.
Eye permitting, I’m going to start work again tomorrow and also catch up with the Matthew Rozeik remix which is still waiting, tapping its finger impatiently.
More Tweaks!
I’m afraid I just can’t leave the site alone, now that it’s so easy to change the appearance via WordPress‘ themes. It truly is a piece of piss!
Have a look at the WordPress Theme Browser and you’ll find the original theme, Fresh Bananas. As you can see, I’ve tweaked it a bit to give a classic, 1989 White Town feel. 
I’ve also added a new section, Detailed Discography, which does pretty much what you expect. It’s not completely complete as yet but it will be. I’ve lost track of all the compilations I’ve had tracks on… maybe I should put them in a different section?
I broke the Guestbook as usual and Keyvan had to fix it. I’ll promise I won’t tinker with it again for a while, Keyvan!
Sore Ears!
The last three days, I’ve been holed-up in my studio, working on tracks for the new album.
My ears are very sore. And knackered. The TV has started to sound strange to me and I’m listening to adverts thinking, ‘oooh, they need 1.2dB more at around 5.7KHz…’
I’m currently having a nice cup of tea and letting my wilting ears recover a bit. Back into the breach soon!
Matthew Rozeik
I’m currently working on a remix for Matthew Rozeik. It’s the most electronicky source material I’ve ever had for a remix so it’ll be a challenge for me. Usually, I’m taking a rock/indie band and doing electronic things to them - this time, who knows?
Hmmm… maybe I’ll do a paper and comb version?
Plans And Apologies New Website
I first saw Plans And Apologies when I moved back to Derby in 2002. They shambled onto stage, turned their backs to the audience and played a set of amazing pop songs. Even more amazing because they all appeared to be around 12 years old.
Three years later, their songs are even better, they’re less shy so they look at the audience and they’re even more gorgeous.
If you’re a fan of pop music, you’ll love P&A, they’ve got killer melodies coupled with remarkable twiddly bits. And Dave sings in a proper Derby accent! Yaaay!
Click here to visit their sparkly new website!
Tyler James Covers ‘Your Woman’
That’s Tyler James above - handsome bugger, eh?
Here’s what he has to say about his cover version of ‘Your Woman.’
Tell us about the single. It’s a cover, isn’t it?
T.J.: ‘Your Woman’ - originally by White Town. I just finished filming the video this week.
Why that song?
T.J.: I loved it when I was growing up. It was out when I was about eleven or twelve and it’s a song that’s always stayed with me. I’ve always loved the sample. I did try adapting the lyrics but decided in the end to stick with the original. It’s just got something about it.
(Source: Glastonbury Festival )
Click here to have a look at Tyler James’ website - I can’t see it because I’ve sworn off the evil known as Flash and there isn’t a non-Flash version 
I haven’t heard the cover yet but I’m immensely flattered that he’s chosen to cover one of my songs. I look forward to hearing him sing:
“so much for all your highbrow, Marxist ways…”
I guess this means I’ll get another slew of puzzled emails asking whether I’m gay / a woman / a commie / a gay, commie woman…
Just in case you’re wondering what the hell that song is about, have a look here.
Album…
Well, the album is coming along well, it’s 90% written, 70% recorded and 40% produced.
I was going to have a lot of guest musicians on this album, backing vocalists, guitarists etcetera.
But it’s become such a personal album, it doesn’t feel right. So, I think this album will be like ‘Socialism, Sexism & Sexuality,’ just me.
When I have finished tracks, I’ll post clips up for your perusal. All I can say is that I honestly think it’s some of the best, poppiest work I’ve ever done.
Keep watching the skies!
Site Update
Keyvan has just updated the White Town site to WordPress 1.5 so there may be a few teething problems while I keep fiddling with it and breaking it
This theme you’re currently seeing is basically a tweaked version of Pool, have a look at the bottom of the page for a link to the author. I find it very calming…mmm…
White Town Downloads
I’m currently in negotiations to put all of my songs online, available by paid download. At the moment, the only White Town music online is the EMI album which is available on iTunes UK.
I’ve had several Guestbook comments from people who are finding it very hard to buy White Town records anywhere. Well, hopefully my whole back catalogue will be online soon. So that’ll be:
Socialism, Sexism & Sexuality
Peek & Poke
Truffaut (was going to be the first WT album, replaced by SSS)
Any older stuff of mine, including all the Big Scientists / Ugly Pop songs I did between 1982 - 1989, pre-White Town
Altogether, that’ll probaby be around 150 songs. More than enough to wade through!
If I can get this going, I’m going to re-start Bzangy Groink as a label. I put out ‘Peek & Poke’ on Bzangy Groink back in 2000 but the label’s been fallow since then. I hope to issue all future White Town songs via Bzangy Groink (at least in the UK) and maybe other artists too. There’s loads of brilliant music out there which isn’t getting signed or heard. I’d like to change that,
love and kisses,
Jyoti
UNHCR Benefit CD
The day has come. For all of you who will be performing or know people in
New york or on the East Coast who would like to attend the “Voyces United
For UNHCR” cd release send the infromation out to them.
Tickets will go on sale TOMORROW April 14th, 2005. The venue holds about
420-500 people. Tickets WILL sell out.
You can now purchase tickets online at The Knitting Factory Websiteor to go directly to purchase tickets at TicketWeb
So make sure you post this on your websites, fanlistings, send it to you
mailing lists and such. This will be a great night.joalby
joalby1@hotmail.com“Voyces United For UNHCR” CD Release
The Knitting Factory New York
Sunday June 26th, 2005 @ 8:00pm
(Doors open at 7:00pm)
This event WILL SELL OUT.
Yep, I’m proud to have a track on this CD, it’s called ‘The PNAC Cabal’ and it’s a somewhat paranoid instrumental.
I’m not playing but if you can make it to the gig, please buy tickets and help support a very worthwhile cause.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
In more than five decades, the agency has helped an estimated 50 million people restart their lives. Today, a staff of more than 6,000 people in more than 116 countries continues to help some 17 million persons.
(Source: UNHCR)
