We imagined, by now, we’d be out of quarantine completely. It’s surely temporary, right? Either way, we’re getting on by focusing on one of the main sources of healing for many of us which is Tears for Fears’ music. This update is dedicated to Superfan Shelly who let us know she’s getting through her battle with the COVID19 virus – a virus which makes any other ailment twice as complicated. We wish her continued healing! Here’s a message she recently shared…

Another way we are staying focused on the music that heals all ails is #TFFTuesdays. How did this come about? It happened during a conversation between moderator Andye and Superfan Lady Tamara. Tamara lit the fire by deciding that we should all wear our merch on Tuesdays during the lockdown. Andye originally called it  “Tour Couture Tuesdays” because Roland liked the term “tour couture” which was coined back in 2013 but Tamara had an even better idea of calling it #TFFTuesdays because it allows everyone to mention Tears for Fears. So, there you have it! And yes Curt approves! We’ve been participating in TFF Tuesdays since the second week of the quarantine and we’re still going strong. We imagine we’ll be dressing up every week until the end of June or right up to Curt’s birthday which comes to us by the Grace on a Wear it Wednesday – have two shirts ready for that week if you can. But we’re not just wearing t-shirts, we’re in everything from earrings and pins to a field of sunflowers. Take a look at a few of Tears for Fears’ soldiers of sound in uniform!

You name it, we’re wearing it and sharing it while enjoying great conversations online –  some of which include band members! One really meaningful conversation was sparked when fan, Rodney W., decided to gently nudge Curt that someone wanted to ask him a question. Curt kindly decided to spend what was initially to be 15 minutes (it  joyfully turned into well over an hour – thank you, Jon Cryer “Duckie” from Pretty in Pink and many other great productions) with fans, chatting and discussing all sorts of fun topics. One of the questions asked was when could we expect a virtual show like so many other musicians have been doing with their fans. Curt mentioned that when he starts scratching at the walls, sharing a song was likely to happen. Well…boy did it! World renowned designer Tory Burch and dear friend of the blessed Smith family, got a video of Curt and Diva singing Mad World.

Over 3 million have viewed it in a month! We knew within the first few days that it was going to go big and it was. Ended up on KTLA where an extraordinary interview took place. Lady Tamara grabbed her phone and recorded it for us and Curt sent this link from KTLA.

While on camera, the pups (yes, we know Bella and Ivy are no longer small dogs, but they’ll always be pups to those of us that watched them grow up virtually) sat quietly in the background as the interview took place. KTLA was really respectful (you know what we’re talking about) and focused on the band’s bright future as well as Diva’s current career in music.

Tory Burch also shared some cool pieces from Curt’s second daughter, Ms. Wilder and we love it! While we don’t and won’t focus too much on their children as we like to respect their privacy,  we can’t help but shout our joy in seeing that Lady Wilder has chosen a career in graphic design and perhaps more. We hope to get some things commissioned and designed for our future events. Again, HUGE THANKS to Tory Burch and to KTLA. Be sure to check out Lady Wilder’s work and designs. Here’s one tweeted by Tory Burch.

The buzz around that video, the interaction with Good Man Curt Smith and his delightful daughter Diva (she put on a show for @music2meals later on that day after the interview) were some of the most exciting parts of the quarter thus far. We appreciate getting to spend time with Curt and his family especially during this time of COVID19 madness. Speaking of spending time, Curt mentioned he’s down for the fan conference which is a green light for us to continue with the plans and pray that we can move forward with it. Dawn and Jack have agreed to be there too! They’ve been travelling to shows for years and helping create amazing fan experiences – they are part of the original Travel Fans from the 80s. So much respect for these two and how they make sure everyone get to Tears for Fears events!

Right now, all but a few band members and Tears for Fears alumni are spending time with fans in the “Tears for Fears Fan Forum (without the drama)” which can be found on Facebook. This specific group is filled with fans who like to focus on the non-superficial side of being a fan. It’s all about the music, savouring those cool moments of the band’s past and present and talking about how things came to be. Members of the Graduate band (pre-Tears for Fears) are present there and making friends with all in a wholesome, deep and thoroughly outstanding thread of insights into their music. They regularly share photos and video clips. Jamie Wollam just joined as well and participated in a Q&A. And today is his birthday!! Happy Birthday Jamie! Check out the drummer cake on the Tears for Fears Travel Fan social media channels.

To join the group, come with a focus on the band. No band family photos are allowed including the public ones that Roland’s fiancée, Emily, shares. It’s all about music. No long ballads of “Dear Charlton Pettus how I love thee, let me detail the ways in this long post and 40 photos of you in cute jeans.” Nope. That will get you warned and removed as it should. Both the Travel Fan Team and The TFF Fan Forum are strict about content and purpose. We stick to our mission statement: “it’s about the music.” If you truly love the lyrics, the shows, videos and the fun that comes with being present alongside fellow fans and the band, then you’ll love these teams and can link up with them via the connect tab on the header. Again, no one is allowed to rule the world except the band members in the forum and we’re super happy about that. These two groups are also where the majority of the #TFFTuesday photos are being shared in addition to Twitter and Instagram. You can find those when you search #TFFfanFamily and #TFFTuesday. Focusing on the band’s music been a great way to stay healthy and this dear fan hopes you’ll stay home and help flatten the curve so she can make it to some shows when this is all over.

Has “The Tipping Point” tipped?
Not yet. That teapot of tunes hasn’t steeped thoroughly. We did try to wait on that musical brew before going into the Q2 updates but we’re still excited about the new Music that was released from Roland’s son Pascal and Blessed Queen Oleta Adams.

Pascal Orzabal released two songs this year – two singles that are absolutely incredible. We by no means want to compare him to his father. But the music is as powerful as several pieces on The Hurting. We’re in absolute LOVE with the work he put into his music. Yes, we’re also begging for merch so we can wear our fandom. The best way to support Pascal is to follow him on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram (search @Quarterboy ) and on Bandcamp. Now, when you use Bandcamp, it’s important to make a profile for yourself. Once registered you can listen for free a few times and then you get cut off. So, we suggest you buy the music at the equivalent of $2USD per song. Just for disclosure we paid about $10 for one track and $15 for another because it was THAT good and worth more than $2USD. No matter what donation, you can listen to it without restrictions when you pay for it. That’s how Bandcamp works. Make sure you get registered and enjoy. We look forward to hopefully a full album and some appearances by Pascal/Quarterboy. As much as we don’t encourage lusting and expressing “desire” (Lady K in Atlanta, we’re looking at you and your undie flashing friend from 2010), if somebody drools or passes out over him we’re gonna look the other way and understand because Quarterboy and his music are 100% fine as…(af)! 

Trope band did a cover of SHOUT! Many feel they made it their own and rightly so as it was not the exact same but a glorious tribute. We’re happy to see such a band with special history (and legends assisting with their production and success) find the same joy we do in the song. You can watch the video below and follow them online @tropeband. They’ve been very responsive and we’re happy to have them in the fold. Trusting they’ll be at shows in the future.

Our Queen, Oleta Adams has also released new music (complete with Spotify interview ) and has shows scheduled for summer 2020. We’re praying the July ones will be saved because we’re so ready to see her again and plan to meetup in Atlanta like last year. Be sure to download the song, follow her at @realoletaadams on Twitter and Facebook. Continue to support her and yes, we’ll always pray she shows up on this side of bandland  just like she showed up for interviews in that Tears for Fears BBC documentary. That was so cool! She also celebrated a birthday this quarter – 4 May!

Click here for another preview with a link to Apple Music where the release can be purchased

Here’s a release you can read – it’s from Captain Julian! His Wonky Woo series published a new book “The Wonky Woo & Friends Lockdown Adventure” and it’s ready for purchase. It was illustrated by his team member and fellow Tears for Fears fan Lady Rise of California. We love that all proceeds go to help great groups like the NHS. You can follow the Wonky Woo on Twitter @thewonkywoo and also follow the incredible @antonyedensays – the voice of the Woo family series. Buy your copy here.

How about that app?!
The Fan App is going through the complications of copyright laws. Our hope is that we will have a clickable prototype to play with this year. Much like the album, we’re not giving an exact release date. So many things to refine and get just right. Quality over speed and quantity in this case. We’re not asking for it to be implemented immediately but instead it will be a “a nice to have,” or something extra in the pocket of the band that they can use when they see fit.

We’ll pause for now with this great piece from the Cello Covid Project sent to us by Rob Bethel and shared by Curt Smith. Thanks for reading! Cheers!

-Tears for Fears’ Travel Fan Team
Follow: @CurtSmith @jameswollam @charltonpettus @dougpettyla @TearsForFears @carinaround on Facebook and Twitter

Moderator: Andye Andinha

P.S. If your superfanitis is flaring up, watch this video and visualise a healthy 2021 with fellow fans and the band. Ms. Diva Smith made it.