Tag: Music

Loving Tears for Fears’ Music: Why so much passion, why do we care?

From the Moderator: Some weeks ago, the fantastic show Tell Me More, which ran on NPR for several years, featured a segment titled “In Your Ear.” This particular episode from the 20th of February was replayed this summer and wow did it touch a nerve.

Over the past few months, at media conferences I’ve gotten into deep meaningful conversations about Tears for Fears with various attendees and media industry pals. Each person has told me amazing stories of where they were when they first heard them. Just this past Sunday, over dinner, an operations director told me she was 14 years old when she first saw TFF on MTV around 1983, the video for the song “Change” came on. “MTV was still very new at the time, ” she said.  “It was the opening sound of the xylophone that drew me in. I was mesmerized by that song.” She also reminisced about enjoying Pale Shelter and couldn’t wait for Songs from the Big Chair. What an impact that album made…and on so many people including Bunji Garlin, a soca artist from Trinidad and Tabago.

(paraphrase) “There are so many things about that song. It just lifts my spirit. There’s serious nostalgia when I hear that song. My childhood days come back into play. I remember when my parents were still together, we were in the same household, whole atmosphere becomes something like dreamlike, I like to dream a lot so I constantly play that song.” ::Click here to listen to his words::

Bunji Garlin

I can truly relate to this. Hearing Mr. Garlin speak so passionately about EWTRTW with the same visions that I have, of being a child with family, many new to the USA, still by my side, long before any of life’s realities challenged hopes and dreams. Everybody Wants to Rule the World, was my first introduction to Tears for Fears at age 5/6 (had just turned a year older, wasn’t even a month into it, a cold winter day on the way to school in my blue English pea coat with red lining listening to the car radio). When I heard Mr. Garlin speak with the same soul stirring memories, I fought back tears because that’s the story of so many in our huge fan circle. So many fans write, tweet, post and share their “why I love Tears for Fears” stories. A number of the reports sound like those of Mr. Garlin. When I speak to people, their recollection is reiterated with the same passion…that soul stirring vision. Gives me happy chills. So many say the band’s music “saved” them from very difficult times in their lives…even preventing some from taking their own lives.

Tears for Fears have countless extraordinary songs. From the chart toppers to the B-sides of Saturnine Martial Lunatic, not to mention both Roland and Curt’s solo work, all of this music gets “replay” time in excess. It’s not just on our digital devices but in our hearts and minds. It comforts us during the wildest times in our lives…the good moments, the bad, the hopeful.

Now, here we go happily again, by popular demand, a new Tears for Fears album to change our lives. It’s a grand addition to our life’s soundtrack. We will remember this moment for years to come. We will talk for years about how we were bracing for it, asking for it and all the interactions and days that led up to it. Hold on and hug each other tight because the magic of their music is about to flood us with new memories and excitement. So, “cheers” to the great mini-tour which starts next week, warm wishes for safe TSO anniversary and sincere hopes for everyone to have a chance to live in the majestic marvelousness that is Tears for Fears Live. Your soul will soar, that’s a promise!

Thanks for reading!

AA/@andyeisthenews

Big thanks to Michel Martin for her amazing show. It is certainly missed.

Follow @tearsforfears, @curtsmith, @rolandtff

Online FanFun & Fan Travel Resources: @papasfans

Win a Kindle Download of Roland’s new book!

Book cover
Book cover

The anticipation, fans sitting on the edge of their seats, glaring into computers and mobile devices, watching the calendar, making conjectures as to what adventure Mr. Soloman will get himself into… and what a name… Soloman. A noble name meaning, “peaceful, perfect and one who recompenses.” Will we see that type of character in Roland’s fictional literary friend? Will his adventures with Dr. Sparks make him a new person? It’ll all be answered in ‘Sex Drugs & Opera: There’s Life After Rock N’ Roll by the Good Sir Orzabal himself.

Writing a Book is Tough!
I remember writing my first book. The inspiration for it came during a short residency in California (of course). I had just finished listening to a media leader who was involved with creating one of the most popular music based TV programs at the time. I wondered if he’d ever collab with Roland and Curt. That next season Tears For Fears’ music was indeed featured in one of his shows. I was further inspired and took it as a sign to complete the book at all costs. The painstaking process of writing the book was the most bittersweet agony I’ve ever gone through. Knowing what it takes to get a book published, to put one’s heart and soul into a piece of literature makes me more than eager to read Roland’s work. This is a huge moment for fans…many of whom knew he was writing one (I think we first heard about it post ELAHE tour) but we didn’t want to be pests and beg for a sneak peek or too much info. “Let him finish it…leave him alone…” was the mantra among us for quite a while. Then more tours surfaced …but no mention of the book.

Autographed set lists made into art (Brasil Fan Team). Contact Marcio for info.
Autographed set lists made into art (Brasil Fan Team). Contact Marcio for info.

We questioned it, what was he writing about? Did he scrap it altogether? What else did he just toss away? Are there pages of music and songs too? It’s a known fact among fans that Tears for Fears b-sides are often (if not more) as outstanding as the works that are published on each album. I mean look at Saturnine Martial Lunatic, if that’s not gold then what is? Not to mention the beloved ‘Tomcats Screaming Outside.’ Listening to either one is a very moving and euphoric experience to say the least. So imagine what we’re about to get in a BOOK! It’s Roland’s mind, his thoughts, his imagination…we’re gonna “go there” with him and sink ourselves into “his world.” It’s the rock literature for which we’ve been waiting…it’s almost here!

Sneak peek?! Seriously? Yes, we're asking for this to get activated on Amazon.
Sneak peek?! Seriously? Yes, we’re asking for this to get activated on Amazon.

In honour of this wonderful occasion our Tears and Kooks Intl Fan Club is giving away an amazon download to one of the @papasfans Twitter followers or one who is following @tearsforfears. Our fan account focuses on all aspects of the band’s published work, from tweets to anything they tell us that’s allowed to be put in writing. Originating from a charity project that Good Man Curt Smith was involved in to help the nation of Haiti, we continued with gratitude to create a comfortable hub of ‘band fan info.’ We love to tweet about Tears for Fears and related material, connect with other fans and conduct meetups and other things with the band’s approval. They’ve been exceptionally kind about our activities. We’re always about giving back and that’s why we’re offering a #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal kindle download to a fortunate follower of either account.

Rules:
Tweet us (@papasfans) the hashtag #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal (along with any short, fun message or memory of your Tears for Fears fandom)
We’ll assign a number to each tweet, then pick a number at random on Tuesday night. The winner will be tweeted on Wednesday – the 26th of March.
An amazon code will be emailed to the winner so that they may complete their download.
*You must be following @tearsforfears or @papasfans on Twitter in order to qualify; it’s only fair as there are many interactive fans and we want to honour those who thoroughly support the band (and are kind to fellow fans) to the best of their ability.
*Please actually own a kindle device. We’ll have other prizes (we trust) so you can possibly win again if you don’t have one.

That’s all from band fan land today… Even if you’ve already pre-ordered a copy know that the Good Sir seems mighty happy with the hashtag #SexDrugsOperaOrzabal so tweet it proud, tweet it now!

Cheers!
(AA)

Joyce -Tears For Fears Travel Fan Team Lead -The Philippines

Joyce A and Curt SmithJoyce A is a Tears For Fears Superfan from The Philippines. We met her in 2010 via Curt Smith’s official Facebook page. Over the last few years she and the Manila Kooks get together and have meet ups inclusive of Curt Smith’s spirit. He gets his own plate of fast food including Tex Mex and Starbucks drinks.

Curt Smith and his Phil Kooks
Curt Smith and his Phil Kooks

You can join the Manila Kooks online with these following webpages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/149875971727206/?fref=ts

For video of the outstanding concerts of the band in their country check out Joyce’s YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/wattsjoyce

Tomcats Screaming Outside 11th Anniversary

from wiki

The Initial Release
On this day 11 years ago (11 September 2001), the beloved Roland Orzabal’s solo album Tomcats Screaming Outside was released. This was also a horrific day in world history as a force (origins still truly unknown) that brought destruction to the United States overshadowed a number of fantastic accomplishments that took place around this time.  The world was unable to focus on anything else, many completely missed this release. May those who lost someone during the senseless game of politics find peace quickly…

Tears for Fears Everywhere We Go

Coincidently, this album’s lyrics and sentiment cushioned the signs of the times. Tears For Fears as a whole have remained not only in touch with “the people” but also ahead of their time. Carrying the band’s name alone, Roland’s impeccable esp slipped into later works. The albums were not only damn good but miraculously comforting for the events that were to come. Pop culture, technology and media in general began putting bits of Elemental in their productions i.e. The Real World on MTV -Boston & New Star in the movie Threesome…the list goes on. Roland was very much engaged and intertwined in society.  Though subtle, “we saw him” and remained connected as much as possible…even through his supposed love of mucking around the kitchen. 

From the Moderator -Andye’s notes:
I’m still unsure how on earth I missed the original release. I believe it was due to a distraction I had at the time, I was about to leave the country and had become quite focused on musicians from my immediate relatives’ culture —Cheb Mami, Cheb Khaled & Rachid Taha. I always wondered if any of these guys would collaborate with TFF the way Cheb Mami had with Sting. Anyway, I found the album 1 year and 1 month to the day of the initial release…at Best Buy on Cumberland Parkway in Smyrna Georgia just minutes from Atlanta. Every time I go into a music store I have to see if they’ve stocked Tears For Fears. I just have to. As always, I slowly scanned the O-P-Q-R-S-T aisle…and then…I saw it!! There was Roland Orzabal blurred out on the cover of a CD. I gasped loudly, snatched the album ( the last one mind you) and pressed it close to me, hiding it even… as if someone was going to knock me down and kill me for it. That was it for that afternoon. The rest of my day was spent listening to that album and trying to find out where on earth the fanclub had moved (I would live in a fan club HQ if I could). It was almost like finding a long lost friend at random and taking them out for tea. All I wanted to do was “catch up.”

It didn’t take me long to become attached to each song…and it brought me back to the TFF research table, eager to know the background of the songs, what sparked the one titled “Hey Andy” and what was next? 11 years later I’m still in awe of this album’s sound. It’s still way ahead of its time. Of every solo album produced by members of the band past and present, fans voted a year ago, on FB, that Tomcats Screaming Outside is by far the strongest of them all. “Leaps and bounds…” a few fans said.

Tomcats Appreciation Society
There is a Facebook Tomcats Screaming Outside group page made up of TFF fans (people who are supportive of both Roland & CURT). It discusses the lyrics and the album as if it were Shakespeare (because it is the next best thing, hands down). The group is moderated by Alisa of Wild World who collabs with Roland’s youngest brother Julian (aka **The Captain**). It is one of the many TFF topical discussion pages that truly focuses on the music of the band vs. how good they look physically. You won’t find gaggling-giggling girls and guys competing to post the next “hot photo of Roland & Curt” but instead an educated group of “thinkers” who hear more than just a song…they see a genius.

picture from wordpress

Release of TSO
Requests for this album to be re-released are not uncommon. Fans have agreed that they are willing to contribute money to the costs and a just under $300 was quickly collected 2 days before the start of the TFF 2012 tour. However, according to Traci Smith who is a member of the Tears for Fears Travelling Fan Team, $15,000 USD is the estimated cost of producing an album so we have a long way to go. The money that has been collected is held in an online banking account until the total funds have been raised. If anyone is serious about raising this money and presenting it to him, then, by all means speak up.

Ordering your copy
The album is available in what seems to be extremely limited quantities on Amazon and a few other places (note the profile associated with the Amazon page…) The album cost ranges from $10.99-$17.00 plus shipping, tax, etc. So, expect to pay $20 and it’s worth it…priceless even…so, don’t sell it!

TSO Videos
There is a video from the album. Some say it is difficult to understand (even Roland himself admits he wasn’t sure the video had anything to do with the song); others “get it.” We recommend listening to the album 2-3 times, tattoo it on your soul then dive into the video. Doing it in reverse order will only cause confusion. It’s a powerful album, be careful with it…

Listen to the video below to get Mr. O’s perspective.

Fans worldwide LOVE & ADORE this album as if it were human…and in many ways it is. It is the extraordinary work of a genius. There’s no questioning that. Every year, on the anniversary of its initial release, Tears for Fears fans spend a moment or two listening to it in all its glory. There are no words to truly describe it…it’s just outstanding…a brilliant creation that can be enjoyed from start to finish. The fan appreciation continues this year with statements like the below coming in.

“The album represents what all albums aspire to, one complete listen from beginning to end. Brilliant.” -Robert M.

“This album is a true masterpiece. Every song creeps into my inner core. Thank you so much Roland for giving us some of the best music the human ear can absorb. Our hearts absorb it even more. Here’s to Tomcats Screaming Outside!” -Brandi Anne H.

“Pure Genius” -Carolyn H.

“I thank Roland for creating this wonderful album. He is a true gift from God.” -Sheila S.

from S&Bs online TFF archives

On the Album: 

Ticket to the World, LowLife, Hypnoculture/ 2nd Option with a theme, Bullets for Brains, For the Love of Cain, Under Ether, Day by Day by Day by Day by Day, Dandelion, Hey Andy!, Kill Love, Snowdrop, Maybe Our Days Are Numbered

**Videos are linked to fans’ YouTube pages and those who have been so gracious to promote this album on YouTube over the past few years. Special thanks to Brigitte for the outstanding contributions and montages to match the music.

Now, GO BUY THE ALBUM!! NOTHING LIKE REAL INTERE$T TO GET A RE-RELEASE!!!

Saturnine Martial & Lunatic

Please Cutie Curt & Ravishing Rollie Sunshine, can we have another B-sides? Deep down we’re grateful they are singing “together” and prefer it that way…The solo works have been beyond enjoyable and TSO has certainly won its place with a gold medal in music. Our hope is that the band will release some if not all the b-sides from all of these albums (those that perhaps didn’t make it to SML) and just title it Our Hodgepodge Genius …and let us buy it. The amount of unheard tracks stashed away here and there is excruciating. 

Let’s hope and pray for the best…if push comes to shove we’ll dress in various shades of blue, march peacefully to Bath and LA with money bags, occupying their local tea houses til they let us have it. 

Digging the Solo Works?? There’s more…

Curt Smith also has solo albums and you can buy them plus merchandise to match! Check them out on his website as well as Amazon.com.

If you are hard-core TFF superfanatic that appreciates everything that comes from that family, their friends and relatives…and you’re wishful for new music, be sure to check out DelaQ (just do it, you’ll be pleased). Cheers!

Tears For Fears Fan Traveller: Cammie

Andye (Nigeria/Atlanta), Cammie (New York), Captain Julian (UK) and Yvette (Armenia/Los Angeles)

Our membership has grown to include so many from all around the United States, Asia & Europe. In addition to the enormous crowd of ticket holders, we, the travelling fans, had 165+ active road trippers that met up at each Tears For Fears show; travelling great distances to see the band on the sunny west coast. We even had the ultra cool Captain Julian Orzabal of DelaQ. What a blessing that was! It is a great joy to begin profiling some of our lovely Tears For Fears Travellers who are dedicating themselves to fan touring and celebrating the band.

Cammie (@BxBourgie) joined us this year and tells her story.  

I was born, raised and currently reside in Curt Smith’s favorite U.S. city. I can’t speak for any other New Yorker, but me? I’m spoiled, especially when it comes to bands, concerts and tours. I always expect that if my favorite band is doing shows somewhere in the U.S, they will more than likely make their way to NYC at some point. Why should I have to take a bus, train or plane somewhere else to hear my favorite band play? I’m in NYC! Everyone comes here! They’ll make it here eventually. So I’ll just wait.

Photo from Jason DeBord -a concert reviewer & videographer

In 2011, one of my absolute favorite bands ever, Tears For Fears, were doing a few shows on the West Coast, and I decided to sit and wait here in NYC, for them to announce a date or two here. Yeah… didn’t happen! (“Its not that we don’t love you…”) I missed them when they were here in 2010 because I was on a cruise, but when they didn’t come back the next year, I decided to stalk Curt’s Twitter ( Roland does not do the social media thing right now), and wait for an announcement of Tears For Fears tour dates. I waited almost a year. Then I began to see tweets. From Curt. About show dates. Curt answered my tweet to him, confirming the San Francisco date among others, but I knew better than to ask about NYC; I know that Curt likes to stay close to his family in L.A. I had a decision to make. Let another year pass without seeing Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal right in front of my very eyes sing the songs that I’ve loved since I got cable television and MTV when I was 14, saw the video for Head Over Heels for the first time and fell in LOVE… or was I gonna sit around and wait. I’m a travel junkie, it’s what I love to do, so this was an easy decision!

Fan Travel Tshirts

I bought a ticket to the San Fran show as soon as they went on sale, a flight and a hotel. And then met some fabulous Tears for Fears fans on Twitter, changed my flights around, booked ANOTHER hotel, got ANOTHER ticket to the Vegas show from a generous fan who was unable to attend, and had one of the most awesome experiences of my life. Not only did I get to sing along to EVERY song, almost close enough to touch the ever youthful Curt Smith and the beautifully elusive Roland Orzabal, I had great time meeting many other Tears For Fears fans – some for hours, others only briefly – as well as someone I never expected to meet who was also one of the most charming men I’ve ever encountered.

Roland & Curt in San Francisco by Jason DeBord

I know many people ask Curt on Twitter and Facebook why Tears For Fears doesn’t do shows in their town… but I will say that IF you can do it, TRAVEL to see this band, wherever they happen to be. GO GO GO! THIS from a spoiled NYC girl who expects all bands to come to NY when they do shows. 🙂 I flew across the U.S. to see Tears for Fears, and would do it again it a heartbeat. Around the world, whatever! They looked fantastic, and sounded even better. Shoes and jacket off at the San Francisco show, I jumped, swayed, sang and swooned from the first note to the last. I felt like I was floating! I needed a minute to collect myself after it was over, only to do it again in Vegas two nights later. Wonderful to meet Carri, Becky, Becky’s daughter Rihana, Yvette, Andye, Janice, Colleen, and Julian O. in person, and the many others I’ve “met” from other parts of the world via Twitter. (Much love to Margaret for sending me her ticket to the Vegas show!) As I am able, I hope this is the first of many. In the meantime? As Andye says… perching.

Cammie, we appreciate you coming all the way from New York to join us and have a great time. Other New Yorkers include Jeanie P who began her TFF Fan travels last year. We look forward to highlighting all of the fan fun in the weeks to come including a ton of pictures with the band, fan gatherings, mega-tour fan bloopers & funny moments! Thanks for reading!

Cheers!

Enjoy this video of Mad World by Jason DeBord, one of our friendly media pals we met on during the Tears For Fears Fan Travel 2012: 

Memories Fade by Nourset who travelled from France 

Tears for Fears San Francisco 2 August *Jason DeBord’s Experience*

We had an incredible time attending this year’s tour. We spent over a week on the West Coast, going from city to city and attending the shows, meetups plus (and certainly a highlight-bonus) spending time with relatives of the band. Most travelling fans went to at least 2 shows. During these travels, we made a new friend, a professional photoragpher and fellow media maniac. His name is Jason DeBord and he shared his experience at the San Francisco show. Enjoy!

Click here for the full review: Jason DeBord 

Brief Summary: Obviously, the duo have reunited and produced new work, and are in the midst of what appears to be a very successful tour. I definitely have my own associations with the music of the band – a lot of great memories to be sure, and some that simply make me laugh today in retrospect (like going to school dances in middle school and standing along the outskirts of the dance floor like the geeks in Sixteen Candles).

In any event, the concert performance by Tears for Fears tonight was amazing.  Also performing with the band was Charlton Pettus (lead guitar), CJ Vanston (keyboards), and Jamie Wollam (drums). It was such an experience to hear all of this wonderful music played live on stage.

I loved the way the full set was played tonight.  I’ve heard some different renditions of some of the songs from other live performances, and I really feel this performance totally nailed all of them, and would love to see a live Blu-Ray of this set and tour produced some day – it was really that spectacular.  Also, Carina Round really added a tremendous amount to the song “Woman In Chains” with her added vocals – truly incredible rendition.

It was really just a fun night, and it was a privilege to have such a great seat from which to enjoy it (the benefit of F5ing Ticketmaster as they went on sale, buying just one ticket, and the front rows being composed of three seats – and a little luck).  The guys were really funny with some comments and stories in-between songs, and the audience was great and enthusiastic and genuine (and a little odd in a funny way – booing when Mr. Orzabal said that they were in Burbank the night before).

Really, I’m not sure what else to say about this one… it was such a thrill and joy to see them, and it’s another one of those shows where you immediately want to see it all again.  I can’t recommend enough catching this tour if you have the chance – just fantastic music by a talented band.  Even if you aren’t familiar with all of their work, it is all great music and framed throughout by their many hits.  Truly a fantastic night.

Enjoy these videos on HD video from the concert. 

Jason, we thank you so much for your kindness and hard work. It is greatly appreciated by fans all over the world. We love this band with so much of our mind, body and soul and can’t imagine life without them. It’s great to share that passion with other media professionals who have the ability to capture it so well. See you next time we trust.

*All pictures are the property of Jason DeBord. Please do not download, copy and repost/retweet without alerting Jason and getting a response. If the ethics&fairness team see his photos reposted you will be contacted and questioned. Thanks for understanding.

Tears for Fears in Brasil -Interview

Tears and Kooks International is so blessed to have quite a few multilingual fans. One of those is Andye (Nigerian-Portuguese)  and she translates reviews and videos from the various original languages into English for the stateside fans. Recently she e-met Brazillian born Karina Longo (@mrscarbohydrate) Karina Longoon Twitter while Tears For Fears was on a tour stop in Brasil. Karina was a great volunteer; stepping in during a very busy time. While Andye was translating videos and interviews from Mexico, etc Karina jumped in and translated the interview conducted by a local Brazillian media team. You can see it below in English. Thank you so much (@mrscarbohydrate) for your help! You are an official KOOK!! *Karina was also recently followed by Curt Smith on Twitter*

INTERVIEW WITH CURT SMITH / SHOUT (translated by Karina Longo & Andye Andinha moderator for (@papasfans))

ORIGINAL BY ELIO BANDERA FROM ZERO HORA (PORTO ALEGRE) / SEGUNDO CADERNO (http://www.clicrbs.com.br/especial/rs/clubedoassinantezh/19,617,3511615,Shout.html)

RESPONSIBLE for 80’S HITS SUCH AS “SHOUT” AND “SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE”,THE BRITISH DUO TEARS FOR FEARS WILL PLAY TOMORROW IN PORTO ALEGRE.

WITH 30 YEARS  IN THE MUSIC SCENE AND SEVERAL POP CLASSICS FROM THE 80’S AS PART OF THEIR CAREER, TEARS FOR FEARS HOLD THE STATUS OF BEING ONE OF THE FEW BANDS OF THEIR GENERATION WHO’VE PLAYED IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL.  TOMORROW (03/10), AT 9PM, PEPSI ON STAGE WILL WELCOME THE GROUP FOUNDED BY CURT SMITH (BASS AND VOCALS) AND ROLAND ORZABAL (GUITARS AND VOCALS), WHOSE NAME WAS INSPIRED ON ARTHUR JANOV’S PRIMAL SCREAM, A PSYCHOTERAPHIC METHOD WHICH CONSISTS ON REACHING OUT YOUR DEEPEST FEARS AND SET YOURSELF FREE THROUGH SCREAMS (AS “SHOUT” LYRICS SUGGEST: “SHOUT, SHOUT/LET IT ALL OUT”).

TEARS FOR FEARS’ POP SOUND WAS KNOWN FOR ACOUSTIC ELEMENTS, KEYBOARDS AND LYRICS SURROUNDING SELF-DISCOVERING THE NEED OF CHANGING YOURSELF AND EVEN LOVE. THE ALBUM ‘SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR’, FROM 1985, BEST KNOWN FOR HITS SUCH AS EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD, HEAD OVER HEELS AND SHOUT (ALL OF WHICH ARE TO BE PLAYED AT THE GIG) REACHED THE TOP OF BILLBOARD.

IN THE EARLY 90’S, A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE VERY WELL ACKNOWLEDGED THE SEEDS OF LOVE (1990), THE DUO’D SPLIT UP, EVEN THOUGH ORZABAL KEPT MAKING MUSIC UNDER THE NAME OF THE BAND AND DECIDED TO RELEASE TWO CDS WITHOUT CURT. IN EARLY 2000’S, CURT RETURNED TO THE BAND. THEIR LATEST STUDIO ALBUM, EVERYBODY LOVES A HAPPY ENDING WAS RELEASED IN 2004.

THE GIG IN PORTO ALEGRE OPENS THE BRAZILIAN TOUR.  ON THE SETLIST, SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE, PALE SHELTER, WOMAN IN CHAINS AND ADVICE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE PLAYED AS THEY WERE IN LIMA (PERU), WHERE TFF PLAYED LAST WEEK, SMITH SPOKE ON THE PHONE TO ZH.

ZH – AFTER 15 YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME TFF PLAYED IN BRAZIL, YOU GUYS ARE COMING BACK TO PLAY CITIES YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. WHAT’S YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND WHAT SHOULD tHE AUDIENCE EXPECT?

CURT SMITH – I’M REALLY ANXIOUS AND I HOPE THEY’RE GONNA BE GOOD GIGS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE REACTIONS WE’VE BEEN SEEING ON THE INTERNET. IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO PLAY PLACES WHERE WE’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. RECENTLY, WE MADE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF THE PLACES WE’RE GOING TO PLAY AND NO ONE PUT US UNDER ANY KIND OF PRESSURE. FOR THIS TOUR, WE DECIDED TO MIX OUR MOST WELL-KNOWN SONGS WITH MORE STRUCTURED VERSIONS OF OTHERS.

ZH – WHAT DO YOU RECALL FROM THE CONCERTS YOU’VE PLAYED HERE BEFORE?

SMITH – I RECALL IT WAS A BIT CRAZY. I REMEMBER ONE RIO DE JANEIRO GIG (HOLLYWOOD ROCK, IN 1990) WHEN THERE WAS THIS MASSIVE STORM. ALL THE MUSICIANS AND THE CREW WERE REALLY SCARED OF BEING ELECTROCUTED AND WE HAD TO RUSH THE CONCERT A LITTLE BIT. BUT WE LIKED IT A LOT AND THE AUDIENCE WAS VERY RECEPTIVE.

ZH – WITH TEARS FOR FEARS ON TOUR IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT IT INSPIRES YOU TO COMPOSE NEW SONGS?

SMITH – YEAH. ACTUALLY, WE ALREADY WROTE A FEW, BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MATERIAL TO RECORD ANYTHING. WHEN WE FINISH THE SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR, WE’RE GONNA START WORKING ON IT. I BELIEVE WE COULD PROBABLY FINISH A NEW ALBUM NEXT YEAR.

ZH – DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT CELEBRATING THE 80’S  (80’S REVIVAL) WILL LAST FOR A LONG TIME?

SMITH – I DON’T THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENS HERE ISTHE CELEBRATION OF AN ERA, EVEN THOUGH YOU COULD SAY IT’S A FACT THAT LOADS OF GOOD SONGS WERE MADE AT CERTAIN SPECIFIC TIMES. PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THESE TUNES HAVE REAL QUALITY AND THAT’S WHY THEY KEEP LISTENING TO THEM.

ZH – YOU’RE VERY KEEN ON SOCIAL NETWORKS, LIKE FACEBOOK AND TWITTER (@CURTSMITH), AND YOU ALSO PRESENT A LIVE MUSIC WEB SERIES (STRIPPED DOWN LIVE WITH CURT SMITH). DO YOU THINK THAT THE INTERNET CHANGED THE WAY YOU MAKE MUSIC?

SMITH – I BELIEVE IT DID, QUITE A LOT, AND IT ALSO HELPED ME TO FIND OUT HOW TO KEEP BEING AN ARTIST. IT BASICALLY STARTED WHEN I WAS LOOKING FOR A MUSICIAN. I FOUND THIS CELLO PLAYER (ZOË KEATING) THROUGH TWITTER, LISTENED TO HER MUSIC AND THEN INVITED HER TO RECORD A TRACK WITH ME. WE DID ‘ALL IS LOVE’ WITHOUT EVEN MEETING EACH OTHER IN PERSON. IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE, AND I INTEND TO DO IT AGAIN.

ZH – TALKING ABOUT TWITTER, BEFORE GOING TO LIMA, YOU WERE TWEETING ON MANCHESTER UNITED’S MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (CURT IS A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTER OF THE TEAM). DO YOU LIKE BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL AS WELL?

SMITH – YES. IN MANCHESTER, WE HAVE BRAZILIAN PLAYERS SUCH AS ANDERSON (FROM THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL), AND THE SILVA BROTHERS (FABIO AND RAFAEL, FROM RIO). BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL WAS ALWAYS BRILLIANT AND VERY APPRECIATED IN ENGLAND. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE WAS WHEN I MET PELÉ BACK IN 1986, WHILE IN MEXICO FOR THE WORLD CUP.

ZH – YOU AND ORZABAL HAVE KNOW EACH OTHER SINCE YOUR TEEN YEARS, AND NOW IN 2011 YOU BOTH ARE 50 YEARS OLD. HAS TIME CHANGED YOUR MUSICAL/PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP?

SMITH –WE’RE MORE RELAXED… (FRANKLY) NOW, WE KNOW WHAT WE REALLY WANT AND WE DON’T NEED TO QUESTION OTHER PEOPLE. QUITE HONESTLY, WE DO WHATEVER WE WANT TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RECORD COMPANIES, AND IT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER FOR US.

–END OF INTERVIEW–

again, many thanks to Karina for her help. If anyone has any comments or questions (about the translation) please leave a reply.

*A gentle reminder, this is a fan generated blog. For official answers from the band please contact them directly using the resources found on Curt’s page. Contact (@curtsmith) on Twitter or Facebook. Curt also has a website: www.curtsmithofficial.com