Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.
The U.S. will get a rare glimpse of Sally Shapiro, Swede pop’s own version of J.T. Leroy, in the coming days…sort of. “Sally Shapiro,” an alias for producer Johan Agebjörn and the elusive blonde female vocalist that fronts the act, will be appearing at New York’s Mercury Lounge Friday night and the Windy City’s Sonotheque on Monday.
If you’ve not checked out Sally Shapiro, her/their album Disco Romance got a stateside release last fall, and it’s the finest collection of non-Italian/German/Spanish, ’80s-sounding Italo disco since the Pet Shop Boys’ early B-sides (collected on their own 1995 compilation, Alternative). Additionally, a new single, “Spacer Woman From Mars” — billed as Johan Agebjörn Featuring Sally Shapiro — was made available on iTunes last week.
Here’s the video for “Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me),” off Disco Romance:
Of course, it should be noted that Johan and Sally’s appearances in the States are billed as DJ sets, and even the producer himself has apparently never seen the singer record her own vocals. In a rare interview with Pitchfork last October, she stated the following: “I actually have some recordings– because I do it at Johan’s place, because he has the [equipment]. So there are some recordings where I’m singing to the computer, and Johan comes into the door because he has to fetch something and then you hear on the tape that I am disturbed and I am saying with an angry voice, [mimics] Oh, you are coming in here when I’m singing; you’re not supposed to do that! Very nice, I have that on tape now. I saved it.”
Sally Shapiro’s U.S. label is set to release a remix album, Remix Romance Vol. 1, on April 15.
The lineup for this summer’s 24-date True Colors Tour was announced today, with tickets going on sale March 15. Cyndi Lauper will co-headline the events with The B-52s. Last year she and Erasure shared the top billing. Billboard.com notes: “TV personality Carson Kressley will host the shows, which will also feature appearances by Rosie O’Donnell, the Indigo Girls, Joan Jett and Regina Spektor… Organizers plan to stress the need to vote in the fall presidential election and will also be raising funds for gay, lesbian and transgendered advocacy groups through the True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation.” Additionally, Joan Armatrading, Tegan & Sara, Wanda Sykes, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox and the Cliks will appear on certain dates of the tour.
Go Away White, the first studio album from goth rockers Bauhaus in 25 years, and their pledged final one as a band.
Billy Bragg’s Mr. Love & Justice, which is available in two versions — one with his usual backing band on accompaniment, and one that’s a straightforward acoustic affair.
Good Time, the 15th solo album by country crooner Alan Jackson.