Do You Think About Me by Benjamin Ingrosso

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Swedish popstar on the rise Benjamin Ingrosso has released a new single. It’s called "Do You Think About Me." We really like the song, even though the lyrics are a bit sad, the music is very enjoyable and upbeat.

He just released the official music video today, which you can see below. However, there’s an awesome lyric video that is quite nice as it features a fun bike ride. Here is the video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U-y2-08NJI

This is not his first single this year. In March he released "Good Lovin’", which was his entry for the Swedish music contest Melodifestivalen. He finished 5th, and "Good Lovin’" became his biggest hit so far. Click here to watch the video.

He’s a really good singer, but there’s another reason why we became interested in his career: Benjamin’s mother is none other than Swedish Popstar Pernilla Wahlgren. She’s not really famous outside of Sweden, but in there she released some of the best pop singles of the 80s. Like "Piccadilly Circus."

Let’s hope Benjamin releases an album soon. But we might have to wait until next year, because he’s really likely to try Melodifestivalen once more before putting a record out.

In the meantime, Benjamin's songs are available on digital outlets everywhere. Please support the artist buy purchasing a copy today! You can also listen to it on our 2017 Poptastic Playlist on Spotify!

Cheers then,
—Raoni

P.S. You can like Benjamin's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. Remember to like Poptastic Confessions Facebook page and you can follow Raoni on Twitter.

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Help Alice D make her next video

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Alice D has a new single coming out this summer called "I Don't Owe You" and she is making a video for the song, but she needs some help in the expense department. Let's face it, for independent artists, these things cost a lot of money.

That's where you can help. There is a GoFundMe page to help Alice D pay for her video. If you don't know who Alice D is, check out our interview with her. And her songs "Moving On" and "Only You" have both done well on our year-end countdowns ...

Check out what Alice has to say ...

My name is Alice(D). I am a singer/ songwriter from London. I have been singing & writing songs since the age of 11, as music has always been my passion. 

Since taking music seriously just over 3 years ago, my style has progressed through the years. Originally writing & featuring on dance/house tracks, my latest EP (due out this year) has adopted a more atmospheric RnB tone, covering dark subject matters that I believe showcase my lyrical ability. 

One of the tracks on this EP is called 'I Don't Owe You.' This song tells the story of a broken down relationship, suspicions of infidelity, & the constant backwards & forwards of a toxic partnership. 

However, the woman remains strong & gains back control, leaving the man with the simple statement: 'I Don't Owe You.' 

I have chosen to make a music video for this track as I created this song & the music from scratch in the studio with the producer Eddie Jenkins. I feel it is very fitting to the sound I want to create from now on & believe it has a powerful message to tell. My friends & I could create something visually amazing.

Having your support would be incredible as music & the arts is my passion & benefits us all. Getting yourself noticed within the music industry is tough, especially without management/ funding. 

Creating a beautiful & unique debut music video, could be that extra step in the right direction for myself as an artist. Having such a fantastic & skilled team on board will also make all the difference, & I'm sure we will produce a brilliant end result. 

Even the smallest of donations would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Alice + all the team! x

So if you can, please help Alice D by clicking here. If you can't help financially, please share on social media.

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Like Alice's Facebook page here, and follow her on Twitter. You can get the Alice EP on iTunes, otherwise, check out her SoundCloud page. Don't forget to like Poptastic Confessions Facebook page and follow Davearama on Twitter.

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Tears On The Dancefloor by Steps

Dear Poptastic Readers,

While we have been going bonkers over the original lineup of Bananarama reforming, we have also been listening to Steps brand-new comeback album Tears On The Dancefloor. This is the album all Steps fans were waiting for. They released a Christmas record in 2012, but that was definitely not what people wanted from them.

This time around they collected a bunch of really good pop songs and returned with a bang. It worked well for them, as they reached #2 with the album on the UK charts and have been in the top 20 since then!

Steps are Claire, H, Faye, Lee, and Lisa

Steps have been on a media circuit this spring talking about the new album. They have even said it contains no ballads. Well, we think that is a bit misleading. While it may be technically true that no song that is slow throughout, it is also true that many of the songs start off slow and sounding like ballads with long introductions before the beats kick in. 

The album starts off with the album’s first single and dramatic “Scared Of The Dark” and this is the perfect example of a song starting off like a ballad before turning into a disco stomper. 

The next song is “You Make Me Whole” — which is quite good. It even feels like it has two choruses. This is one of the most current-sounding songs in the album, but it manages to sound very Steps.

The third track is the next single from the album. It is called "Story Of A Heart" and it was written by Benny and Björn from ABBA. It's a mid-tempo affair with a lovely melody. Hear the original version here.

"Happy" is the track that isn't so happy. It's a heartbreak song with a pulsing dark beat. Perhaps a more appropriate title would have been "We Used To Be Happy."

"No More Tears On The Dancefloor" was written by Darren Hayes (formerly of Savage Garden) and this is the first song where Lee and H shine on the vocals because they sing the verses. Great song with wonderful strings. Hear the original version here.

"Firefly" turns into another stomper once it gets going. A great tune. It’s Lisa’s turn to shine. It doesn’t sound dated, but also sounds like a song that could have been on Madonna’s Confessions on a Dancefloor.

“Space Between Us” is really a standout track on the album, and this song would be a great single choice. Lee and H are full on the verses again. The chorus is just so natural and catchy that it would be a shame for this not to be a single.

“Glitter & Gold” is another amazing dance track. The beat kind of reminds us of September’s “Cry For You,” but it doesn’t sound like a rip-off at all.

“Neon Blue” is a fun song and very reminiscent of their past, without sounding retro. Faye really shines on the second verse and we love it when she sings “I know that you’ll remember when you hear the music play ...”

The album ends with “I Will Love Again” — which is quite the belter. It’s actually a cover of a song released by French singer Lara Fabian almost 20 years ago. But it also manages to sound fresh. Claire totally owns that middle 8.

If you buy the album digitally, which we suspect you will do, there are two mixes: Wideboys in the Shadows Vocal Mix of "Scared Of The Dark" and 7th Heaven Radio Mix of "Story Of A Heart" ... both are very good.

Don't delay, buy Tears On The Dancefloor today! It is an amazing dance pop album!

Cheers then,

Davearama & Raoni

P.S. Be sure to like Steps official Facebook page and follow them on Twitter. While you're at it, please like Poptastic Confessions Facebook page and follow Davearama on Twitter.

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Sanctuary Video by Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

In better-late-than-never news, Jody Watley released her single for "Sanctuary" from her 2014 EP Paradise. It doesn't matter that the single took so long to come out because it really is a timeless tune that is nice and relaxing.

Back in July of 2014, we featured the song and you can read that here. The newly released single comes with the never-heard-before Original Version, which has a different vibe than the Soulpersona Raregroove 12" Mix as featured on Paradise. That version is also featured on the single, as well as the Soulpersona Raregrooves Instrumental version for your sing-along needs.

According to Jody Watley's website, there will be two videos of "Sanctuary." The first one is out now. And it is very personal as Jody's children are featured throughout. Have a look ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-VNMXu3JOE

Wasn't that lovely? Yes, it was.

Jody mentioned on her website that the second video will have more of a performance vibe. We can't wait.

"Sanctuary" is available on digital outlets everywhere. The CD single with the Soulpersonas Raregrooves Radio Mix. The digital version doesn't include this mix. We were luck enough to buy the CD before it sold out. And the packaging is absolutely beautiful.

Get into to the chill groove of "Sanctuary" and buy your copy today! You can also listen to it on our 2017 Poptastic Playlist on Spotify!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Like Jody Watley's Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram! While you are it, you can like Poptastic Confessions Facebook page and follow Davearama on Twitter.

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Revisiting Lananeeneenoonoo

Dear Poptastic Readers,

With all the news of Bananarama reforming, we thought it would be fun to have a look back at Lananeeneenoonoo. In December of 1988, the comedy duo French & Saunders did a sketch that poked fun of Bananarama with a group called Lananeeneenoonoo.

Lananeeneenoonoo: Dawn (Kirsten), Jennifer (unnamed), and Kathy (Kim)

Dawn French’s character was Kirsten (based on Keren), Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) character’s name was never mentioned (based on Sara), and Kathy Burke’s character was Kim (based on Jacquie). 

Bananarama 1988: Jacquie, Keren and Sara

The sketch was spot on! It featured a day in the life of the trio: recording music, being interviewed, and making a video. Just have a look …

F&S Bananarama sketch from vivaforever597 on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/177122993

Now, if you are the casual Bananarama fan and you think all the jokes were lost on you, here are some reasons why the sketch is funny …

Bananarama and Lananeeneenoonoo

1.   Some history: Siobhan had left Bananarama in early 1988. Jacquie had be hired to be the third Banana. That fall, the record label released the group’s Greatest Hits Collection, and Bananarama was doing loads of interviews where Jacquie was sitting silent as most of the questions were about the group’s past. And Lananeeneenoonoo picked up on this so when Kim (aka Jacquie) speaks, the other two look annoyed.

2.   The videos in the beginning of the sketch are spoofs of Bananarama videos "Love In The First Degree" and "A Trick Of The Night" (black and white version)

3.   The Works is supposed to be a spoof on the production team of Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

Bananarama and Lananeeneenoonoo

4.   During the recording, Kim (aka Jacquie) leaves and the other two record the song without her. This is funny because Bananarama always sang in unison and when Siobhan left and Jacquie came, the sound of Bananarama was so similar so the joke was that Jacquie wasn’t singing.

5.   Lananeeneenoonoo keep laughing while being interviewed because Bananarama were notorious for laughing through interviews.

6.   Kevin Godley who talks to them about the video was a very well-known music video director in the 80s and Lananeeneenoonoo don’t know he is.

7.   The ideas for the music video are funny because Kirsten talks about getting her face whited out with big red lips, which is something that was happening in Bananarama videos.

8.   The video for “Jimmy Mack” is basically a spoof on their video for “I Want You Back.”

Bananarama found the show to be really funny. And together the two trios of Bananarama and Lananeeneenoonoo recorded a cover of The Beatle’s “Help!” for Comic Relief in 1989. The single went to #3 in the UK. Check out the funny video where Lananeeneenoo spoof Bananarama. And yes, that is Lananeeeneenoonoo on backing vocals …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtuakLUaICg

They even performed it on TV and it ended up with a rather funny ending …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMHGK9AO2h0

Sadly, “Jimmy Mack” by Lananeeneenoonoo was never commercially available. It would have been a great b-side to “Help!” Instead, the two trios did an improv session for the b-side called “Love In The Factory.”

Bananarama 2017: Keren, Siobhan, and Sara

With the original lineup of Bananarama performing, perhaps French & Saunders can recruit a new actor to play the part of Siobhan and reform the legendary Lananeeneenoonoo. After all, Jennifer Saunders said that part of her inspiration for Absolutely Fabulous was Bananarama.

Back in 2012, Jennifer Saunders said in an interview: "The nights with Bananarama were some of the best nights of my life. I got a lot of gags from Bananarama because they were big vodka drinkers. When I started Ab Fab, I remembered all the falls that I saw Bananarama do. I once saw one of them coming out of cab bottom first and hitting the road and I thought: that's class!"

Cheers then,

—Davearama