A very brief interview for an Italian Radio Show

1. Tell us something about “Could I Stay The Honest One? – 2022 Serpent Version,” the track we aired.

Sam: Thanks for playing the song. The original version was recorded for 1991’s A chaos of desire. I reissued that album on 2LP, MiniDisc & 2CD last year; I thought it would be interesting to re-record songs from the album with the current band, which has completely different members aside from myself. I transferred the 8-track master tape to digital, and started by retaining a few of my piano parts, then replacing everything else. Originally it had a female vocalist, now Jon takes over the passion and intensity of the story about personal failures. Henrik’s strings flesh out the mood in a way that overall the song is more beautiful and yet more depressing than it was 30+ years ago.

2. Are we going to make it on time?

No. Unfortunately not. Humans are not trying hard enough to make it. Still killing each other, religion preventing progress, and generally not saving the planet from our own betrayals. My son is 21. It is horrible to think what the world will be like when he is my age. We’re not going to make it. Failure is guaranteed.

3. Suggest us a record we surely don’t know.
The album I recommend is Player Piano from FUTURISK, a band I knew in the early 80s in South Florida when I was just out of high school. It’s synthwave, synthpop? I think Jeremy called it “Synth Punk” back in the day. It was great to have a local band making music on synthesizers back then, when most bands were playing rock-n-roll on standard rock instruments in dusty bars for country rockers.

Three page interview with Black Tape For A Blue Girl in the new issue of America’s Procession Magazine (#9 • March 2023). “Darkwave dressed with a deep, flowing intensity.”

$11,264 • 125% funded • 227 backers
The goal was reached and the stretch goal as well. You did it! Thanks to 227 incredible backers for the support — joining the team that created this (soon to be) lovely release. Mesmerized by the sirens will be available later this year as a 2CD, LP (two color variations) and MiniDisc at the BlackTape bandcamp page.

25 hours to go, how’d we do?

in progress, design for the 6-panel 2CD digipak

Hello. There’s 25 hours to go in the Kickstarter for the new mix of BlackTape’s 1987 Mesmerized by the Sirens. Join us in creating this physical release in three formats: 140-gram color vinyl (two color variations), double-CD, and MiniDisc. Yes, MD! This will be the 4th BlackTape album on MD and the 10th to be issued on vinyl.

The goal was reached and the stretch goal as well, yet the campaign isn’t done yet! Backers pledged $302 today, adding their support to the team that creates this lovely release (and get bonus items only available at Kickstarter.)

There are 205 people on board as I write this. Join them. Join us!

Stream & download the 2023 mix for free at Bandcamp

Deven H wrote on Facebook: Awesome!! Such a fantastic job cleaning up the sound! WOW! The flip from the ’87 tracks to the 2023 tracks are insanely more rich and have such depth! It truly was like a “Wow” moment!! Great work!!

Fernando from Peru wrote on Facebook: Mesmerized by the Sirens is my favorite album from your band. That album accompanied me in a difficult moment (it was like escaping into a dreamlike space while listening to it).

Thank you so much. I love hearing how my music was there for you at tough moments. Much the same as This Mortal Coil and Dead Can Dance was there for me in the mid-80s (when I began recording as Black Tape For A Blue Girl.) It’s great knowing the art Oscar, Sue-Kenny, Alan, Walter and I created was able to do the same for you.

Thanks to all who have pledged the Kickstarter. I look forward to a few more joining with us in the next 24 hours.

•  U P D A T E   F R O M   S A M  •

Mesmerized by the sirens 2023 mix

My current Kickstarter dives into a new mix of 1987’s Mesmerized by the Sirens. Your support helps fund the rerelease of our 2nd album in three formats: 140-gram color vinyl, CD, and MiniDisc.

More than a reissue, it’s a restoration! I remixed the album from scratch! Stream the captivating 2023 mix at our Bandcamp page; you can download it there as well.

After 36 years, Mesmerized finally matches the way it has always played in my head — rich, detailed and distinct. Everything is more present, and the lovely vocals engulf you in their power and beauty.

Guillaume Roos writes on Twitter: I just finished listening to the 2023 Mix and it’s truly amazing, almost as if we’d been listening to Mesmerized from a distance for years without knowing. The music shines with so much more depth. I can’t wait for the CD!

There’s much more I could say here but as it’s all nicely stated at the Kickstarter, I invite you to pop over there to watch the video, listen to the difference, read about the process, and make your pledge.

I’m excited to be able to create this reissue with the help of people who believe in me and want to help this campaign succeed – people like you!

Sam

1987-Sam, photo by Walter Holland

The Scavenger Bride vinyl arrived from Greece. I’ve packaged all the preOrders, and I’m bringing them to the post office today. It’s a single LP in two color variations, and includes a 4-page lyric insert. The album is remastered and available from our Bandcamp page. In Europe, faster service ordering from the label, The Circle Music in Greece, or from Projekt’s European Webstore.

Hello Mexico!!! Mexican fans are the #2 country for Spotify streams on the new Black Tape For A Blue Girl single, “Bastille Day, 1961.” I ❤️ your passion for my music. With Jon DeRosa and Henrik Meierkord. Listen at Spotify. Download the single for free at Black Tape For A Blue Girl’s Bandcamp page.

The Greek vinyl of Black Tape For A Blue Girl’s 2002 The Scavenger Bride is on preOrder for shipping next month. In Europe direct from Circle Music. In the USA from our Bandcamp page. Available in two color options, 250 per color. Here’s the gold and white marble.

The A chaos of desire 2CD, 2LP, & MiniDisc a now available on the Black Tape For A Blue Girl Bandcamp Page.

(Sean’s package, unpacked)

Sean in Scotland wrote: Package arrived safe and sound last week. Wow! Spinning A Chaos of Desire just instantly put me back in my room at my folks in the early nineties, when I’d just come home from Glasgow with the CD and listened to it for the first time. Was in a bad relationship that I was trying to get out of and, I’ll admit, enjoyed wallowing in emotionally-charged music as a soundtrack to my miserableness! LOL! Always amazed by how music can be like a time machine and transport you immediately to a time and place and, more significantly, feeling. Fantastic package – just blown away! The fanzine is excellent. Just fabulous. Can’t wait for the next one!

Could you play this Spotify playlist: Ethereal, Goth & Heavenly Voices.
Many people told me on Facebook that the way they discover new music is when it’s recommended on Spotify (and other streaming sites); ie: when a song or album is finished the algorithm recommends a track you might like. I’m trying to help train the algorithms with this playlist of bands similar to BlackTape. It needs a lot of plays to help train, so please play, share, play again. Thanks.
Sam