Andrew Eldritch: Why won't you release a new Sisters LP?

[Bartek]

"You're mental."© James Blast

[Nikolas Vitus Lagartija]

in a world where the major labels are increasingly scared to take a punt on even established bands that can't be guaranteed to shift a whole lot of units and sell out arena tours, the sissies aren't really seen as a major force anymore. definitely not in the uk or the states, and most likely not in europe.

Mourning Sun and Go Away White, comeback albums released after lengthy absences, both sold poorly in all three markets, which might also make distributors/labels nervous. And from the artist's perspective, can either be said to add anything to the legend of Bauhaus or FOTN ?

The success - financial. critical, personal - or otherwise of the Violets' comeback may also end up being a factor. Wouldn't be the first time Von copied one of Si's ideas, as readers of UTR will be aware ...

[stufarq]

where's the apathy stage !!

That's the stage that Von's in.

[abridged]

Even if released a new album there would be a complaining that it wasn't F&L&A by some around here.

[abridged]

in a world where the major labels are increasingly scared to take a punt on even established bands that can't be guaranteed to shift a whole lot of units and sell out arena tours, the sissies aren't really seen as a major force anymore. definitely not in the uk or the states, and most likely not in europe.

Mourning Sun and Go Away White, comeback albums released after lengthy absences, both sold poorly in all three markets, which might also make distributors/labels nervous. And from the artist's perspective, can either be said to add anything to the legend of Bauhaus or FOTN ?

The success - financial. critical, personal - or otherwise of the Violets' comeback may also end up being a factor. Wouldn't be the first time Von copied one of Si's ideas, as readers of UTR will be aware ...

I'm pretty certain that the association with the Sisters is the only thing that makes an MV comeback viable. Outside the Sisters fan base is anyone really interested? Likewise Ghostdance.

[Prescott]

Even if released a new album there would be a complaining that it wasn't F&L&A by some around here.

I for one have ABSOLUTELY no preconceived notions about what style it should be. I think it could just as easily sound like Massive Attack as it could just be Andrew and an acoustic guitar as a nod to Leonard Cohen.

Imagine how brilliant an all acoustic new album would be! Imagine how far removed from anything other than maybe "I Was Wrong" it would be, yet so personal and moving and would do the songs justice, proclaiming "These are great songs, they can stand on their melodies, harmonies and lyrics alone; we don't need no stinking electronics or post-production with a £1,000,000 price tag to prove it either."

Sure, some would whine, but it would be DEFINITIVE it would make SENSE it would be different from the first three albums (which were all different) and it wouldn't cost much at all.

It would be a YES, a straight line, a goal - accomplished.

*Edit: Most importantly it would have the direct immeadiacy that only a recording can give and would not be hindered by the bellowing, chanting, screaming, talkative morons who can't seem to shut up interfering with one's listen pleasure, such as on any number of available live recordings.

[abridged]

Even if released a new album there would be a complaining that it wasn't F&L&A by some around here.

I for one have ABSOLUTELY no preconceived notions about what style it should be. I think it could just as easily sound like Massive Attack as it could just be Andrew and an acoustic guitar as a nod to Leonard Cohen.

Imagine how brilliant an all acoustic new album would be! Imagine how far removed from anything other than maybe "I Was Wrong" it would be, yet so personal and moving and would do the songs justice, proclaiming "These are great songs, they can stand on their melodies, harmonies and lyrics alone; we don't need no stinking electronics or post-production with a £1,000,000 price tag to prove it either."

Sure, some would whine, but it would be DEFINITIVE it would make SENSE it would be different from the first three albums (which were all different) and it wouldn't cost much at all.

It would be a YES, a straight line, a goal - accomplished.

*Edit: Most importantly it would have the direct immeadiacy that only a recording can give and would not be hindered by the bellowing, chanting, screaming, talkative morons who can't seem to shut up interfering with one's listen pleasure, such as on any number of available live recordings.

I agree. It would be great. Am with you. I'd love something new. But I still love them live. It's about the music but also the craic, the smoke, the lights...There's only the Sisters and And Also the Trees I'd travel to see. Even tho no record (from the former) there's something..

[Izzy HaveMercy]

Don't get me wrong, a band has no obligations whatsoever towards its fans. But they have to keep an interest going or the fans go elsewhere.

You still see a lot of fans tuning up at each concert, but imagine how much MORE if they had released something new anno 2000 and then again 2005, for example?

IZ.

[lazarus corporation]

Seriously. What's the reason/s?

I believe he's now answered that question in the interview linked to on this thread

[Being645]

Don't get me wrong, a band has no obligations whatsoever towards its fans. But they have to keep an interest going or the fans go elsewhere.

You still see a lot of fans tuning up at each concert, but imagine how much MORE if they had released something new anno 2000 and then again 2005, for example?

IZ.

I wouldn't sign that. Look at Motörhead. They produce an album almost every year.
And their fanbase is what they were quite from the beginning, not less and not many more ...

Secondly, why have four children if one can't properly feed more than one ... ...

[Dan]

Seriously. What's the reason/s?

I believe he's now answered that question in the interview linked to on this thread

Yes, now we know. No new album because people will pirate it and download it for free.

But didn't that always happen? A friend would bring round a c90 and tape the new album you'd just bought, or whatever.

[Sita]

I wouldn't take it so literal. Eldritch had just said that he didn't want to discuss it, and then the interviewer still asked nonetheless, so he got a polite answer that made just good enough sense to be able to move on to the next topic

[Prescott]

I wouldn't take it so literal. Eldritch had just said that he didn't want to discuss it, and then the interviewer still asked nonetheless, so he got a polite answer that made just good enough sense to be able to move on to the next topic

Exactly. It's not a valid reason. People were using dual cassette decks to copy their friends' tapes almost 30 years ago. How is it any different now? It's a sorry excuse, nothing more.

The TRUTH would be so refreshing for a change.

[Sita]

I don't know, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, in my opinion.

[Being645]

I don't know, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, in my opinion.

Very true ... even if there was an explanation, that wouldn't change a thing and only give way to further "negotiations" ... ...

We can only hope or dream or do something else by ourselves ...

[Prescott]

I don't know, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, in my opinion.

Very true ... even if there was an explanation, that wouldn't change a thing and only give way to further "negotiations" ... ...

We can only hope or dream or do something else by ourselves ...

First of all, when did I say he "owed" anyone an explanation? Second of all, what someone feels/thinks/believes that someone else owes them is probably the worst way to put it.

Expectations, on the other hand, are natural in any human relationship. That much should be obvious. Whether it's a very personal relationship or not. The artist/fan relationship or artist/benefactor or artist/supporter or artist/producer or artist/label relationships also all apply.

YOU can lack all expectations of Eldritch if you want. There are such things as REASONABLE expectations you know. No one suggested, and certainly not I, that he should have sold out to Warner or Cleopatra, or Mute or Metropolis. No one is suggesting he should have compromised his artistic integrity. THOSE would be unreasonable expectations.

Some of us go to gigs of ANY band understanding that we are paying for more than a show and a t-shirt that is questionably over-priced. We usually know that our money is an investment in other things, such as RECORDS.

If that's an unreasonable expectation to you ladies and gentalmen, I'm sorry that you have so thoroughly convinced yourself to accept the status quo.

It certainly shouldn't be characterized as a claim that he "owes" me or anyone else anything. As I have made it clear, the more I realized that I am not supporting an active RECORD releasing band, the less I wanted to spend my money to travel to see them, buy tickets to a gig or buy any more t-shirts.

You may be satisfied to see them still and feel like it's money well spent. Your view is obviously not the only one. Plenty of others around here and elsewhere have expressed the same or similar opinions to my own.

Besides, our converstations are great, yet to me, they are great only insofar as they get the attention of AE or someone like Chris or Si, who will then relay the gist of them to him. Hopefully he still cares enough to think it over. If he feels that the core fanbase just doesn't really care either way, has grown apathetic and complacent - why then should he care?

People who have grown completely tired of this band not RELEASING an album need to speak up more. It really could make all the difference. Why be so pessimistic as to think it doesn't matter?

[Machine Regime]

I don't know, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation, in my opinion.

Very true ... even if there was an explanation, that wouldn't change a thing and only give way to further "negotiations" ... ...

We can only hope or dream or do something else by ourselves ...

First of all, when did I say he "owed" anyone an explanation? Second of all, what someone feels/thinks/believes that someone else owes them is probably the worst way to put it.

Expectations, on the other hand, are natural in any human relationship. That much should be obvious. Whether it's a very personal relationship or not. The artist/fan relationship or artist/benefactor or artist/supporter or artist/producer or artist/label relationships also all apply.

YOU can lack all expectations of Eldritch if you want. There are such things as REASONABLE expectations you know. No one suggested, and certainly not I, that he should have sold out to Warner or Cleopatra, or Mute or Metropolis. No one is suggesting he should have compromised his artistic integrity. THOSE would be unreasonable expectations.

Some of us go to gigs of ANY band understanding that we are paying for more than a show and a t-shirt that is questionably over-priced. We usually know that our money is an investment in other things, such as RECORDS.

If that's an unreasonable expectation to you ladies and gentalmen, I'm sorry that you have so thoroughly convinced yourself to accept the status quo.

It certainly shouldn't be characterized as a claim that he "owes" me or anyone else anything. As I have made it clear, the more I realized that I am not supporting an active RECORD releasing band, the less I wanted to spend my money to travel to see them, buy tickets to a gig or buy any more t-shirts.

You may be satisfied to see them still and feel like it's money well spent. Your view is obviously not the only one. Plenty of others around here and elsewhere have expressed the same or similar opinions to my own.

Besides, our converstations are great, yet to me, they are great only insofar as they get the attention of AE or someone like Chris or Si, who will then relay the gist of them to him. Hopefully he still cares enough to think it over. If he feels that the core fanbase just doesn't really care either way, has grown apathetic and complacent - why then should he care?

People who have grown completely tired of this band not RELEASING an album need to speak up more. It really could make all the difference. Why be so pessimistic as to think it doesn't matter?

Hear hear - I recognise the right of anyone on these forums to be unconcerned or accepting of the continuing dearth of recorded output, but there's little point in trying to dissuade the rest of us from continuing to make a noise. We want the records, what else can we do? Yes, there are other, more productive things we can do with our time, but life isn't all about being productive all of the time. Just occasionally.

Would all of us striking gigs encourage Eldo to release something, or just get him to retire completely? Or have no effect at all? There's one way to find out. Is anybody here really trying to tell me they intend to watch the same roster of live songs into perpetuity?

[hellboy69]

Is anybody here really trying to tell me they intend to watch the same roster of live songs into perpetuity?

Don't *intend* to - but it keeps happening by mistake.

[Sita]

I don't want to torpedo your cause in your own thread. Of course a record would be nice and I would rush and buy the deluxe edition the moment it was available.
It's just that I think those are topics any artist would rather discuss behind closed doors. I would not expect anyone to go on a radio show and discuss their issues and business. That's what I meant with "not owe".

[Prescott]

I don't want to torpedo your cause in your own thread. Of course a record would be nice and I would rush and buy the deluxe edition the moment it was available.
It's just that I think those are topics any artist would rather discuss behind closed doors. I would not expect anyone to go on a radio show and discuss their issues and business. That's what I meant with "not owe".

You and I both know plenty of artists, musicians, game producers, sports stars, movie stars, wrestling stars: you name it, have gone on the record about plenty of details concerning their "issues and business". A recent, and exceptionally similar example: Leonard Cohen. He came right out and discussed very openly and even-handedly the problems he has faced financially and personally since his manager took him to the cleaners. How did his fan base react? By attending more gigs and buying more CD/DVD sets because they understood they were supporting someone who feels an OBLIGATION to their fans and was open and honest about their situation.

[TheGoodSon]

See, here´s what I´ve never understood; both Von and the other members of the band have stated on numerous occasions that they HAVE recorded a lot of the unreleased stuff, that they are in fact recording continuosly, but can´t be bothered to go through all the industry hassle. But why not make just a song or two available online, perhaps even (dare I say it?!) for free? They´re already recording this stuff (allegedly, anyway), it wouldn´t cost them a dime to make it available, and it would be a massive show of good will towards a fanbase that has proven extremely loyal over the years (remember that old Glasperlenspiel interview (from 2003) with Von where he said that his financial adviser had told him to tour his head off NOW, because in two years time the audience would be gone?). I definitely do not feel that Von/The Sisters OWE us anything, it´s not their obligation to make recorded songs available. But at the same time, I can´t see why they shouldn´t do it. Von used to be the world´s greatest perfectionist (he even stopped Swedish TV-channel Z-TV from filming their performance at the Arvika Festival in 1998 because, he said, "the sound quality of TV is too poor to do the music justice"), now he´s saying that there´s no need for a new Sisters product because the fans are recording the gigs and making their own "new album".
It´s a damn shame, and it doesn´t make sense.

[euphoria]

Andrew is not the least interested in the Sisters anymore.

That answers all questions in this thread...they have finished at least one new song in the last 2 years (yeah, to non-Sisters fans this sounds ironic, but we know the drill) and they cannot even play that one, despite touring all the time.
How could they (sorry, he) then be expected to lift even a finger to release something, even if it's just a download on their web site?

[Bartek]

It doesn't have to make sens, at all. For years we heard same sentences about rec. companie, promotion, etc. This is just small inconsequence- for same years we heard that bootlegs are for deaf and blind people or just those hearing and eyesight is not good enough to find distincion between good and bad quality - no it's gone, now when live sound is far from perfect.
Now it's change- that should be enough for us as explain or excuse, if you want to.
Edith:
Funny thing about releasing song for free; they did it once and it was big sucess. According to TSOM web site they had to remove it due to too big interest. I'm not talking about releasing for free but to put anywhere. If that was such a sucess they could, i'm not sure if they can do this anymore, expect that selling songs via iTunes or whatever that kind of site could be same sucess, on their scale.
Either way it just stupid gibberish, nonsens talk from me.

[James Blast]

"the sound quality of TV is too poor to do the music justice"

I supposed he still listens to the wireless

[Sita]

Andrew is not the least interested in the Sisters anymore.

I really admire the man and his talent, but yeah, that message comes out very clearly from between the lines err, words, as it was a radio interview.