In conversation with Andy Bell

Besides being a member of Erasure, Andy Bell has a successful solo career. In May, a European tour will accompany the release of a new album, Ten Crowns. The album embraces a milestone, with Andy turning sixty last year— an occasion that is celebrated throughout the album of euphoric songs produced and polished in Nashville. The record is by no means a country album; instead, the mood is propulsive, electronic, and passionate, driven by the need to encounter new emotions and experiences as life races on.

Ahead of the tour and album release, Andy took time out from a break in Mallorca to chat about the record and his career to date.

Can you tell us about the new album, Ten Crowns?

The album title is a different one. I was trying to think of a name for the album, and my first thought was trying to get a good pub name for the title, like Ten Bells. At the same time I’d just got the crowns on my teeth done in Miami; previously I had four crowns done when Erasure had the ABBA EP released in 1992, so I thought maybe this was a good luck thing, hence the new album title. The ten crowns are also on the Tree of Life on Tarot cards, which I also enjoy doing.

Debbie Harry from Blondie appears on the album. How did that come about?

I have always been a big fan of her: the way she looks, her approach, how she is anti-fashion and her outlook on life. We have met one another many times over the years and at one point went on tour with her along with Cyndi Lauper. I never imagined when I was a teenager listening to Blondie albums that I would ever be on a record with her—for me, it was better than any reward that I could ever receive.

Why did you choose to record the album in Nashville?

Dave Aude, my co-writer and producer, moved his family to Nashville because Los Angeles was so expensive, and you will hear on the record that our writing took a kind of gospel-tinged Nashville twist. Dave has worked with a diverse range of artists and has won a Grammy award too. He was a fan of Erasure, too; my partner of thirteen years, Stephen, hooked us up, and we started writing together, and our musical partnership grew from there.

What can we expect on the forthcoming tour?

We have managed to fit in five or six new songs from the new album, which flow easily with the Erasure songs. Hopefully, people who are not yet fans of the new album won't notice too many new songs. The tour starts in York. The last time I was there, we stayed over a few nights. This was when the only gay pub in the city was open, and I went there quite a few nights. My sisters visit the city on weekends away and have told me to visit sites such as Clifford’s Tower, the Shambles and the Minster. After York we travel across the north to Manchestger, Gateshead and Liverpool.

Do you have any good memories to share of Erasure concerts in the north?

I remember that we played once at the theatre at the end of the north pier in Blackpool. It was so funny; I remember thinking, How do artists get away from the theatre at the end of the show? We were literally chased down the pier by our fans at the end of the night!

Who designs all your stage costumes?

There are quite a few people, but primarily Dean Bright, a really good friend of mine. At the moment I am working with a north of England designer, Andrew Clancey, who is based in Nashville and his company, Any Old Iron.

What do you miss when not living in England?

We live in the middle of Atlanta in an apartment that has a dentist, barber and an optician. I like that it is so mixed in terms of people who all get along together. I miss silly things about England, like bacon, sausage rolls, and fish and chips!

Will there be another Erasure album in the future?

I hope so – I have seen Vince (Clarke) twice since last year, and he is getting on really well. We are still writing, though it is not our first priority at the moment. The focus is on the new album and tour, which I am very excited about.

The album, Ten Crowns is released on Friday 2nd May with tour visiting the north:
1st May- York Barbican
3rd May- Manchester Bridgewater Hall
8th May - Gateshead Glasshouse
18th May - Liverpool Philharmonic