Blondie lights up 2017 with the release of their 11th studio album Pollinator through Liberator Music / BMG on May 5th – an incredible new record and a modern take on the classic, vintage sound of one of the world’s most influential and legendary bands.
New York’s famed recording studio, The Magic Shop, notably known for David Bowie’s last two albums as well as one by Lou Reed, was a particularly fitting setting to inspire Blondie’s musical creativity. The last album recorded at The Magic Shop prior to its closure, Pollinator is a riot of sound and musical colour; its 11 tracks represent the continuation of a 40+ year musical conversation that Blondie started.
From the new album Pollinator, the lead single ‘Fun’ is available to stream and download now.
‘Fun’ co-writer and TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, perhaps more a descendent of Blondie’s New York post-punk legacy, returns them to a 21st Century Studio 54 with the new single. With Debbie Harry and the band sounding better than ever, Blondie’s euphoric new track plays like the best party ever thrown, and captures that unique combination of their enviable cool and sheer melodic joy.
Blondie’s classic writing duo of Chris Stein and Debbie Harry are at the heart of Pollinator’s creation – with ‘Doom Or Destiny’ and ‘Love Level’, while keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen’s two tracks (‘Already Naked’ and ‘Too Much’) prove the band continues to evolve almost song by song. Blondie’s founding drummer Clem Burke provides the unmistakably thrilling propulsion throughout.
Chris Stein’s fascination with modern culture sees him mine a song from Adam Johnson aka An Unkindess (‘Fragments’), first heard as a sample on the Vancouver based indie artist’s YouTube movie reviews.
Producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, John Grant, War On Drugs, David Byrne) brought the band into the studio to record live, capturing the essence of one of the founders of punk rock, a genre that defined his life.
Pop’s uber writers and chart queens Sia (the shimmering synth led ‘Best Day Ever’) and Charli XCX (digital, bubble gum punk of ‘Gravity’) are fans invited by an admiring Blondie to contribute.
The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, an old friend and admirer writes ‘My Monster’ and joins the band on guitar, while Dev Hynes (Blood Orange, Lightspeed Champion) cements an enduring partnership with Blondie by channeling shards of ‘Heart Of Glass’ into the irresistible ‘Long Time’.
Along the way, Joan Jett and Laurie Anderson make studio appearances (‘Doom Or Destiny’) along with The Gregory Brothers (‘When I Gave Up On You’).
“Their material is part of us and we are part of them”, says frontwoman Debbie Harry of their co-writers, all of whom were influenced by her band in the first place, “It’s a celebration of recycling!”
For the last four decades, Blondie has become and still remains a true global icon; one whose influence both shaped and continues to inform the worlds of music, fashion and art. From an irreverent Lower East Side punk outfit to bona fide international ambassadors of New York cool, Blondie will forever be synonymous with that punk spirit that lives somewhere in all of us. Their charttopping success, fearless spirit and rare longevity led to an induction into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and more than 40 million albums sold worldwide to date. Sounding more vital and essential than ever, Pollinator is a Blondie record for 2017 that stands alongside any in their extraordinary career.
World-renowned artist Shepard Fairey has designed the Pollinator artwork which, as well as CD, digital and heavy weight vinyl, will be available as a limited edition 7” box set.
Blondie are teaming up with Cyndi Lauper for a very special Australian tour this April. The two iconic artists will play arena shows in Melbourne and Sydney alongside A Day On The Green winery shows.
Pollinator tracklist:
Doom Or Destiny
Long Time
Already Naked
Fun
My Monster
Best Day Ever
Gravity
When I Gave Up On You
Love Level
Too Much
Fragments
Pollinator – Blondie
Out Friday 5 May 2017
Through Liberator Musc/BMG
Pre-order available here
Blondie & Cyndi Lauper Australian tour
Sat 1 Apr Bimbadgen | Hunter Valley, NSW – ticketmaster.com.au
Sun 2 Apr Sirromet Wines | Mt Cotton, QLD – ticketmaster.com.au
Tue 4 Apr ICC Sydney Theatre| Sydney, NSW – ticketek.com.au
Thu 6 Apr Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC – ticketek.com.au
Sat 8 Apr Rochford Wines | Yarra Valley, VIC – ticketmaster.com.au
Sun 9 Apr Leconfield Wines | McLaren Vale, SA – ticketmaster.com.au
Wed 12 Apr Kings Park & Botanic Gardens | Perth, WA – ticketmaster.com.au
Presented by
Frontier Touring,
WS FM & Gold 104.3
