Music Spotlight: Duran Duran

Artist Spotlight: Duran Duran 

Origin: Birmingham, England

Years Active: 1978-Present

Albums released: 13

Claim to fame: Single "Girls on Film" (1981)

Website/Wiki

Successful parenting is finding 80's music on your kid's iPod. -Anonymous


I absolutely agree one hundred percent that any parent should gain a trophy if their children have decent 80's music on their iPods. Growing up with various bands from the era, what I would consider truly successful parenting would be to have bands such as Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Journey, and none other than Duran Duran on their iPod. Duran Duran has been a big part of my life growing up that I have even vowed to name one of my children Rio after their 1980 hit "Rio"

Originating in England, Duran Duran was one of the most popular 1980's bands. They were so popular that they ended up having 14 singles in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, but even more than that have sold over 100 million records. An astonishing feat considering most people at the time thought their lyrics and music videos were "controversial." This little flaw however did not stunt their growth in the music world. Controversial isn't the word I would peg Duran Duran as, although on the sexy side they never shook their hips like Elvis Presley once did.   Although the video of "Hungry like the Wolf" could be construed as "controversial," it seems that it is very tame given some of today's more popular music videos. 


Even though their spark may have faded in the early nineties, and caused a break up of the infamous band, the band has recently rejoined, and are releasing music. Even though the sound of the band today is quite different from back in the day their most recent record, "All You Need is Now" hit the No. 1 spot on download charts in 15 different countries on iTunes.  

All You Need is Now has a distinct difference than earlier songs from Duran Duran, even though they have tamed down the content in their videos, they are still popular for their "controversy".

Earlier this year it was released that Duran Duran would be performing at the Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympics, which are being held in London, England. Excited and somewhat anxious to see what the band will choose to perform at this monumental performance.


With this huge ceremony ahead of them, I'm hoping that this is not bringing the end of Duran Duran's career. I believe they still have great potential, and will be entertaining audiences for years to come with their up-beat pop culture music. Who knows, maybe our children will even be seeing them play live thirty years from now. Here's hoping...




- Teresa Curtis

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Artist of the Day: Shinichi Osawa

Artist of the Day: Shinichi Osawa

Who is Shinichi Osawa you may ask? Well today I will introduce you to the world of 大沢 伸. Shinichi Osawa is a Japanese electronic artist, who mainly bases his music in the Acid jazz, House, and Electro house sub genres. There is a good chance that you may never have heard of him. He isn't completely unknown to the UK, afterall he was voted as one of Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists by HMV.

Shinichi Osawa started his musical career in 1991 as the leader and bassist of Mondo Grosso, a musical group which was highly popular in Japan. However, in 1995 after they release two official albums Mondo Grosso was disbanded. After the break up Shinichi Osawa started to do much more solo work, this lead to him making the album “Closer” in 1998 which was his first attempt at an Acid Jazz/House combination. Although it was not a very big hit, it did help him form his unique style of music. The same can be said about his second solo album MG4 released in 2000. Although it did not properly take off, it did reinforce his style of music.

Osawa was also involved with the gaming industry for a while, he provided the hypnotic array of techno music for the popular PSP puzzle game Lumines in 2005. However, he did not compose anything for its sequel.

Then in 2007 his career started to take off, he moved to the record company avex trax and released his hit album “The One” under his real name. This then gave him international fame allowing him to play at such venues as the Electric Daisy Carnival a huge Electronic festival in the USA.

Songs such as “Push” really show how well he combines in factors from House, Acid Jazz, and a hint of funk and post-rock mixed in.

Shinichi Osawa then went on to make his second album under his own name, SO2. Like most his other albums, it was based around Acid Jazz, and House. However he also added a dash of ambient music style in this album giving it a more peaceful vibe. Although it was not as far reaching as “The One”, SO2 was still a big hit in Japan earning him the place of #95 on the top 100 Japanese pop artists.

It'd be hard to argue Shinichi Osawa is not an innovator for electronic music. He created a new style of music, and was still not afraid to modify it and create a new and improved beast. I personally cannot wait for him to release a new album, and I'm convinced it will be another great success.

Give them a listen and if you like what you hear please support them. 

For more info about Shinichi Osawa please visit his Website, Soundcloud, Myspace, or Wiki page

- Alasdair Kerr

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Band of the Day: Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie

As an underground "alternative rock" band, Death Cab for Cutie can pull out even the most reserved emotions in people. They have been entertaining the socially inept since 1998. Trademarked with Ben Gibbard's smooth lead vocals along with his amazing piano skills, accompanied by Chris Walla on guitar, Nick Harmer playing bass, and drummer Jason McGerr. Death Cab for Cutie helps you escape the rigours of everyday living.

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Band of the Day: Engraved Metal

Engraved Metal

AKA: Engraved

Genre: Heavy Metal

From: Turriff, Scotland

Performing since: 2008

Facebook/Reverbation/Youtube

Music Spotlight is a focus piece on various talented artists across the world, while any band may be featured it is usually smaller and less well known artists that get picked. This month's choice is a band featuring two of Confab's writers: Engraved

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