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...Pining for the Eighties
 He
pouts. He struts. He’s impeccably attired.
In a razor-sharp suit and futuristic shades, Tim Vital and his synth guitar
make an instant impression.
Behind him, there’s Dancin’ Vin, the nattily-suited and irrepressible
keyboard player.
And then, Jessie Love Action and Miss K take to the stage, eye-catching
in tight-fitting vests and hot pants.
Welcome to the world of Neosupervital, Ireland’s most sartorially-obsessed
band and also one of its best proponents of 1980s-inspired electronic
pop music.
Have you been pining for the music of that era, a time when Duran Duran
and Human League ruled the airwaves?
If so, Neosupervital may be the band for you.
Have a listen to their self-titled debut album and you’ll hear how
they’ve brought the signature sound of the 1980s up to date.
On Pathetic Human Being, the layers of sound develop from a simple and
crystal-clear electronic tinkling to a musical edifice of synth guitars,
drum machines and all sorts of synthesised melodies.
Tim’s resonant voice rides over the music, telling of frustrated
attempts to achieve happiness.
Miss K and Jessie Love Action’s soft tones harmonise in the background.
It may sound depressing but it’s actually a dancefloor stomper.
The beat is irresistible.
The rhythm is infectious.
Ignoring the downbeat lyrics, the song is as uplifting as can be.
The pulsing rhythm, stylish clothes and swanky sunglasses; these are all
part of the image created by Vital, lead singer, synth guitarist and driving
force behind the band.
He said: “I’ve always been interested in bands that put on
a show as well as playing good music.
“That’s what I’ve tried to do with Neosupervital.
“Also, I like to take the opportunity to dress up. I don’t
have a real job so I never get any other chance to wear a suit.”
So, Vital’s serious on one hand and playful on the other.
The same could be said about his band.
Both elements — the serious: A strong sense of ambition coupled
with the playful: An easygoing relaxed approach — have had a part
to play in how Neosupervital has evolved.
It started when Vital (who is also a part-time drummer with BellX1) suddenly
decided to try to write music four years ago.
He said: “I’d been playing music for a long time but wanted
to try writing it.
“It didn’t take long to discover I could do it but I’m
still trying to figure out how to write the perfect pop song.”
It’s this ongoing attempt to write appealing music that led to the
formation of the band.
It started as a solo project, with Vital working alone on his computer,
blending drum machines and synthesisers.
Eventually, he had enough material to make an album, which he toured around
Ireland.
He was eager to succeed but took a laidback approach to many of his decisions.
For example, he chose his name without any forethought and in a completely
random fashion.
He said: “It’s simply the name of a battery that fell out
of my walkman. I just liked it.”
His solo project morphed into a group collaboration in a similarly haphazard
way. As Vital explains it, music brought them together.
He said: “I met Jessie out one night. We discovered we had musical
interests in common and that she played bass.
“She brought her friend Miss K along to play synthesisers and sing.
“Another night, Vin — an old schoolmate of mine — jumped
on stage to dance and he’s stayed there ever since, playing samplers
and keyboards.
“Basically you could say we got together through music and chance.”
The new line-up means that Vital’s music-making process has changed.
He said: “Before I did everything on my own and had no sounding
board. It was hard to know if I was losing the run of myself or not.
“But now, it’s a much more collaborative process. Everything
is in a liquid state because there is input from the others.”
They’ve already started work on the band’s second album.
With so many musical personalities in the mix, how different is it going
to be from the first?
Vital thinks it’s shaping up to be more diverse: “There may
even be some live drums.”
But when asked if Neosupervital might be moving in a more acoustic direction,
he bristles at the suggestion.
He said: “We just choose whatever sounds are pleasing at the time.
“It’s a question of whatever works but our music can usually
be described as electronic pop that you can dance to.
“It’s about melodies, harmonies and beats.”
As a group, Neosupervital are inspired by a whole host of musical influences.
Vital said: “It’s everything we listen to really.
“From the crap that you react against to the good stuff you try
to emulate.”
He includes Led Zeppelin’s drumming, A Tribe Called Quest, the Human
League and Duran Duran among ‘the good stuff’.
Indeed, he was such a fan of the Human League that he sent them a copy
of his debut album.
They obviously reciprocated his admiration because they invited Neosupervital
to be their support act on their last European tour.
Vital said: “That was a huge vote of confidence. It was amazing
to be on tour with people we’d only previously seen on Top Of The
Pops.”
The tour introduced them to a new audience and helped them build up a
fan base. They’ve been building on it ever since.
Vital said: “I want to make sure we keep all plates spinning.
“We need to explore new songs and demo them.
“We need to improve our production skills so that our next record
sounds better. “And we need to keep touring.”
They’ve secured a European distribution deal.
And they are focussing on creating a second album that’s even more
addictive than the first.
All while paying due attention to their stylish outfits of course.
This 1980s revivalist band has got standards to maintain.
n To find out more about Neosupervital, visit www.neosupervital.com or
www.myspace.com/
neosupervital |
