Hi People,
Hope you are all very happy and well.
I have finished my album. Here is the track-listing and release information:-
BALLETIC TRANSCEND
Balletic Transcend
Springboard Activist
Grandiloquent
Pothole Pirouette
Dip
Back to the Head
Jump Spin
Unbounded
A Feint Idea
Etoile
All tracks written by Billy Currie Mixed and Mastered by Billy Currie and Peter Dudley
The album will be released on November 12th as a Download & CD. Amazon On Demand are handling the CD release. My 2009 album Refine will also be available on CD for the first time.
All the best,
Billy
1st OCTOBER 2013
Hi People,
Hope you are all very well and having fun!
This is the cover artwork for my new album BALLETIC TRANSCEND
The artwork is by my good friend Mick O'Farrell at Revolver Creative.
I am mixing the album at the moment and so it will be released and available at the end of this October month.
All the Best,
Billy
18th MARCH 2013
ULTRAVOX STATEMENT RE NOVEMBER SHOWS
Photo: Courtesy of Stefan Durr
Ultravox are proud to announce a series of joint shows with great friends
Simple Minds in November 2013.
The four UK arena shows will see the band sharing the bill for the first time in the UK after parallel careers spanning 30+ years.
Photo: Courtesy of Paul Cox
'Its unbelievable to think that this will be the first time two of the outstanding rock bands so influential in the eighties have ever shared the same stage in the UK' a spokesperson said.
Tickets on sale from Weds March 20th.
Also imminent is an HD, live concert from Ultravox's European tour in October 2012. This multi camera shoot will be available on Blu ray as well as DVD.
A release date is yet to be finalised but it is planned to be released mid to late summer to coincide with the November shows
Hi People,
I am now on facebook. My kids are helping me work it out. Be patient. I am getting there.
Please interact!
There is a an excellent feature on Ultravox at The Electricity Club.
I have contributed to it.
They intend to also do a feature on my new album when it is released.
Great Stuff!
That's good support.
I am slowly getting back into writing my music again. Its taking a bit of time to do so though.
Ultravox have been so busy so it will take a bit of time to readjust.
Ultravox do not have any more gigs lined up. I am concentrating on getting this record completed and released in 2013. Probably the second half of it.
The idea is to build my Production Music Catalogue. This is a growing area and enables me to keep doing other projects like Ultravox.
Here are two photos I took in Berlin. They relate to the Electricity Club article. One is the view west from my hotel window. The direction I went walking to Kurfurstendamm.
The other is Tiergarten. I walked through Tiergarten on the way to Kurfurstendamm.
The 8 kilometre walk I took had great memories of when we played Berlin in the 70's. We stayed at hotels on Kurfurstendamm and performed at the Kant Kino.
Just getting to Berlin in those days was a marathon epic effort. Travelling across East Germany. The journeys were so long that we seemed to go into a trance like state. It felt like we were living back in the 1940's. Once, while travelling through a village, that really felt like it was back in time, we turned, by mistake, into a square full of Russian soldiers.
This is a charity close to my heart:
Over 100,000 people in the UK have facial palsy and many are simply left to cope alone - shocking when you know that there is help and treatment available.
There will be a lyric video (similar to the Brilliant video) coming soon for this single too. I'll let you know when it's available.
COMPETITION TIME.
We've got a competition ending today to win tickets to the Hammersmith show on Thursday. Appreciate it's short notice but have a go if you're looking for tickets and are free on Thursday.
BREAKING NEWS!
We're excited about releasing Brilliant as a double clear vinyl on 15th October 2012. It will be available on our Brilliant site. ultravoxbrilliant.com
Hopefully see you at a gig real soon.
All the best,
Billy
3rd SEPTEMBER 2012
Hi everyone.
New Ultravox "single" released for download + tour plans
This press release yesterday includes news of a new download and info about the UK and European tour of September - November 2012.
"Ultravox have unveiled further plans for their forthcoming tour which starts on September 21st in Bristol and includes 14 shows in the UK, with a further 20 dates throughout Europe.
The band have announced that there will be no support act and each show will feature a full evening of Ultravox playing two sets each night delving deep into their catalogue of classic hits and album tracks, alongside performing songs from their acclaimed new album 'Brilliant', which was released in May 2012.
"When we toured in 2009 we rediscovered what an Ultravox live show is all about," explains Midge Ure, "and so this time wanted to take it to its logical conclusion by playing as many songs as we possibly can. We know from the excitement of our fans that they all have favourites they're desperate to hear so we'll be playing as many songs as possible from our back catalogue mixed amongst the new material."
"We set ourselves a monumental task trying to select the songs," says bassist Chris Cross, "so have decided to play longer and stronger, performing two full sets each night with an interval. Be prepared; these shows will be very special for us and hopefully you too – all Ultravox, all night".
To coincide with the 'Brilliant' tour, Ultravox will be releasing a digital EP featuring 'Live', the opening song from the album, alongside a brand new track '7/8' and two live tracks from the second leg of the 'Return To Eden' tour in 2010: 'We Stand Alone' and 'Astradyne'. This will be available from all usual online stores."
All the best,
Billy
28th MAY 2012
Hi everyone.
The new album is out!!!!
I want to thank all the fans for all their support throughout the making of it!
Let's crank it up the charts and get the promoters in the wider world on board. We want to tour the world!!!!!!
NOW
All the best,
Billy
25th MAY 2012
Hi again.
The European tour dates have been released.
Here's the link to the dates.
Lots of info on there with 30 second edits
form each track on the album.
We've also included some exclusive, 'behind the scenes', videos from the making of the album.
We are planning to add more videos each week so keep checking back.
There will aslo be weekly competitions in which you'll be able to win Ultravox prizes such as merchandise, signed CD's and tickets. Feeling lucky??
OK enjoy.
All the best, Billy.
27th APRIL 2012
Hi People,
Well here it is. The sleeve design for Brilliant.
Hope you like it.
All the Best,
Billy
23rd APRIL 2012
Hi People,
Brilliant is at number ONE in the Amazon pre order chart. New Releases
Thank you to everyone who helped to put us there.
It is also number eight in the Best Sellers in Music Chart.
Here's a clip from "The Making of Brilliant".
Hope you like it. More to come very soon.
Best, Billy.
29th MARCH 2012
Hi People,
As promised, here is the eagerly awaited news from Ultravox.
This is the actual Press Sheet as supplied by EMI.
Enjoy!
WHAT'S WITH THE FEET?
This was the first iPhone shot I took when we arrived in Canada to start work on the album. We arrived on the evening of the 4th of September 2010, a bit jet lagged.
This shot was taken the day after. The weather was fantastic and still warm. To think it got to - 35 the third time we went later in January.
It is down by the lake in front of Midge's Lodge.
I had it as my phone's home screen right through the album!!!!
MESSAGE FROM MICK (Billy's site manager)
29 MARCH 2012
So I wait until dead on 10am (as per Billy's and EMI's request) to put up the news about Ultravox's new album on Billy's site and then find out that it's already been posted at just after 8.30 by another site!!!
Yet we are led to believe that it's Billy that has a penchant for, "allegedly", "spilling the beans" and things that a BAND MEMBER (!!!!!!! FFS!!!) says are to be "taken with a pinch of salt".
My new album is coming on great!
I have six ideas going right now!
No writing block. That's good.
I am getting more into the imposcar 2 now.
I say more because I did use it on the Ultravox album.
Hardly picked up the Viola. Typical!
This will be about my solo music and the new Ultravox album.
They have come up with some very interesting and well thought out questions.
All the Best,
Billy
13th DECEMBER 2011
Merry Christmas to all you people and have a great 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have finally finished the ULTRAVOX album.
We are putting a tour together for April.
Can't say exactly where yet. Looking at all possibilities!
We will be performing some of our new music. Looking forward to that!
It was excellent working with Steve Lipson.
Very talented! What energy he has!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fucking Hell!
It is good to get out of the studio and thinking about performing live again!
The release of the album will coincide with our tour.
Everything has changed in the music scene but not that one!
I played the Violin on the Ultravox album.
It's good to work with a band again when playing the Violin. Musicians who have a feel for the instrument!
I played the Violin in Ultravox of the 70's and 80's. Enough for it to be part of the sound of the band.
I am getting on with my new music. This album will be out later in 2012.
The Viola will be prominant. It is such a soulful sound. I also have a beautifully quality instrument.
I will be informing everyone as to what is happening. Updating my site more frequently now we have the album finished so keep in touch!
Billy
8th SEPTEMBER 2011
Hi people!
I am a proud Grandad!!!!!!!!!!!
My daughter Lucy has had a beautiful baby boy called Jamie.
He is a great looker with Lucy's big blue eyes!
He is definitely a CURRIE!!!!
All the Best,
Billy
20st MAY 2011
Hi people!
Very very excited now!
In the next few days the band is going into the main studio, here in London, with our choice of producer Steve Lipson to finish off and mix the new Ultravox album.
You couldn't make it up, could you!!!!!
Let's give a big hand to Chris O'donnell, our points man, for putting all this together.
Without him we would have fallen out for another 20 years. Only joking.
Yes that's right what Midge says -
I have dug out my old ARP and got it fixed up by my old Huddersfield mate Pete Wood.
Pete used to work for Ultravox back in the 80's. He built original custom electronic instruments for us as well.
He did a good job on my ARP.
It may end up on a few more tracks!!!!!
I had forgotten what a lovely instrument it is.
Me & the band had such a hoot doing these solos and bits!!!!!!
It was fun doing it like we do now :-
WITHOUT AN ENGINEER
That does make quite a bit of difference.
Making ALL the decisions ourselves.
It brings you closer!!!!!!
WOW!
Al the best,
Billy
4th MAY 2011
Hi People,
The Moments From Eden e.p is finally out.
Sorry for the delay.
The new Ultravox album is going excitingly well people.
It will be out later in the year!
We will be touring in the UK performing the new music. Like you do. Or did. Looking forward to playing live again.
I have had time to start another solo record also. That should see the light of day sometime early next year.
Got sent some great photos from an American guy called Charles Robinson. Take a look
I really haven't seen many good shots from the Quartet tour so these are fantastic. They are from a German Frankfurt gig.
Thank you to everyone who put together the "Remembering Eden 30th Anniversary tour book".
Great quality!
Mick, my web fellow, gave me mine when I went to his place last weekend. That was some party!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this bit from page 192 at the bottom.
"In 2010 Billy's viola teacher from way back, Herbert Whone, recalled that "he always had a whiff of the hippy about him"
Teachers eh, Don't you love em!
I didn't know he was still alive. He will be 86.
Well Done Bert!
I last saw him in 1986. He came to my house and gave me some Viola lessons for a short time.
He has done some beautiful paintings. I used to love the full rugged textures he created. I was at Art College back then. Of course my painting was very influenced by him!
When I led the Viola section in the Huddersfield Music College Orchestra we played the Bruch Violin Concerto, Bert played the solo Violin with a cut left finger. All bandaged up! There was blood on the Fingerboard.
That was very emotional. He still managed to play it amazingly. He is a STAR!
That is the title of my next album:-
'Blood On the Fingerboard"
Must give Geordie a bell!
All the Best,
Billy
20st MAY 2011
Hi people!
Very very excited now!
In the next few days the band is going into the main studio, here in London, with our choice of producer Steve Lipson to finish off and mix the new Ultravox album.
You couldn't make it up, could you!!!!!
Let's give a big hand to Chris O'donnell, our points man, for putting all this together.
Without him we would have fallen out for another 20 years. Only joking.
Yes that's right what Midge says -
I have dug out my old ARP and got it fixed up by my old Huddersfield mate Pete Wood.
Pete used to work for Ultravox back in the 80's. He built original custom electronic instruments for us as well.
He did a good job on my ARP.
It may end up on a few more tracks!!!!!
I had forgotten what a lovely instrument it is.
Me & the band had such a hoot doing these solos and bits!!!!!!
It was fun doing it like we do now :-
WITHOUT AN ENGINEER
That does make quite a bit of difference.
Making ALL the decisions ourselves.
It brings you closer!!!!!!
WOW!
Al the best,
Billy
4th MAY 2011
Hi People,
The Moments From Eden e.p is finally out.
Sorry for the delay.
The new Ultravox album is going excitingly well people.
It will be out later in the year!
We will be touring in the UK performing the new music. Like you do. Or did. Looking forward to playing live again.
I have had time to start another solo record also. That should see the light of day sometime early next year.
Got sent some great photos from an American guy called Charles Robinson. Take a look
I really haven't seen many good shots from the Quartet tour so these are fantastic. They are from a German Frankfurt gig.
Thank you to everyone who put together the "Remembering Eden 30th Anniversary tour book".
Great quality!
Mick, my web fellow, gave me mine when I went to his place last weekend. That was some party!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this bit from page 192 at the bottom.
"In 2010 Billy's viola teacher from way back, Herbert Whone, recalled that "he always had a whiff of the hippy about him"
Teachers eh, Don't you love em!
I didn't know he was still alive. He will be 86.
Well Done Bert!
I last saw him in 1986. He came to my house and gave me some Viola lessons for a short time.
He has done some beautiful paintings. I used to love the full rugged textures he created. I was at Art College back then. Of course my painting was very influenced by him!
When I led the Viola section in the Huddersfield Music College Orchestra we played the Bruch Violin Concerto, Bert played the solo Violin with a cut left finger. All bandaged up! There was blood on the Fingerboard.
That was very emotional. He still managed to play it amazingly. He is a STAR!
That is the title of my next album:-
'Blood On the Fingerboard"
Must give Geordie a bell!
All the Best,
Billy
21st JANUARY 2011
Hi People,
We are delighted to anounce that following Ultravox's return to the live arena in 2009/10 with their successful Return to Eden tour, that they have recently signed a deal with Universal Records. A natural progression from the reformation that was a celebration of their 30th anniversary, the band have been working on new material for an album since Autumn 2010, which is now nearing completion.
"We've had such a great time performing our old songs over the last two years that we just didn't want it to end! There's an immense satisfaction in looking across the stage and seeing those familiar faces playing the songs that we wrote as a unit. When we sat down to attempt to write some new songs we found that the ideas just kept coming and so a new album became not just onevitable, but something we really wanted to do together. Once again the whole has proved to be greater than the sum of the parts."
Following on from the news about new material, comes more information about their forthcoming EP release, Moments from Eden. Due to be released by Absolute on Feb 7th, the 4 track CD is also being released as a Limited Edition 10" vinyl disc and features New Europeans, White China, Love's Great Adventure, and Herr X - a special version of Mr X, with the mighty Warren Cann vocalising in German.
Hi People,
Thank you to all the fans that supported the Ultravox Return to Eden pt 2 European Tour. It was bliss.
There are new photos in the Gallery live section from the Ultravox Return to Eden pt 2 tour.
Hammersmith Apollo.
I have updated the info with some photos.
Ultravox are out performing in August.
Here is the tour :-
Fri Aug 6th Bergs Slussar. Linkoping, Sweden
Sat Aug 7th Fastning, Varberg, Sweden
Fri Aug 13h Stromsholmen, Eskilstuna, Sweden
Sat Aug 14th Hamntorget, Helsingborg, Sweden
Tues Aug 17th Helsinki, Tavastia Club, Finland
Weds Aug 18th Turku, Caribia Club, Finland
Fri Aug 20th Gasklockoma, Gavle, Sweden
Sat Aug 21st Kalmarsundsparken, Kalmar, Sweden
Weds Aug. 25th Sheffield O2 Academy
Thurs Aug. 26th - Newcastle O2 Academy
See you there!!!!!!!
All the Best,
Billy
31st MARCH 2010
Hi People,
Looking forward to the European Tour. Germany, Scandinavia, Holland, Italy! Exciting!
We have the release of the Return To Eden- Live At The Roundhouse DVD on 5th April.
I am pleased with the performance. Sounds & Looks Cool!
We are putting Ultravox on ice after this tour.
If we get offers to tour in Japan or America we may do more. Or we may not.
I have discussed doing new material but there is not really much enthusiasm for the idea.
In May I will be putting in some more detailed info about the new photos in the Gallery Section.
The photos in the Rage In Eden & Quartet sections are ones I took on my own camera. My personal snap shots!
Good to get them Immortalised in Digital format before they got lost forever!
There are some new photos also.
The new site will be regularly updated & worked on when I get back from the tour.
Mick O'Farrell at Revolver Creative is the Designer. My friend who has worked on my site from the beginning in 1999.
I will be starting work on a new solo album in May. I am looking to collaborating with Musicians. I am keeping my ear to the ground.
Thanks for a successful Ultravox tour this year.
I look forward to the tour next year.
My REFINE album is doing well.
Thank you music freaks!
Stark, Sparse, Anarchy.
See you next year!
Billy
23rd SEPTEMBER 2009
Hi People,
Two more gigs added to the European Tour :-
Thursday 15th April 2010 - The Volkhaus, Zurich, Switzerland.
Tickets available through this link
Monday 26th April 2010 - The Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Tickets available through this link
Best,
Billy
8th SEPTEMBER 2009
Hi People,
I have placed the artwork for Refine here for you to download and make up your own CD's. I'm told that there is no "bleed" on the artwork but it's 300dpi RGB.
Download Booklet here
Download CD On-Body here
Download Tray Liner here
Get creative.
Best. Billy
7th SEPTEMBER 2009
Hi People,
I tweaked my new album back in June and so it became a bit late to release at that time.
I released it at the end of summer instead.
It is out now. iTunes & Amazon MP3 have it and eMusic, Shockhound and Napster soon will.
Here are the titles :-
REFINE
1. Soliloquy
2. Extremism
3. Supporting The Sky With Both Hands
4. Empty Stage Mantra
5. Beyond Our Own Skin
6. People Came And Laughed
7. Martyr Points
8. Bend The Bow
9. Love Signs And Triangles
10. Cycle There
Mixed and Produced by Billy Currie and Peter Dudley
All Tracks written by Billy Currie
Artwork by Mick O'Farrell
Recorded at Cloudy Hands Studio London
Enjoy!!!!
Ultravox will be touring Europe next April.
Looking forward to that.
German Dates confirmed at the mo are :-
April 17th Tonhalle Munich
18th Capitol Theatre Offenbach
19th Musical Dome Cologne
21st Capitol Hannover
23rd Grosse Freiheit 36 Hamburg
24th Admiralspalast Berlin
I will update as soon as more gigs are confirmed.
Best, Billy
8th MAY 2009
Hi People,
Great tour!
What a buzz!
Brilliant Fans!
Thank you for your very BIG support!
Superb!!!!!
Every person I met on this tour were just so up for it and very lovely people.
Great memories of Edinburgh, the first gig, when my children got to see me perform for the first time!
Pressure was on as our man Chris O'Donnell had not yet seen us & neither had our agent John Giddings from SOLO.
Neither had YOU our FANS!!!!!!
A very big release that night. They loved it & from were I was looking so did our fans!
Brighton was good, Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester, Dublin & the Birmingham Symphony hall was a great place to play.
Hammersmith was brilliant & so was the Roundhouse!
There will be a DVD release of the Roundhouse gig.
I still have'nt seen the rough Directors cut of that gig. Looking forward to seeing it & getting on with mixing the Audio.
It should be out later in the year.
We are doing 2 summer festivals and then there is talk of more gigs later in the year. October/November time.
I start mixing my new album next week.
I have mixed 5 tracks already and I am happy with them. No definite titles yet. I will have finished the remaining five by the end of the month.
I am mixing with Peter Dudley.
I went my separate way from Voiceprint early last year & so my Puzzle label has now ended.
This new release, my 8th album, will be a download only release & will come out in JUNE.
All the Best!
Thanks Again for what was a great tour!
Fantastic to get those live juices flowing again!
I personally felt like I was getting stronger and more into it as we went on so we really have to do more. I am hooked!!!!!