Official Catch-up, and a few other things

So..Sophie HQ caught up with her. And they had a little chat about the current situation, the album and tour plans:

Hi Sophie, how are you?
I'm good thanks. I'm at Koko filming Koko Pops and the Album Chart Show. I'm doing a couple of songs in a bit.

So, the new album is announced! That's pretty exciting.
Yeah, the whole thing is exciting. I'm the boss lady this time around.

What's your label called?
It's called EBGB's. A bit like CBGB's in New York, but as in Ellis-Bextor Great Britain.

Ah, very clever!
Why thank you. I actually used it as the production company name when I did my live DVD way back in 2002.

So, you're a businesswoman now.
I guess I am, yes! But only my own business. People have been asking if I'm going to sign other acts, but it's all about getting my record out at the moment.

And, from a fan's point of view, they won't really notice the difference?
Not at all. But I get to be involved in everything. Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful 10 years with Universal, but doing it this way does feel like the reward for the hard work, because there's a lot of things about the traditional record company model that don't really work that well for an artist. It's great to be able to get your own team and do it yourself.

Does it mean you're taking a financial risk?
Well, in a lot of ways it's financially beneficial. You have to sell a lot less albums to make a living when you do it this way.

That all sounds great.
Yeah, it's really cool. And a lot of people have been doing it this way for a while. Eminem apparently does it this way, and Mumford & Sons made their album on their own label, then licensed it to Island. So it's not a new phenomenon, but I do think we'll see it happening more and more.

Will there be EBGB's merchandise?
Well, I am in the process of setting up an online shop, cos I haven't really done anything like that for a while. So there could be.
And the album is out in a matter of weeks.
Yeah, it's all coming together now. I can understand why some of the fans were occasionally a little disgruntled that it felt like I wasn't just getting on with putting my album out, but really what we've managed to achieve in the last 12 months is pretty good.

And you're happy with the album itself?
Really happy. I got it mastered recently and it's great just hearing it all together. I think it's really cohesive and consistent, and I'm really proud of all the songs. But then I'm probably a bit biased!

Do you have a current favourite track?
Well Starlight, which is the single, has always been one I love, just because it's got that wistful, melancholy mood, which I always love in pop music. It's that sort of happy sad feeling. I'm a big fan of that.

That song's about halfway into the album - how hard do you think about the tracklisting?
Oh you definitely have to get the whole dynamic of the record so that it works. Some songs just don't work next to each other.

Why did you pick Cut Straight To The Heart as the final song?
Because it's epic and dramatic and it's got a really long outro. That's the mood you should be left with.

You've got a whole bunch of shows lined up for the summer. Are you looking forward to them?
Very much so. I think the forest tour with Erasure should be really fun. The Feeling did the same tour a couple of years ago and I went along to some of those. It was really idyllic and everyone was in holiday mode.

Have you met Erasure before?
I haven't actually. But I'm definitely a fan. It should be really fun.

Will you play some new stuff at those shows?
Oh absolutely. I always try to do a good cross-section of the contemporary stuff and then the singles. I try and think what I would want to hear if I was going to the show.

Sophie and Mr. PopJustice had a little Twittersation:

PopJustice: Song Of The Day: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - 'Synchronised' http://bit.ly/mUsQHC
@Popjustice are you working your way through my album?
@SophieEB That is a secret I am afraid.
@Popjustice I need to know if they'll be more before I get 'a 1/3 of this album has been SOTD on Popjustice' stickers printed up for the CD.
@SophieEB Is this any help http://t.co/DUxKEhZ
@Popjustice ok will change sticker to : '10/14 songs rated 4* or higher by Popjustice (this information was correct at time of printing)'

Unfortunately, i also came across this:

@SophieEB doll will we get a b-side for the Starlight single? :) xx
@UltimateDisco wonderful remixes

Sigh! WE WANT A B-SIDE!


Oh, and Mr. PJ also rated all the songs on the album. He's got most of it right. Except, Make A Scene deserves 5 Stars and Cut Straight To The Heart deserves 4.5 stars.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL POST WITH MR. PJ'S SCREENSHOT: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5417&Itemid=206
LINK TO THE ORIGINAL POST WITH THE SOPHIE HQ INTERVIEW: http://www.sophieellisbextor.net/news?id=333

More gorgeous pictures coming our way

Sophie tweeted: Best get some beauty sleep. Rimmel photo shoot tomorrow. Be good to see the new products. N'night!

If she is filming a new advert, i hope she showcases the new single in that. That was planned for Sophia Loren. I'm sure Rimmel wouldn't mind having a Sophie song again in their ad. It could be the start for her promo. The advert would be played everywhere. Then she would sing the song at shows, at other live venues.

PopJustice is bubbling with creativity. The last few pages in the Sophie thread are filled with fanmade covers. I thought i'd attempt one more, with the new picture:

NEW PICTURE ALERT

She never lets us down with artwork. THIS is what the album artwork should look like. Bloody amazing! The lady knows how to strike a pose. Thank you Sophie for uploading this new picture on your twitter account. It kinda reminds me of GaGa, only much classier. I thought the Bittersweet cover was gorgeous. The new picture is stunning!!!!

Sorry about the lack of updates folks. There haven't really been any updates. Just confusion regarding what the album artwork is. Someone uploaded one of my covers on Wiki and everyone assumed that was the artwork. Sophie tweeted saying it wasn't. A couple of fans asked her about the release date. She confirmed that Nov 29th isnt the actual release date. I uploaded a random picture from the Monsoon Shoot on Wiki to prove to people that anyone can change things on Wiki and that it shouldn't be trusted. Unfortunately HMV picked that cover... Anyway, to whoever changed the album title on Wiki, it's not called "Make A Scene" anymore. Stop changing it over and over again. And no one knows what the next single is. So if you see Wiki listing Revolution or Under Your Touch as the next single, don't believe it. We will have official news sometime soon*

*soon in Sophie's world is a long time, but "please try to be patient" (that's what Sophie said)

bittersweet (not the song) news

Sophie is really random with her tweets. But...

@SophieEB stop tweeting and release your record!
@Josehsito just finalised new tracklisting. it's a beauty!

OKAY WHAT!? We're all looking forward to those 13 songs she mentioned earlier. And suddenly she says there's a new tracklist. This all seems to be going a little like Annie's "Don't Stop" which is a very very bad thing. Unless, if she going to shove the current singles onto a bonus EP and include some Kish Mauve tracks.

and then she tweeted....

Sophie got on twitter FINALLY and told us that rumours about the album being shelved are rubbish and that it will be out soon (ha! in your face you fucking liars). I'm so happy that i decided to do a 3 minute dance to Not Giving Up On Love and now i'm jumping around... Justice prevails in pop music afterall!! I'm sure the 4th album will be amazing........!!!

Here are her tweets:

Time to put two cheeky red-headed children (mine) in bath then bed. Bye!!!

Thank you all for making taxi journey home from work more fun. Now at my front door.

@SophieEB send some love to Mexico please!
@Gabo_Navarro yes Mexican fans I love you too of course. X

@SophieEB hey there,you're about to be tweeted by Gaydar radio with odd questions....just so you know x
@ReallyDBlack goody!
@SophieEB at 8pm,they tweet famous folk to see if they reply. tune in,its quite funny

@SophieEB Sophie, PLEASE reply, i love you. Is it true your touring this year??
@normanmorman touring yes. Come?

@SophieEB please answer your fans from Brazil We love you.
@vetinhu and I love my Brazilian fans too.

@SophieEB Is it true that you latest album wont come out ?
@MarioA_Sandoval nope. That's rubbish. On it's way. Keep the faith, china tarts!

Lordy some of the 2008 fan mail is lovely. Hope they haven't gone off me by now but we all know how fickle pop is...

@SophieEB hey please... answer. When I will be able to buy your album? I'm waiting soo long
@YairC soon! Working on it... Watch this space.... X

Oh no! Just been handed a pile of fan mail which had been hidden at management office. Some dates back over two years! So sorry! Will reply.

would you like a video in Egypt?

Sophie tweeted: Just back from Cairo where I sang on a roof top as the sun set on the pyramids. Also managed to gatecrash a wedding.

Here's a snippet of the performance - http://www.twitvid.com/3IHOT
(thanks to TheWV for the heads up)

I know Sophie has this dance style videos thing going on. But how great would it be to have a video in Egypt? Pyramids, Sphinx, Camels, dancers doing the Egyptian and Sophie in Egyptian clothing.
Tweet Sophie, lets see if we can get her to film a video there.

nothing much..but...

Sophie was replying on twitter to a couple of fans. Seems like we'll get a new single in late summer. I hope she still has the "single in July, album in August" plan.

when asked about what the next single was
@lecarlos somthing other than the one i last said...

Davidavies from PopJustice asked her a couple of questions and she replied as always, bless her!
@SophieEB Hi, I don't suppose you'd have any idea when we can expect to hear your next single, or see the album's artwork? How are you too?
@davidpdavies i am good thanks. new single late summer. album artwork soon... x
@SophieEB Aww, glad to hear it! And the family? Hope Sonny and Kit are okay! Is the cover from the shouting shoot that you did? X
@davidpdavies same photographer yes. shouty photos. kids good thanks.

And someone even asked Sophie if she was going to get signed on a US Label.
@SophieEB any word on your being assigned a u.s. Label?
@VixenMinogue let me get back to you on that one....!

Fascination tweet + CFTF video still

Fascination's recent tweet:
welovepop Ooh....first cut of the Sophie Ellis-Bextor 'Bittersweet' video just arrived in our inbox!!

So..erm yeah. That's pretty much what happened. Oh and to your right is what appears to be another video still from Junior Caldera's new video "Can't Fight This Feeling" with Sophie. Sophie seems to be wearing two outfits for the video. Or this may just a picture from an after-party (if there was one).

And thank you readers, PopJustice readers, UKMix readers and Sophie-Online readers for the good response. I'm really happy that you all liked my edit. Looking forward to the radio edit now. *prays it lands safely in the top 5*

tweets, updates, reviews & PopJustice

So... if you thought that 9 minute mix of Bittersweet was every bit as orgasmic as pop heaven, think again. Sophie's official website uploaded a 45 second clip of the song, featuring the chorus of the song. The radio edit has so many layers..so many more instruments and sounds than the remix. This and the 30 second clip on PopJustice are enough to blow your socks off!

If that didn't get you beaming like a foolish cat, this will. Sophie finished her video with Junior Caldera. The video should be out soon. So French readers, do give us a review (and hopefully a high quality recording) of the video. Sophie has also finished the photoshoot session for the album cover. Here are a couple of her recent tweets:

1. back from paris. video with junior caldera done. macaroons eaten. merci, paris.
2. oh and i should let you know yesterday i shot my album cover. v nice photographer who made me shout out very odd stuff as he clicked.
3. and sometimes i flung my head around. sore neck today.
4. all in the name of pop.

Bittersweet which is still sitting on top of the PopJustice almighty has received a lot of positive reactions from fans world over and the press. Digital Spy gave the song a very good review. Mr. PopJustice made bittersweet his song-of-the-day; he also uploaded the chorus of the song 5 times telling us how good the song is (could it be that uploading the snippet 5 times signifies that he rated it with 5 stars?) Anyway PopJustice readers (fans on the official forum and bloggers) are wetting their pants with excitement - this can only mean one thing. Sophie has got a hit on her hands.

Play your cards right Sophie, and you can end up with a #1 which will stay in the top ten for more than 23 weeks this time!

New York Post gave Sophie a good review too -
You remember Sophie Ellis-Bextor? You know! Come on, the 23-week chart-topping brunette beauty behind "Murder on the Dancefloor?" Well the disco-light lovin' diva is back -- and this time, she can really ... shake it down.
Sophie's new single "Bittersweet" premiered last night on UK radio and it blew my man knickers off. It's the first single from her fourth studio album, co-written by the Freemasons (writer/producers responsible for some of Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Shakira and Kelly Rowland's hits) and Hannah Robinson (writer of hit-bangers from Christina Aguilera, The Saturdays and Sugababes). Yeah, you don't even have to press play to know it's already going be amazing.
Sophie tweeted about the song saying it is "about when you can't resist something that you know is bad for you. A guilty pleasure. Like watching celebrity 'Big Brother.'" Hold the hamburger phone miss thang! You like lady pop music, "Big Brother" and you Twitter... is that you in a fancy weave Jarett?
Well if it is, nice moves, the song is brilliant and I have high hopes the whole album will be just as good. Word all over the computer box is that Sophie is also working on new tracks with Calvin Harris, Groove Armada and the Sneaker Pimps. Damn-it, now I'm gonna need to go to the dentist.

Sophie on a stamp

Music and fashion stars Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Pearl Lowe have joined forces to donate photographs celebrating motherhood to raise money for charity around Mother's Day.

Singer Ellis-Bextor has provided an image of her as a baby, being held by her mother, ex-Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis, while the image chosen by singer-turned-designer Lowe features a picture of her two daughters, Daisy and Betty.

The Smilers stamps for Royal Mail are being put on eBay for an auction which closes on Wednesday March 17, with the money raised going to Women's Aid, a charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

This is the fourth year of the charity initiative from Royal Mail, which has raised considerable funds for Women's Aid with the help of stars such as Helena Christensen, Rankin, Penny Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley and Jasmine Guinness.

In the past, people have paid as much as £2,000 for a sheet of stamps.

Lowe said: "This is a terrific initiative to be involved in, and a very special cause. I've chosen an image that is really special to me, and one I love looking at as it reminds me of the beauty of motherhood."

Julietta Edgar, Royal Mail head of special stamps, said: "This auction has proved to be so popular in recent years, and we are delighted that Sophie and Pearl have come on board for 2010. We are keen to raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile cause, so get bidding!"

Anyone wishing to bid on the stamps was urged to go to www.ebay.co.uk

SOURCE: http://www.louthleader.co.uk/latest-entertainment-news/Stars-donate-photos-for-auction.6130657.jp

In other news Sophie tweeted saying, "Just been hula hooping in high heels to Bittersweet. All in the name of work."

Does that mean we're going to get another hip-thrusting dance routine? I'm on board, i know i'm going to love this video already *jumps around*

Official Catch-Up and some other news

Third installment from SEB.net:

So, we asked your Twitter followers for some questions for you. One of them said, "Oh, so this is a fake Twitter, f***ing liars".
What?! So, he thinks all the tweets haven't been me? Actually, my brother got a bit annoyed with me because when I started Twitter, it was just after I'd had Kit and I was in that hormonal bubble when you've just had a baby and I kept on putting tweets up like "I'm now breastfeeding on Brighton pier". My brother made me stop doing that. So, if I had a fake me, I'd really like to think they'd have a little bit more discretion and perhaps be a little bit more pop. So take that Mr Cynic!

Other followers have asked whether you'll be playing live in America, Moscow, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa or Glasgow. Any plans?
Well, yeah, I'd love to. I do make this promise now that I will never, ever, ever put on a tour and then not perform the tour! There's always so many politics to that stuff, but I understand from a fans' point of view that it just looks like you can't be bothered. But I would love to play in all those places and it's brilliant that all those people have asked in such a short time. I have fans in far-flung places! I've still got a real excitement about the fact that your music can go out on these journeys that you're never going to go on. I love that.

An intelligent question from @davidlimonline - "how critical is the success of this upcoming album for your career? R U feeling the pressure & do you have a contingency plan?"
Ooh, that is an intelligent question. I would say the least critical out of everything, actually. Because I kind of feel like I do what I do now. Although that being said, you obviously want it to do well and I'm really pleased with it. But I don't feel as much pressure, because I feel like I'm here now, y'know? I feel like I'll be able to put out another album after this, no matter what.


A little bit about the track Scene:

It has been confirmed that the track Sophie Ellis Bextor recorded with Darren Lewis and Tunde Babalola of Future Cut is entitled “Scene.” The Metronomy-penned song is slotted for inclusion on the artist’s upcoming as-yet-untitled 4th album on Fascination / Polydor Records.
Future Cut Productions are also known for their work with Lily Allen (“Smile”), Ava Leigh (“Mad About the Boy”), Laura Izibor (“Shine”), Nicole Scherzinger (“What’s Keeping You”), Shakira (“Gypsy”), Rihanna (“Mad House”) and Livvi Franc (“Hummingbird”).
SOURCE: http://monicamania.blogdrive.com/archive/4667.html
Thanks to Eden for the heads-up!

And in other news, Alexander McQueen committed suicide on the 11th of this month. Sophie commented on his death saying "It’s very shocking. It’s sad when anyone feels that alone but particularly someone who is so talented and seemingly has so much to live for.”
RIP Alexander McQueen
SOURCE: Daily Star

what could be more torture...

...not having a Sophie song that is supposed to be 'absolutely-fantastically-stupendously-marvellous' or being teased about it.. hmmm.

(i like being teased though)

BiffCo tweeted:

"" One touch and there's a rush of Electricity. So wont you show me all there is to know? " S.E.B. 2010"

Steve Anderson (yes, the guy who remixes Kylie's songs for her tour) said:

"Perks of being old friends with a Freemason - @SophieEB's "Bittersweet" is an absolute MONSTER!! HUGE RIFF ALERT!!! - amazing amazing"

Biff replied:

"Fabelhoff! You approval means a lot xxx"

and Steve said:

"with Sophie, Marina and Hurts you are on FIRE my friend!"

excited? I know i am... can't wait for the (gonna burn this) goddamn (house right down) song to hit the radio. C'mon Sophie.... hurry it up!

the hype continues...Bittersweet

I'm going to copy-paste a post i found on PopJustice. I got a little excited, jumped around a little bit, but i'm going to keep calm until i hear a snippet of the song.

Hi All, OK, just got a VERY reliable tweet from someone very much in the know... The single has indeed been chosen and a pre-lim date was set for early April'10.... HOWEVER!!!! A certain Ellis-Bextor has only gone and dropped one mother-****** of a killer track to record exec that the commercial music scene is raving about.... 'Bittersweet'.... again ft Freemasons Record exec's (and prob Camp Kylie is the truth is told) do not want a re-run of Ellis -vs- whoever. Plans are now underway to either push the release forward (making my tweeter very much busier, which was the subject of our chat) .... or at worst the album is pushed right back till the end of summer, in which case will the current vibe/trend of the new material be over??? 'Bittersweet' is already being predicted to be the unforgetable song of the '10's (i.e 2010 - 2020... maybe the CGYOOMH for this new decade). Just though I'd share..... ....And this is VERY reliable, be sure of that!

Oh and BiffCo tweeted:

"Blasting Freemasons Remix of Sophies 'Bittersweet'. It's Heartbreaks bigger louder Brother!" and "Your Love is Bittersweet"

and then she tweeted.....

"the new single's about when you can't resist something that you know is bad for you. a guilty pleasure. like watching celebrity big brother."
Lol. I find the comparison quite hilarious. So it's a song about guilty pleasures. I'm glad its not another heartbreak on the dancefloor.

"out early april, heading to radio early february"
oh. I was hoping for January, but i'm still quite excited. February is not far away.

"the new single is called Bittersweet. it's written with those lovely Freemason's again (and lovely biff and lovely hannah too.)"
Freemasons/Biff/Hannah/Sophie. Wow. Its like nothing can go wrong. But i suspect this was more of a Fascination move. Heartbreak did well and stayed for a long time, so why not use the same formula and spice it up. Oh well, i'm still on board. I hope it is as "massive" as Fascination deemed it to be. *fingers crossed*

more tweets follow

SophieEB - in studio with dimitri tikovi and ed harcourt and live strings. sounds so delightful. great start to 2010.

JordanJayBlue - @SophieEB - just emailed you new mix! x
SophieEB - @JordanJayBlue - thanks will have to listen to it later after studio session. it's sounding great here. x

Okay i honestly have no idea about whats going on, but all those tweets got me insanely excited. i'm on board, whatever you're doing Sophie. I'm so on board!

Oh and Fascination have listed "Bittersweet" on their playlist, which means that is the official title.

Now excuse me while i go scream around and rejoice this bit of news

*yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! wooooo-hooooooooooooo*

New tweet confusion.

"tomorrow in the studio to record live strings. lush."

This was Sophie's recent tweet which sparked confusion among fans again. Sophie recently announced in some interview that the album was done. And while rumours about the new single hit the internet, this tweet left fans worried about another push-back in the album. (read here)

Sophie has not said anywhere that the album will be pushed back again. The new single "Your Love Is Bittersweet" will be out soon.

I have faith in you Sophie! Wishing the best for you

Your Love Is Bittersweet

I think Sophie has officially begun the teasing! And i'm loving it. Sophie and Biffco teased us today tweeting what seems to be the entire title of the new song, or maybe a part of the chorus
"Your love is bittersweet".
I'm so excited that i'm going to jump around first *jumps around*
..
..
..
*back at the computer*
This suspense is killing me, but i really like how everything is coming out bit by bit. Maybe we'll have some solid news next week!
Tell us something more Sophie, please!

New Tweets

so looking forward to filming video in january for new single... woo!

filming the video in moscow a good idea. n'night pop tarts. x

All these tweets suggest that the new album is finished and the new single is ready. Any further delays can be blamed on the record company, lol. Crossing my fingers and hoping for a monster of a song! Sophie is performing in Moscow tonight. Not sure if it is going to be televised, but if you're reading this and you're going to attend the show, then please carry a camera with you. And give us a review.
*fingers crossed she performs the new single tonight*

The Wait Is Over, The Wait Is Over! (Jan 2010)

Two of the best tweets in ages:
"done another lovely song with the freemasons, biff and hannah. i am a lucky gal!" x
and
"album writing all done now. just final vocals and mixing. woo! have to pick my final album tracks then january it all goes public..."

I hope we get a glittery dance album. Psyched. Can't wait...

Thank you Sophie for the wonderful news.

Sophie's fourth album is still in progress - some updates

A few days ago, Sophie tweeted that her official website would get a make-over soon. I couldn't wait, so i changed the header on the blog - what are your thoughts about it? Cos for the first time, its not neat and organised.. Montage, dare i say.
Anyway, the fourth album is still in progress. As Sophie continues to record, we get little bits of information from her official website and her twitter:

ONE -
Sophie is song-writing in LA. She mentioned this already on her twitter.
"in LA. what should i do while i'm here? any restaurant recommendations? am here to songwrite primarily but can make time to eat of course.."
She has also been flying to Sweeden to add some final touches to her material. Any guesses as to who she is working there? :)

TWO -
There could be a song called "Let's Go Out", cos that is what i gathered from a Twitter conversation:
Julian: hey sophie, how are you? did yo hear 'let's go out' yet? you likes? jules x
Sophie: i haven't had the latest version. would love to hear it. i'm sure i'll love it. hope you're good.
Julian: can you whizz me a direct message with your email on it and i'll send? x
But this could be wrong speculation. For all we know it is one of the songs he produced and wanted to Sophie to listen if she wanted something similar.

THREE -
Her official website says she is working with Greg Kurstin again, which i think is a very good thing. I have been saying that she should work with Greg again. I think Fascination is trying to purchase another instant hit for her, well, works for me.
"Working with some of the biggest names in the business, Sophie has got together with Greg Kurstin, who added the sparkle to Sophie’s "Catch You", Kylie Minogue’s hit single “Wow” and some of Lily Allen’s top tracks."

FOUR -
She is working with Andreas Kleerup
"Hitmaker Andreas Kleerup has also been working alongside Sophie, who you will know as the man behind Robyn’s smash No. 1 record “With Every Heartbeat."
I'm not a fan of any of Robyn's works. But i gather that she is liked by a lot of people, so i'm hoping she comes up with something amazing with Kleerup.

FIVE -
There MIGHT be a new single in January. Sophie stated on her twitter that she will have a new single in January. But i'm guessing that is just a possibility, considering her release schedule statistics.
"new single in january.. x"

SIX -
Sophie knew how to play the guitar when she was in theaudience, but she tried not to play because of one funny incident when she played a wrong note (or something like that) live. She also knows how to play the piano. Now she is learning to play a new instrument.
"i am going to learn xylophone and play a solo on all my stuff. under a spotlight. wouldn't that be great!"