Tulipomania - Then and Only Then
Philadelphia-based art-rock duo Tulipomania presents 'Then and Only Then', the latest single from their fifth album 'Dreaming of Sleep' (out November 17 via Sursumcorda Records).
Alternately categorized as cult synth punks, glam-leaning, post-punk, art-rock and muscular chamber pop, Tulipomania is Tom Murray (lead vocals, synthesizer, electronic percussion) and Cheryl Gelover (synthesizer, background vocals), who first began their collaboration through projects for experimental film and animation classes. The duo now known as Tulipomania has evolved from those experiences.
"Memory is malleable – the song explores mutability. Lyrically, it's an internal struggle – sonically it projects that energy into the external world.Catharsis. Of course, the effectiveness of that strategy is debatable – that's the fun of it for those who can appreciate the irony – "knock yourself out". We do however believe the ultimate failure is apathy – never give up – the stakes are too high," says Cheryl Gelover.
Tom Murray adds, "It’s about wearing yourself out trying to answer the unanswerable. Dealing with endless, groundless self-serving tales. Deciding to keep moving in the absence of a clear destination. Meditative frustration. Finding a groove to loop into – not answering is the answer."
Earlier, the duo released the album's lead track 'You Had to Be There', followed by a remix by UK music legend Martyn Ware (Heaven 17, The Human League) and Charles Stooke, which is featured on WIRE Magazine’s cover-mounted Wiretapper CD compilation for October.
Its animated music video, featuring lip sync, original and vintage footage shot frame by frame, collaged on sheets of black paper - is an official selection at the CutOut Fest International festival of animation and digital art this November in Mexico. The ‘Dreaming of Sleep’ album sees the duo heavily immersed in electronic means of creation. With cover artwork by Michael Speed, senior designer at Beggars Group London, this record involves Executive Producer Howard Thompson, renowned for his contributions as a record industry executive (Elektra, Island, Almo Sounds), having discovered and/or worked with Adam and the Ants, Billy Bragg, MC5, Mötorhead, PiL, Psychedelic Furs, Robyn Hitchcock, The Sugarcubes, Suicide, among others.
Described as ‘artistic and inventive’ and ‘gorgeous', Tulipomania's animated music videos have been featured in film festivals worldwide. Numerous such festivals have already showcased this new video as an official selection, including the Leeds International Film Festival (UK), StopTrik (Croatia, Poland), AniFilm (Czech Republic), Insomnia (Russia) and Malatesta (Italy) with the Montreal International Animation Film Festival - Animaze awarding it an Honorable Mention.
Tulipomania also created animated music videos - 'Hush' and 'Shock To The Body' - for Cabaret Voltaire founder / frontman Stephen Mallinder in support of his solo album 'tick, tick, tick' (out now via Dais Records).
As of October 26, 'Then and Only Then’ is available everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. On November 17, the full 'Dreaming of Sleep' album will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally. It can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.
