Queen High Straight News
THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
April 18, 2024
April, Wednesday 17th!
I’m back at home after having been in Oakland, CA USA mixing my 10th album ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ with mix engineer Jesse Nichols (you may remember, he mixed a previous album of mine, The Price Of The Ticket).
The album is finished!!
Mastering has to happen of course, with Fred Kevorkian in Brooklyn NY. I’m going to listen to the album tomorrow and make notes! I know I have such a perfect album and I know you’re going to love it!
It’s got the mix I usually deliver: from alt rock indie punk new wave pop through to hard core guitar stomps and soft and intimate ballading….
I’ve started designing the artwork and next week 26-28 April I will shoot the photo session for the album art.
Then the album, once mastered, will go off to be manufactured and that will determine the release date, to be announced soon!
I started tracking the recording in West London in May 2023 and I finished mixing with 2 minutes to spare, last Saturday night in Oakland!
Recording Engineer – Tomas Gagliardo assisted by Rosendo Zinny at LeMob Studios, West London, UK, Al Lawson at Mix Studios, West London, UK, Ben Rice at Degraw Sound, Brooklyn NY, USA
Mix Engineer: Jesse Nichols at Atomic Garden West Recording Studio, Oakland, CA. USA
Lead & Backing Vocals – Wendy James
Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Keys, Clarinet – Alex Ward
Additional Lead & Rhythm Guitar – Louis Eliot
Piano, Organs, Keys – Dave ‘The Moose’ Sherman
Bass – Harry Bohay
Drums & Percussion – James Sclavunos
I have made an immense 13 track album!
1. SWEET LIKE LOVE
2. A HAPPY LIFE
3. EVERYTHING IS MAGIC
4. MAY I KISS YOU? (JUST ENOUGH TO GET US INTO TROUBLE)
5. THE CRACK AND THE BOOM OF THE CREEPS AND THE GOONS
6. A BIG VICIOUS RUMBLE
7. DO YOU DIG IT? DO YOU LOVE IT? IS IT GROOVY?
8. DON’T LET DAYLIGHT INTO MAGIC
9. THIS DECLARATION OF LOVE
10. FREEDOMSVILLE
11. STEP ASIDE ROADKILL
12. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE SHARED
13. THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
Thank you to all of you who’ve pre ordered!
– and if you’ve not already then PLEASE DO! https://thewendyjames.com/store every preorder counts toward a chart position in the opening week!
– Thank you to all the VIPs who visited the studio! and to everyone who’s sent an enthusiastic and encouraging message along the way!
THE SHAPE OF HISTORY is complete!
Love
Wendy xoxo
THE MIX!
February 16, 2024
My 10th album ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ is moving onto the MIX STAG
– and I’ve decided to mix it with Jesse Nichols who mixed THE PRICE OF THE TICKET with me back in 2015 (released February 2016)
The Price Of The Ticket was of course, the legend filled album of #JamesWilliamson (#IggyandtheStooges) #LennyKaye (#ThePattiSmithGroup) #GlenMatlock (#SexPistols) and #JamesSclavunos (#NickCaveandtheBadSeeds) recording engineer #IvanJulian (#RichardHellandtheVoidoids)
We mixed in #Berkeley, #California at #FantasyStudios, which is now closed, so Jesse has his own place in #Oakland. My flight is booked! I go to #SanFrancisco on March 30th and we mix straight through until the 14th April….
Yes! It’s real!
So, may I extend the VIP pass to anyone in the USA (or anywhere) that fancies a little time in Oakland CA… come to San Francisco, see Alcratraz! Visit China and Japan Town, take a look around Berkeley, take in the Oakland A’s and…. come VIP with me!
VIP PASS available here: https://thewendyjames.com/store
So, it’s crunch time…… no second chances, no do-overs. Al Lawson and I have recorded exceptional music from James Sclavunos, Alex Ward, Harry Bohay, Dave The Moose Sherman and Louis Eliot and now it’s time to get those faders up and make something of it.
13 Brand New Songs, written by me:
1. SWEET LIKE LOVE
2. A HAPPY LIFE
3. EVERYTHING IS MAGIC
4. MAY I KISS YOU? (JUST ENOUGH TO GET US INTO TROUBLE)
5. THE CRACK AND THE BOOM OF THE CREEPS AND THE GOONS
6. A BIG VICIOUS RUMBLE
7. DO YOU DIG IT? DO YOU LOVE IT? IS IT GROOVY?
8. DON’T LET DAYLIGHT INTO MAGIC
9. THIS DECLARATION OF LOVE
10. FREEDOMSVILLE
11. STEP ASIDE ROADKILL
12. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE SHARED
13. THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
I am very much looking forward to reuniting with Jesse. He is a BAD-ASS!
Suffice to say, this next step brings me a massively closer to having a finished album to go to manufacture with! My 10th Album ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY… very happy, very excited!
Thank you all so much
and simply put: PRE-ORDER ALBUM 10 here: https://thewendyjames.com/store !!!!
and VIP in SAN FRANCISCO/BERKELEY/OAKLAND too!
Love
Wendy xo
THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
January 30, 2024
It is official! My 10th album ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ is finished in the recording process. What started last May 2023 and has involved about 16 weeks of recording, in 2 week increments, has now completed.
You can scroll back through my feed and see the day I caught the bus along Marylebone Road to Scrubs Lane for the first day of live recording.
I am so lucky to be surrounded by JAMES SCLAVUNOS on drums and percussion, ALEX WARD on lead, rhythm guitar and keyboards of all sorts, HARRY BOHAY on bass, DAVE SHERMAN on piano and keyboards, with guitar overdubs from LOUIS ELIOT.
Engineers Tomas Gagliardo, Al Lawson and Ben Rice. Al Lawson being the main recording engineer, on whom I relied so intensely.
I thank you all for your incredible talent and undoubtable friendship. The album wouldn’t have turned out so well as it has, were it not for you all.
I thank all the wonderful VIP guests who visited the recording process and in turn helped the recording process, it was a pleasure to meet each of you!
I thank every single pre-order and purchase from my store https://thewendyames.com/store.
I pay my own way, what I earn, I spend on the next record. I couldn’t do it without you and I thank you so much and encourage you to buy more!!!
NEXT: MIXING
I will be sorting out who the mix engineer is going to be over the next week or 2 and when the mix will happen.
Then Master!
Then Manufacture!
Then Release!
But, for today: I’ve listened to the reference mixes I walked out of the studio with at 9pm on Saturday night and they are GREAT. I am excited and confident.
So, Thank you all…..
With love
Wendy xoxo
PRE-ORDER ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ and all purchases of all my albums, all my fabulous merchandise and extras, including box fresh Transvision Vamp vinyl, signed and personalized
Here: https://thewendyjames.com/store
Twitter: https://twitter.com/THEWENDYJAMES
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thewendyjames
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
January 9, 2024
I hope you all had a good old time of it!
Next week, for two weeks: 15th January – 27th January, I will be back in West London, for what I think will be the final recording session of my 10th Album. I began recording last spring and so many sessions have happened since then! Full band sessions, overdub sessions, the NY piano and keyboards overdubs and now it’s time for James Sclavunos and Alex Ward to come in and put their cherry on top: Percussion, Keyboards, Guitar and finally I will sing all the backing vocals I’ve written: not just harmonies but also whole arrangements.
So many of you have VIP accompanied me in the studio, and just like VIP gigs, it’s a pleasure for me to meet you, spend time with you and get to know you.
From POP ART, VELVETEEN, LITTLE MAGNETS VS THE BUBBLE OF BABBLE, NOW AIN’T THE TIME FOR YOUR TEARS, RACINE 1, RACINE 2, I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS, THE PRICE OF THE TICKET, QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT and now… THE SHAPE OF HISTORY.
Please do pre order ALBUM 10 Deluxe CD, Deluxe Vinyl, Test Pressings, Posters, T-shirts, Artwork Proofs and all my albums on delicious vinyl and CD’s, including some box-fresh TVV vinyls and cds which can be personalized!
https://thewendyjames.com/store
Every sale is going toward the album budget and every sale of THE SHAPE OF HISTORY adds to its first week chart position.
If you want to VIP this final session, please do here:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
You will, at this stage of the VIP Visit, either see me/Jim/Alex performing or you’ll literally hear multiple songs from the album!
Your own private listening party!!
Let me know what date suits you: enquiries@thewendyjames.com
My love and thanks as always…
Wendy xoxoxoxoxoxo
Gosh! November! Thanksgiving for Americans….
December 1, 2023
I posted these pictures on my instagram page of the giant Snoopy balloon floating around 5th Avenue and Central Park, the aerial shot and a brilliant photograph of Snoopy’s head passing by the window of two girls’ apartment block! Captured magically by Elliott Erwitt during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. New York City, 1988.
So, thank you indeed! Just think! Transvision Vamp were already releasing records and having hits when this photo was taken!
SO! ALBUM 10 ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
I was in London a couple of weeks ago, doing the previous session, integrating all the piano parts I’d recorded in NYC, into the master recordings, and making qualified reference mixes, mixes I can sit at home with and hear everything going on and make detailed criticisms, knowing what needs to happen next. I can say definitively that the last recording session for ALBUM 10 in London will be January 15th-27th so for those of you curious to see and hear what happens in the studio, this is your final chance to attend a recoding session.
Here is how THE SHAPE OF HISTORY opens! Played beautifully by Dave ’The Moose’ Sherman in Brooklyn, NY the other week… it’s the opener for track 1 ’Sweet Like Love’
– Ain’t it pretty!
I think I will make the mix sessions available for VIP but I’m not yet certain who is going to be the mix engineer or where it’s going to happen, so I’d say get your VIP now! Anyone who’s attended will tell you what a pleasure it is for both them and me, (and Al, the engineer) to share the hours together, I chat and get to know you as much as work permits and at the same time, you get to hear and see my new album being made! I recommend the experience!
I’ll be singing backing vocals and Jim and Alex will be in for final guitar, final keyboards and all percussion. Plus more reference mixes.
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
There’s a vague timeline in my mind for 2024: Finish recording in January. Find a mix engineer and mix the album in March/April-ish, Master in May, get in the manufacturing queue for Vinyl, make the artwork, whilst waiting for vinyl to press, and basically release the
album early summer, with touring to promote for the back end of 2024……
All of this is subject to change of course, one cannot predict other people’s diaries!
Either way, Album 10 ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ is rounding the last couple of corners and you’ll have it soon. It is SO musical, both direct and subtle, depending on the song and I know you’re going to be in love with it! If you’ve not yet preordered, then Vinyl, CD, Poster, T-Shirt, Artwork Proof and Test Pressings are all available for preorder here:
https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVE SEASON!
Decorations and trees are going up, for those who celebrate Christmas, on the streets there is an abundance of glittering lights! I love Christmas lights! I love fireworks too… Some things never change, I’ve always been delighted by the twinkling magic of nighttime lights and fireworks bursting in the sky… I hope you’ve got a few days respite from your daily routines and a plan to be with people you care about and who care about you, or… if you’re happy being alone and just need some space!! I get that too! I’ll write again in a few weeks time to say “Merry Christmas” but for now, I remind you I’ve got some seriously good quality picture discs in stock: RACINE 2 and Splatter Pattern vinyl for I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS reissue, I’ve got test pressings, rare and collectable, some original Transvision Vamp vinyl I can sign to you (or whomever) and really great merch: from the classic t-shirts: Kurt, Icon, Face, Tatler, to my luxurious hoodies, the ‘1989’ world tour hoodie and the ‘Revolution Baby’ image hoodie, both 4ply organic thick fleecy hoodies! From super cool stickers and patches to a preorder of an artwork proof and of course, my many albums on cd and vinyl… many, many presents for anyone who loves music, art and clothes!!
Buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/store
Here’s a promo clip of the picture disc ‘RACINE 2’ vinyl!
I’M FREAKING OUT, REISSUE PICTURE DISC RACINE 2
I send tons of love, as always, infinite thanks! And see you soon
Wendy xoxo
An update for the next recording sessions!
October 24, 2023
Hello! Love to you all, I hope all is well!
– An update for the next recording sessions!
– This time last week I was walking alongside the Hudson from Battery Park to W.14th Street, glorious it was too….
During my NYC time I recorded all the keyboards with Dave ‘Moose’ Sherman for my 10th Album ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’. Wonderful work!
Now I’m headed to LDN Shepherds Bush to finish editing the lead guitar and now, all the keyboard parts. A two week stretch! You can get your VIP pass to see/hear the action from my webstore:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I’m at the stage where anyone VIP’ing will hear, more of less, the entire album! It is without a doubt my most advanced record of my life, with songs and production so perfect they defy belief!!! I couldn’t be more happy or more inspired.
After this November editing stage, strings will happen in LA, USA and then backing vocals/percussion/additional overdubs in London…… dates to be announced.
Then…………………. it’s done
Then………………….it’s mix time…..
Wow!
So come to the VIP it’s a pleasure for me to meet you and spend time with you!
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
– and preorder ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ every preorder goes toward week one chart position…
https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
My last two albums charted at 14 and 16 respectively…. would be lovely to break the top 10……….
I Love You!!
Thank you!!
Wendy xoxo
I am MID-RECORDING!!
September 26, 2023
Hello Everyone! How has summer been for you?
I am MID-RECORDING!!
Yes, I would say I’m half way through recording ALBUM 10 ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
– AND it is MAGNIFICENT!
There are multiples of my trademark choppy, new wave, punky songs and there is a stretch too! A 7 minute 80’s dance track, no.10 ‘FREEDOMSVILLE’, combining sounds as wide as Blondie’s ‘Call Me’ to Klaus Nomi to Transvision Vamp’s ‘Trash City’ and another favorite of mine, currently trk 11 ‘THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE SHARED’ clocking in at only 2.25 minutes but SO soulful, in the vibe of CALIFORNIA SOUL by Marlena Shaw….
BLONDIE – CALL ME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StKVS0eI85I
KLAUS NOMI – THE COLD SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkVgKzKPt8
TRANSVISION VAMP – TRASH CITY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ii6HRL2Vc
MARLENA SHAW – CALIFORNIA SOUL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC2QK6KHnEA
Musicians so far:
WENDY JAMES – VOCALS
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS/PERCUSSION
HARRY BOHAY – BASS
ALEX WARD – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR + WURLITZER AND PIANO
LOUIS ELIOT – ADDITIONAL GUITAR
Here are two stonking solo’s done by Alex and Louis…… I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!
GUITAR SOLO IN TRACK 11 ‘STEP ASIDE ROADKILL’
GUITAR SOLO IN TRACK 12 ’THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE SHARED’
I’m off, in two weeks time, back to NYC to record DAVE ‘MOOSE’ SHERMAN (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) on all keyboard instruments! From Grand Piano to electric synth sounds to theremin and harp!!!!!
I’ll return to London to edit in these parts, do some ref mixes and send them out to Hollywood where Adam Peters, (who used to remix TVV) an orchestral composer and arranger, will write some string parts for the album.
GET A VIP PASS TO THE RECORDING STUDIO! COME AND SEE/HEAR IT HAPPEN! SPEND AN AFTERNOON WITH ME IN THE STUDIO! Next sessions available: the first two weeks of November! Everyone who has done it, has loved it… fascinating behind the scenes times and we get to spend some time together too!
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I will then sing all my backing vocals, Jim Sclavunos will do his percussion, any other instruments will be considered at this stage: Horn Section etc or other overdubs….
– and that get’s us to END OF RECORDING!!!!!!
For this album I think I’m going to go looking for a specific MIX ENGINEER, someone who specializes in mixing hit records… it is my 10th album, it is full of musical arrangements and needs to show itself off in the very best way. Mix engineers tend to have different ears to producer ears.
So, all things being said and done, expect to have a finished album by springtime 2024, in manufacture for 3 months and a release date of early summer 2024!
*****Please do preorder, I think I’ve said before, as well as the obvious help it gives me, paying for everything, every preorder is chart eligible so the more I sell before release date the more it helps a healthy chart position.
There is a deluxe VINYL w/ download and a deluxe CD, there are test pressings, artwork proofs, an official tshirt, an official poster – all signed by me xo
https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
I have replenished my webstore, which ran a bit low earlier in the year, all the t-shirts are now back in stock:
OFFICIAL ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-t-shirt/
THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-the-impression-of-normalcy-t-shirt/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT (BLACK)
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-t-shirt/
TATLER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-tatler-magazine-t-shirt/
THE FACE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-face-magazine-t-shirt/
THE KURT SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-transvision-vamp-kurt-shirt-t-shirt/
ICON (BLACK)
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-t-shirt/
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET (WHITE)
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-the-price-of-the-ticket-t-shirt/
REVOLUTION BABY HOODIE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-revolution-baby-hoodie/
TRANSVISION VAMP TOUR HOODIE 1989
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-1989-hoodie/
I have 2 test pressings for I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
I have the wonderful splatter pattern vinyls (pink/white & red/blue) for I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS Special Edition Reissue Splatter Pattern Colour 12″ Vinyl *RARE:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/i-came-here-to-blow-minds-12-vinyl-special-edition-reissue-splatter-pattern-colour-vinyl/
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS Special Edition Reissue Splatter Pattern Colour 12″ Vinyl
https://thewendyjames.com/product/i-came-here-to-blow-minds-special-edition-reissue-splatter-pattern-colour-12″-vinyl/
I have RACINE 2 PICTURE DISC VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-picture-disc-12-vinyl-lp/
And – a few box fresh Transvision Vamp vinyl and cd and cassettes to sell………
ALBUM 10 ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’ will be a brilliant bit of work and I am proud to say, marks my 10th album release in all glory for the long, long journey it’s been! So many adventures, trials, jubilations, lessons, struggles, obstacles, life lessons, time changes (from 1987 to 2024!) and yet… of all the things that remain constant: YOU, ME, MUSIC – it hasn’t changed. It remains so joyful and lovely to see you at gigs, hear from you by email and know you via social media posts…… I am so, so, so, grateful and I love you all so much!
Thank you
Love
Wendy xoxoxoxoxoxoxo infinity.
RECORDING ALBUM 10! ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
May 15, 2023
Well, the first session is complete! We tracked drums, bass and rhythm guitar… plus guide vocals.
What an incredible session is was…. Smooth, stress free, and full of great music and incredible playing! All 13 songs, each with their own personalities starting to show themselves.
It’s interesting, I have no plan when I write, I look at my large collection of lyrics, pick up the guitar and start playing around, until something, a melody, a rhythm, a lyrical hook develops. I never know what direction the song is going to go in until the chords start suggesting a vibe to me, and then I pick up the trail and start pursuing it!
James Sclavunos joins me on Drums (again), Alex Ward on Rhythm Guitar and Harry Bohay on Bass. All three played on Queen High Straight (although Alex was saxophone on that album, not guitar…)
I shall be playing rhythm guitar too, plus a lead guitarist, a lead piano and organ player, strings, who knows what else!
I can already tell, the album will be incredible… there’s a way to go but it is going to be incredible. Not one detail will be compromised and I shall give everything I have to achieve the very best piece of music.
Having my VIP guests was a delight… you know I relish the chance to meet you, know you, become friends with you and this opportunity I opened up in the studio was just that. I welcomed people into the studio where they watched us rehearse, create and record whichever track we were doing on the day they visited. Thank you all for your presence, we all loved having you with us.
The VIP sessions will continue during the overdub stage so, if you feel like witnessing my work in progress, please do buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
There will be many, many dates, so you can find one that works for you. I will announce the next session dates soon.
So! 13 songs – these are the song titles:
WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
1. SWEET LIKE LOVE
2. A HAPPY LIFE
3. EVERYTHING IS MAGIC
4. MAY I KISS YOU? (JUST ENOUGH TO GET US INTO TROUBLE)
5. THE CRACK AND THE BOOM OF THE CREEPS AND THE GOONS
6. A BIG VICIOUS RUMBLE
7. DO YOU DIG IT? DO YOU LOVE IT? IS IT GROOVY?
8. DON’T LET DAYLIGHT INTO MAGIC
9. THIS DECLARATION OF LOVE
10. FREEDOMSVILLE
11. STEP ASIDE ROADKILL
12. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME WE SHARED
13. THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
We worked 10 days straight per 10 hour days, I’m a little burnt right now, but after a couple of days recovery I shall be ‘up and at ‘em’. It was a fun routine catching the bus along Marylebone Road on the way to the studio, past Regents Park into Harrow Road and my original area, Ladbroke Grove, West London… and at night, taking an Uber back along the Westway, lights and tower blocks twinkling in the night.
So! Onwards… the next stage will be master lead vocals and that will happen in a few weeks time
My 10th Album will be everything you want it to be!
Thank you so much for all your love and support
Preorder THE SHAPE OF HISTORY here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/the-shape-of-history/
And of course the many brilliant pieces of music and merchandise I have in store at https://thewendyjames.com/store including a couple of test pressings I still have! ‘Queen High Straight’ double vinyl, Splatter Pattern ‘I Came Here To Blow Minds’ and picture disc ‘Racine 2’, and all my classic t-shirts and posters!
I send you much love, as always
Wendy xoxo
Newsletter Special Announcement!
January 13, 2023
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10
is called
‘THE SHAPE OF HISTORY’
I shall be writing soon, to all of you who’ve preordered a VIP pass to the recording studio and we can start filling in your diary dates!
Please go ahead and preorder a studio vip here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I am very excited! I shall be joined, so far, in a musician line-up of James Sclavunos (drums/percussion) Alex Ward (guitar, keyboard, other) David ‘Moose’ Sherman (piano/keys) Adam Peters (strings, other) with more to be announced!!!!
These songs are perfectly constructed for a simple acoustic rendition and very ready for a large production! We shall make something wonderful!
This is my 10th album and it is: THE SHAPE OF HISTORY
Please do go ahead and preorder here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
With so much love
Wendy xoxo
(This image is a placeholder image until official artwork is designed)
‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’ SPLATTER PATTERN COLOUR VINYL REISSUE IS NOW IN STOCK!
August 30, 2022
*STOP THE PRESS!
Hello everyone!
This newsletter was scheduled for last Tuesday. However, when the vinyl for ‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’ splatter pattern reissue arrived in the UK, ready for distribution, I discovered that the colour choice I’d ordered was not the same as the vinyl delivered.
I do love the new one, I approve it, so it has immediately become a collector rarity, because I’ve held back 45 copies and the rest are being swapped out for my original colour choice. So, the 45 additional very rare copies are now up for grabs……
For all of you who preordered, your record is on the way and you have something special!
For all you who who did not! Please order a copy! You will briefly (as long as stock lasts) have the choice to receive the Pink/White version in 4 weeks time or the specialty Red/White/Blue now…
RED/WHITE/BLUE Rarity:
PINK/WHITE Original:
As for the vinyl package itself:
This is my ‘break-out’ LP and features 13 original compositions.The songs are typically ranging from my love of New York New Wave Rock n Roll through to more Country Ballad and Phil Spector ‘Wall Of Sound’ production. Reissued now as a Special Edition Colour Splatter 12” vinyl. Not only that… the artwork: jacket, inner-sleeve and labels have been re-envisioned and updated, clearly this is a one-off run of vinyls!
TRACK LISTING
SIDE ONE
1. The Moon Dead in the River (4.57)
2. Where Have You Been, So Long? (4.27)
3. Don’t Shoot – I Ain’t Dillinger (4.41)
4. Municipal Blues (3.26)
5. New Wave Flowered Up Main Street Acid Baby (2.44)
6. Speedball (3.59)
Side One – Total running time: 23 minutes
SIDE TWO
7. No Dice (3.22)
8. You Tell Me (3.46)
9. King Hoodlum (3.26)
10. One Evening, in a Small Café (3.45)
11. These Beggar Memories (4.21)
12. You’re a Fucking Mess, But You Sure Is Pretty (2.19)
13. I Came Here to Blow Minds (3.21)
Side Two – Total running time: 23 minutes
Total Running Time: 46 Minutes
MUSICIANS
Wendy James – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keys
Jeremy Orsel – Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar
Hadrien Grange – Drums
Brock Fitzgerald – Guitar
Wade Keighran – Bass, Percussion
Sam Pearton – Drums
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
All songs mixed by Wendy James & Scott Horscroft
Photography by James Traill
Art Direction by Wendy James & China Heights
*Mastered for Vinyl
There are 2 accompanying Artwork Proofs left, which are beautiful and I will personalize to you, and I have 1 Vinyl Test Pressing as well, which I can also sign and personalize AND some hand-written lyrics!
I Came Here To Blow Minds Artwork Proofs:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/i-came-here-to-blow-minds-special-original-artwork-proof-12-vinyl-reissue-signed-personalized/
I Came Here To Blow Minds 12” Vinyl Test Pressing:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/i-came-here-to-blow-minds-12-vinyl-test-pressing-signed-personalized/
IN OTHER GOOD NEWS…
ALBUM 10
Here is a video message I prerecorded at the end of last week! Not only announcing ‘I Came Here To Blow Minds’ availability but also the fact that I’ve finished demo-ing Song 9 of The Wendy James Album 10, it’s called ‘This Declaration Of Love’.
I know I’ve said all along that there would be 10 songs for Album 10 but I do have 2 further ideas so it might be that Album 10 has 12 songs on it!
Either way, the wait for the writing stage is nearly over and I’ll be able to start scheduling the recording sessions and therefore the VIP studio visits too! Don’t worry – the recording process will stretch out over half a year I’m sure, so there will be many dates to choose from!
ALBUM 10
Song Titles so far are:
1. SWEET LIKE LOVE
2. A HAPPY LIFE
3. EVERYTHING IS MAGIC
4. MAY I KISS YOU? (JUST ENOUGH TO GET US INTO TROUBLE)
5. THE CRACK AND THE BOOM OF THE CREEPS AND THE GOONS
6. A BIG VICIOUS RUMBLE
7. DO YOU DIG IT? DO YOU LOVE IT? IS IT GROOVY?
8. DON’T LET DAYLIGHT INTO MAGIC
9. THIS DECLARATION OF LOVE
– and they’re all great!!
Preorder Album 10 at https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/in a handful of different formats, some of which will include extras and bonuses too (to be decided!)
So, I hope you’re all good and Thank you as always and Love as always
Wendy xo
Splatter Pattern 12″ vinyl ‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’ artwork proofs are in!!
June 6, 2022
Well, well well…. I have the artwork proofs for my reissue splatter pattern 12″ vinyl of ‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’
They are all correct! So we are into the final 3rd of the pressing!
For those of you who’ve pre ordered the vinyl, the wait is nearly over!
For those of you who’ve bought one of these artwork proofs, I’ll be dedicating them to you and shipping this week!
I ordered 10 proofs, 7 are gone, so there are 3 left at:
There is a test pressing 12″ white label vinyl available:
I love this album so much and am so excited to see it arrive in the splatter pattern version!
Get your copy here:
Tons of love
Wendy xoxo
PS. Reminder that i’m playing at FOREVER YOUNG in Ireland on Saturday 16th July, if you want to VIP!
Here’s the link: https://thewendyjames.com/product/v-i-p-the-wendy-james-gig-pass/
ALBUM 10, AUCTION 3 AND MORE…
May 20, 2022
Hello Everyone!
I hope you’re all well!
ALBUM 10
I haven’t done a newsletter in a while! I’ve been getting on with my writing of Album 10. I want to have it all written by the end of summer so I can then start scheduling recording sessions. Those of you who’ve bought VIP for the recording sessions will be able to start to choose which dates to come on! If you want a VIP RECORDING spot, where you get to come for the day, see and hear the recording session and hang out, here is the link:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I am up to writing song 8! So, three songs to go, I think 10 songs for Album 10.
I’ve written some beautiful, gentle and sparse numbers, with a lot of emotion and depth going into my lyrics, and, of course, some songs which are instant (Hits! Exciting!! I’m so pleased…) speed rocking grunge, the type of song I seem to come up with, time and time again, on each album! I want to continue pushing myself to write songs which you can all dance to and sing along to and relate to… It will be a big moment for me when I finish writing, and am able to announce it to you all! – and start sending the demos out to my chosen musicians for Album 10 and for them to start making themselves familiar with the songs. Please preorder ALBUM 10, it’s available on Deluxe Vinyl, Deluxe CD, Standard CD, plus preorder of artwork proofs, test pressings, official t-shirt, official poster and of course the VIP studio visits… here:
https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
THE WENDY JAMES TRANSVISION VAMP ARCHIVE AUCTION 3
Here it is then! The 3rd part of The Wendy James Transvision Vamp Archive Auction!
This time there is a wider variety of items, ranging from the incredible Enrique Badulescu original collage artworks of photos and design for the campaign of Transvision Vamp’s third and final album Little Magnets versus The Bubble Of Babble, through to Japanese mini discs, still sealed, artwork proofs for the cover of Born To Be Sold and Little Magnets, two Wendy notepads (!), some 12” vinyl picture discs, a Bad Valentine test pressing, some promo only vinyl, a collection of magazine Wendy cover postcards and a couple of VHS performance videos with extras… and they all come bundled with a glossy print photo and 1989 Velveteen Backstage Pass! I will happily sign (and dedicate), so please let me know at checkout when you win your bid! The auction lasts 5 days…
There is something affordable there for everyone, right through to high value collectables…
The auction will be live between 5pm GMT Friday 20th May until 5pm Wednesday 25th May.
Enjoy!!
Here’s the full list:
1. WENDY NOTEPAD (2)
2. ‘THE BUBBLE OF BABBLE’ ARTWORK TEMPLATE (1)
3. ‘BORN TO BE SOLD’ ARTWORK TEMPLATE (1)
4. ‘BAD VALENTINE’ 12” TEST PRESSING (1)
5. ‘POP ART’ 12” PROMO VINYL (1)
6. ‘BABY, I DON’T CARE’ 12” PROMO VINYL (1)
7. ‘REVOLUTION BABY’ 7” VINYL SINGLE (1)
8. ‘THE VELVETEEN SINGLES’ VHS VIDEO COMPILATION (1)
9. ‘IF LOOKS COULD KILL’ VHS VIDEO COMPILATION (1)
10. ‘B WITH U’ 12” WHITE LABEL VINYL (4)
11. ‘I WANT YOUR LOVE’ 12” VINYL MAXI SINGLE (1)
12. ‘POP ART’ 12” VINYL PICTURE DISC (3)
13. ‘REVOLUTION BABY’ 12” VINYL PICTURE DISC (1)
14. ‘BABY, I DON’T CARE’ JAPANESE MINI DISC (1)
15. ‘TELL THAT GIRL TO SHUT UP’ JAPANESE MINI DISC (2)
16. ‘I WANT YOUR LOVE’ JAPANESE MINI DISC (2)
17. ‘LANDSLIDE OF LOVE’ JAPANESE MINI DISC (1)
18. WENDY JAMES MAGAZINE COVER POSTCARD PULL OUT (1)
19. ‘(I JUST WANNA) B WITH U’ ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY ENRIQUE BADULESCU
20. ‘(I JUST WANNA) B WITH U’ ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY ENRIQUE BADULESCU (ALT)
21. ‘WENDY AS A GANGSTER’ ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY ENRIQUE BADULESCU 1
22. ‘WENDY AS A GANGSTER’ ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY ENRIQUE BADULESCU 2
Here is the link to AUCTION 3:
https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-archive-auction/
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS 12” VINYL REISSUE
The splatter pattern 12” vinyl reissue of I Came Here To Blow Minds is in the final stages of manufacture, I should have the artwork proofs ready to send out to those of you who’ve bought them, very soon! The vinyl itself was approved a while ago, but because of Brexit, Covid and a general shortage of Pressing Plants around the world, the queue for vinyl has been more lengthy than usual! My eta for delivery is the summer months… none-the-less, when I do have the vinyls and you have them in your hands, it will have been worth the wait! Not only is it a great album, containing some of my favorite songs, but the look and quality of the vinyl will be so nice! I think there is a test pressing still available for ICHTBM and there are a couple more artwork proofs too…..
I think there is a test pressing still available for ICHTBM and there are a couple more artwork proofs too….. so get those!
Preorder your reissue I Came Here To Blow Minds! Vinyl, Test Pressing, Artwork Proof here:
And finally…….
A GIG!
Though I’m in songwriting stage, I have said I’ll do a special performance in Ireland on Saturday July 16th… it’s at the Forever Young Festival held at Palmerston House Estate in Kildare! I do have some VIP passes available so! See you there! It’ll be so much fun I’m sure!! Here’s the VIP link:
A busy summer! But a good one!
I send my love out to you all…… see you soon, and as always… Thank you
Love
Wendy xoxo
“MAY I KISS YOU? (JUST ENOUGH TO GET US INTO TROUBLE)”
February 10, 2022
Well… here’s a video of me, playing acoustically, one of my songs I’m writing for ALBUM 10.
I thought you’d all like to hear and see it, I find it very charming, playing like this, and I think I’ll do more as I proceed through my songwriting for Album 10.
I hope you love it…
And pls do preorder Album 10 here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
So far available are:
MUSIC FORMATS
DELUXE VINYL + DOWNLOAD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-download-signed/
DELUXE CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-cd-signed/
STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-standard-cd-signed/
ARTWORK PROOFS
DELUXE VINYL + DOWNLOAD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-deluxe-12-vinyl-signed-personalized/
VINYL 12” TEST PRESSING
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-test-pressing-signed-personalized/
OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-t-shirt/
OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-poster/
RECORDING STUDIO PASS
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
Love Wendy xoxo
… and Thank you x
ps. THE VIP PASSES for FOREVER YOUNG FESTIVAL in Ireland at Palmerston House Estate, Kildare on July 16th are now available: https://thewendyjames.com/product/v-i-p-the-wendy-james-gig-pass/
xo
PS. I forgot to mention (!!!)
January 14, 2022
Also, with this new pressing of ‘I Came Here To Blow Minds’ color splatter 12” vinyl, comes a couple of 12” Vinyl Test Pressings and five full Artwork Proofs!
As you know, the manufacturers and pressing plant send the test pressings to me to check that the master vinyl is correct, before the full run goes into production and ditto the artwork proofs, so I can check every detail/color and also give them the green light to go into production
Both of which I will sign, number and personalize to you!
Both such lovely things to own and frame! I would buy all three, if this is one of your favorite albums, or if you’re a collector! The splatter color vinyl 12”, the test pressing and the artwork proof!
Two very desirable collectors pieces along side the special edition splatter vinyl!
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
Special Edition 12” Color Splatter Vinyl
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
Special Edition Full Artwork Proof
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
12” Vinyl Test Pressing
Much love
Wendy xoxo
HAPPY NEW YEAR! VINYL REISSUE NEWS!!
January 14, 2022
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re all great!
– I have vinyl reissue news!
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS is in production for vinyl reissue! Not only that… it’s had an upgrade!
It is now as a special edition color splatter 12” vinyl and the artwork: jacket, inner-sleeve and labels have been reimagined and updated! This is a one-off run of vinyls! I love this splatter vinyl color choice and the artwork looks wonderful! I’m very pleased! I love it!
– I love this album so much, it contains so many of my favorite songs, ranging from my love of New York New Wave Rock n Roll through to more Country Ballad and Phil Spector ‘Wall Of Sound’ production, and it also brings me so many great memories! I wrote the album in my apartment in Greenwich Village, NYC, I recorded it with French indie musicians in the left bank of Paris in the tiny and brilliant basement recording studio of the atelier clothing label APC! Such good times! Getting the metro to Rue de Rennes from Trinité – d’Estienne d’Orves on line 12, each morning, grabbing a coffee and pastry and heading in for whole days of magic with the French Musicians: Jeremy Orsel – Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Hadrien Grange – Drums.
However! One of the songs, ‘Speedball’ didn’t get done in Paris! It was done in Sydney, Australia in the Surry Hills Area… I was over there DJ’ing and I met a Sydney Indie Band and we decided to go in the studio where one of them worked! It happened to be the studio belonging to Scott Horscroft, a known and successful Australian record producer… we all mic’d and amped up and the whole song was recorded live, including my vocals… Sydney Musicians: Brock Fitzgerald – Guitar, Wade Keighran – Bass, Sam Pearton – Drums,
The whole atmosphere was so enjoyable and yielded such great results that I decided to have Scott co-mix the album with me and wow, it came out great. I actually re-recorded and played everything on ‘These Beggar Memories’ in the control booth of Scotts studio and it is naturally so personal and up-close in it’s sound.
When the whole mix was complete I awoke the next morning and stared out of my warehouse window, across the rooftops of Surry Hills, I put on Nina Simone’s ‘Mr Bojangles’ and was filled with one of those magic moments, where life feels perfect. I love a good rooftop view across a city and it felt so joyous to have made a record I knew was great and which I’d love for ever!
The photographs were taken early, early in the morning by my friend James Traill, outside, on the curb, waking up, going into a photo session by a different photographer. I was barely awake, in my socks! Smoking (I’ve since given up!!) and drinking coffee. The artwork layout was done by the people who’s warehouse loft I was staying in, called China Heights.
Finally the record was mastered for vinyl, expertly by Fred Kevorkian back in NYC, he has mastered all my music for me ever since!
Thank you to all involved!
TRACK LISTING
SIDE ONE
1. The Moon Dead in the River (4.57)
2. Where Have You Been, So Long? (4.27)
3. Don’t Shoot – I Ain’t Dillinger (4.41)
4. Municipal Blues (3.26)
5. New Wave Flowered Up Main Street Acid Baby (2.44)
6. Speedball (3.59)
Side One – Total running time: 23 minutes
SIDE TWO
7. No Dice (3.22)
8. You Tell Me (3.46)
9. King Hoodlum (3.26)
10. One Evening, in a Small Café (3.45)
11. These Beggar Memories (4.21)
12. You’re a Fucking Mess, But You Sure Is Pretty (2.19)
13. I Came Here to Blow Minds (3.21)
Side Two – Total running time: 23 minutes
Total Running Time: 46 Minutes
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS vinyl reissue is currently a preorder here:
****In other news: I have done a stock check on which of my t-shirts are running low and not in production again, so snap up these last limited t-shirts:
Queen High Straight T-Shirt in Black
Small – 4 left, medium – 1 left, xxl – 4 left
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-t-shirt/
Face Magazine
Small – 6 left, XXL – 4 left
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-face-magazine-t-shirt/
The Impression Of Normalcy
Small – 4 left, Large – 2 left, XL – 3 left, XXL – 3 left
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-the-impression-of-normalcy-t-shirt/
Every Song Is Dope
XXL – 1 left
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-every-song-is-dope-classic-t-shirt/
Tatler
XXL – 2 left
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-tatler-magazine-t-shirt/
So, get yours now!
Much, much LOVE!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wendy xo
CHRISTMAS WISHES AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS UPDATE
December 20, 2021
Dear Everyone…
I would like to wish you all a ‘Very Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays!’
I hope you are with the people you love and who love you!
If you prefer to be alone, then I hope you’re having a really good time doing what you choose!
– However you decide to spend these last couple of weeks of 2021 and wherever you are…
I send my fondest love and all my thanks for sharing this year with me!
To all of you who came out to my tour! I loved playing for you, I loved meeting so many of you! It was a fantastic time for all of us!
To all of you, not in the UK Mainland where the tour happened, well: I guess I need to start playing shows farther afield and seeing all of you! News to come!
Album 10 will start recording in 2022! So, I look forward to meeting all of you who’ve booked a day as a VIP in the recording studio with me! Details to come! If you like the idea of this, then https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/ for the pass!
Remember my storewide sale is in effect until Midnight GM time December 31st, so get your 15% reduction of everything there… keep going until you’ve got ALL the music! ALL the t-shirts! ALL the posters! ALL the hoodies! ALL preorders for ALBUM 10 and so much more! https://thewendyjames.com/store
Code at checkout: DecemberSale15
I love you all so much!
Thank you for a wonderful time this year
Take care of yourselves and have the best time!
Love
Wendy xoxoxo
THE WENDY JAMES STORE CHRISTMAS SALE IS HERE AGAIN!!
December 1, 2021
For the month of December 1-31st if you add the code DecemberSale15 at checkout you will get 15% off everything in the store!
https://thewendyjames.com/store
Here’s what you can get:
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DELUXE DOUBLE VINYL *SIGNED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-deluxe-double-gatefold-12-vinyl-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DELUXE CD *SIGNED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-deluxe-2cd-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-regular-cd/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-20-track-digital-download/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-poster/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-t-shirt/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT RECORDING SESSION LYRIC SHEETS *SIGNED & PERSONALIZED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/original-and-one-of-a-kind-wendy-james-queen-high-straight-notated-and-personalized-lyric-sheet-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT RECORDING SESSION MIX NOTES *SIGNED & PERSONALIZED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/original-and-one-of-a-kind-wendy-james-queen-high-straight-personalized-recording-and-mix-notes-signed/
THE OFFICIAL ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-official-the-price-of-the-ticket-t-shirt-in-colour/
THE TATLER MAGAZINE T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-tatler-magazine-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES ‘EVERY SONG IS DOPE T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-every-song-is-dope-classic-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / FACE MAGAZINE T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-face-magazine-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / TRANSVISION VAMP ‘KURT SHIRT’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-transvision-vamp-kurt-shirt-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES ‘THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-the-impression-of-normalcy-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / TRANSVISION VAMP ‘ICON’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / TRANSVISION VAMP ’1989’ HOODIE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-1989-hoodie/
THE WENDY JAMES / TRANSVISION VAMP ‘REVOLUTION BABY’ HOODIE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-revolution-baby-hoodie/
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-price-of-the-ticket-cd/
YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE 7” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/youre-a-dirtbomb-lester-farewell-to-love-7-vinyl/
RACINE 2 12″ VINYL PICTURE DISC
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-picture-disc-12-vinyl-lp/
RACINE 2 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-digital-download/
ICON POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-poster/
IF LOOKS COULD KILL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-if-looks-could-kill-poster/
THE WENDY FUCKING JAMES PATCH
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-patch/
THE WENDY FUCKING JAMES STICKERS
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-stickers/
You can also pre-order a selection of WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10!
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 DELUXE 12” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-download-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 DELUXE CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-cd-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-standard-cd-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-poster/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF 12” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-deluxe-12-vinyl-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF DELUXE CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/he-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-deluxe-cd/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-standard-cd-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 12” VINYL TEST PRESSING
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-test-pressing-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 RECORDING STUDIO VISIT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I ship worldwide!
https://thewendyjames.com/store
Have the best December everyone! Enjoy the sale and fill your stockings and under your tree with THE WENDY JAMES STORE
*If you don’t do Christmas, well – just treat yourself and take advantage of the discount!
xoxoxo
NEW TSHIRT AND RESTOCKED MERCH
November 2, 2021
I’m so excited to announce to you my new design T-Shirt!
‘THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY’
You’ll recognize the photo from my video shoot for THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY by David Leigh Dodd – my speed-punk number from Queen High Straight.
In the shot:
A vintage 1967 #FenderTwinReverb amplifier and all round microphone classic #ShureSM58gig mic. (I use the Beta58 when I sing live).
This photo is just too damn good to not be a t-shirt. Preorder now, delivery in about 10 days…
The T-Shirt features the photo, the title, some lyrics from THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY and is produced on 100% soft white cotton in a classic unisex round neck, straight cut shape and available in S. M. L. XL. XXL.
I LOVE IT!
Get one now!
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-the-impression-of-normalcy-t-shirt/
Love
Wendy xx
PS. I’ve stocked up on all the merchandise that sold out on tour so there are good amounts of everything instore again now AND some new releases to be announced asap!
THE WENDY JAMES STORE: https://thewendyjames.com/store
I’m so excited to announce a DECEMBER 22ND LONDON SHOW!
October 13, 2021
THE WENDY JAMES BAND will be performing at the legendary 100 CLUB on Wednesday 22nd December!
Doors 8 – 12pm
On Stage 9pm
Late Bar!
TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3oTqEh0
VIP: https://thewendyjames.com/store
So many of you came to repeat shows throughout my UK tour and the gigs were incredible, so let’s have one last blow out of the year!!
Come to THE 100 CLUB for the BEST GIG IN TOWN!
THE WENDY JAMES BAND
Love
Wendy xo
WHAT A GREAT TOUR!
October 12, 2021
Hi Everyone!
How are you all? I hope very well!
The Tour
It is now 9 days after the final show on my 28 date UK tour with THE WENDY JAMES BAND!
My first two days home were spent unpacking and sleeping! I’m just about getting back in the swing of things but there is so much to do!
I’m desperately trying to reach an empty headspace and calendar where I can just immerse myself in the constant writing of my ALBUM 10. Next week I will listen to the songs I had demo’d before setting out on tour and then move on from that. I want to make Album 10 as spectacular as I possibly can, something that will musically and lyrically amaze both you and me. I have my sights set high and my ideas are coming together for both the direction and production.
*Please do preorder all manner of ALBUM 10 items: Vinyl, CD’s T-Shirts, Posters, rare Test Pressings, Artwork Proofs etc, as before, limited numbers apply, there are finite amounts of test pressings and artwork proofs I can receive…
Order here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
Playing all my varied songs on this tour The Wendy James Band has just done made me so, so happy, to play, to sing, to hear and feel all the music I’ve written and then to see you all react to it, older songs and newer songs, favorites alike. I tend to live in the moment, not the past or the future, and so it’s been exhilarating and really life affirming to meet you all and hear your stories of how you first saw me perform a gig or on television, where you were, how old you were and what it meant to you. The history I now carry with me, and in you, all the emotions and stories, I am so lucky to have lived my life like this. Thank you!
Thank you for your reactions to the shows! To see you loving the music and the performance is everything I wish for.
Thank you for all those brilliant after-show merchandise signings/selfies/stories! Wow! … And my V. I.P. guests, who are now part of our traveling Rock n Roll family! So many faces to names have been synched! I recognize many of your names from social media comments or when you buy something from my store, but not really what you look like, now I know and it’s wonderful! We can greet each other with very happy familiarity next time!
The Wendy James Band are so very good! We had the best fun touring around the UK (I love motorway stops and cheese sandwiches!), of course we worked very hard in rehearsals and arrived at our first show in Blackpool match fit. We rehearsed 10 hours a day for 2 weeks and then the shows themselves! Our gigs reached a level of quality you can only get when you do a lengthy tour, when you hone the music perfectly, hit cruise control and really enjoy it. You’ve now all witnessed Jordan Cook on Drums, Leo Kurunis on Bass, Andrew Saunders and Alex Ward on Guitar and Keyboards and Pip Stakem on lead Guitar! It’s a very good band! A band that can handle and achieve anything!
I have a big touring idea, which I am now, just beginning, to explore with an agent and a promoter. It would get me into international territories and bring both my old music and new music to countries outside of the UK. I will make this announcement when it’s ‘for sure’. Toward the end of this tour we just completed, I did start telling people my idea! So I know some of you know and I know it was met with 100% approval!
THANK YOU!
The Merchandise
All my Music, T-Shirts and Posters are now back in my online store, so if you missed out on any of them on the road, here they are: https://thewendyjames.com/store
Nearly all the hoodies sold out, so I’ve ordered more of those, ditto the Kurt Shirt and The Icon T-Shirt!
Here are the last numbers for these items, so get them now!
Every Song Is Dope T-Shirt
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-every-song-is-dope-classic-t-shirt/
S – OUT OF STOCK
M – OUT OF STOCK
L – 1
XL – OUT OF STOCK
XXL – 1
You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester 7” Vinyl – 21
https://thewendyjames.com/product/youre-a-dirtbomb-lester-farewell-to-love-7-vinyl/
Queen High Straight T-Shirt
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-t-shirt/
S – 4
M – 1
L – OUT OF STOCK
XL OUT OF STOCK
XXL – 4
Tatler T-Shirt
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-tatler-magazine-t-shirt
S – OUT OF STOCK
M – OUT OF STOCK
L – OUT OF STOCK
XL – OUT OF STOCK
XXL – 2
RACINE 2 Picture Disc – 25
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-picture-disc-12-vinyl-lp/
Queen High Straight Poster – 25
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-poster/
There is a new t-shirt coming online soon, and some re-pressed vinyl for I Came Here To Blow Minds and The Price Of The Ticket. I’ll let you know when you can put your orders in!
Mission Accomplished
So! Mission Accomplished! After 3 Covid delays my tour happened without any hitch, without anyone getting ill and in some amazing venues! Thank you to all the bookers and promoters who brought my band into their venues! There is not a gig I didn’t love… I had no idea anything could be better than the amazing reception we received in Blackpool! But boy oh boy, how incredible you all were! Leeds Brudenell, Glasgow King Tuts, Brighton Patterns, London o2 Islington, Manchester Deaf Institute, Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach… I’m just going to list them all! Nottingham Bodega, Norwich Arts Centre, Stoke Sugarmil, Truro Old Bakery, Bristol Fleece, Oxford o2, Guildford Boileroom, Cambridge Junction, Tunbridge Wells Forum, Queens Hall Nuneaton, Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, Gloucester Guildhall, Barrow Underground Music Society, Jimmys Liverpool, Birmingham Institute, Leicester Firebug, Newcastle Cluny, Edinburgh Bannermans, Swansea Cinema & Co and The Parish in Huddersfield!
I’m just so grateful and happy to have played for you all, to have met so many of you and for it to have been such a success. We all needed this to happen, after such a long wait, missing live shows for so long and having been away from gatherings, it was so exciting, so necessary for us to all be together again. It felt so good!
Once again: Thank you.
There will be more news soon!
So… take care, tons of love
Always
Wendy xo
THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY
July 29, 2021
Shot in Rome last Saturday… Here is the video for…
THE IMPRESSION OF NORMALCY
‘The Impression Of Normalcy’ is track 16 of my 20 Track Deluxe Album ‘QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT’. It is a perfect speed-punk moment in the last quarter of the album! Originally I’d written it more in the vein of Nirvana: quiet verse, loud chorus and I guess it was mid-tempo. Having started in on recording rehearsals, James Sclavunos put his sticks in the air, from behind his drum kit, and said “Can we speed this fucking song up?”
So… we went to the extreme and basically thrashed and shredded this song out, I then edited it down so it’s a perfect three and a half minutes of pop speed punk!
Video by Doddywood
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT is out on Deluxe Double Vinyl, Deluxe CD, Standard CD and Download
Plus there is a 15% discount offered throughout my webstore: https://thewendyjames.com/store until this coming Saturday night! Code at checkout: AllJuly15
See you on tour!
Direct ticket links and VIP via https://thewendyjames.com/live
Wendy xo
WENDY JAMES WILL (FINALLY) TOUR THE UK AUGUST, SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER 2021
July 2, 2021
TOUR PREVIEW:
When Wendy James released her 5th solo album QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT on 1st May 2020 to critical acclaim, she was supposed to be heading out on a UK tour. But as Covid-19 hit and the world went into lockdown, Wendy had to reschedule her tour three times.
Reflecting, Wendy says, “The venues, who’ve been under extraordinary pressure to stay afloat, were inundated with every single band rescheduling! But! We did it… Thank you to the venues, the promoters and of course thank you to the National Health Service, my love to anyone and everyone who has lost someone to this pandemic, thank you to you all for getting vaccinated and helping open our collective lives again! And… Thank you to THE WENDY JAMES BAND! Most musicians have had to find other ways of money earning because they simply couldn’t work their chosen vocation… very hard indeed, but my band did what they had to do, and we’re still standing and happier than ever to be heading into rehearsals to get this mammoth setlist learnt and then hit the road! Finally!”
She will embark on a whopping 28-date tour of the UK on 26th August. “From Truro to Paisley and from Norwich to Swansea and everywhere in between!” she exclaims with her infectious enthusiasm. “Not only are we celebrating a return to live venues, we are celebrating my No.16 album QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT, and also a different set list every night, from Transvision Vamp through all my albums! It’s a tour not to miss, and one which will not happen again, like this!”
An English singer-songwriter born in London, Wendy exploded onto the British music scene in 1988 as the fearless front woman of chart-topping alt-rockers Transvision Vamp. When the band broke up Wendy went on to collaborate with Elvis Costello, James Williamson (Iggy & the Stooges), Lenny Kaye (The Patti Smith Group) and James Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), who joins her on drums and percussions for QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT. Also joining her on this album are James Sedwards (lead guitar), Harry Bohay (bass), Alex J. Ward & Terry Edwards (horn section) and Louis Vause (accordion).
Wendy began writing QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT after a long stretch of writing/recording/delivering/touring her previous album ‘The Price Of The Ticket’, which charted in the UK at No.14. Wendy says of the title track, “I gravitated toward some jazzy type of chords which lent a gentle lilt to the song, it sounded smooth and it reminded me of when I was a young child listening to Sergio Mendes ‘Brasil ’66’! Some of those lovely chord progressions, some of that lovely harmonizing the singers did and of course Bacharach and David.”
“Overall, my taste and style have not changed with time,” Wendy says. “The music that excites me now, ultimately, is the same as when I was starting out songwriting and back through my days in Transvision Vamp. I continue to marvel at Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground, I continue to be blown away by The Stooges, I continue to be everlastingly enthralled by Bob Dylan, but of course, the older one gets the more one discovers and I am now informed more cohesively and fully by all the music, new and old, which settles into my consciousness.
“My track listings are never altered from the order in which I write the songs, maybe it’s because it’s too tangential for me to try to shuffle songs around but really I think, in some kind of holistic way, the order in which the songs are written must surely be the very most natural order for them to be listed in. Around song 14 ‘Bliss Hotel’ I hit a wall. I did not know where the inspiration was going to come from! But then somehow, miraculously, it comes again and one pushes on through, as it turned out, to some of my favourite songs on the entire album. My perfect moment? song 18 ‘Cancel It… I’ll See Him On Monday’; it was a ‘Eureka’ moment. I ran outside and started dancing, “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!!!”
Elsewhere on the album, Wendy embraces Motown with ‘Here Comes The Beautiful One’ and ‘Little Melvin’, she returns, once again, to her favourite guitar guttural filth and sex for ‘Perilous Beauty’ and an unlikely sounding love song in ‘Chicken Street’, 90’s pop groove in ‘Ratfucking’, melancholia in ‘Testimonial’, Django Reinhardt whimsy in ‘I’ll Be Here When The Morning Comes’. On ‘The Impression Of Normalcy’, Wendy says, “Thanks to James Sclavunos, who told me to “speed the fucking song up”, I have a proper speed punk song.” Finally, track 20 ‘Kill Some Time Blues’ is the ultimate 60’s girl group number.
Wendy last toured the UK in 2019 with THE WENDY JAMES BAND opening for The Psychedelic Furs, and was a huge success.
TOUR DATES
BLACKPOOL WATERLOO MUSIC BAR – THURSDAY 26TH AUGUST
NORWICH ARTS CENTRE – FRIDAY 27TH AUGUST
STOKE SUGARMILL – SATURDAY 28TH AUGUST
TRURO OLD BAKERY STUDIOS – TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST
CARDIFF CLWB IFOR BACH – WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
BRISTOL FLEECE – THURSDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
OXFORD O2 ACADEMY2 – FRIDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER
GUILDFORD BOILEROOM – SATURDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION – TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
TUNBRIDGE WELLS FORUM – WEDNESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
QUEENS HALL NUNEATON – THURSDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
PORTSMOUTH WEDGEWOOD ROOMS – FRIDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER
GLOUCESTER GUILDHALL – SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER
BARROW UNDERGROUND MUSIC SOCIETY – TUESDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER
MANCHESTER DEAF INSTITUTE – WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER
NOTTINGHAM BODEGA – THURSDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER
LIVERPOOL JIMMY’S – FRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER
BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE3 – SATURDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
LEICESTER FIREBUG – TUESDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
NEWCASTLE CLUNY – WEDNESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER
GLASGOW KING TUTS – THURSDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER
PAISLEY ROCKNROLLAS – FRIDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
EDINBURGH BANNERMANS – SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER
SWANSEA CINEMA & CO – TUESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER
LEEDS BRUDENELL – WEDNESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER
BRIGHTON CONCORDE 2 – THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
LONDON O2 ACADEMY2 ISLINGTON – FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER
HUDDERSFIELD THE PARISH – SATURDAY 2ND OCTOBER
Tickets available via: https://thewendyjames.com/live/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT TRACK LISTING
1. Queen High Straight
2. Perilous Beauty
3. Free Man Walk
4. Stomp Down, Snuck Up
5. Little Melvin
6. Marlene et Fleur
7. A Heart Breaking Liar’s Promise
8. Here Comes The Beautiful One
9. Chicken Street
10. Testimonial
11. Bar Room Brawl & Benzedrine Blues
12. Ratfucking
13. She Likes To Be (Underneath Somebody)
14. Bliss Hotel
15. Freak In
16. The Impression Of Normalcy
17. I’ll Be Here When The Morning Comes
18. Cancel It… I’ll See Him On Monday
19. Sugar Boy
20. Kill Some Time Blues
All songs written, produced and mixed by Wendy James.
The album is available as a 20-track deluxe gatefold double vinyl, gatefold deluxe CD, regular CD and Digital Download / Streaming.
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT is available from https://thewendyjames.com/store and this store is the main driver for all of Wendy’s recordings and associated art, t-shirts, all things Wendy.
For further information please contact Alix Wenmouth at Wasted Youth PR on 07760 105469 or email alix@wastedyouthpr.com
THE WENDY JAMES STORE SUMMER SALE!!
July 2, 2021
Hello Everyone!! I hope you’re all well!
I’m doing a Summer Sale on everything at THE WENDY JAMES STORE
For the entire month of July you can get 15% by adding the code at checkout: AllJuly15
Here is what’s in the store:
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DELUXE DOUBLE VINYL *SIGNED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-deluxe-double-gatefold-12-vinyl-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DELUXE CD *SIGNED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-deluxe-2cd-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT STANDARD CD *SIGNED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-regular-cd-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-20-track-digital-download/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-poster/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-official-t-shirt/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT DOUBLE 12” VINYL TEST PRESSING (ONLY 2 SETS AVAILABLE) *SIGNED AND PERSONALIZED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/queen-high-straight-double-12-vinyl-test-pressing-signed-2/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT RECORDING SESSION LYRIC SHEETS *SIGNED & PERSONALIZED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/original-and-one-of-a-kind-wendy-james-queen-high-straight-notated-and-personalized-lyric-sheet-signed/
QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT RECORDING SESSION MIX NOTES *SIGNED & PERSONALIZED
https://thewendyjames.com/product/original-and-one-of-a-kind-wendy-james-queen-high-straight-personalized-recording-and-mix-notes-signed/
THE OFFICIAL ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-official-the-price-of-the-ticket-t-shirt-in-colour/
THE TATLER MAGAZINE T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-tatler-magazine-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / FACE MAGAZINE T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-face-magazine-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES / TRANSVISION VAMP ‘KURT SHIRT’ T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/wendy-james-transvision-vamp-kurt-shirt-t-shirt/
ICON T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-t-shirt/
1989 HOODIE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-1989-hoodie/
REVOLUTION BABY HOODIE
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-revolution-baby-hoodie/
ALL GIGS VIP PASS
https://thewendyjames.com/product/v-i-p-the-wendy-james-gig-pass/
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-price-of-the-ticket-cd/
YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE 7” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/youre-a-dirtbomb-lester-farewell-to-love-7-vinyl/
RACINE 2 12″ VINYL PICTURE DISC
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-picture-disc-12-vinyl-lp/
ICON POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-poster/
IF LOOKS COULD KILL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-if-looks-could-kill-poster/
THE WENDY FUCKING JAMES PATCH AND STICKER SET
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-patch-and-stickers-bundle/
THE WENDY FUCKING JAMES PATCH
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-patch/
THE WENDY FUCKING JAMES STICKER SET
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-stickers/
YOU CAN ALSO PRE-ORDER A SELECTION OF THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10
– which is coming along really well! I’m very excited, inspired and happy with the songs I’ve written so far!
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 DELUXE 12” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-download-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-standard-cd-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-poster/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF 12” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-deluxe-12-vinyl-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF DELUXE CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/he-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-deluxe-cd/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-ltd-edition-original-artwork-proof-standard-cd-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 12” VINYL TEST PRESSING
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-test-pressing-signed-personalized/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 RECORDING STUDIO VISIT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
I ship worldwide!
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!
ENJOY MY SUMMER SALE!
Add code: AllJuly15 at checkout!
AND SEE YOU ON THE WENDY JAMES UK TOUR FROM AUGUST 26TH UNTIL OCTOBER 2ND!
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://thewendyjames.com/live
GET YOUR VIP PASSES HERE: https://thewendyjames.com/store
Love,
Wendy xxxx
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT’S RELEASE
May 4, 2021
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT’S RELEASE
Hi Everyone!
Today is May 1st, incredibly… one whole year since the release of QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT, last year in pandemic year 2020!
I thought I’d take a moment to remember the making of and the run up to it’s release!
Quite a few of you visited the various recording studios I worked in on Queen High Straight and saw the kind of intense detail that went into the recording, some of you saw vocal sessions! Some of you saw whole band sessions and if I recall correctly, some saw the horn and woodwind overdubs too!
I have incredible musical memories from the recording sessions, aided and abetted by world class engineers who worked hours and hours and hours to help me get onto tape what it was, as producer, I needed to hear.
One particular memory is trumpet player Terry Edwards playing in unison with James Sedwards perfect guitar solo in Track 17 ‘I’ll Be Here When The Morning Comes’ to watch and hear them play with this feel and precision was awesome. The clarinet playing on Track 1 ‘Queen High Straight’ is Alex Ward improvising from the top of the song to the bottom and playing so many beautiful motifs from which I could cherry pick, and it makes the whole song so dreamy. Louis Vause’s extraordinary accordion playing in the Middle 8 of Track 18 ‘Cancel It… I’ll See Him On Monday’ makes that whole hobo sound of jumping on freight trains somewhere out in the dust bowl of the USA and making it to Nashville!
My music, as well as being well written pop and rock songs, also create little musical movies, the lyrics and the sounds tell each song’s story…
Video for Queen High Straight
I flit from the night-time streets of Soho, London in the 1950’s and ’60s, in the French House and the Colony Rooms with London’s underworld hi and lo in Track 10 ‘Testimonial’, through to 1970’s Malibu and the Pacific Coast Highway in Track 4 ‘Stomp Down, Snuck Up’, Ladies of the night on Rue Saint Denis in Paris in Track 13 ‘She Likes To Be (Underneath Somebody)’, Street Crime in 1990’s Baltimore, USA in Track 5 ‘Little Melvin’, The pursuit and fight for Civil Rights in Track 3 ‘Free Man Walk’, and back in time for Track 6 ‘Marlene et Fleur’ conjuring the annexation of Jewish Ghettos in Germany before the mass extermination began in World War II. A war that was fought to preserve Democracy in the West against the rise of Fascism. I love track 14 ‘Bliss Hotel’, I sing “Just hit your marks, Stay in the light and Do the same thing, Do the same thing, Do the same thing…” about the somewhat rote banality of finding a formula for success and then just rinse and repeat. Something I can genuinely say I’ve avoided in my musical life! I love my speed punk Track 16 ‘The Impression Of Normalcy’ – as I wrote in the liner notes for the Double Vinyl and Deluxe CD release of Queen High Straight, my demo for this song was far more along the lines of a Nirvana-esque mid-tempo quiet verse, loud chorus but my wonderful drummer James Sclavunos shouted out from behind his kit, after a few practice runs, “Can we speed the fucking thing up?” And how right he was! – it’s one of my favorite songs on the album and I’m still intending to make it back to Rome to shoot a video for it with David Leigh Dodd, who you all know by now as the photographer for the entire presentation of this album and also the accompanying videos, which unbelievably he shoots on iPhone and edits too…
Video for Cancel It… I’ll See Him On Monday’
All the musicians on Queen High Straight are phenomenal, Harry Bohay came up with and played the most perfect bass lines and in the studio had them down within 2 takes, he is just so naturally gifted, if you follow him on instagram you get to see him play guitar, bass, and beautiful pedal steel. James Sedwards on lead and rhythm guitar, James came into the studio loaded with so many perfect melodies for the guitar as well as the power riffs I love so much! I am in a very happy place musically where I work with such gifted musicians.
Once the album was finished, the artwork complete, off went the parts, as they are called, to the pressing plant in Poland in December. Little did we know that a pandemic was looming!! I was in New York in January as the news from China was permeating and now we know cases were already in the US, from China and from The UK and Europe, I remember saying “there’s no way it will still be around in May” when my tour for Queen High Straight was originally scheduled to start! Of course how uninformed and naive we all were… now one year later we are slowly making our way out of emergency measures and my tour, having been rescheduled 3 times is now going ahead, later in the year! The poor pressing plant in Poland was hit badly, people sick and otherwise furloughed like nearly every business during pandemic, but somehow, thanks to the coordinator Liz Brown at Key Production, everything was delivered perfectly and on time, including the lovely man from Lithuania who drove from Poland to France to bring me thousands of covers to sign, then drove them back to Poland to be assembled with their CD’s and Vinyls! The poor guy arrived one day early and so with masks and gloves on, we helped him forklift the boxes from his lorry and carry them up flights of stairs to a room where I emptied all the boxes and just sat there and signed, signed, signed until about 6pm that same day where we loaded them back onto the lorry, gave him some food (he was only eating mini-packs of cereal) and off he went. Miraculously the records made it to their distribution hubs in Los Angeles and London and with the inevitable postal delays of COVID permitting, we delivered QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT, to those of you who’d preordered, on May 1 or during that week!
The rest is history, right? The best reviews of my life! Not least of all from you, the fans, you’ve all been so incredible in telling me how much you’ve loved this album, to this day, many of you say it’s still on constant play As it should be!! We’ve communicated well! Even having you choose your pick of a single to go to Radio! Track 6 ‘Marlene et Fleur,’ coupled with Track 20 ‘Kill Some Time Blues’
Video for Kill Some Time Blues
So! Thank you very much for your love of QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT – if you don’t yet have it, you must!
Buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/store
Here’s a look back at the video I made and released on May 1 2020 to celebrate the release!
Video for Wendy’s party of 1 in COVID isolation!
2021 TOUR NEWS!
My live band THE WENDY JAMES BAND are Wendy James on Vocals, Leo Kurunis on Bass Jordan Cook on Drums, Rupert Greaves on Keyboard and Guitar, Pip Stakem on Guitar, Alex Ward on Keyboard and Guitar. Finally! We will see you out on the road in a few months time! Starting on August 26th in Blackpool, the much delayed tour is now going ahead! We are traversing mainland UK for 5 nights on, 2 nights off for 5 straight weeks! Taking in everywhere from Truro to Paisley!
Get your tickets here: https://thewendyjames.com/live
Get your VIP passes here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/v-i-p-the-wendy-james-gig-pass/
We will go further afield in 2022, coming to Northern and Southern Ireland and Europe for sure and then on to USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and more I hope!
My band and I are rehearsing up 3 hours worth of material from all my albums, from Transvision Vamp, through to the two RACINE albums, I Came Here To Blow Minds, The Price Of The Ticket and of course a large helping of Queen High Straight. From this massive list of songs we will be able to do a revolving and different set list per night! So, if you can, come to more than one show! It’s a massive and comprehensive tour of the UK and one I cannot think I will do again! So this could well be the last time you get to see me live in so many places on the map! It will be an incredible tour, we are all so looking forward to it. Rehearsals are booked for the 1st August and we will be ready for you on August 26th! Back in the van, loaded high with Alan Partridge DVD’s – here we come!!
See you there!
ALBUM 10 NEWS!
Now, I’m so happy with Album 10 progress.. I’m nearly onto Song 4, and the first three songs are dynamite. I am really, really pushing myself, I am trying for melodies, which as soon as you’ve heard them, you cannot stop singing! Once again, I can start to imagine the full production and the thrill of recording with the musicians…
This album inevitably is rather special. It’s my 10th Album and I mean to make it one to love and cherish. A landmark piece of work.
Please do go ahead and preorder THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
There are various formats available, official posters, t-shirts, and the limited edition of artwork proofs… which I sign and personalize. There is also the chance, once again, to visit the studio during recording!
**I’ve also added to the items in my store, as you know: the Icon and If Looks Could Kill posters, the t-shirts and the Revolution Baby and 1989 hoodies!
For clothing and posters here:
https://thewendyjames.com/product/racine-2-picture-disc-12-vinyl-lp/
So, now, I must go back to my guitar and see if I remember what I wrote last night! That’s how I test it out, if it sticks then it sticks, if it doesn’t then it doesn’t!
A2 IF LOOKS COULD KILL & ICON POSTER
My love to you all! See you soon!
And Congratulations QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT! You’re one year old!
🎂
Lots of love
Wendy xo
SPRING WEEKEND
March 22, 2021
Hello Everyone!! I hope you’re well!
NEWS!
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10
Song 1 of THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 is complete in guide form! I’m very excited about this! I can already hear the production I want for this song and soon I’m going to send it out to my musicians to start having a play around with it! I’m actively writing Song 2 as I break off to write this update!
You can preorder ALBUM 10 in various forms here: https://thewendyjames.com/product-category/wendy-james-album-10/
This is what is available to date:
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 DELUXE 12” VINYL
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-12-vinyl-download-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 DELUXE CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-deluxe-cd-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 STANDARD CD
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-standard-cd-signed/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL T-SHIRT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-t-shirt/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 OFFICIAL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-official-poster/
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF 12” VINYL
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF DELUXE CD
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 ORIGINAL ARTWORK PROOF STANDARD CD
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 12” VINYL TEST PRESSING
THE WENDY JAMES ALBUM 10 RECORDING STUDIO VISIT
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-album-10-vip-studio-visit/
Of course any purchase you make goes toward the enormous climb it is, each time, to afford to record an album… I don’t have a record label or a huge amount of savings to make this easy! It’s purely down to what I earn… so, I Thank you in advance and I promise the music will not disappoint, I’m sure you know that!!
NEW MERCHANDISE
Buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-1989-hoodie/
Buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-revolution-baby-hoodie/
Buy here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-t-shirt/
Yes, indeed! I have added to the store 2 Hoodies! The ‘1989’ Wendy James/Transvision Vamp Tour Hoodie and the ‘Revolution Baby’ Wendy James / Transvision Vamp Hoodie AND the Wendy James / Transvision Vamp ‘Icon’ T-Shirt! They are amazing! The ‘Icon’ t-shirt is rapidly becoming a best seller, along side the ‘Kurt Shirt’ and the hoodies are just so luxurious! The ‘1989’ is incredible, in as much that with your help, my agents, my old managers help and various online data bases, I managed to compile every gig we played in the breakout year of 1989 – a full world tour! So for all of you who attended one or more of these shows, then this hoodie is for you! The ‘Revolution Baby’ hoodie is in black and I love it so much! I love the shot of me and I love the logo on the back with lyrics from the song ‘Revolution Baby’.
The other two new items in the store are 2 companion posters!
The Wendy James / Transvision Vamp ‘If Looks Could Kill’ poster… this is the image which is on the ‘Kurt Shirt’ and was Transvison Vamp’s tour t-shirt in 1991 to promote Little Magnets versus The Bubble Of Babble. The ‘Icon’ poster is literally the companion to the ‘Icon’ T-Shirt and is simply one of my favorite photos of all time. Both posters in ‘silk matte’ finish and A2 in size… WONDERFUL!
You can buy those here:
IF LOOKS COULD KILL POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-if-looks-could-kill-poster/
ICON POSTER
https://thewendyjames.com/product/the-wendy-james-transvision-vamp-icon-poster/
THE WENDY JAMES BAND UK CLUB TOUR IS GOING AHEAD!
It really does look like 3 is the magic number! We’ve had to delay from May 2020 to September 2020, from September 2020 to March/April 2021, from March/April 2021 to finally: August/September 2021! I’m even adding more dates! *To Be Announced! There will be a different set list every night of the tour! I’m going to play as many songs from Transvision Vamp and all my solo albums as possible and of course play you the tracks of Queen High Straight! It will be wonderful! I’ll start rehearsing the band at the front of August and we will hit the ground running on August 26th in Blackpool!! Every ticket you’ve already bought is still valid, every VIP pass you’ve spent is still valid and I look forward very much to seeing/meeting you all!
If you don’t yet have a ticket, now’s the time to do it! On the live page of my website are direct links to each venue’s box office: https://thewendyjames.com/live and if you’d like to VIP and come and spend soundcheck and the evening with me and the band, then the VIP pass is here: https://thewendyjames.com/product/v-i-p-the-wendy-james-gig-pass/
In case you’d forgotten (!!) Here are the reviews for QUEEN HIGH STRAIGHT:
“packed with 20 songs, remarkably filler-free, brimming with colourful vocabulary, catty character study (a Supremes-y Little Melvin), melodic excellence and stylistic dexterity… There’s everything from Bitter Sweet MOR (Testimonial) to kitsch-pop (Ratfucking), but few nail flat-out punk rock as convincingly as does James on Perilous Beauty and The Impression of Normalcy. She means it, man, and it’s a joy throughout.” – 4/5 MOJO
“A superior collection of cosmopolitan pop music, the 20-song set is both catchy and complex. “I spend each day in splendid isolation, the quintessential intersection of nothing,” she sings on the waltz-time wonder that is Free Man Walk. In doing so, she might just have written the anthem that best describes the lives of everyone who hears it.” – The Telegraph
“A Motown flecked ode” (Little Melvin) – The Times
“A characteristically ambitious album, a double, 20 songs… a varied retro-pop clutch; James knows her way around the chords, and how to keep things moving. But the charm lies in their personality…” – Metro
“Written, produced and mixed by (ex-Transivision Vamp) Wendy James fronting a strong band and dabbling in a dizzying variety of styles.” – Classic Rock
“stylish, vintage sounds, in thrall to the Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan and 1960s pop.” – 4/5 Mail on Sunday
“Wendy gets the last laugh with an up-for-it 20-song double album of punk, rock & roll and general mayhem. Just as energetic as the Vamps, the songs are sharper than ever.” – Daily Star
“James specialising in a Stooges belligerence as she rampages across half the album as if about to wreak terrible vengeance on the speakers. There’s an insouciant poise throughout, as James ensures her devilment is backed up by strong tunes… It’s impressive, showcasing what an under-rated writer and producer James has matured into.” – Classic Pop
“Reflective music from a real queen… an album for James fans and newcomers alike.” – Vive Le Rock
Wendy xoxo
