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Sing-Sing
Alternative / Electronica / Indie

"Sing-Sing has a hyphen but is no more....."

East Sussex/Kent, South
United Kingdom

Profile Views:  80088




Last Login:  5/14/2008
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   Sing-Sing: General Info
Member Since4/25/2005
Band Websitesing-sing.co.uk
Band MembersEmma Anderson - guitars, backing vocals, bass Lisa O'Neill - vocals, backing vocals, harmonica
InfluencesKate Bush, Roxy Music, Kraftwerk, Cocteau Twins, The House of Love, Laura Nyro, Doris Day, Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys, Abba, The Beatles, The Byrds, Big Star, Nick Drake, The Human League, Felt, Dif Juz, Colourbox, The Carpenters,
Sounds LikeSaint Etienne, Goldfrapp, Lush, Cocteau Twins, Belly, The Beta Band, Air, Emiliana Torrini, U.N.K.L.E., Blonde Redhead, Joy Zipper, Belle and Sebastian, The Shortwave Set, Ladytron, April March, Portishead, Spring,
Record LabelAerial Records
Type of LabelIndie







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   About Sing-Sing

Sing-Sing split at the end of 2007 but following is the press release for the last album which came out in 2005.

Lisa O'Neill and Emma Anderson, otherwise known as Sing-Sing, unleashed their second album entitled 'Sing-Sing and I' in 2005. Drawing on such diverse influences as folk-rock, heavy metal hammer-ons, a bit of Motown drumming, and just out-and-out pop, 'Sing-Sing and I' carries the distinctive Sing-Sing sound but, probably due to the extensive American touring, the songs are edgier, favouring guitars over the electronic samples that dominated debut album 'The Joy of Sing-Sing', whilst retaining Sing-Sing's trademark lyricism - personal and observational but still combined with a charm and wit.

The 'difficult' second album has legendarily been a challenge to bands. In Sing-Sing's case it was problematic for reasons other than the usual songwriting dearth. For Sing-Sing, it was just getting into a position where they could make an album.

Lisa and Emma had survived many punches since their inception in 1998 - lesser bands might have given up the ghost much further back down the line, but not these two women. There was never any doubt about in their minds that what they were doing was good, so, when push came to shove, the old adage, ‘If you want to do something properly, do it yourself', was applied. Four years after the release of their acclaimed debut album, the duo is ready to unleash their second album 'Sing-Sing and I', on July 11th.

Emma, the adopted daughter of a former army major and explorer, spent the first years of her life growing up in unconventional surroundings. Her father was the secretary of the Naval and Military Club in Mayfair and Emma lived in a flat overlooking Piccadilly in London until she was 14 years old. In 1988, during her college years, she and some friends formed a band called The Baby Machines which turned into a band called Lush. Lush signed to 4AD, put out 4 albums, graced the pop-charts and toured the world until tragedy struck in 1996 with the suicide of their drummer, Chris Acland, and Lush was over. It had been eight fantastic - but also hard - years and Emma was ready for new challenges. She had a batch of songs but no one to sing them so she put feelers out.

It was her friend Bunny who told her about a singer/songwriter called Lisa at her animation company who had contributed to an album called 'Morning Light' by Locust but was looking for a full-time collaborator. Emma had said album, stuck it on and was immediately impressed with Lisa's contribution. It also transpired that Lisa was the girlfriend of her then boyfriend's flatmate and they had actually already met! The double connection was too much to ignore... they met and hit it off at once.

Lisa O'Neill also had an atypical childhood but in a different way. Her parents had been very young when she was born and during her first few years in Manchester, she was surrounded by 1970s rock, English folk and psychedelia before upping sticks and moving to Montreal. There, she not only had to immerse herself in disco, but also learn and speak a new language. It was when she came back to London she started getting back into live music and bands. However, even though Lisa had not spent a lot of time recording her own material, her connection with Locust (real name Mark van Hoen) was to prove vital as Mark went on to provide Sing-Sing with the sound that would carry them through the years.

Sing-Sing's first few years are characterised by frustratingly travelling from pillar-to-post with labels. Singles came out on Bella Union, Fierce Panda and Sanctuary Records until the album The Joy of Sing-Sing was released on Poptones in October 2001 to very favourable reviews ("A supernova in indie's imaginary universe of perfect pop, for sure. Don't let this pass you by. (****)" David Stubbs, Uncut October 2001 whilst Ian Gittins in Q said in the same month, "A plaintive and persuasive debut that promises much (***)". LA-based Manifesto Records the released the album in North America the following year and Sing-Sing embarked on two US tours that took in SXSW in Austin and CMJ in New York. However, both record deals were only one-off licenses for that album so when all the promo was over, the girls found themselves label-less. They had been through enough label machinations for one band-lifetime so it was time to take matters into their own hands: Why not take start a label and sell the records through an online shop direct to the fans?

Autumn 2003 and Sing-Sing went back into the studio to record three new songs with Mark Van Hoen using their personal savings to fund the sessions. Furthermore, due to a fortunate chance meeting in a local Indian take-away, producer/mixer Alan Moulder (NIN, My Bloody Valentine, The Killers, The Duke Spirit) agreed to mix two of the tracks, 'Ruby' and 'A Modern Girl'. The EP was a risk but apart from supplying the patient fans with four brand-spanking new songs, the main purpose of the resulting 'Madame Sing-Sing' EP was to sell it through their online shop in order raise money to fund the second album. For another band, the risk might not have paid off but all went swimmingly for Sing-Sing.

Just one month after of going on sale, the EP had raised enough money to pay the girls back and to enable them to start recording again. This was achieved not just by sales but also by the overwhelming generosity of the fans - some donating even as much as £200 apiece. The girls were not only amazed but also truly humbled. People that they had never even met were sending in money so they could carry on producing music that they wanted to hear.

The latter part of 2004 saw Emma and Lisa back in Mark's studio laying down eight more tracks for an album to be released on their own Aerial Records. Alan Moulder also reappeared to mix the first single Lover. 'Sing and I' is the resulting album. With six years of being in this band behind them and all the highs and lows that that has entailed, this album is a culmination of hope but more importantly gritty perseverance.

  • 'Lover': This song is not autobiographical in any way. Emma was just playing around with words whilst describing a fictional lover!
  • 'Come, Sing Me A Song': On the surface, this track sounds like a love song but it is actually about fame and the current obsession with celebrity.
  • 'Mister Kadali': Lisa lives in an area of London with a strong African community and she gets many ‘spiritual healer' cards through the letterbox. This song is about her fantasies of what one might do for her. The band then contacted Mr. Kadali who adlibs over the track. It was an eye-opening session.
  • 'A Modern Girl': This song Emma wrote about how difficult is can actually be to deal with living in the 21st century and questioning if a woman's lot has actually become so much better. She wonders how pressures to marry and have children have actually changed at all.
  • 'Ruby': Lisa was drawing up a horoscope for a friend's new baby girl Ruby and the song is about predicting the future.
  • 'I Do': Many of Lisa's friends were heading up the aisle and this song questions the need for marriage.
  • 'Going Out Tonight': Emma wrote this song with the words ‘I'm going out tonight' originally to describe a fun night out. However, whilst making the album, Mark's wife had an awful experience where she passed out after only consuming one glass of wine beforehand. She was convinced she had been drugged and Emma and Lisa changed the lyrics of the song to a night out going horribly wrong due to the same reasons...
  • 'Unseen': This is about a stalker fan's fantasies and their becoming a little too close for comfort
  • 'The Time Has Come': Emma wrote this song about finding it time in her life to make decision about whom to keep and who to edit of her life.
  • 'When I Was Made': This is about the circumstances surrounding Emma's birth.
  • 'A Kind of Love': Lisa wrote this a long time ago for a lost Lovers Rock album she recorded with The Mad Professor. She thought it would be interesting to resurrect it and see if the songwriting would stand up to the change.

Also on the CD is an animated promo video of 'Lover' directed by Bunny Schendler (the same Bunny who was instrumental in bringing Lisa and Emma together in the first place) and animated by Jonathan Hodgson both BAFTA nominated and winning respectively.

.. YMLP Form -->

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Sing-Sing's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 784 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
[gdit]-Boof![fanch squad] and ownd!





May 13 2008 10:46 AM

<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Sing-Sing, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/> <br /><br /> -------------------------------<br /> <i>This comment was sent by your friend via the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/361263053">Own Your Friends!</a> application. To block comments sent via Apps. click <a href="http://profileedit.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=accountSettings.applicationSettings">here</a>.</i> <br />
Just Mike & The Blonde Ninja





May 11 2008 6:13 AM

Keep it ROCKIN'!
Jen





May 8 2008 1:06 PM

A new live clip of Sing-Sing has been posted on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOYOgkLL75s

This is a clip from the show they did at the Luminaire in Kilburn in July 2005. I shot this myself on my digital camera. It was a great show.
Ilona Overdrive in Arrembaggio a NordOvest!





May 6 2008 7:53 AM

oh, really thank u for the add...

we love your style! ;)

ilona-cazzeggio rules
Ron Ho





Apr 29 2008 12:09 PM

We really love your music!!! Thanks for the add ladies!
Pilée





Apr 17 2008 6:44 AM

Eeeeih lovely music!!!
thanks for accept us!

kisses
HDFEST Music Festival





Apr 16 2008 11:12 PM

We really appreciate your work! Thanks for supporting HDFEST and being our friend here.

HDFEST is a great resource for musicians and filmmakers.

HDFEST Music helps musicians/bands CONNECT with filmmakers all over the world-to get music PLACED in films!
Jane’s Twilight





Apr 14 2008 10:06 AM

Thanks for the add...And much love & best wishes into the future.....
*I-Burnin'-Out*





Apr 14 2008 4:21 AM

....just wanted to be comment person number "777".....that is a very lucky thing in my book.........and i pass the savings on down to you!.........all root-mean-square-like....lololol.......hotter than Hades in Los Angeles Area these days.....
~Christien~
*I-Burnin'-Out*





Apr 14 2008 4:18 AM

hi!
dimi





Apr 4 2008 2:54 AM

wish u a lovely weekend..kisses from a raining stuttgart!
Sam&Jaq





Mar 31 2008 1:55 PM

with love to ya.. ta ra! xxS&J
Ether Milk





Mar 30 2008 12:31 PM

♥ love Sing-Sing
Bernie Berlin





Mar 29 2008 4:33 PM

many greetings from a warm spring in Austria!
dimi





Mar 28 2008 6:19 AM

many greetings from a raining greece
Ingrid - Eulenfan





Mar 21 2008 8:29 AM

Wish a harmonious Easter party! Completely lots of love from Ingrid!
HDFEST Music- Where Musicians and Filmmakers Meet





Mar 20 2008 3:55 PM

HDFEST MUSIC-WHERE MUSICIANS AND FILMMAKERS MEET says HELLO.

We really appreciate your work! Thanks for supporting HDFEST-a great resource for musicians and filmmakers.

HDFEST has tons of online movies and movie reviews too! Thanks.
Scrabbel





Mar 17 2008 4:33 PM

We appreciate the add and thanks for listening!

Cheers,
Scrabbel
roxy simmons





Mar 11 2008 5:51 PM

love to you both xxx
*I-Burnin'-Out*





Mar 8 2008 2:00 AM

Hello! Are you enjoying the early spring-like weather yet (like here in Los Angeles)?....peace!
~Chris~
Rockin for Rescue





Feb 27 2008 6:55 PM

Thanks for adding us!!!!
Unyielding Shenanigans





Feb 27 2008 5:19 PM

Hey there, there is a sweet little interview with Kaki King in the latest issue of Guitar Center’s March 2008 newsletter. If you haven’t received this in the mail yet then run down to Guitar Center and pick one up, their free (along with ‘Fresh Cuts’ Vol. 2). In this interview she mentions Emma Anderson (Lush / Sing-Sing) as being a significant influence, also there are some fabulous pictures of several Fender Tele Thinlines.
KIRA





Feb 26 2008 2:09 AM

THX
dimi





Feb 21 2008 2:39 PM

so so longing watching u live!!come to germany please!!
marko





Feb 20 2008 6:31 PM

i miss Sing-Sing you music puts me in a greatmood
RASH





Feb 18 2008 8:44 AM

Thanks for the Add, friends of Sing-Sing, and congrats for your music.

Visit Spain soon! ;->

By the way, my new single was the official song of the Motor Show Festival. You can watch the videoclip clicking in my Space profile.

The Motor Show Festival is the most important motor related event celebrated in Spain.

See you at the bars! :->
Ingrid - Eulenfan





Feb 18 2008 6:09 AM

Hello!
Thank you very much!
I have been glad very much. Many lots of love from Leipzig / Germany of Ingrid!
Babylon A Go Go





Feb 17 2008 7:21 PM

we were just speaking fondly of you last night at our gig. hope you're well.
*I-Burnin'-Out*





Feb 14 2008 8:06 PM

A big, wet kiss and a HAPPY VALENTINES from the world's largest
Chrissers!
Love,
~Chris~
Purrsia





Feb 14 2008 2:37 PM

Sorry to see you go.

Thanks for two fantastic cds and best of luck to you in the future.
Psychedelic Romance





Feb 14 2008 2:30 AM

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day!
Greetings with Love & Respect from Japan :)

xoxoxoxo

Satomi
CHAMPAGNE BOB





Feb 11 2008 10:02 PM

Sad to see you go...
andré





Feb 8 2008 6:22 AM

hi thanks for the add i relly love your songs the music your voice
thanks again
amitiés de montréal André
dimi





Feb 8 2008 3:47 AM

thakns a lot for the add girls!!come to stuttgart soon!!
rachel goldstar





Feb 7 2008 9:34 AM

hi ladies - hope life brings you much happiness and love.
Focus ocelot





Feb 6 2008 7:07 AM

Thank you for being my friend,
May you be blessed, and may you prosper greatly!
May wealth and happiness be yours!

Your friend,
Nicholas Jolie
Tha TipiCreep





Feb 5 2008 1:24 PM

Hi Sing Sing jus dropping by to say Hello and keep up the goot music!!!!
*I-Burnin'-Out*





Feb 3 2008 3:44 AM

".....and the rain hits on my windowpane.." just come back from a comedy club and dranks....and the freakin' rain in L.A starts again.....at least the rain hits on my windowpane....
frank





Jan 29 2008 11:41 AM

Very cool - I dig this music! Thanks for adding me!
The Von Pip Express





Jan 25 2008 5:29 PM

I hope Emma will stay in theSphere of music ..... She and Miki maybe ? Ok I..ll get me coat ...
http://vonpipmusicalexpress.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/sweetness-and-light-the-miki-berenyi-interview-2008/
MANIC MARR





Jan 20 2008 5:03 PM

thanks for being our friend!!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
neate photos





Jan 20 2008 1:59 AM

Hi Emma – Good to see you Friday. I got a sale on too! Cheers!

Mike





Jan 16 2008 4:30 AM

Thanks for everything, All the very best for the future, hope to hear new music from each of you soon!

x
Huron





Jan 16 2008 2:13 AM

Sad. but naturally we wish you continued passion and success in all you do and have been doing... remember, you will ALWAYS have music. Love from HURON in Amsterdam.