Alphabeat

Alphabeat are a Danish pop band established in Silkeborg by singers Stine Bramsen and Anders SG. They signed to the Polydor label. Their single, "Fascination", was a major hit in Denmark during the summer of 2007 and a significant hit in the UK in 2008. The next single, "10000 Nights of Thunder" (or just "10000 Nights" in the UK) saw equal acclaim, and their eponymous debut album went to 2nd place in Denmark's and UK's charts. It has sold over 100000 copies and their three top 20 singles have sold around of 400000 all together.

The band is made up of six members: Anders SG, Stine Bramsen, Anders B., Rasmus Nagel, Anders Reinholdt and Troels Hansen. Alphabeat's sound is mainly retro '80s melodic pop, taking inspiration amongst others from British bands Deacon Blue and Prefab Sprout, with distinctive overlays of male and female harmonies. The band was previously named Sodastar, but this was changed to avoid confusion with a German band.

The band's success in their domestic market attracted the attention of several major labels from larger markets abroad and Alphabeat was eventually signed to EMI's Charisma Records label in the United Kingdom. Their British debut single, "Fantastic 6" was released on 26th of November 2007.

Alphabeat received several positive reviews in major British publications such as NME, The Observer Music Monthly, Digital Spy and Popjustice. On 20th of December 2008, it was announced via press release that the band had been dropped by their UK label Charisma Records. In a statement from the band on 19th of January 2009, it was confirmed that they had chosen to leave the label after being given the opportunity. It was announced on 6th of March 2009 that Alphabeat had signed a new record deal with the Polydor label. The band's manager said "We are thrilled to be signing to one of the UK's most successful record companies, and looking forward to achieving even more success with the band and Polydor in the coming years."

In August 2009, Pop Justice premiered their new single "The Spell" which was set for an October release, with their second album to be released shortly thereafter. The album was released in Denmark as The Spell on 26th of October 2009 (where it reached 6th place on the album chart) and was originally set for release on 2nd of November 2009 in the UK. The UK release was subsequently pushed back until 1st of March 2010 and the album's title was changed to The Beat Is.... It entered the UK Albums Chart on 39th place. On 9th of January 2010 "DJ" was released as the second single in the Danish market, with a UK release, under the title "DJ (I Could Be Dancing)", scheduled for 31st of May. The second UK single, "Hole In My Heart", was released on 22nd of February 2010, debuting on 29th place on the UK Singles Chart.

Alphabeat made their UK debut at Monto Water Rats in May 2007 and later that year embarked on their first UK tour, supporting Palladium. They were offered the chance to play as a warm-up for the Spice Girls during their reunion world tour 2007-8, but declined the opportunity, feeling that it would be "too weird" to suddenly play in front of a very large audience unfamiliar with the band's music. They have often been associated with the Wonky Pop movement - their manager owns the brand name and they have played a number of Wonky Pop events and tours.

During the summer of 2008 they played numerous British and international festivals including T in the Park on "Camper's Friday", Roskilde Festival, T4 on the Beach, the "Summerfestival" (in Klaksvik, Faroe Islands, in early August), and in October 2008, along with many other bands at the NEC in Birmingham for hundreds of young girlguides. During late 2008, Alphabeat began a 22 gig tour of the UK and Holland, with many shows sold out. In the same year, the band was planning to play select shows with American singer Katy Perry on her 2008 world tour. However, in March 2009, Alphabeat cancelled their appearances in support of her US tour. Their management stated that they were instead working on their second album and planned to tour the USA later in the year. They performed a mini UK tour to promote "The Spell" in Autumn 2009 and toured the UK throughout April 2010, on the "The Beat Is... Tour". They also played a support slot for Lady Gaga on her U.K & Ireland leg of The Monster Ball Tour, which took place in February and March 2010. They made their US debut at the 2010 SXSW Festival.

Discography:

DJ (May 2010)

The Beat Is... (March 2010)

Hole In My Heart (February 2010)

The Spell (October 2009)

What Is Happening (November 08)

Boyfriend (August 08)

This is Alphabeat (June 08)

10,000 Nights (May 08)

Fascination (February 08)