Isle of Wight singer and producer, Saul Strange, has teamed up with an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist from the Netherlands to form the international electronic dance act, DEAD LIGHTS.
The duo have now signed to independent German label ‘Cold Transmission Music’ and last week (18th March) released their new EP ‘Doom Doom Trash’.
Formed in early 2020
DEAD LIGHTS were formed in early 2020 by Isle of Wight singer and producer Saul Strange and Netherlands artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Richard van Kruysdijk.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic and living in separate countries, the duo only met in person for the first time in March of 2022, despite the band having already released two EPs, one album and five music videos.
Strange: Relied on the wonders of modern technology
Saul Strange (from local band ‘Mr. Strange’ and formerly ‘The Shanklin Freak Show’) says,
“It’s been crazy! We formed DEAD LIGHTS just as the whole world went into a two-year lockdown at the start of 2020. That could have easily have been the end of the band, I think it’s fair to say most would just assume it wasn’t meant to be and chalk it up to fate not being on our side.
“However, thanks to the many wonders of modern technology we were able to keep working together even during the strictest of lockdown measures.”
He went on the explain,
“We were fortunate enough to both have our own home recording studios and video filming equipment, so despite living in different countries and having never met in person (and sometimes not being able to even leave our own homes) we could chat via Zoom, Skype and email, as well as share files back and forth to work on songs and music videos.
“Even though the whole world came to a halt and everyone has been stuck in a surreal kind of limbo for what felt like an eternity, it’s awesome that we were able to come out the other side with something to show for all that time!”
The label believe in the music
On the band signing to German label ‘Cold Transmission Music’, the duo says,
“They have been wonderful and so supportive, we’re not sure how many other labels would sign a band that (due to the pandemic) had never even met each other, let alone played a live show!
“That’s just testament to how much they believe in the music we’re making and the vision we have for the band.”
A blend of monumental synth bass lines and gritty sounds
The band describe themselves as,
“Dark, alternative electronic dance music with punk energy and catchy lyricism. An androgynous duo who aim to produce visceral and raw art that disrupts gender and genre boundaries.
“Being described as a mix of; cyber-electro, industrial-dance, glam-goth and dark, sleazy electro-pop, DEAD LIGHTS create their own personal blend of monumental synth bass lines and gritty sounds, elaborate vocal arrangements and brutal, dance-orientated beats. It’s industrial pop music tailored to fill dance floors in a dystopian world.”
Music video
The band have also released a new music video for the titular song taken from their new EP ‘Doom Doom Trash’, which is available to watch now on YouTube.
The video was filmed partly in the West Wight, Isle of Wight and partly in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Gigging in Germany
DEAD LIGHTS will perform their first ever live show in Leipzig, Germany on Saturday 4th June 2022 at Wave-Gotik-Treffen Festival.
The band are hoping to perform their debut, hometown Isle of Wight show later this summer.
Find out more
For more information and updates from the band, they can be found on most social media sites as well as their official Website.
DEAD LIGHTS ‘Doom Doom Trash’ EP is available in digital format and on CD via Cold Transmission Music.
News shared by Saul in his own words, Ed
