Los Angeles, CA (Wednesday, March 15th) – French electro-techno-punk fusion duo Velvet Condom harnesses a unique combination of classic shoegaze layered with elements of grunge underground electro-punk-techno fusion. The multifaceted duo bonds with European groups Soviet Soviet and Demob Happy over their mutual love of The Cure and collaborated to create their upcoming tribute album “Just Like Heaven – A Tribute To The Cure” which will be released April 21st. Velvet Condom will commence the series of releases with their single “Just Like Heaven” which will be released on Monday, March 13th.Inspired by the underground electronic, industrial goth and darkwave music of Berlin, Germany, Velvet Condom brings a unique texture to the tribute album on their cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” Hailing from Strasbourg, France, artists Alice Gift and Oberst Panizza make up Velvet Condom – a duo who became fed up with the sound of mainstream bands of their time and decided to band together to express their love for the Cold-wave genre. Along with the French new wave movement and the fascination with the music scene in Berlin, the duo creates minimalist electronic music with an industrial grungy undertone.
Staying in theme to their ‘against the grain nature,’ the group shared that “Just Like Heaven” is the “poppiest side of the band, we loved the challenge of ‘unpoppying’ it and making something different out of it, which is the principle of a cover song in our opinion.”
Beginning their musical endeavors after moving in together, the two decided to make their flat simultaneously their rehearsal and recording studio for their debut EP “VC” featuring Kalter Lippenstift. Following up with their 2010 album “Safe & Elegant”, the duo became pioneers of the synth-wave genre – now establishing themselves within modern fascination with mellow electronic shoegaze, all while setting them in a class of their own due to the thumping undertones of the 80s Berlin techno music scene resonating throughout their discography.
Grossing over 10 million listens on Spotify alone, the group brings a simultaneously nostalgic yet modern approach, their sound is comparable to artists such as Depeche Mode, Molchat Doma, and Deux.
“The Cure is one of the most important bands that connected us in the beginning. On the one hand the coldness and minimalism and on the other hand the noisy shoegaze sound is a combination that has always been our guideline for Velvet Condom. Also, we’ve always loved their idea of making intelligent pop songs,” shares Velvet Condom.
Their cover of the legendary track, “Just Like Heaven” promises to bring audiences all the way back to the feeling of the original 1987 album, with a new modern flair. The Cure fans and music lovers alike will find a tremendous layer of musical textures in this release, from anti-pop to electronic and grunge rock, Velvet Condom enchants shoegaze, darkwave, and alternative rock fans across the globe with this single on all streaming platforms as of March 13th.
Landing page link for the single: https://orcd.co/velvetcondom_justlikeheaven
Promo streaming link: https://promo.theorchard.com/Qm2lwLgXbNdWra6pdyGM
Pre-save link for the digital album: https://orcd.co/justlikeheaven_atributetothecure
Pre-save link for the CD/vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=just+like+heaven&post_type=product
Here’s the track list:
1. In Between Days – Soviet Soviet
2. Fascination Street – Buzz Kull
3. Boys Don’t Cry – Pink Turns Blue
4. The Lovecats – Priest
5. Pictures Of You – Demob Happy
6. Lullaby – The KVB
7. Close To Me – This Cold Night
8. Lovesong – Minuit Machine
9. Just Like Heaven – Velvet Condom
10. Friday I’m In Love – Crying Vessel
11. A Forest – Ritual Howls