Pop songs to quicken the pulse
As a young singer-songwriter in the early ‘90s, Melbourne-based Peter Wilson got a taste of every pop fanatic’s dream, releasing a string of radio-friendly singles (among them I Wanna Dance, Move and the top 20 hit Into The Night). The songs were sugary, hi-NRG affairs, heavily influenced by the sounds that Wilson grew up with: the sounds of the 1980s.
It makes sense, then, that Wilson’s latest album Pulsation revisits those formative sounds – it’s a synth-heavy burst of pop that harks back to a time when the likes of Erasure, Wham and the Eurythmics ruled the airwaves.
“I love the ‘80s, and anyone who knows me would tell you the same – it’s the best era for pop. I decided to make another album last year when I was in London, and my collaborator Matt Pop and I agreed the whole album should have a classic pop vibe – and when we think of classic pop, we both think of the ‘80s,” Wilson told the Star Observer.
Wilson penned eight of the album’s 13 tracks, and also offers up two covers: Wax’s ‘80s classic Bridge to Your Heart and Erasure’s late-career highlight Here I Go Impossible Again. Pete Hammond, best known from iconic ‘80s record label PWL, produced three tracks. Wilson’s relationship with Hammond stretches back more than 20 years, starting with fanboy stalking before blossoming into a strong friendship.
“As a 17-year-old, I would constantly call PWL begging anyone to talk to me and sign me. Total delusions of grandeur, as an unknown kid thinking they’d take my call, let alone sign me,” Wilson chuckled.
“Eventually Pete Hammond started taking my calls – he was the only producer who would speak to me. We stayed in touch over the years, mainly with me as a fan more than anything, until I started working on music with him in 2010. With Pulsation, I told him I wouldn’t do the album unless he had some involvement. I mean, when you think of the ‘80s you think PWL.”
Nowadays, this ‘80s pop fan spends his days recording, writing and performing with his teen idols, Nicki French, The Flirts and Amanda Lear among them. When his album hits iTunes on August 23, he’ll be in London performing on stage with French and hi-NRG queen Hazell Dean.
As a 40-year-old music industry veteran, Wilson said he had fond memories of his initial taste of the pop star life some 20 years ago.
“I got to travel Australia, do promo, shoot videos…it was a great time, but as with any kid who gets that kind of attention that young, you assume you’re going to make a million dollars and be world famous. You learn very quickly that’s not the way it works,” he said.
“But I have only fond memories. Although there’s a b-side of the first single, I Wanna Dance, that I think is the worst song ever. I cringe every time I hear it…so of course my friends all bring it up constantly.”
INFO: Pulsation out August 23. www.facebook.com/PeterWilsonFan
