Alphabeat
Alphabeat is a Danish pop band from Silkeborg, fronted by singers Stine Bramsen and Anders Stig Gehrt Nielsen. Their single "Fascination" was a major hit in Denmark during the summer of 2007, as well as the United Kingdom in 2008. Follow-up single "10.000 Nights of Thunder" saw equal acclaim, and their eponymous debut album reached number two in Denmark and number ten in the UK. It has sold over 100,000 copies and their three top twenty singles have sold altogether in the region of 400,000.
History
2006–07: Formation and early career
Alphabeat is made up of six members: Anders Stig Gehrt Nielsen, Stine Bramsen, Anders Bønløkke, Rasmus Nagel, Anders Reinholdt and Troels Møller. Their sound is mainly retro 1980s melodic pop, taking inspiration from British bands Deacon Blue and Prefab Sprout, amongst others, 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.2007–09: ''Alphabeat''
The band's eponymous debut album, Alphabeat, was released in Denmark on 5 March 2007, peaking at number two on the Danish Albums Chart and reaching platinum status in five months of release. 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 debut UK single, "Fantastic 6", was released on 26 November 2007, followed by the international release of Alphabeat, retitled This Is Alphabeat, the following year. It peaked at number ten on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry on 10 October 2008. In 2009 Alphabeat won an EBBA Award. Every year the European Border Breakers Awards recognize the success of ten emerging artists or groups who reached audiences outside their own countries with their first internationally released album in the past year.Alphabeat received several positive reviews in major British publications such as the NME, The Observer, Digital Spy and Popjustice. On 20 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 19 January 2009, it was confirmed that they had chosen to leave the label after being given the opportunity.
2009-11: ''The Spell''
It was announced on 7 March 2009 that Alphabeat had signed a new record deal with Polydor Records. 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, Popjustice premiered their single "The Spell" which was set for an October release, with their second album released shortly thereafter. The album was released as The Spell in Denmark on 26 October 2009, where it charted at number five and was certified gold in less than two months of release. Originally set for release on 2 November 2009, the UK release was subsequently pushed back until 1 March 2010 and the album's title was changed to The Beat Is... It debuted and peaked at number thirty-nine on the UK Albums Chart.
On 9 January 2010 "DJ" was released as the second single in the Danish market, with a UK release, under the title "DJ ", scheduled for 31 May. The second UK single, "Hole in My Heart", was released on 22 February 2010, debuting at number twenty-nine on the UK Singles Chart.
2012–13: ''Express Non-Stop''
Alphabeat's third studio album, Express Non-Stop, was released on 24 September 2012. The album's first single, "Vacation", was released as a digital download in the UK on 12 March 2012. A second single, "Love Sea", was released on iTunes on 13 August 2012. Two more singles, "X-Mas " and "Show Me What Love Is" were released from the album before the band went on hiatus to focus on side projects in 2013.2013-19: Hiatus and solo projects
On 18 September 2013, after a series of gigs supporting Express Non-Stop, Alphabeat posted that they were "over and out" on their social media feeds, suggesting the band were taking hiatus.On 23 September, it was confirmed that lead vocalist Stine Bramsen had signed a recording contract to produce her own solo album. The album, Fiftyseven, was released on 9 October 2015 and reached number 1 on the Danish charts. It was proceeded in 2015 by a self-titled EP and succeeded in 2018 by a second EP, Bruised.
In July 2014, vocalist Anders SG and guitarist Anders Bønløkke formed production duo THANKS, releasing the single "Comeback Girl." The duo returned in 2016 with new track "Dizzy" and continued to release music until 2018, with the release of the album Mind Expansion.
On 1 June 2018, Alphabeat released a 10th Anniversary edition of This is Alphabeat exclusively on vinyl. The record featured an adjusted tracklisting, using the original Danish recording of "Nothing But My Baby" and including "Into the Jungle" and "Ocean Blue," both also from the album's original release.
2019–: ''Don't Know What's Cool Anymore''
Following a six-year hiatus, Alphabeat signed a new recording deal with Atlantic Records and released a new song, "Shadows", which will precede as the lead single for the upcoming fall release of their fourth studio album. The band also announced a series of performance events in the United States, led by a Neon Gold Records showcase at the SXSW event on March 13, 2019, as well as a tour of their native Denmark, as part of Grøn Koncert during July 2019.On August 30, 2019, Alphabeat released the second single from their fourth album, "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore." Alongside this, the band formally announced the album itself, titled Don't Know What's Cool Anymore, with a release date of November 1, 2019.
On September 3, 2019, the band announced a 10 date tour of Denmark throughout February 2020. A week later, on September 10, they announced an additional three dates in the United Kingdom, scheduled for April 2020. Alongside this, the group also released a UK radio edit of previous single "Shadows."
On 23 September 2019, "Shadows" was nominated for 'Radio Hit of the Year' at the 2019 Danish Music Awards. A day later, the music video for "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore" was released, directed by band members Rasmus Nagel and Anders Reinholdt.
Touring
Alphabeat made their UK debut at Monto Water Rats in May 2007 and later that year embarked on their first UK tour, supporting Lil Chris and Daniel Powter. They were offered the chance to open for the Spice Girls during their 2007–08 Return of the Spice Girls tour, but declined the opportunity, feeling that it would be "too weird" to suddenly play in front of a 23,000 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, Summerfestival, and in October 2008, along with many other bands at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England for hundreds of young girlguides.
During late 2008, Alphabeat began a twenty-two-gig tour in the UK and the Netherlands, 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 US 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 Beat Is... Tour. They also played a support slot for Lady Gaga on the UK and Irish leg of her The Monster Ball Tour, which took place in February and March 2010. They made their US debut at the 2010 SXSW Festival. In June 2010, they co-headlined with Wheatus at Trinity May Ball, in Cambridge, UK.
On 26 July 2011, Alphabeat were the midline act at the pre-event party for the UK contingent of 4000 scouts, the night before leaving for the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. The year after, on 28 July 2012, Alphabeat performed as the closing act for Jamboree Denmark 2012.
Members
- Stine Bramsen – vocals
- Anders Stig Gehrt "Anders SG" Nielsen – vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar
- Anders "Anders B" Bønløkke – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Anders Reinholdt – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
- Rasmus Nagel – keyboards, backing vocals
- Troels Møller – drums, backing vocals
Discography
- Alphabeat
- The Spell
- Express Non-Stop
- Don't Know What's Cool Anymore
Solo projects
Stine Bramsen
In 2011, Bramsen's vocals were featured in the dance hit "I Want You ", by Danish duo Morten Hampenberg & Alexander Brown. The single was certified gold in Sweden. This was followed in 2013, with her vocals featuring in "32", a popular release by Danish rock band Carpark North.Following Alphabeat's hiatus in 2013, Bramsen pursued a solo career and began releasing music under her own name. In January 2014, she released her first single, "Prototypical", which appeared at number 2 on the Hitlisten Danish Singles Chart in its first week of release. This was followed by "Move Forward," on 30 May 2014, and "The Day You Leave Me," which was released 31 October 2014. A fourth single, "Karma Town," followed on 9 February 2015, which charted at number 30.
A self-titled EP was then released on 27 March 2015, consisting of Bramen's previous singles, alongside two new tracks. This peaked at number 11 on the Danish Albums Chart. Bramsen then went on to release one more single, "Woman," on 5 September 2015, before releasing her debut solo album, "Fiftyseven," on 9 October 2015. The album peaked at number 1 in Denmark.
Bramsen's next release was the song "Keep Dreaming," in collaboration with Danish DJ Hedegaard, released 9 September 2016. This was followed by three solo singles, "L.A.C.K." on 13 October 2017, "You're Not Giving Up" on 15 March 2018 and "Can't Get Over You" on 4 May 2018. These three songs became part of Bramsen's second EP, "Bruised," released 1 June 2018.
Bramsen's latest solo release is "Can't Let it Go," featuring Danish soul and R&B singer Patrick Dorgan. The single was released 4 October 2018.
;Discography / albums & EPs
;Discography / singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Year | Title | DEN | Album |
| 2014 | "Prototypical" | 2 | Stine Bramsen and Fiftyseven |
| 2014 | "Move Forward" | — | Stine Bramsen and Fiftyseven |
| 2014 | "The Day You Leave Me" | — | Stine Bramsen and Fiftyseven |
| 2015 | "Karma Town" | 30 | Stine Bramsen and Fiftyseven |
| 2015 | "Woman" | — | Fiftyseven |
| 2017 | "L.A.C.K" | — | Bruised |
| 2018 | "You're Not Giving Up" | — | Bruised |
| 2018 | "Can't Get Over You" | — | Bruised |
;Discography / featured in
THANKS
In July 2014, lead singer Anders SG, and guitarist Anders B, formed a solo project called THANKS. They have described their sound as "Motown meets EDM anno 2014. The Jets produced by Calvin Harris and Rostam Batmanglij with Phil Spector on the line". On 24 July, the duo released a music video for their first single "Comeback Girl".Two years later, on 14 April 2016, the duo returned with new track "Dizzy." This was followed on 19 August 2016 with "Livin' My Life," a remix of Jill Scott's "Golden," and on 9 December 2016 with "Your Man," a track featuring the vocals of Australian singer Sam Sparro. Three more singles followed, "I Can Get" featuring Go Go Berlin singer Christian Vium on 23 June 2017, "Sunshine" on 30 January 2018 and "Mind Expansion" on 13 February 2018.
The duo then released their latest single, "Good Thing" on 1 March 2018, before releasing their debut album, named after previous single "Mind Expansion," on 16 March. An EP of remixes by Ted Jasper, Blüsh and Aaron Brockovich was released 29 June 2018.
The pair have also contributed remixes of the Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness song "So Close," in 2017, and the Weezer song Happy Hour, in 2018.
;Discography / albums & EPs
| Year | Title |
| 2018 | Mind Expansion |
| 2018 | Mind Expansion - EP |
;Discography / singles
| Year | Single | Album |
| 2014 | "Comeback Girl" | Non-album single |
| 2016 | "Dizzy" | Mind Expansion |
| 2016 | "Livin' My Life" | Mind Expansion |
| 2016 | "Your Man" | Mind Expansion |
| 2017 | "I Can Get" | Mind Expansion |
| 2018 | "Sunshine" | Mind Expansion |
| 2018 | "Mind Expansion" | Mind Expansion |
| 2018 | "Good Thing" | Mind Expansion |
Discography / featured in
| Year | Title | Album |
| 2017 | "So Close - THANKS Remix" | |
| 2018 | "Happy Hour - THANKS Remix" | Weezer album Happy Hour |