NEW BOWIE

Spy Vibe wishes David Bowie a Happy Birthday! After nearly a decade of scattered appearances and film roles, Bowie is starting 2013 (and his 66th year) with a bang. Without advanced warning, a new song and video were just released. The single, Where Are We Now?, reflects on the artist's experiences with Berlin -before and after the Wall- and is already number #1 in England. Bowie has re-launched his website, announcing that a new album called The Next Day is due out in March. Expanding on the Berlin theme, and wanting to subvert his own iconography, Bowie worked with designer Jonathan Barnbrook to transform the famous cover of his 1977 Berlin album, Heroes. The Next Day was produced by Tony Visconti in New York, and contains 14 new tracks. A deluxe edition includes three bonus songs. The album is now available for pre-order on iTunes. In other events, David Bowie's archive was recently opened to curators who have planned the first major international Bowie exhibit. Starting on March 23rd, Victoria & Albert Museum will feature over 30 objects, including handwritten lyrics, costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, and instruments. Bowie is said to be creating a memoir using art and artifacts from his life to tell his story. I really enjoy Bowie as an artist. I guess my own impulses to create in different areas of the arts (writing, photo, film, music, comics) helps me to appreciate how he has followed his muse to fully explore his own experience in the world. Spy Vibers may especially enjoy his early Mod days in 1960s Swinging London or his famous Berlin trilogy collaborations with Eno. But no matter which project you explore, remember that there is a unique voice and songwriter behind the images. Here is a wonderful duet that I think you will enjoy on Youtube.