Claudia Brücken
Encyclopedia
Claudia Brücken is a German
singer who fronted the synthpop
groups Propaganda
and Act
. Since 1996 she has been working with OMD
member Paul Humphreys
, first without a name, since 2004 as Onetwo
. Together they also founded the independent record label There(There).
. Propaganda had two UK top 30 hit singles with "Dr Mabuse" (1984) and "Duel" (1985). On 14 February 1985, Brücken married British music journalist Paul Morley
, who was one of the founders of the ZTT label. In July 1985, the first Propaganda album A Secret Wish
was released. While promoting their first album and writing songs for a new album, internal tensions rose within the group. This was mainly attributed to the relationship between Brücken and Morley, and the profitless contract the band had signed with ZTT. In 1986 Propaganda left ZTT, and Brücken left Propaganda to stay with ZTT.
to form Act, who in 1988 released their only album Laughter, Tears and Rage
. In 1991 she released a solo album Love: And a Million Other Things
for Island Records
. In the United Kingdom two singles were released from this album "Absolut(e)" in 1990, and "Kiss Like Ether" in 1991. Throughout the rest of the 90s, Brücken concentrated mainly on motherhood (she has a daughter, Maddy, with Paul Morley
) and made some guest performances on albums of other artists. She met Paul Humphreys
(of OMD
) in 1996 when she was working on songs for a possible second solo album. They started just as co-writers, but now live and work together in London.
of Depeche Mode
, and "Anonymous". Another attempt at a band reunion failed in 2010, meaning A Secret Wish
will remain the only Propaganda record to feature the members Dörper, Freytag, Brücken and Mertens.
, in June 2004 the pair became the first established artists to release new material exclusively on eBay
with a 5-track EP format called Item
. Onetwo made their live debut in September 2004 at the Carling Academy at Islington
.
A collaboration between Brücken and pianist Andrew Poppy
resulted in the album Another Language in 2005. On this album they performed songs of other artists with just vocals and piano.
Onetwo finally released their debut album Instead
on 26 February 2007, and performed some gigs in April 2007. They also supported Erasure
and The Human League
in the second half of 2007.
Her vocals can be heard in the hit 2011 video game L.A. Noire
, as the singing voice of lounge singer, German immigrant and the main character's love interest Elsa Lichtmann.
In 2011, Brücken will release "Combined", which will contain eight previously-released tracks and four brand new ones, including her duet with Andy Bell of Erasure
and two tracks from Onetwo.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
singer who fronted the synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
groups Propaganda
Propaganda (band)
Propaganda is a German synthpop group, formed in 1982. They were one of the initial roster of acts signed to Trevor Horn's ZTT label, between 1984 and 1986, during which they released the critically acclaimed album A Secret Wish....
and Act
Act (band)
Act were a short-lived synthpop group signed to ZTT Records in the late 1980s, and comprising Thomas Leer and ex-Propaganda vocalist Claudia Brücken. Besides electro-pop and disco the group were also influenced by psychedelic rock and musical theatre...
. Since 1996 she has been working with OMD
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
member Paul Humphreys
Paul Humphreys
Paul Humphreys is a British musician.-Life and career:He is best known as a member of synth pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark , which he founded with Andy McCluskey in 1978.He grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England, during which time he developed his interest in German...
, first without a name, since 2004 as Onetwo
Onetwo (band)
Onetwo is a synth pop group formed in 2000 by singer Claudia Brücken and keyboardist/singer Paul Humphreys . Their collaboration had no name until 2004....
. Together they also founded the independent record label There(There).
Propaganda
In 1982, Brücken joined the German band Propaganda and relocated to London when they signed with ZTT RecordsZTT Records
ZTT Records is a record label founded in 1983 by NME journalist Paul Morley, record producer Trevor Horn, and businesswoman Jill Sinclair. The label's name was also printed as "Zang Tumb Tuum" and "Zang Tuum Tumb" on various releases....
. Propaganda had two UK top 30 hit singles with "Dr Mabuse" (1984) and "Duel" (1985). On 14 February 1985, Brücken married British music journalist Paul Morley
Paul Morley
Paul Morley is an English journalist, who wrote for the New Musical Express from 1977 to 1983, during one of its most successful periods, and has since written for a wide range of publications...
, who was one of the founders of the ZTT label. In July 1985, the first Propaganda album A Secret Wish
A Secret Wish
- Original 1985 vinyl album release :A – WITHIN# "Dream Within A Dream" – 8:04# "The Murder Of Love" – 5:12# "Jewel" – 3:10# "Duel" – 4:43B – WITHOUT# "p:Machinery" [album mix]" – 3:50# "Sorry For Laughing" – 3:25# "Dr...
was released. While promoting their first album and writing songs for a new album, internal tensions rose within the group. This was mainly attributed to the relationship between Brücken and Morley, and the profitless contract the band had signed with ZTT. In 1986 Propaganda left ZTT, and Brücken left Propaganda to stay with ZTT.
Act and solo
She joined Thomas LeerThomas Leer
Thomas Leer is a British musician who as well as releasing a number of albums and singles in his own right, was also one half of the 1980s electropop band Act...
to form Act, who in 1988 released their only album Laughter, Tears and Rage
Laughter, Tears and Rage
- CD :*UK: ZTT / ZQCD1- Cassette :* UK: ZTT / ZQMC1- CD :* UK: ZTT / ZTT185CD- Box set :* UK: ZTT / ZTT185CDXDisc one: " Laughter, Tears and Rage"Same tracks as 2004 CD.- Personnel :Act...
. In 1991 she released a solo album Love: And a Million Other Things
Love: And a Million Other Things
Love: And a Million Other Things is Claudia Brücken's only solo album, released in February 1991 and produced by Pascal Gabriel and Steve Nye....
for Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. In the United Kingdom two singles were released from this album "Absolut(e)" in 1990, and "Kiss Like Ether" in 1991. Throughout the rest of the 90s, Brücken concentrated mainly on motherhood (she has a daughter, Maddy, with Paul Morley
Paul Morley
Paul Morley is an English journalist, who wrote for the New Musical Express from 1977 to 1983, during one of its most successful periods, and has since written for a wide range of publications...
) and made some guest performances on albums of other artists. She met Paul Humphreys
Paul Humphreys
Paul Humphreys is a British musician.-Life and career:He is best known as a member of synth pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark , which he founded with Andy McCluskey in 1978.He grew up on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England, during which time he developed his interest in German...
(of OMD
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
) in 1996 when she was working on songs for a possible second solo album. They started just as co-writers, but now live and work together in London.
Propaganda reunion
In 1998, Brücken joined the reunion of Propaganda and they began working on new material. Several tracks were completed as demos, including a snippet of a video. A preview of this video was released via the band's official website in early 2000, however, the reunion fell apart and no album materialized, although nine songs were leaked to the internet. Two of these were later released as Onetwo songs: "Cloud Nine", co-written by Martin GoreMartin Gore
Martin Lee Gore is an English songwriter, lyricist, singer, guitarist, keyboardist, remixer and DJ. He is a founding member of Depeche Mode and has written the vast majority of their songs...
of Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, and "Anonymous". Another attempt at a band reunion failed in 2010, meaning A Secret Wish
A Secret Wish
- Original 1985 vinyl album release :A – WITHIN# "Dream Within A Dream" – 8:04# "The Murder Of Love" – 5:12# "Jewel" – 3:10# "Duel" – 4:43B – WITHOUT# "p:Machinery" [album mix]" – 3:50# "Sorry For Laughing" – 3:25# "Dr...
will remain the only Propaganda record to feature the members Dörper, Freytag, Brücken and Mertens.
2000s
At the end of 2000, Brücken and Humphreys made a short tour of the United States as "Paul Humphreys of OMD: OMD Revisited". The tour started in Salt Lake City, and they performed songs from OMD and Propaganda, but also some new songs they had written. As OnetwoOnetwo (band)
Onetwo is a synth pop group formed in 2000 by singer Claudia Brücken and keyboardist/singer Paul Humphreys . Their collaboration had no name until 2004....
, in June 2004 the pair became the first established artists to release new material exclusively on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
with a 5-track EP format called Item
Item (EP)
Item is the first release of Onetwo, and also the first release on the There label. It contains five songs; the last song is a reprise of the first track, "Sister".-Releases:...
. Onetwo made their live debut in September 2004 at the Carling Academy at Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
.
A collaboration between Brücken and pianist Andrew Poppy
Andrew Poppy
Andrew Poppy is an English composer, pianist, and record producer.-Biography:From 1974 to 1979 he studied music at Royal Holloway College and Goldsmiths College University of London, studying piano with Susan Bradshaw and earning a B.M...
resulted in the album Another Language in 2005. On this album they performed songs of other artists with just vocals and piano.
Onetwo finally released their debut album Instead
Instead (album)
Instead is the first album by synthpop duo Onetwo. It was released as a CD and as a download. The album contains two covers: Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar" and Cat Power's "I Don't Blame You".-CD: There / TTCDX004:...
on 26 February 2007, and performed some gigs in April 2007. They also supported Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
and The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
in the second half of 2007.
Her vocals can be heard in the hit 2011 video game L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire is a 2011 crime video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. It was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows. It was released as a 3-disc game for the Xbox 360 console, which prompts the player to switch to another disc at certain points in the...
, as the singing voice of lounge singer, German immigrant and the main character's love interest Elsa Lichtmann.
In 2011, Brücken will release "Combined", which will contain eight previously-released tracks and four brand new ones, including her duet with Andy Bell of Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
and two tracks from Onetwo.
Selected discography
| Release date | Label | Artist | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | ZTT | Propaganda | A Secret Wish | album |
| 1985 | ZTT | Propaganda | Wishful Thinking | remix album |
| ZTT | Glenn Gregory Glenn Gregory Glenn Gregory is an English musician. A founding member of Heaven 17, he was partly responsible for hit records such as "Temptation".... and Claudia Brücken |
"When Your Heart Runs Out Of Time" | single | |
| ZTT | Act | Laughter, Tears and Rage | album | |
| Island Records | Claudia Brücken | Love: And a Million Other Things Love: And a Million Other Things Love: And a Million Other Things is Claudia Brücken's only solo album, released in February 1991 and produced by Pascal Gabriel and Steve Nye.... |
album | |
| 1991 | London Records | Jimmy Somerville Jimmy Somerville James William Somerville is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He had considerable success in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a successful solo career. He is known in particular for his falsetto singing voice... |
The Singles Collection | vocals on the single "Run From Love" |
| 1994 | One Little Indian One Little Indian Records One Little Indian Records is a London-based independent record label that rose from the ashes of punk record company Spiderleg Records. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarchist punk bands, and managed by ex-Flux of Pink Indians Derek Birkett. The first success came with A.R. Kane and... |
Spirit Feel | Spirit Feel | vocals on the track "Halleluhwah" |
| 1996 | Interpol | The Brain featuring Claudia Brücken | "I'll Find A Way" | single |
| 1997 | Landspeed Records | Oceanhead featuring Claudia Brücken | "Eyemotion" | single |
| Hard:Drive | Apoptygma Berzerk Apoptygma Berzerk Apoptygma Berzerk is a Norwegian musical group. They have achieved success with a brand of synthpop, and ballads backed with electronic rhythms, commonly known within the scene and referring to themselves as "futurepop". Apop has won awards and top-10 spots in Germany and Scandinavia... |
Harmonizer Harmonizer (album) Harmonizer is the fourth studio album by Norwegian futurepop band Apoptygma Berzerk. It was released on February 29, 2002 on Metropolis Records and WEA International.-Track listing:*All hidden tracks are part of track 12.-Concept:... |
vocals on the track "Unicorn" | |
| Gang Go Music | Blank & Jones Blank & Jones Blank & Jones is a Cologne, Germany based Trance duo, consisting of the members Jan Pieter Blank , known as Piet Blank; René Runge , better known as DJ Jaspa Jones; and the producer Andy Kaufhold... |
Relax | vocals on the track "Unknown Treasure" | |
| There(There) | Onetwo | Item | five-track EP | |
| There(There) | Andrew Poppy and Claudia Brücken | Another Language | album | |
| Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world... |
Andy Bell Andy Bell (singer) Andrew Ivan "Andy" Bell is the lead singer of the English synthpop duo Erasure. He also has a solo career, with the albums Non-Stop and Electric Blue.-Early life:Andy Bell originates from the Dogsthorpe area in Peterborough... |
Electric Blue Electric Blue (album) Electric Blue is the debut solo album by Erasure frontman Andy Bell, released 3 October 2005 by Sanctuary Records. The album was released in-between the Erasure albums Nightbird and Union Street... |
vocals on the tracks "Love Oneself" and "Delicious" | |
| There(There) | Onetwo | Instead | album | |
| Salvo/Soulfood Music | Claudia Brücken | Combined: The Best Of Claudia Brücken | compilation album |