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Kickstarter to raise money for a new book about the indomitable rise of synthpop

11 May 2015, 17:49 | Written by Laurence Day

A Kickstarter has been started for a new book that analyses the emergence of modern pop thanks to the pivotal years of 1979-1982.

Author David Laurie is looking to raise money to fund the first edition print run of the book, titled DARE. A brief synopsis on Kickstarter says:

DARE focusses on 1979-1982 and takes a look back to the dizzying excitement of this time in Pop Music.

After the endless drab and grey of the 70s - microchips were suddenly everywhere: in the home, on your wrist and powering the Synthesizers that changed everything in Pop.

The Top Twenty filled up with all kinds of weird and wonderful hits, week after week. Each new Smash Hits and the Top Of The Pops was an unmissable feast for the eyes and ears.

It really felt like the sci-fi future was finally arriving.

A handful of ambitious electronic albums from David Bowie and Kraftwerk in the late Seventies, coupled with newly affordable computer technology, forever changed what it meant to be "In A Band" and taught Pop Music a whole new language.

This is the tale of how Synthpop rendered Rock’n’Roll redundant almost overnight and how Britain fell in love with the Bleep.

An industry veteran, Laurie also currently helms independent label Something In Construction, which has released noises by Air France, Memory Tapes, Loney Dear and more. During his time in music, Laurie has also been, or remains, a music journalist, A&R, marketer, manager and more.

To donate to the Kickstarter simply head here; at the time of writing, Laurie has raised almost £1000 towards his £2100 goal.

You can keep up to date with the book and Laurie via Twitter and Facebook, or on his website.

Stream playlist number one, Who Invented The 80s, below. You can hear more here.

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