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It's Called Perserverance The formula for making it
in the music world is pretty established; make a record, get signed, get lots of radio
airplay and tour non-stop for years. Then repeat, usually without the "get
signed" part. It's much easier said than done, So how do you explain the Pet Shop Boys? They aren't on some schedule for album releases. They get almost zero radio support and they tour once a decade, or so it seems. It's hard to explain why their records fly off of shelves, their tours sell out, and their fan base remains as dedicated as ever. The answer actually not too hard to fathom: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, together known as the Pet Shop Boys, look at what they do as art, and to that end, they work to make sure each aspect of their art is the best it can be. Costumes by top designers, stage sets designed by the best architects and songs that are full of energy are just a small part of the PSB Empire. To Tennant and Lowe, this is a business, and they look at as such. It's art in its highest form, but their purpose is genuine - they want to make something worthwhile and truly memorable for their fans. Many fans describe their shows in vivid detail years later, and they return time and time again to see PSB.
VOX spent a few moments with Mr. Tennant the last time PSB made their way through Los Angeles. Here's what he had to say… |
and we've made it as simple sounding as possible. It's usually
much more difficult than that.
Most of all,
their music is universal in its appeal. It deals with all types of personal and sexual
situations, and doesn't pretend to be above the audience. It's well made electronic music
that mixes disco with rock, pop with classical, and somehow brings it all together with
Tennant's wonderful vocal arrangements at the fore. The Pet Shop Boys put on a show. It's
not meant to be simply a concert, but a musical show and performance reminiscent of
Broadway.