The "Making of..." our nu video for "Bagtown"!
Seven months ago we had a video shoot with the band for the song "Bagtown". Over the winter, our son Malcolm Smith has been working on the miniature Bagtown set - which is ALMOST complete. Next we'll put it in the hands of animator/director Mike Wellins who will take our green screen selves and actually put us INSIDE the town.
No date for completion yet. The cool part is, BAGTOWN LIVES! Check out the video we made in our studio to get a behind the scenes glimpse into the "Making of..."
Seven months ago we had a video shoot with the band for the song "Bagtown"
Over the winter, our son Malcolm Smith has been working on the miniature Bagtown set - which is ALMOST complete. Next we'll put it in the hands of animator/director Mike Wellins and his talented assistant Jasper Thun who will take our green screen selves and actually put us INSIDE the town. Mike is also the proprietor of Portland's FreakyButTrue Peculiarium (something you must see if you ever make it to the city!)
No date for completion yet. The cool part is, BAGTOWN LIVES! Check out the video above that we made in our studio to get a behind the scenes glimpse into the "Making of..."
Summer Shows!
Here in Oregon we have a phenomenon we call June-uary. After a brief euphoric blast of spring weather, we get another six weeks of rain. The saying goes: "Summer starts July 5th."
But THIS summer is going to be different!
We have it on good authority that the sun will indeed be shining here in the Pacific Northwest for our full Nu Shooz band shows - and we've got a BUNCH of them. Click on through for dates!
Here in Oregon we have a phenomenon we call June-uary.
After a brief euphoric blast of spring weather, we get another six weeks of rain.
The saying goes: "Summer starts July 5th."
But THIS summer is going to be different!
We have it on good authority that the sun will indeed be shining here in the Pacific Northwest
for our full Nu Shooz band shows - and we've got a BUNCH of them:
Saturday, June 24
The Festival of Balloons in Tigard OR
Thursday, July 13
Six to Sunset Concert in Vancouver WA
Sunday, July 16
Rockin' for Tony DeMicoli in Portland OR
w/Quarterflash and Jon Koonce & the Lost Cause
Friday, August 18
The Eclipse Wine Festival in Rickreall OR
Saturday, August 19
Groovin' On the Grass in Beaverton OR
w/Quarterflash and Curtis Salgado
We're also heading south for some 80s shows with
Boy George, The Romantics, Animotion, Tiffany, Tommy Tutone and more:
Friday, August 25
Orleans Arena, Las Vegas NV
Saturday, August 26
SAP Center in San Jose, CA
That's all for now. Hope to see you at one of our shows.
Can't wait for summer to begin, probably sometime after July 5th ;-)
Be well!
Valerie and John
Spring 2017
Spring is here! The trees are getting their fresh coat of leaves. What better time to release a Nu Shooz song with brand new clothes on. We’re proud to unveil the Eric Kupper Radio Remix of “Real Thing” from the “Bagtown” album!
We've also got some shows coming up in Boca Raton FL and Southern CA with 80s acts like Boy George, Exposé, Pretty Poison, The Motels and more...
Spring is Here! The trees are getting their fresh coat of leaves. What better time to release a Nu Shooz song with brand-new clothes on. We’re proud to unveil the Eric Kupper Radio Remix of “Real Thing” from the “Bagtown” album!
We want to thank everyone who took the time to vote for their favorite cover art on our FB Page. Here’s the winner. Hope you like it!
“Real Thing” was remixed by Eric Kupper, a star of the house music scene. Eric is known to DJ's everywhere for his production skills and a client list eight miles high, having worked with everyone from Alicia Keys to Depeche Mode. There’s a radio edit, and a club mix for you folks who want to dance all night. The response has been fantastic. Comments are rolling in from all over Europe, Asia, and Africa! We’re also charting on Traxsource - the ultimate DJ go to site for new music.
You can listen and download the radio edit here...
And the (longer) Club Mix is here on Traxsource.
Summer shows are already falling into place. We’ll be Freestylin’ it at the shows below in May and June. Watch this space for full band shows later this summer.
FRIDAY MAY 19
First, it's the 3rd annual LOTOS Music Festival in Boca Raton FL, featuring Boy George, The Romantics, Ace of Base, Nu Shooz, and more.
FRIDAY JUNE 2
Then it's the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival in southern California with The Motels, Dramarama, Pretty Poison, Nu Shooz, and more.
All in all, life is good. As winter turns to spring we look forward to another season of music, art, and fun.
Vive le printemps!
XO VALERIE AND JOHN
JUST RELEASED! The "Real Thing" Eric Kupper Club Remix
Hey Everybody! It's the "REAL THING" Eric Kupper Club Remix! Eric is known to DJ's everywhere for his production skills and a client list eight miles high, having worked with everyone from Alicia Keys to Depeche Mode.
We love the remix he created for "Real Thing" and are ecstatic that he agreed to take it on. We hope you like it as much as we do. For a limited time you can find it on Traxsource. Click on READ MORE below to hear a sample of this tasty track, and then head on over to Traxsource for the full meal deal. Enjoy!
Hey Everybody! It's the "REAL THING" Eric Kupper Club Remix!
Eric is known to DJ's everywhere for his production skills and a client list eight miles high, having worked with everyone from Alicia Keys to Depeche Mode. Since 1986 he has played on, remixed, and/or produced over 2000 records for artists spanning all contemporary musical genres. His work in the mid-to-late 1980s/early 1990s, especially his work with Def Mix Productions, is considered to be part of the foundation for house music as it exists today.
We love the remix he created for "Real Thing" and are ecstatic that he agreed to take it on. We hope you like it as much as we do. For a limited time you can find it on Traxsource. Check out the snippet above and then head on over to Traxsource for more. Enjoy!
January/February News
It's 2017! Here's a recap of our most amazing year yet - 2016, plus info on some February shows in Florida and the Pacific NW that you won't want to miss.
As always, thanks for your support, and for keeping the music alive. Without you, things wouldn't be nearly as interesting! Here's hoping 2017 is the best year yet.
xo
Valerie and John
Hi Everyone!
Happy New Year, first of all. 2016 was a great one for Nu Shooz. (We almost hate to see it go!) Thanks to YOUR support, we were able to release our album "Bagtown." Last month we heard that "Bagtown" was chosen as one of the Top 50 Albums by SoulTracks.com - one of our favorite music sites for soul music.
Another highlight was an appearance with our band on Oregon Public Broadcasting's ARTBEAT show. If you didn't get a chance to catch the broadcast - here's a LINK to the full half-hour concert and interview. Thanks to everyone at OPB for doing such a splendid job!
2016 saw Nu Shooz crisscrossing the country playin' the hits. If we didn't get to your city, well...it sure seems like we did! Fingers crossed - we'll get there soon!
If you live anywhere near Everett, WA, we're playing the Historic Everett Theater there on Saturday, Feb 4th, on a double bill with Animotion. Should be a great show.
Last but not least, John and Valerie will be heading to Delray, Florida for Honey Nightclub's "I Want My 80's Back "Valentine Rewind" on Friday, February 10th.
Thanks for your support, and for keeping the music alive. Without you, things wouldn't be nearly as interesting! Here's hoping 2017 is the best year yet.
xo
Valerie and John
December News!
To find out about our new video for 'Bagtown', our upcoming show in Reno NV with Lost 80s Live, and the upcoming special half hour Oregon Art Beat show on Oregon Public Broadcasting - click on the READ MORE below!
Happy Holidays friends and neighbors!
This month we started production on a video for the song 'Bagtown.' It's being directed by the incredible Mike Wellins. His work includes comic books, animation (The Power Puff Girls, Frosted Mini-Wheats commercials,) and the creation of Portland's Peculiarium. The video will feature the band, as well as artwork by our son Malcolm Smith and 15-year-old Jasper Thun. As you can see by the photo below, it's been a fun way to stave off the winter blues. Look, it's already Thanksgiving, which means we're that much closer to summer!
photo by Casey Murphy
If you live in Reno, Nevada, we'll be appearing on Dec. 9th at the Silver Legacy Casino as part of Lost 80's Live. That happens to be John Lennon's birthday (He would have been 76!!!) Sorry, we won't be pulling out any Beatles songs; just the hits, man, just the hits.
Meanwhile, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is devoting an entire "Art Beat" show to Nu Shooz. That airs on Dec. 15th at 8 PM (Pacific), so save the date.
Nu Shooz at Oregon Public Broadcasting studios.
And one final thought. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, red, blue, purple, or green, remember to be kind to each other. Our world needs us all to take the high road in the days to come.
Be well, and drive safe!
Nu Shooz
NU SHOOZ 8 Piece Band in Portland OR
This year's final concert with the full 8 piece is on Saturday, Oct.15th at Jimmy Mak's in downtown Portland, OR. We're going to play the whole night, virtually everything on the current playlist; the deep cuts, some new things, and of course all the hits. Get there early. Our pal D.J. Doc Rock will be warming up the crowd. We'll take the stage at 8 pm. (Underage folks can stay till 9:30.) Get your tickets HERE. Hope to see you there!
Photo by Casey Murphy
This year's final concert with the full 8 piece band is on Saturday, Oct.15th at Jimmy Mak's in downtown Portland, OR. We're going to play the whole night, virtually everything on the current playlist; the deep cuts, some new things, and of course all the hits. Get there early. Our pal D.J. Doc Rock will be warming up the crowd. We'll take the stage at 8 pm. (Underage folks can stay till 9:30.) Get your tickets HERE. Hope to see you there!
September News
Our September Newsletter talks about upcoming shows, Lost 80s Live highlights, and Virgo Band Birthdays!
Hey Everybody!
First of all, we had four birthdays in the band this month. Johnny Riley on the 7th, John on the 10th, Gary Fountaine and Paul Mazzio, both on the 15th. Virgos rule!
Photos by Brent Angelo
On John's birthday, we played at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with the Lost 80s Tour. The audience sang John the birthday song, and he was presented with a beautiful cake. We made so many new friends on that tour, including all the great musicians in Cutting Crew, Wang Chung, Farrington and Mann, Animotion, Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, and more. Thanks to all who were able to come out to these shows. There'll be one more in December in Reno, NV.
We've got a couple of shows coming up. First, it's a "Summer Freestyle and Old School Party" at the Status Nightclub in Riverside, CA, on Saturday, September 24.
Then the whole band will be appearing at Jimmy Mak's in Portland, OR on October 15th. It's our last full-band performance for 2016. Tickets are $15 for General Admission and $18 for Reserved. (This show is expected to sell out, so please get your tickets asap!)
Photo by Casey Murphy
That's all for now. Live well and prosper!
Valerie and John
The Lost 80s Live Tour w/Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung and more...
The 'Lost 80s Live' tour starts on August 27th in Sandy, UT, with A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Cutting Crew, Animotion, Nu Shooz, Naked Eyes, and Farrington and Mann, the Original "When In Rome UK." The tour continues with a swing through Northern California with shows in Sonoma (9/2), Saratoga 9/3), and Lincoln 9/4 then on to Las Vegas, NV, on 9/10.
What a busy summer it's been, starting with the release of 'Bagtown' in May. Since then we've been all over the place - Bakersfield, Coachella, Vancouver WA, and a beautiful sold out show at the historic Greek Theater in Los Angeles. So fun to hang with our Freestyle pals; Lisa Lisa, Exposé, Debbie Deb, and J.J. Fad to name a few. Thanks to all who were able to attend and make these shows some of the best ever.
Next up we're looking forward to a tour with a completely different kind of line up. The 'Lost 80s Live' tour starts on August 27th in Sandy, UT with A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Cutting Crew, Animotion, Nu Shooz, Naked Eyes, and Farrington and Mann the Original "When In Rome UK". The tour continues with a swing through Northern California with shows in Sonoma (9/2) Saratoga 9/3) and Lincoln 9/4 then on to Las Vegas NV on 9/10. For more info on the line up for each of these shows and tickets, visit the Lost 80s Live FB Tour Dates page HERE.
We've also been having fun doing some interviews surrounding the release of 'Bagtown'. Here are a couple we thought we'd share with you...
James Taylor (no...not THAT James Taylor) is a Brit who is an expert on CREATIVITY. He interviewed us last month for his blog about the creative life and was totally engaging (http://www.jamestaylor.me/valerie-day-and-john-smith/). For anyone interested in the creative process we recommend you go to his website and have a look: http://www.jamestaylor.me/
Also here's a nice print interview with 80s music fanatic Sarah Miss Parker.
Can't get enough? Glutton for punishment? Head on over to our PRESS page for more interviews and articles.
Enjoy!
Valerie and John
It's Summer!
Summer is here! Yay! Time to fire up the grill, get out the lawn chairs, and hook up the slip-n-slide.
For Nu Shooz fans, it's time to get outside and dance-dance-dance! From Coachella, CA, on July 2nd with "The Old School Freestyle Fest" to two FREE Portland/Vancouver area shows with our full band plus a Freestyle Explosion Soulful Summer Show at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on July 23rd, this month is going to be one to remember...
Summer is here! Yay! Time to fire up the grill, get out the lawn chairs, and hook up the slip-n-slide.
For Nu Shooz fans, it's time to get outside and dance-dance-dance! We'll be down in Coachella, CA, on July 2nd with "The Old School Freestyle Fest." It's going to be a great show, with bands like Ying Yang Twins, Lisa Lisa, Trinere, JJ Fad, Tone Loc, C&C Music Factory, and Color Me Badd joining us. And we just heard that it's only going to be 107º, not 116º. Cool!
If you live in the Portland/Vancouver area, you'll have two chances in July to catch our full band. They're both outdoor concerts, AND they're both FREE. Come and bring the whole family...
Six to Sunset Concert Series
Thursday, July 7th, 6 PM to 8 PM
Esther Short Park, Vancouver WA
Summer On the Green
Friday, July 15th, 7 PM to 9 PM
Marylhurst University
Photos by Brent Angelo
This last show in July promises to be a highlight. We'll be at The Greek Theater with Stevie B., Lisa Lisa, Taylor Dayne, Exposé, JJ Fad, Debbie Deb, Trinere, and Cynthia. This show will be a sell-out, so if you're in the Los Angeles area, get your tickets soon!
Lastly, if you've heard our new record 'Bagtown' (and you like it ;-), please spread the word! Share the link to our Bagtown website page that has all the info and links to listen to it, and if you have the time, please write a review on iTunes. (If you purchased the album on iTunes, you'll see a REVIEW button when you visit again.) Thanks in advance for being our "street team." Word of mouth is STILL the best marketing there is...especially in a world with an abundance of music in it.
That's all for now.
Time to flip the burgers...
xo
Valerie and John
![Welcome to your summer. Yes, it's finally here! And it's the 46th anniversary of the very first NuShooz gig. [Colonel Summer's Park, Portland, Oregon, June 21st, 1979.] What a different world that was; pre-internet, no smartphones or smart toasters,](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cee645e4b01fa0f0bfc5f9/1750512289030-8M6PFU9H9F6KHZ2HFJ94/image-asset.jpeg)
