Artist description The Dignity of Labour is the latest in a resurgence of synth-driven bands to emanate from the US. TDOL's sound is comprised of well-crafted synthpop that instantly recalls the 80's, but with a modern touch. The band is currently working on their third album of hook-laden, melody-driven tunes, which are already garnering attention from the largest synthpop labels in the country. TDOL is also reaching out to other parts of the world, where sensible, thought-provoking pop is thought to be an endangered genre.

Music Style Pure Synthpop

Musical Influences Howard Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Seal

Similar Artists Erasure, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys

Artist History Kirk Taylor began writing music while a sophomore in high school, and the Casio MT-68 served as his first instrument. Along with friend LT, Taylor wrote dozens of instrumental pieces that served as an outlet for their creative aptitude, until inevitably lyrics came into play. In the mid-eighties, Taylor and LT formed a 5-piece band, Prophet, which performed a one-off gig at a high-school event. The band would perform with various line-ups under their new name The Dignity of Labour starting in 1985. Taylor moved to California in mid 1989 and TDOL became a project under his direction, occasionally performing live with supporting musicians but generally existing in the studio amidst a cache of electronics. In 1992, TDOL released the album Tired Hands, a collection of vocal ballads and instrumentals written over the previous five years. The album was originally released on cassette in limited quantities, but was re-released on CD in 1994 with four additional tracks. The entire album was recorded using two 2-track digital audio tape recorders and a battery-powered microphone mixer. The release garnered some regional success, including an enticing offer by talent scouts Barefield and Vierra, and inclusion of the track La Belle Le Anna on a syndicated compilation disc. Taylor knew his future lay in electronic pop music. By 1994, Taylor had moved to Denver, Colorado, where he began work on the second TDOL album, Belief. The basic tracks were recorded in Taylor's studio then mixed and mastered at Colorado Sound Studios. Belief was released in December 1997 through international distributor Joe's Grille and was available from various record stores in Colorado. The album was also sent to several labels that cater to electronic musicians. Despite favorable reviews praising TDOL for its accurate depiction of 80's-style electronic synthpop, TDOL decided not to actively promote the release through club gigs or radio airplay. Nevertheless, the tracks Shores of Eternity and Echoes caught the attention of a major record label in Europe. TDOL is once again in the studio, en route to a third album, slated for release in 2003.

Group Members Kirk Taylor: Words/Music/Machines/Vox

Instruments Roland XP-60, Kawai K4r, Korg M1-R, Alesis DM5, Roland SH-101, Roland M-DC1, Roland U-20.

Albums Tired Hands (1992), Belief (1997)

Press Reviews Jason Baker's Review on Synthpop.net http://www.synthpop.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=644 Electronically Yours review: http://www.backwash.com/content.php?jouid=6123

Location Denver, Colorado - USA

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