Fearless Vampire Killers’ Frontman Tries American Candy For The First Time

The decision not to study music was an early one – Beatie says she prefers to learn on her own terms rather than in a pre-prescribed way.  A degree in English Literature followed secondary school, culminating in a dissertation on the poetry of (an act of defiance against her tutors who contested the choice citing Cohen’s work as absent from the English literary canon). Beatie got a first and the dissertation has been published and shared with Cohen since. Beatie is articulate and eloquent and admits she’s honed her email-writing skills over the years which has helped her make initial connections with people and grab opportunities.   She is clearly a highly motivated, goal-oriented entrepreneur who is neither phased by the fame or expertise of her peers and mentors nor prone to listening to those who say there’s a ‘right way’ of doing things.  There’s the path most trodden, then there’s the Beatie path.

Beatie’s recent is the first of its kind to attempt to engage and reconnect dementia sufferers with emotions and memories through new music. The Independent reported it as ‘A musical miracle for dementia’ and it’s one example of an array of interesting projects she is involved with.

Beatie’s upcoming album is to be launched via cards embedded with technology, enabling smart phone users to (created in collaboration with ) to initiate instant song playback whilst viewing the song artwork and lyrics.  It’s a tactile, immediate and intimate introduction to her music – via technology – which is what makes it so interesting. No wonder it captured the imagination of David Rowan, Editor of and iTunes pioneer and founder of record label  (Artists Without A Label) which counts Nick Cave amongst its artists, .  Beatie’s deck of NFC playback cards harks back to an era when music was sold on vinyl.  It also reminds me of giving and receiving CDs as gifts, compete with the lyric booklet and album artwork.  Nick Cave’s textured and embossed CD cover for the Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus album still sits proudly on my bookshelf as an object of beautiful design and Beaties cards are giving back that tactility in an age of downloads and streaming.

Individual NFC cards for each song off Beatie’s album

Beatie’s NFC launch is powered by Microsoft’s Nokia Lumia, whose fashion tech collaborations with Fyodor Golan were covered in my .

I first met Beatie at and was compelled to speak to her on hearing about her upcoming collaboration with the head of soon to be revived fashion label Mr Fish, David Mason.

The founding designer, , crafted elaborate shirts for musical icons from the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix in the late 60’s.  He also created the kipper tie and velvet frock worn by Bowie on the album cover of The Man Who Sold the World, so it’s fitting Beatie is collaborating with Mr Fish’s successor for the launch of her new album.

Mr Michael Fish

Mick Jagger in Mr Fish dress

David Bowie in Mr Fish shirt and trousers with Angie Bowie