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Neil Armstrong’s ‘In the Borderlands’: A Nostalgic Journey Through Love and Loss

“In the Borderlands” by Neil Armstrong Neil Armstrong steps onto our blog stage for the first time as an artist. His music pays tribute to the icons of the 80s, including The Cure, Tears For Fears, Pet Shop Boys, and Howard Jones. Oscillating between the realms of Synth-Pop/Rock and New Wave, Armstrong’s transnational work, fluctuating between Spain and Scotland, is expressed in his latest piece, “In the Borderlands.” The song takes us on an introspective journey through the nuances of human relationships, unfolding the complexity of interpersonal dynamics . It exposes these nuances on the operating table of music, bringing them to life with a nostalgic touch reminiscent of the 80s, thereby endowing the work with a soul. The arrangement, inspired by the musical giants of that era, is a testament to Armstrong’s exceptional talent for composing and arranging songs. Every note, every melody in “In the Borderlands” is carefully chosen to tell a story of love: its loss and rediscovery, wit
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Great Alternative Rock from Wales: "Vending Machine" by Foreign Television

Francis Allen

Foreign Television

... is the project of Francis Allen, a musician from Wales, UK. The first Foreign Television album, 'Youthless', came out in 2013 and was followed by a self-titled album in 2019. The third album is set to be released in September, 2022.



Foreign Television is ..?

I'm Francis Allen, a musician from Wales. Around 2011, I decided I wanted to start singing on the songs I'd been making. Once I'd finished making my first album, I had to give the project a name. After months of considering some truly ridiculous possibilities, I eventually went with Foreign Television.


When did you recognize your talent to write your own songs?

As soon as I'd been playing guitar long enough to be able to play the basics, it seemed the natural thing to do to make my own tunes. Don't get me wrong, they were not good, and no-one would've called it a talent, but it still seemed more interesting to play my own stuff. 
The more you practice, the more your confidence grows, and after a while you start making things that you are happy to share with other people.


"Vending Machine" is a great Indie Rock piece, what was your inspiration for the song?

Thanks! It was inspired by a feeling of being surrounded by all kinds of bleakness. Bad job, bad government, bad environment.


What can we expect from your forthcoming album?

Ten songs that I'm really proud of. A nice mix of catchiness and noisiness. I'm really excited to put it out!


Your "All time Top 3 Songs" are ... right now, in this second?

Let's go for Let Down by Radiohead, 
I Heard You Looking by Yo La Tengo, and 
Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle. 
The big three!


What's next for you?

I'm going to be putting out a couple more singles before putting out the album. Then I have some covers and alternative versions of a few songs to put out while I work on new music.



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