Yazoo

Yazoo, known as Yaz in North America, were an English synth-pop duo from Basildon, Essex, formed in 1981 by Alison Moyet (vocals) and Vince Clarke (keyboards), a former member of Depeche Mode. The group released two studio albums, "Upstairs at Eric's" (1982) and "You and Me Both" (1983). Yazoo are regarded as part of the early development of synth-pop and later influenced electronic dance and house music artists in the mid-to-late 1980s. The duo disbanded in May 1983. Moyet subsequently pursued a solo career, while Clarke later co-founded the synth-pop duo Erasure. Yazoo reunited temporarily for live performances in 2008.

Clarke and Moyet both grew up in Basildon and attended the same Saturday music school as children, although they did not know each other personally at the time. Clarke became interested in electronic music after hearing the group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and later co-founded Depeche Mode. With Depeche Mode he wrote several songs and contributed to the album "Speak & Spell" (1981) before leaving the band later that year. Moyet spent her teenage years performing in various local punk and blues bands, including the Screamin' Ab Dabs.

In late 1981 Moyet placed an advertisement in the British music magazine Melody Maker seeking musicians for a blues-oriented band. The only response came from Clarke, who had recently left Depeche Mode. Clarke had written the song "Only You" and was seeking a vocalist to record a demo. After meeting, the two decided to collaborate as a duo, partly inspired by electronic acts such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Soft Cell.

The pair came to the project with differing musical backgrounds. Moyet had roots in blues and punk, while Clarke focused primarily on electronic pop music. Clarke presented the demo of "Only You" to Mute Records founder Daniel Miller. Mute subsequently asked the duo to record the song as a single and to produce a full album. Clarke had also written "Don't Go", but instead of using it as a B-side, the duo wrote the song "Situation" together for that purpose.

The name Yazoo was taken from the American blues reissue label Yazoo Records. Because the name was already in use and subject to trademark concerns in the United States, the group used the shortened name Yaz in the North American market.

"Only You" was released in the United Kingdom in March 1982 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The duo recorded their debut album at Blackwing Studios in London. The album was produced by Eric Radcliffe together with Clarke and Moyet and was titled "Upstairs at Eric's" in reference to Radcliffe. It was released in August 1982 and reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, later achieving platinum certification in the United Kingdom. In the United States the album initially reached number 92 on the Billboard 200, later achieving platinum status in 1989 after continued sales.

The second single, "Don't Go", was released in July 1982 and also reached the top three in the UK charts. In North America, a remix of "Situation" by DJ François Kevorkian became popular in dance clubs and was released there as the group's first single, reaching number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Only You" was subsequently released in North America and reached number 67. The duo supported the album with a series of concerts across Europe and North America.

In November 1982 Yazoo released the non-album single "The Other Side of Love", which reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. During the recording of their second album tensions developed between Clarke and Moyet. Clarke had originally viewed the project as temporary, while Moyet experienced difficulties adjusting to the pressures of sudden fame and performing promotional duties largely on her own. The album was recorded over several months, with Clarke and Moyet often working in the studio separately.

The single "Nobody's Diary" was released in May 1983 and reached number three in the UK. Shortly after its release, Yazoo announced their decision to disband. Their second album, "You and Me Both", was released in July 1983 and reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and in New Zealand. Despite the chart success, the album received limited promotion following the breakup and sold less than the debut, though it achieved gold certification in the United Kingdom. In the United States it reached number 69 on the Billboard 200.

After the split, Clarke formed the short-lived project the Assembly with Eric Radcliffe and released the single "Never Never" with vocalist Feargal Sharkey. He also produced Robert Marlow's album "The Peter Pan Effect" before forming the duo Erasure with singer Andy Bell. Moyet signed with CBS Records and began a successful solo career.

In 1990 a remixed version of "Situation" was released as a single in the United Kingdom and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. A compilation album, "Only Yazoo: The Best of", was released in 1999 and included remixes and reissues of songs such as "Only You", "Don't Go", and "Situation". Clarke later remixed Moyet's solo single "Whispering Your Name", and there were plans to record a duet version of her song "This House" with Erasure, although the project was not completed.

Yazoo's music has been used in several films and television series. "Only You" appeared in the films "The Chocolate War", "Napoleon Dynamite", and "Can't Hardly Wait", as well as in television series including "The Office", "Fringe", "The Americans", and "Once Upon a Time". A cover version by Joshua Radin was used in a J. C. Penney advertisement in 2007, and another cover recorded by Selena Gomez appeared in the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why". The song "Don't Go" was used in the television series "I'm Alan Partridge" and in the film "Tango & Cash". "Situation" was used in the television film "Exile" and in a commercial for the "Game Boy Advance SP" highlighting classic "NES" games. "Bring Your Love Down (Didn't I)" appeared in an episode of "The Sarah Silverman Program".

Musicians have cited Yazoo as an influence. In 2009 Anohni of Antony & the Johnsons stated that the project Hercules and Love Affair sought to emulate the sound of Yazoo when recording its self-titled debut album.

In 2007 discussions began regarding a reunion performance. The plan coincided with the remastering and reissue of Yazoo's albums. In January 2008 it was announced that Clarke and Moyet would perform a series of concerts and release a box set titled "In Your Room", which included remastered versions of "Upstairs at Eric's" and "You and Me Both", additional remixes and B-sides, and a DVD with interviews and archival footage. Two EPs were released in connection with the project: "Nobody's Diary EP" and "Reconnected EP".

Clarke and Moyet met publicly for the first time in many years in April 2008 in London. The reunion tour, titled the "Reconnected" tour, began in Copenhagen on 26 May 2008 and included concerts across Europe and the United States. Performances from the tour were later released as the live album "Reconnected Live" in 2010.

On 14 May 2011 Moyet appeared as a guest during Erasure's performance at the Mute Records Short Circuit festival in London, performing the Yazoo songs "Nobody's Diary", "Ode to Boy", and "Don't Go" with Clarke. Prior to the performance Moyet stated that it would likely be the final time the two would perform together under the name Yazoo.

Studio albums
Upstairs at Eric's (1982)
You and Me Both (1983)