Written by jeej
Posted: 28 Jun, 2006
Filed under: Classic
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What The Fook Happened to…

…White Town?!

Your Woman was the one-hit-wonder in 1997 for pop outfit White Town. I remember hearing the track on the radio and thinking “I like this!”, but alas, it was one of those situations where I continually failed to grab the name of the artist and the track’s name. But eventually I did get those precious nuggets of info, and 13-year-old me strolled into the record shop to buy the CD single. The track went to number one in the UK charts on 7th January and received seriously heavy doses of radio airplay. But, whatever happened to White Town? Who were they?

White Town was (and still is!) Jyoti Mishra, Born in India, but raised in the UK since he was just three years old. White Town was an electro-pop act playing out of Derby since the late 80s, but a chance discovery by then Radio One DJ Mark Radcliffe, suddenly turned low-key to over-night fame. One thing led to another and then White Town signed to EMI/Chrysalis in late 96 and the track was released at the beginning of 97.

The track Your Woman seemed to have the right components for the charts, at the right time. Read Jyoti’s interesting FAQ with regards to the track here. Perhaps it was chance, or perhaps it was a stroke of genius, but the mixture of electro samples and catchy vocals really paid dividends. Check out the track for yourself here…

White Town – Your Woman
 >> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 5th July.

You can also view the video here on youtube.

Thinking back I can see where perhaps history has repeated itself. Remember that Levi’s jeans advert on the moon about a spaceman? That went on to be a serious one hit wonder for Babylon Zoo. The track Spaceman was ALSO an electro pop affair. Sadly for Babylon Zoo, the ultra catchy high pitched chorus (as heard on the advert) was the only catchy thing to come from them. And, as we all know, a key element to succesful pop music is creating catchy tunes.

But, as stated on his blog, Jyoti isn’t bitter about the way things went. Seemingly not too long after his album release it all turned a bit sour and EMI were eager to part company with him, but even that short lived success then enabled Jyoti to create his own ‘proper’ studio and continue working where he left off before his stint with fame. A classic quote from Jyoti, which really relates to how often the pop industry can be fooled; This song is also a minute too long for radio (according to major label A&R rules), not well-produced (according to Warners) and “too clever” for “average pop buyers.” – The full written article about White Town’s falling out with the pop industry (from 97) can be found here.

Anyway, as for the present and future, a new White Town album has been completed, although none of the finer details are available yet. You can catch Jyoti on last.fm as well as the White Town blog and his own personal blog.

So, anyone remember this track?!

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  • http://www.rockhyrax.com/ Nate

    Sometime around 2002 or 2003 I suddenly remembered the existence of two of my favorite quirky late 90s singles by people who had fallen completely off the map. Naturally, this was one. The other? Space – Female of the Species.

  • http://www.rockhyrax.com Nate

    Sometime around 2002 or 2003 I suddenly remembered the existence of two of my favorite quirky late 90s singles by people who had fallen completely off the map. Naturally, this was one. The other? Space – Female of the Species.

  • http://www.rustysheriff.com/ Rusty Sheriff

    Hahaha!

    Yeah, I remember this one! I always thought he lived in Gosport, 5 miles from my town! Word round the campfire was that he wrote it over the road from a bingo hall. Amazing what you’ll believe when you’re young and naive! Now I find out he’s from Derby and its ruined all my memories!! ahahaha! In fairness thought the only bit of the tune I like is the sample/loop that is the hook for most of the track and is right at the start of the tune… Had to hear it again though! Ta!

  • http://www.rustysheriff.com Rusty Sheriff

    Hahaha!

    Yeah, I remember this one! I always thought he lived in Gosport, 5 miles from my town! Word round the campfire was that he wrote it over the road from a bingo hall. Amazing what you’ll believe when you’re young and naive! Now I find out he’s from Derby and its ruined all my memories!! ahahaha! In fairness thought the only bit of the tune I like is the sample/loop that is the hook for most of the track and is right at the start of the tune… Had to hear it again though! Ta!

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Female Of The Species! God, yeah! Another catchy tune. It’s almost as if these songs had the catchy bit covered, but essentially perhaps were a little bit beyond what the rest of the pop world was doing at the time. There was a mean glockenspiel riff in Female Of The Species, if I remember correctly.

    Ah Mr. Sheriff, urban legends a plenty. I heard you make all your music in a basement in Slough, surrounded by rats and children. :-P

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Female Of The Species! God, yeah! Another catchy tune. It’s almost as if these songs had the catchy bit covered, but essentially perhaps were a little bit beyond what the rest of the pop world was doing at the time. There was a mean glockenspiel riff in Female Of The Species, if I remember correctly.

    Ah Mr. Sheriff, urban legends a plenty. I heard you make all your music in a basement in Slough, surrounded by rats and children. :-P

  • http://www.myspace.com/raze1974 Raze

    Until I saw this post I had completly forgotten about Whitetown, what has happened to him?

  • http://www.myspace.com/raze1974 Raze

    Until I saw this post I had completly forgotten about Whitetown, what has happened to him?

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Well, like I said, fell out of love with the idea of major record labels pretty soon after signing with one, decided he was better off without them. Quality of life style, anyway. But a new album is meant to have been completed, so keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the floor.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Well, like I said, fell out of love with the idea of major record labels pretty soon after signing with one, decided he was better off without them. Quality of life style, anyway. But a new album is meant to have been completed, so keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the floor.

  • Aaron

    Wasn’t the album suppose to be quite good? Didn’t it get nominated for a presigious award – no, i’m not talking about “the brits”; prestigious?

    I remember the track, mark and lard finding it, and the number one that came next: beetlebum by blur. I think I was around 12 then, a time when I actualled took notice of the charts.

    Sub-question: Apart from White Town, has Derby actually produced anything of worth. “Sheep” is not a valid answer.

  • Aaron

    Wasn’t the album suppose to be quite good? Didn’t it get nominated for a presigious award – no, i’m not talking about “the brits”; prestigious?

    I remember the track, mark and lard finding it, and the number one that came next: beetlebum by blur. I think I was around 12 then, a time when I actualled took notice of the charts.

    Sub-question: Apart from White Town, has Derby actually produced anything of worth. “Sheep” is not a valid answer.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Not sure bout any awards mate, maybe.

    As for your question on Derby… probably, but I don’t know off the top of my head.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Not sure bout any awards mate, maybe.

    As for your question on Derby… probably, but I don’t know off the top of my head.

  • http://www.rustysheriff.com/ Rusty Sheriff

    Army of Flying Robots came from Derby.
    Bloodstock came from Derby.
    Jim Smith (Footy manager) came from Derby

    So in short, Derby has produced nothing of worth! :p

  • http://www.rustysheriff.com Rusty Sheriff

    Army of Flying Robots came from Derby.
    Bloodstock came from Derby.
    Jim Smith (Footy manager) came from Derby

    So in short, Derby has produced nothing of worth! :p

  • http://www.bzangy.com/ Jyoti

    Sadly, my new album is homeless of this minute as Ninthwave, the US indie meant to be releasing it, have just shut down. Maybe I’ll stick it out myself, I really can’t be arsed with shopping it round labels.

    As for Derby… check out Plans And Apologies and Mascot Fight. Both do great pop music. And if you wnat more rocking tunes, try You Slut!, The Little Explorer and loads of others. Derby’s always had good bands. :-)

    I like the idea of my EMI album getting awards but nope, it actually got roundly slagged-off. I was a wee bit too early with the ’80s shtick, I guess. ;-)

    Thanks for the mention, anyway!
    love and kisses,
    Jyoti

  • http://www.bzangy.com Jyoti

    Sadly, my new album is homeless of this minute as Ninthwave, the US indie meant to be releasing it, have just shut down. Maybe I’ll stick it out myself, I really can’t be arsed with shopping it round labels.

    As for Derby… check out Plans And Apologies and Mascot Fight. Both do great pop music. And if you wnat more rocking tunes, try You Slut!, The Little Explorer and loads of others. Derby’s always had good bands. :-)

    I like the idea of my EMI album getting awards but nope, it actually got roundly slagged-off. I was a wee bit too early with the ’80s shtick, I guess. ;-)

    Thanks for the mention, anyway!
    love and kisses,
    Jyoti

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Hello mate, cheers for leaving the comment. :-)

    Just remember, they can never take your number 1 away from you!!! :-P

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Hello mate, cheers for leaving the comment. :-)

    Just remember, they can never take your number 1 away from you!!! :-P

  • craggler

    hey, army of flying robots are not from derby.
    so there…

  • craggler

    hey, army of flying robots are not from derby.
    so there…