Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

40 years ago this very week Toyah was filming the video that would accompany the release of the 1982 single, Brave New World.

In Monday’s repeat of Video Killed The Radio Star on Sky Arts, Toyah recalled filming the sea and beach scenes on 9th April 1982, as well as riding the horse for scenes filmed in London.

Brave New World was directed by David Mallet and the beach scenes were filmed in Hastings and took place incredibly early in the morning, Another location was Battersea Power Station in London later on the same day. There was also studio filming.

The song was written by Toyah and Joel Bogen and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The single was released in May 1982, the only one to be taken from the album The Changeling, and certainly had an effect on me at the time. I still remember the day I bought the single, being mesmerised by the sleeve, and Toyah’s, still stunning, imagery. I loved Brave New World then and still do now. As with Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard), it’s message and lyrics are just as relevant today. It transcends time.

This past weekend Toyah revisited her 1985 album, Minx, by exploring the second single released from it, Soul Passing Through Soul, in Toyah At Home. Here’s a bit of SPTS fan art I put together a few years ago… (While on the subject of Minx – Space Between The Sounds is still one of my favourite Toyah songs. Yup, it’s over-the-top but bloody brilliant!!)

“You give me, fire!”

This weekend has been something of an official “unofficial” celebration of one of Toyah’s most glorious pop moments.

The uplifting 1982 anthem Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) – written by Toyah Willcox and Joel Bogen, and originally released in August 1982 – and it’s gorgeous related imagery. With a Toyah At Home special, a retro, and incredibly rare, performance of the song from Italian music show, Popcorn, which aired on Italian TV channel Canale 5 from 1980 to 1985!

Official Toyah popped the cherry on the icing of the “Be Proud” cake by also sharing a previously unseen shot from the Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) beach photo session.

“Soul deep!”

Aside from all that, how ahead of the curve was Toyah? The positivity and message of Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) is relatable, and relevant, to right now. And the song still sounds so good, from that zoom-in intro to the very last second… (Photo © Cherry Red Records / Screen Caps from a video that is © Canale 5)

• Toyah At Home – Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard): Toyah uncovers the story behind the single Be Proud, Be Loud (Be Heard) in this week’s Toyah At Home. There’s the story about the song and a vintage rare performance of the track from 1982. Be Proud, be loud, tune in! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire: Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – They Are RED HOT!!!: This week Toyah and Robert are RED HOT!!! – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

A preview of the live performance of Danced performed live in June 1980 at Club Lafayette, Wolverhampton is premiering on Toyah’s Official You Tube channel on 5th April. As featured on the DVD with the Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! Deluxe CD+DVD release from Cherry Red Records. Released Friday 13 May 2022.

There’s a repeat airing of the Toyah Special of Video Killed The Radio Star on Sky Arts next month. This great half hour programme originally premiered in August 2018.

The programme focuses on the making/creation of Toyah’s 80s pop videos. The programme is repeated on Monday 11th April.

Video Killed the Radio Star reveals the genius, madness, excesses and ideas behind some of music’s most famous videos. Featuring interviews with iconic bands and artists, directors, cameramen and others involved in the creative process of making the ultimate pop promo.

Video Killed The Radio Star: Sky Arts: Monday 11th April: 11.30am
Toyah Willcox. (Series 7, Episode 6) An insight into the making of videos by Toyah Willcox, whose hits included It’s A Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want To Be Free.

• Toyah At Home – Brave New World: This week Toyah goes behind the creation of Brave New World, with the inside track on the making of the video, plus an unseen performance of the song from a a recent concert – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire: Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – War…: War – What is good for….. – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

• Toyah At Home – Echo Beach: This week Toyah takes a look and gives us the story behind the hit – Echo Beach, and an exclusive live version of the song! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Objects Of Desire: Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – I Predict A Riot: Airing at Midday today!! This weeks Sunday Lunch is really a belter – and we predict a lot more than a riot!! – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

• Toyah At Home – Rebel Run: This week Toyah dives into the history of Rebel Run, and the iconic outfits used in the making of the video, we take a look at the original video and an exclusive performance of the song from last years tour.. – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert – Objects Of Desire: NEW!! – Toyah and Robert take a look at some of the objects that surround them in middle England, direct from social medias most famous kitchen! – Watch here…

• Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Too Drunk To Funk: The ever so daring duo crank it up a notch this week – So much so we have no words to describe this one…… ( no really we have no words ) Happy Valentines From Toyah & Robert – Watch here… (Images © Toyah Willcox)

From Victims of The Riddle to The Vow, Danced to Dance In The Hurricane and I Want To Be Free to Levitate… stream the new Toyah Singles Collection playlist at Spotify by clicking below.

Toyah performing the glorious Good Morning Universe, from the 1981 EP Four More From Toyah, on Sunday (6th February) on the Posh Pop Tour date at Sheffield Corporation. Filmed by Nigel George Limer.

Tomorrow’s Toyah At Home, airing on Toyah’s official You Tube channel and Facebook page, sees Toyah explore the history of, the classic, Ieya. There’s rare archive footage and an unseen performance of probably Toyah’s most iconic song (give or take an It’s A Mystery or Thunder In The Mountains). There’s also an exclusive news announcement from Toyah about a forthcoming release. Toyah At Home airs at 11am (UK time) tomorrow!

50 Wild Women Of The 80s!: NOW 80s: Saturday 29th January: 12pm
Brilliant songs, big voices, blazing hair & bags of attitude – the ladies of the 80s had the lot! From Toyah to Tina & Joan Jett to Janet Jackson.

Now That’s What I Call…. Toyah!

Four classic Toyah singles appear on four CD album release from the legendary Now compilation brand. Brave New World features on the 84-track 4CD Now Yearbook ‘82 out on 4 February.

Ieya features on Now That’s What I Call Punk & New Wave, a 89-track 4CD, released on 21 January. ⁣

Already available, Rebel Run features on Now Yearbook ‘83 and The Vow features on Now Yearbook ‘83 Extra alongside hits from The Police, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, The Human League, The Cure, Eurythmics, Genesis and more. ⁣

• All CDs can be ordered from Amazon and HMV. (News Source: Official Toyah)

50 Wild Women Of The 80s!: NOW 80s: Christmas Eve: 9am
Brilliant songs, big voices, blazing hair & bags of attitude – the ladies of the 80s had the lot! From Toyah to Tina & Joan Jett to Janet Jackson.

Who Won Wot? 1980 – 1989: NOW 80s: Friday 26th November: 9am
From Smash Hits “Most Unwanted Person of 1980” to the Brits “Best Group” of 1989 – Mark Goodier’s 10 hour marathon of 80s award winners lasts nearly as long as the Oscars. (The first artist played from 1981 is Toyah, with the Thunder In The Mountains video. Mark said: “We begin 1981 with a 4ft 11 pop star who had the biggest hair of the entire decade, here’s the Most Fanciable (as voted by Smash Hits magazine readers) Toyah Willcox with Thunder In The Mountains“).

Toyah delves into the story behind one one of the songs that changed her life, It’s A Mystery. in today’s Toyah At Home & On The Road. You will also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of Proud Cabaret. Premieres 11am today. Click here or below to watch at Toyah’s official You Tube channel. Toyah & Robert’s Burning Questions also airs this evening at 6pm.

Toyah’s iconic 1981 single, Thunder In The Mountains, is included on the 3CD compilation, Musik Music Musique 2.0 – The Rise Of Synth Pop. This was released in October.

• Sequel to the hugely successful ‘Musik Music Musique’, This time exploring 1981, The year synth pop broke into the mainstream.

• Over 50 tracks showcasing the innovation and exploration that gave rise to what would become the decade’s pre-eminent musical form.

• Featuring Ultravox, Duran Duran, OMD, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Devo, Gina X Performance, Fashion, Spandau Ballet, Soft Cell, Heaven 17, Hazel O’Connor, Yello, A Flock Of Seagulls, Toyah, Kim Wilde, The Passage, Chris and Cosey, Japan, John Foxx and countless other electronic luminaries.

• Packed with familiar classics and lesser known gems.

• Further info on this release at Cherry Red Records. (NB. Toyah was also included on Musik Music Musique – 1980 | The Dawn Of Synth Pop collection in 2020.

Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Tuesday 12th October: 5pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)

My World Gifts have created a brand new hand painted Brave New World bauble with signed and numbered card. This will be available via the Toyah & Robert My Merch Studio store this weekend! See a larger photo of the bauble here, and click below to watch Toyah’s video. (Photo/Image © Toyah Willcox)

Who Won Wot? 1980 – 1989: NOW 80s: Saturday 2nd October: 9am
From Smash Hits “Most Unwanted Person of 1980” to the Brits “Best Group” of 1989 – Mark Goodier’s 10 hour marathon of 80s award winners lasts nearly as long as the Oscars. (The first artist played from 1981 is Toyah, with the Thunder In The Mountains video. Mark said: “We begin 1981 with a 4ft 11 pop star who had the biggest hair of the entire decade, here’s the Most Fanciable (as voted by Smash Hits magazine readers) Toyah Willcox with Thunder In The Mountains“).