
Transvision Vamp singer Wendy James to perform in Buckley
The album, which is the tenth solo album by the Transvision Vamp lead singer, was written, produced, and mixed by James herself.
It was recorded in West London and New York City, and is available digitally, on deluxe vinyl, and on deluxe CD.
James will be accompanied on tour by a full band, including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Jim Sclavunos on drums and Alex Ward on guitar.
They will be playing songs from across all of her albums.
Reflecting on 'The Shape of History,' James said: "My songwriting has always been a wide mix of sounds, which naturally reflect the different music and references I have and love.
"'The Shape Of History' was recorded on Scrubs Lane, West London, with Alex Ward, Harry Bohay, and James Sclavunos.
"I then went off to NYC and Brooklyn to record the pianos and organs with Dave 'The Moose' Sherman.
"Overdubbing continued with Al Lawson at the engineering helm in his Shepherd's Bush studio and then I went back to Berkeley, California to mix with Jesse Nichols before mastering with Fred Kevorkian in Brooklyn, New York.
"I have spent so much time with this music, I know it note-for-note and love it, and am so happy for you to make it your own now.
"'The Shape Of History' has a lot about love in it, a lot about appreciation of oneself, one's life and, importantly, of others.
"It is life's arc of starting out, blooming into something and in some ways maturing.
"I don't think my music has got older, I know I've not gone mellow!
"My attitude can be more ferocious and fearless than ever, but there is an acquired wisdom, which naturally comes after having been alive for a few decades!
"'The Shape Of History' is a love letter and a thank you note to life so far.
"The culmination of my tenth album is the result of co-musicians and engineers who I've worked with previously and with whom I share a language.
"We know each other, we choose to work together.
"We enjoy each other's talents and personalities.
READ MORE:
Connah's Quay dentist to open in Flintshire in September
Police release statement on armed officers in Garden City
"There is a happiness, a belonging, when we meet up, and an open and determined desire to achieve what we know we have to.
"Meeting Nick Christian Sayer and forming Transvision Vamp, the two of us walking into EMI Records and demanding to see the head of artists and repertoire, Dave Ambrose; getting signed and making our hits of the late 80's and 90's; collaborating with Elvis Costello and mixing that album at Sunset Sound in Hollywood where The Stones mixed 'Exile On Main St,' then moving to NYC to start writing and recording as a solo artist; all the gigs I've played and the friends I've made around the world, the astounding, incredible, wonderful people whose lives I've crossed paths with...
"I am so grateful for it all."
For more information, visit www.thewendyjames.com.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
James Maddison spotted on crutches as Thomas Frank gives worrying injury update on Tottenham star
JAMES MADDISON was spotted on crutches after manager Thomas Frank issued a worrying update on his latest knee injury. The midfielder was carried off on a stretcher as Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in Seoul - where Son Heung-Min bid farewell to fans. 5 5 5 Maddison sustained the problem in a routine challenge with Anthony Elanga in the 83rd minute. The 28-year-old instantly knew something was wrong as he put his hands on his head, waved to the bench and then crumpled in a heap, before being carted away. Maddison had only just returned from a knee ligament problem sustained in May and was seen on crutches leaving the stadium in South Korea. Manager Frank revealed: "We're pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before. "I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That's what we got today. "It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players. "First we had the walkaround and then the team-mates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same. "I just said a few things but not much because it's about Sonny and then he said a few things. It was beautiful." The injury overshadowed what looks to be Son's final game as a Tottenham player - after he announced plans to leave the club. Son - linked with a move to MLS with Los Angeles FC - has become a legend of the North London side following his ten-year stay. His press conference revelation meant the friendly against Eddie Howe's Alexander Isak-less Toon was always going to be more about a Son love-in than the action on the pitch. Actor Park Seo-Joon, star of Oscar-winning Parasite and a close pal of Son, gave a touching tribute to his mate before kick-off from the centre circle, claiming the people of South Korea could not sleep after Son's exit-plan announcement. Chairman Daniel Levy shook Son's hand as the two teams lined up, along with all the players, while Magpies star Anthony Gordon gave the Spurs skipper a big hug. A trumpet in the crowd played the tune 'Nice one Sonny' song, to which the 66,000 fans added the words, while 'Hey Jude' was belted out over the loudspeaker, allowing fans to change the eponymous words to 'Sonny'. Brennan Johnson even did Son's trademark camera-shot celebration after giving Spurs an early lead, much to the delight of his outgoing team-mate. The hope had been that Son could cap the occasion with a goal, but unfortunately, he did not have any chances to make it happen, as Harvey Barnes' banger on 38 minutes sealed a draw. Son's number was up in the 64th minute and the players on both sides formed an impromptu guard of honour as he came off. The 33-year-old, who capped ten years at the club in May by finally winning a trophy with the Europa League triumph, hugged everyone on the Spurs bench as he came off. Frank revealed: "I think it's very likely Sonny's last game because it's very close." 5 5


Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
My boyfriend was a CIA agent... it came with a slew of glamorous perks but also some VERY strict rules
A woman who dated a CIA agent has laid bare the glamorous perks that came with being in a relationship with a government official - as well as the strict rules she had to follow. Nyla Caselli, 23, based in California, said she met the man, named James, after he approached her at the airport and asked to take her to dinner. From that night on, Nyla says she was whisked into a lifestyle of private jets, chauffeurs, designer handbags, and spontaneous bank transfers, including a $40,000 payment simply because 'he missed her.' She was soon introduced to 'the fast life' of elite hotels and whirlwind weekends abroad... but dating a CIA agent also came with its downsides. James had intense regulations when it came to privacy, including no social media, no photos, and no personal questions. Nyla explained exclusively to the Daily Mail, 'From day one, James had very strict boundaries. No photos - ever. No tagging him in anything. 'I wasn't even allowed to post when or where we were if he was nearby. I had to turn off my phone sometimes.' Nyla recalled James using 'encrypted phones,' and doing 'security checks' whenever he'd enter a public building. 'He used a phone with no traceable apps, and sometimes would only communicate on burner numbers,' she continued. 'We'd enter restaurants through back doors. He always sat facing the exits. Even in hotels, he'd sweep the room for cameras. 'He once made me leave my bag in a separate car just to "be safe."' But he also loved to spoil her. He whisked her away on trips to places like Morocco and Switzerland and moved her into a $10,000-a-month penthouse in downtown Los Angeles. At first, James kept his line of work a secret from Nyla and she believed he was just a 'rich businessman.' She explained, 'At the time, I didn't question it. But now I realize I was basically living in a spy movie. 'He said [all the rules] was for "operational security," and at the time, I just thought he was a privacy freak… but it turns out, he was living a double life. 'I thought maybe he was in tech or finance, but deep down, something always felt… off.' After three months of his secretive behavior, security details, and constant travel, Nyla said she jokingly asked him, 'What are you, CIA?' and he went 'stone cold.' That's when he dropped the bombshell that he did indeed work for the US government. While she first thought he was joking, Nyla said that suddenly, 'everything made sense.' And knowing the truth about his profession only added an extra 'thrill' to their relationship. 'It was like living in a fantasy. There were spontaneous first-class trips, dinners where the room got cleared out just for us, and this underlying feeling that no one could touch me. It was definitely a high,' she dished. But with the life of luxury also came a fierce 'loneliness' as she had to tell lies to her own friends and couldn't share anything on social media. 'I was a ghost in my own life sometimes - living the dream, but unable to wake anyone else up to it,' she recalled. 'I wasn't able to post or share anything about my life with the world and I had to hide everything. 'There were nights I didn't know where he was or when he'd come back. It was glamorous, but it was also extremely isolating.' Though things ended a year in after James was reassigned overseas, Nyla said she learned a lot from their relationship. And in the end, she concluded that she'll always remember James with affection. 'Now I'm hyper-aware of my surroundings. He taught me to never assume I'm not being watched, and honestly, in today's world, that advice has aged very well,' she reflected.


Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
ShxtsNGigs is coming to Joburg — and it's going to be pure chaos
Johannesburg, are you ready for a night of no-filter fun? ShxtsNGigs, the wildly popular UK podcast hosted by best mates James and Fuhad, is finally touching down in Mzansi and Joburg gets first dibs. The duo's signature blend of spicy confessions, brutally honest advice, and laugh-out-loud commentary is coming to The Goldrush Dome on 24 January 2026, and it's going to be unmissable. From their viral 'Reddit Tuesdays' to the most chaotic listener confessions you'll ever hear, ShxtsNGigs has earned a cult following for saying exactly what we're all thinking (but wouldn't dare say out loud). Their chemistry, comedic timing, and fearless hot takes on modern dating, relationships, and the absurdity of everyday life have turned their podcast into a global phenomenon, with millions of fans tuning in each week. Now, Jozi fans have the rare chance to experience it all live and in person. Expect wild stories, big belly laughs, and maybe even a few awkward audience moments, in the best possible way. Whether you're a day-one listener or a recent TikTok convert, this is your chance to be part of the madness IRL. Tickets go on sale at 09h00 on Friday, 1 August 2025, exclusively at And trust us, they won't last long. Cape Town, you're not forgotten, the boys will also be hitting the stage at the Grand Arena, GrandWest on 27 January. But Joburg gets the first taste, and it's shaping up to be the comedy event of the season.