Hi there,
I was 12 when my older, cooler, and black-clad cousins got me into Depeche Mode. It was about the time their album Songs of Faith and Devotion had come out. I fell in love with it. March 22, 2023 marks the 30th anniversary since its release.
In Songs of Faith and Devotion, I discovered a record filled with beautiful electronic-driven melodies and roaring guitars, deep-felt lyrics you could sing along to, and a relentless pulsating beat that lingered throughout. There were even touches of gospel, blues, and industrial! Delving into their previous releases, I discovered anthems ready for stadium communion and a plethora of songs to dance and lose your mind to. It expanded my idea of what a band could be.
I finally got to see them live in 2001. It was more than everything I could have wished for. No joke, hearing the entire stadium chant Enjoy the Silence had me levitating. I’ve seen them five times since and it’s never anything but an emotional blast. They’ve had many great album releases since my introduction to them, and their latest, Memento Mori, coming later this month through their forever label, Mute Records, promises to be their best of this century. This is also their first album and tour since the loss of founding member Andrew “Fletch” Fletcher, which adds an emotional wallop to the affair.
It’s not hard to guess that I cannot wait to see them again when they come to town later this year, and guess what? KCRW wants to send you! When you make a donation by 11:59 PM this Sunday, March 19th, you’ll be automatically entered to win our Depeche Mode Sweepstakes.* One lucky winner will receive a pair of premium tickets to see Depeche Mode in LA — plus a meet and greet, signed album art, Memento Mori vinyl, and a Crosley turntable.
See You,
Enrique Del Castillo
KCRW Membership
P.S. And there’s more — you’ll receive a free limited-edition motel keychain with your donation.
*No contribution necessary to enter. Rules can be found at KCRW.com/give
