Share

cover art for The Private Language - New Album

House of Mystery Radio on NBC

The Private Language - New Album

Their Story

In one of most uniquely offbeat collaborations of the year, celebrated pop singer Blake Lewis joins forces with EDM’s most accomplished drummer producer KJ Sawka to form The Private Language, a new project that combines cutting edge electropop, indie dance and future funk into one irresistible package. Their boldly unexpected debut single is a fresh take on the Tears For Fears smash ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, spinning the classic songcraft of the original with state of the art modernist production. Released on Earth Day, the video for the song conveys an impassioned plea for peace and unity in these uncertain times. Watch it here.


Sawka and Lewis originally crossed paths amid the vibrant Seattle hip hop and rave scene, becoming fast friends and fellow musical travelers. Lewis rose to fame as one of the most distinctive and memorable finalists on American Idol, winning over the world with his charismatic singing, beatboxing and scat-singing. He went to collaborate with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, releasing a top 10 US album and a #1 Billboard dance track. Sawka has been playing drums and producing for over 28 years, working with artists such as Illenium, BT, Amon Tobin, Andy Summers of the Police and dubstep supergroup Destroid. He is most known as the incendiary drummer for drum n’ bass legends Pendulum.


Covering this classic 1980s hit has been a unique experience for both artists, as Sawka explains: "This song was a real challenge to reinterpret. It’s such an iconic song with a unique pulse. we slowed it down to 100 BPM and that changed it enough for an original feel and it fit our style and vibes. We then continued to produce in the way we do our original music by diving deep into the drum parts, vocal and keyboard effects and live bass. It was so much fun to create.” 


For his part, Lewis was drawn to the song for both artistic and sentimental reasons, as he relates “From their brilliant production, grooves and soaring vocal talent, I’ve been such a fan of Tears For Fears ever since I could remember. Any time one of their songs came on the radio as a kid in the 80’s I couldn’t help myself from singing at the top of my lungs. I love how melodic their music is in every way. After being amazed seeing them in concert two years ago, I knew I wanted to try taking a stab at one of their songs. Deciding to cover this song in particular, was tricky for us. Keeping the artistic integrity of the original while trying to make it your own is such a challenge but we had so much fun shaping this song in our style and think we nailed it.”


“I came up with the idea for the music video during the height of the pandemic. Seeing so much tragedy and the impact we make on the environment I wanted to say something about it. I’ve always been mindful about the environment I’m in and human rights issues, from standing with the Dakota Tribes protesting at Standing Rock and performing charity concerts on Earth Day. I want to unite people with our music and message. The earth was here long before us and will remain long after. We need to be kind to each other, ourselves and Mother Nature. It’s just so simple to help and I hope whoever sees our version of this classic takes a little bit of that away with them.”


Look for more music from The Private Language coming soon!

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Keith Anthony Baird - Sin: thetica

    43:25
    The Sino-Nippon war is over. It is 2113 and Japan is crushed under the might of Chinese-Allied Forces. A former Coalition Corps soldier, US Marine Balaam Hendrix is now a feared bounty hunter known as ‘The Reverend’. In the sprawl of NeuTokyo, on this lawless frontier, he must track down the rogue employee of a notorious crime lord. But, there’s a twist. His target has found protection inside a virtual reality construct and Hendrix must go cyber-side to corner his quarry. The glowing neon signs for SIN:THETICA are everywhere, and promise escape from a dystopian reality. But will it prove the means by which this hunter snares his prey, or will it be the trap he simply can’t survive?
  • Robert J Sawyer - The Downloaded

    38:44
    In 2059 two very different groups have their minds uploaded into a quantum computer in Waterloo, Ontario.One group consists of astronauts preparing for Earth’s first interstellar voyage. The other? Convicted murderers, serving their sentences in a virtual-reality prison.But when disaster strikes, the astronauts and the prisoners must download back into physical reality and find a way to work together to save Earth from destruction.The Downloaded debuted in a six-month exclusive window as an Audible Original narrated by Academy Award-winner Brendan Fraser promoted by national TV and radio ad campaigns. This print edition is coming out immediately after Audible’s exclusivity ends and is being supported by a six-city cross-Canada author book tour.
  • Dacre Stoker - Father of Dracula

    49:34
    Bram Stoker, his life, his research and writing of Dracula to promote a documentary film called Father of Dracula, being made by an Irish film maker, Jason Figgis, and written by John West.  I have contributed years of research and do the narration on the film. Dracula is the most famous horror character in literature. Over a hundred years after the publication of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, (1897) the character still has the power to fascinate and horrify us. The image of the undead vampire as a symbol of evil is now firmly embedded in our collective consciousness, thanks to Stoker. Paradoxically, Dracula has also be-come a symbol of forbidden lust thanks to the later portrayals of the character by Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Frank Langella and Gary Oldman etc. etc. But what of Bram Stoker, the man behind the creation? Sadly, he left no autobiography and precious little first-hand source material for us to better understand his life and inspirations for his writing of Dracula. For most, he is a shadowy or un-known figure, a man long since eclipsed by the character that he created. However, by examining his private journals, notes, and the memories of those who knew him, we can piece together an account of his life and learn much about the man who became the father of Dracula. With this documentary, we aim to reveal the man and how he came to create the Prince of Darkness, Count Dracula. Written by author and historian John West and directed by Jason Figgis, an award-winning IFTA-nominated film and TV director, this unique documentary, narrated by Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, looks at the life of his illustrious ancestor. It will cover his early life, his mysterious childhood illness, his days as a student in Dublin, his successful career as Sir Henry Irving’s manager at the Lyceum Theater and, of course, how he came to write Dracula. We will  look into how Bram Stoker gathered his research in different libraries and archives and how he utilized the vampire myth that already existed across Europe and North America to bring to life literature’s greatest horror icon.
  • MB Mooney - Shield of the King: Elowen Book 1

    48:29
    She may not be the hero they want, but she is the one they need.Born in a kingdom where women are kept from power, Elowen has been trained as a warrior byher father, a former general. When her father is ordered out of retirement, she joins him on ajourney to thwart a plot to assassinate the king.Tragedy strikes in defense of the royal family, and Elowen begins her own mission to expose therebellion. She discovers secrets about her past that threaten to destroy her homeland and her ownlife, and she must find a way to fight for what is right in a corrupt kingdom.
  • donalee Moulton - Conflagration

    33:46
    On a warm spring day in April 1734, a fire raged through Montreal’s merchant quarters. When the flames finally died, 46 buildings – including the Hôtel-Dieu convent and hospital – had been destroyed. Within hours, rumors ran rampant that Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman fighting for her freedom, had started the fire with her white lover, Claude Thibault. Less than 24 hours later, Angelique was sitting in a prison cell. Her lover was nowhere to be found. More than 20 witnesses appeared before the judge, all claiming Angélique was the arsonist. But no one saw her set the fire.It didn’t matter. In an era when lawyers were banned from practising in New France, Angélique was on her own. She denied starting the fire. Philippe Archambeau, a court clerk assigned specifically to document her case, believed Angelique might just be telling the truth. That belief only got stronger after Angélique was tortured – and finally confessed. Her captors used the brodequins to crush Angélique’s leg. Her spirit remained indomitable.As Angélique was paraded through the streets of Montreal, Incendiare embroidered across the front of her white chemise, Archambeau finally realized what really happened the night Montreal burned to the ground.
  • Chris McAuley - Shadows By Gaslight

    45:10
    No one ever knows what lurks beyond the light until it's too late. And for the unsuspecting victims, their worst nightmares come to life when they venture too far into the darkness. For where light is void, so are all forms of evil and unmentionable horrors. In 'Shadows by Gaslight,' you'll journey through cobblestone streets and opulent parlors to uncover captivating tales that define an era of Victoria lore. From the notorious criminals who haunted the night while authorities rallied at a frenetic pace to unravel mysterious unexplained deaths and missing persons. Here, you'll follow tales of the relentless pursuit of justice by reformers like Dickens and Florence Nightingale. This riveting exploration delves deep into the complexities of Victorian society, where enigmatic figures like Jack the Ripper and other social reformers cast long shadows over an age marked by political turmoil, social unrest, and the paradoxes of progress. While illuminating the legacy of humanity, resilience, and reform, this book invites readers to step into the shadows and discover the enduring mysteries of Victorian true crime.
  • Mike Papantonio - Suspicious Activity: A Legal Thriller

    41:41
    “The purpose of the lawsuit is to fully expose the bank’s willing support to groups that are killing Americans—and others—overseas.” This announcement by attorney Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis sets up the gladiatorial arena between Big Banking and a team of well-meaning activist lawyers. The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars introduced the concept of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and EFPs (Explosively Formed Penetrators) that seriously maim or kill. It appears that these bombs are still being made and utilized by terrorists overseas. Who is funding them? Could it possibly be a large global bank with a major branch in New York? Is a reverse money laundering scheme in place that allows money transactions to bypass Department of Justice sanctions? Deke and his colleagues—co-counsel Michael Carey and investigators Carol Morris and Jake Rutledge—set out to uncover the deceit and bring the white collar criminals to justice. With the help of Michael’s friend and war veteran, Joel Hartbeck—who first blows the whistle against the bank—the Deketomis team quickly discovers that they may have tackled more than they bargained for. A dangerous right wing paramilitary group might be involved in protecting the bank’s interests, and Hartbeck soon goes missing. As Deke’s lawsuit progresses, the sudden appearance of IEDs and EFPs on US highways cause death and destruction. Who is behind this evil?
  • Sydney Leigh - Peril in Pink

    27:51
    It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect.After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder.With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled.
  • Noir at the Bar! Birtcher, Tod Goldberg, Lee Matthew Goldberg, Arrowsmith, Wiebe, Brazil

    00:20
    Tonight the Authors reading from their novels are:Sam Wiebe - A Lonesome Place for DyingTod Goldberg - Gangsters Don't DieTrish Arrowsmith - Nursery's Rhyme Baron Birtcher - ReckoningAna Brazil - The Red-Hot Blues Chanteuse Lee Matthew Goldberg - Great Gimmelmans

Comments