Curve
This UK independent label act featured the distinctive and opinionated voice of Toni Halliday (b. c.1965), one of three children born to a liberal Roman Catholic mother and single parent. Her major collaborator and songwriting partner was Dean Garcia (guitar). Halliday secured her first record deal at the age of 14, moving to London where she floundered with pop duo the Uncles. She later met David A. Stewart in Sunderland and they stayed friends, making the acquaintance of another member of Stewart's inner sanctum, Garcia, who had played on the Eurythmics’ albums TOUCH and BE YOURSELF TONIGHT. They joined forces in the equally pallid State Of Play, who were signed to Virgin Records and released two singles and an album, BALANCING THE SCALES. After their acrimonious split, Halliday released the solo HEARTS AND HANDSHAKES in 1989, before reuniting with Garcia to sign to the Eurythmics Anxious label. Halliday had taken a tape of the song Ten Little Girls to Stewart, who was immediately impressed. The results were three EPs that reached number 1 in the UK independent chart in 1991: BLINDFOLD, FROZEN and CHERRY, all of which were well reviewed despite the media cynics citing Halliday as a stubborn careerist. Whatever Halliday's motives, Curves’ blend of goth, dance and indie guitar rock had gelled perfectly for a willing audience. 1992's Fait Accompli was yet another indie number 1, and the accompanying album, DOPPELGANGER likewise. The groundwork has been laid for a potentially rich recording career; they have created their own studio, and filled out the line-up to include Debbie Smith and Alex Mitchell (guitars) and Monti (drums).