LONDON (October 6th, 2010) – Following their announcement detailing the launch of the year-long Connectivity campaign celebrating the incomparable British music scene, Converse today releases “Didn’t Know What Love Was” an original music collaboration between Bernard Sumner from New Order and Joy Division, Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and Hot City. Starting now, all music fans can download the track for free at www.converse.co.uk and authorized Converse websites around the world.

“The history of UK music and the huge influence it has had is undeniable, so I was honored when Converse approached me about taking part in this project celebrating its history,” said Bernard Sumner. “Working with Alexis and Joe (Hot Chip) and Hot City in the studio, we each brought a different element and the result is a unique collaboration that is refreshing and one which I love.”

“Didn’t Know What Love Was” is the first of two original music collaborations being released by Converse this year. In January, Converse will continue its commitment as a catalyst for freedom of expression by releasing a second original track. This single will feature legendary artist Graham Coxon, Paloma Faith and Bill Rider Jones formerly of the Coral, therefore bringing a fusion of genres to highlight the broad spectrum of talent and diversity within the independent UK music scene.

“Being able to work alongside Bernard, whose music has been a huge influence on us since we were young, and Hot City, who are creating some of our favourite new records, was an amazing experience,” said Alexis of Hot Chip. “As soon as we began the collaboration it was a very quick and easy process – ideas would pass back and forth immediately, and we had a great time experimenting together in the studio.”

Accompanying the release of the new single is the iconic chain image featuring not only the collaborating artists but also a range of emerging musical talent from across the UK including Tigs of Chew Lips, Michael Hibbert & Lewis Bowman from Chapel Club, Tom Hudson of Pulled Apart by Horses, Laura-Mary Carter of Blood Red Shoes, and Hudson Mohawke. The campaign imagery will appear nationwide beginning October 11 in music and lifestyle print titles, high impact outdoor sites along with underground takeovers in London.

Artists (Within Chain, From Left to Right):
• PALOMA FAITH – Mixing blues and soul with her own visionary sound, her debut album has already gone platinum and is currently working on her follow up.
• BILL RYDER-JONES – Critically acclaimed composer and guitarist, formally of the band The Coral
• MICHAEL HIBBERT FROM CHAPEL CLUB – Shoegazey yet searing, Chapel Club create intense, thrilling songs with a darkly poetic edge.
• GRAHAM COXON- The former lead guitarist and lyricist of Blur, Graham has released seven solo albums, recording them all single-handedly.
• MEZ FROM THE NEAT- Hull’s new post-punk intelligentsia
• HUDSON MOHAWKE – The hip-hop oriented DJ and producer from Glasgow, ‘Hud Mo’ entered the fray through unofficial mixes released on the internet.
• TIGS FROM CHEW LIPS – The vocalist from Chew Lips: the electro-pop three-piece band from London who make pop music with fangs.
• TOM HUDSON FROM PULLED APART BY HORSES – Infusing heavy riff-based guitar with disco licks, the alternative rock band from Leeds are renowned for their frantic live performances.
• ALEXIS TAYLOR FROM HOT CHIP – See below.
• BERNARD SUMNER – See below.
• JOE GODDARD FROM HOT CHIP – See below.
• BENZ FROM HOT CITY – See below.
• DJ HAUS FROM HOT CITY – See below.
• LAURA-MARY CARTER FROM BLOOD RED SHOES – Laura-Mary plays guitar and sings in the punk influenced two-piece. Often spending most weeks of the year touring the world, the band have released their second album in 2010.
• LEWIS BOWMAN FROM CHAPEL CLUB – Shoegazey yet searing, Chapel Club create intense, thrilling songs with a darkly poetic edge.

Stay tuned for announcements revealing details on the music video, plus what else Converse has in store throughout the Connectivity campaign.

About Bernard Sumner:
Bernard Sumner was a founding member of Joy Division, a post-punk band formed in 1976. As the band’s lead guitarist, Sumner also played keyboards for synth parts with vocal appearances. After the death of Joy Division’s singer, Sumner and the remaining members started New Order where Sumner emerged as the band’s permanent lead vocalist and lyricist. Both Joy Division and New Order are widely considered two of the most influential bands of the era. In 1989, Sumner joined up with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to form Electronic where Sumner was the lead vocalist and lyricist. In 2007, he formed Bad Lieutenant as vocalist.

About Alexis Taylor & Joe Goddard From Hot Chip:
Hailing from London, Hot Chip entered the picture with the release of their 2000 debut, Mexico. In 2002, Hot Chip self-released Sanfrandisco E-Pee which showed the band dabbling in more playful sounds, with beatbox dubbing and moments of gorgeous melancholy. The group signed to N.Y.C. record label DFA in 2005 and released the Over and Over EP, as well as the excellent The Warning. The 2007 single “Ready for the Floor” heralded the arrival of Made in the Dark, which featured some of the band’s most focused grooves and poppiest melodies to date. The mellower One Life Stand followed in 2010, along with a remixes collection later that year.

About Dj Haus & Benz From Hot City:
Hot City is a London based electronic musician/DJ/producer duo made up of DJ Haus & DJ Benz. They have cemented their reputation as the duo injecting the fun back into dance music. Their dancefloor productions straddle garage, house and techno without ever sitting still in one genre. Their DJ sets dig deep into the history of UK garage, rave and modern day urban techno and have made a name for themselves with UK anthems like “Yeah!” and “No More” and recently announced news of a debut album for Moshi Moshi to be released next year.

About Converse:
Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 51 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.co.uk.

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