While 31 years is a mere blink of the eye for the universe, for a band it's a long gap between records.

For Washington DC's Strange Boutique their 1994 record The Kindest Worlds was very much intended, at the time, to be their final farewell—with the various members all going on to separate projects.

With the passing of guitarist Fred Smith in 2017 singer Monica Richards and bassist Steve Willett found themselves together again, remembering their compatriot and their time together as Strange Boutique.

The seeds were sown for what would become Let The Lonely Heart Sing, out now on The Circle Music.

Richards and Willett join me to discuss the return of the band, the record and some of their history, from early post-hardcore roots to playing with Killing Joke.

Visit ⁠the band's website⁠ for music, merch, live dates and more.

Strange Boutique at ⁠The Circle Music⁠

Thanks to Dominic at 3-nation

Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Intro music: "Detachment" by Tom Osman

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