There’s his farm in Mallorca, where he and his husband Stephen Moss have had a fine year harvesting pomegranates, kiwis and lemons. Then there’s the Erasure frontman’s fascination with clowns (“Would the makeup help you avoid facial recognition technology?”), memories of 90s nightclubbing (“You could do anything and get away with it!”) and a worry that he’s turning into “a fussy old grandpa”. Suddenly, he catches himself: “But what about you, Vince?
You’re being very quiet!” Bell’s bandmate, whose only contribution since joining the video chat from his San Diego home has been to say hello, smiles. I’m really enjoying this.” This has always been the pair’s dynamic. Ever since they formed in 1985, Vince Clarke has preferred to remain in the background, unleashing precision-tooled electronic bangers while hidden behind a bank of synths.
Bell, meanwhile, spun around centre stage in sequins and angel wings, his vocals adding lovelorn melodrama to the melodies. The combination has served them well. In the 40 years since their debut album Wonderland came out, the band have never split up, gone on hiatus or – if you take their word for it – fallen out.
Recently, their deep friendship has proved its mettle. In January 2024, Clarke’s wife Tracy Hurley Martin died from stomach cancer. A taciturn man at the best of times, Clarke still finds the experience difficult to talk about, but he’s on easier ground praising his bandmate’s support.
I don’t think I could have gotten that from anyone else. Because he’s been through shit as well.” Bell lost his partner Paul Hickey in 2012. So, yeah, I’m truly grateful.” “You have to look after your friend,” says Bell.
We all have misgivings when we lose a partner – that we couldn’t do the best for them when they were here or whatever. But that’s just normal life. So we have to hold each other up.” The experience of being there for each other has fed into a new Erasure album – amazingly, their 20th – called Radio!!
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