Out now digitally: reissue of Josie Cotton's 'Convertible Music' from 1982

“This record changed everything for me,” says singer JOSIE COTTON about her debut album CONVERTIBLE MUSIC which has been reissued digitally on her Kitten Robot Records. “I was the annoying girl with demo tapes getting turned down all over town.”

Originally released in 1982 by Elektra Records, Convertible Music kicked off a storied and perennial career of one of New Wave’s most unique voices. Famously featured in the seminal 1983 film Valley Girl (the second feature by director Martha Coolidge that starred Deborah Foreman, E.J. Daily and was the leading man debut of Nicolas Cage), Josie performed her two breakthrough singles from this album “He Could Be The One” and the controversial and often misunderstood “Johnny, Are You Queer?” at the prom scene.

This reissue of the album includes "(Let’s Do) The Blackout” as a bonus track. “I’m very excited about [releasing this song],” she says. “It was on the B-side of the original 12” for ‘Johnny, Are You Queer?’ Not many people have heard it except my hardcore fans.”

“Convertible Music essentially put me on the map as a recording artist and songwriter which was my ultimate goal,” she says. “It’s funny though I think my name ended up being more famous than I am if that makes any sense."

Produced by Bobby and Larson Paine, Convertible Music combined elements of surf, New Wave, girl group, and pop. “The Paine brothers had this incredible knack to predict musical trends and what would be relevant down the road,” she says. “I was in awe of their talent and they saw something in me so we were a good match. They were great mentors to me and taught me so much about songwriting and record production.”

From the power pop of album opener “He Could Be The One” to the Ronettes send-up “Rockin’ Love” to “Systematic Way” and "No Pictures of Dad," Convertible Music is a sunny record.

“Even though making this album was more like a David Lynch movie gone wrong, we laughed a lot as we were recording it,” reminisces Josie who wrote a majority of the songs. “The Paine Brothers were incredible story tellers. Someone will tell their story one day and I hope it’s me because I had a ring side seat. We made some noise… yes we did.”

Re-emerging last fall with the release of new single “Ukrainian Cowboy,” Josie followed it up with Everything Is Oh Yeah!, an album of finished tracks that laid dormant in an attic until the Stranger Things producers came looking for some '80s-inspired music. As a result, the songs were remixed.

To Cotton’s amazement, she learned of a major breakthrough in the music industry for recording artists. “There’s now a provision that for once is in favor of the artist “ she says excitedly. It’s basically a legal window that allows recording artists to get their masters back from the label after a 30-year window. Most 80s artists are eligible but the catch is you have to formally request it. So as of a few weeks ago, I officially have the rights back to my first two records on Elektra Records. I am over the moon.”

Gearing up for a busy future including re-releasing Josie's complete catalogue, Kitten Robot Records is also getting ready for Josie's 8th album which she's currently working on in the studio as well as releases from its growing roster of newly signed artists.

Convertible Music re-releases on CD and vinyl are planned for later in 2020.

Track listing:

"He Could Be the One" – 2:48
"Rockin' Love" – 3:02
"Waitin' for Your Love" – 3:21
"So Close" – 2:39
"I Need the Night, Tonight" – 3:12
"(Let's Do) The Blackout" – 2:57
"Johnny Are You Queer?" – 2:46
"Systematic Way" – 2:57
"Another Girl" – 3:14
"Bye, Bye Baby" – 2:57
"No Pictures of Dad" – 3:33
"Tell Him" – 2:36