Music
The Resurgence of "Subways of Your Mind": A Lost New Wave Gem Rediscovered
2024-11-05
For over a decade, a captivating New Wave track known as "Subways of Your Mind" has captivated the hearts and minds of music enthusiasts worldwide. Originally recorded off the radio in Germany in the early 1980s, this elusive song has been the subject of an intense search, with thousands of devoted sleuths determined to uncover its origins. Now, after years of mystery, the identity of the band behind this enigmatic masterpiece has finally been revealed.

Unearthing a Lost Treasure

The Accidental Discovery

The story of "Subways of Your Mind" began with a young music fan named Darius S. from Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Like many of his peers at the time, Darius recorded songs he enjoyed off the radio onto cassette tapes. One of these tapes, dubbed "cassette 4," contained a mix of then-new tracks from 1984, including songs by bands like XTC and The Cure, as well as a particular song that captivated Darius' attention. "It was just one of many songs I recorded and didn't know the artist," he recalled. "I believe I didn't hear an announcement. Maybe I heard it partially and missed the artist's name. Everything is possible."

The Search Begins

Years later, in 2007, Darius' sister, Lydia, digitized and uploaded a snippet of the mysterious song to the internet, kickstarting a search that would span over a decade. The song bounced around the web, captivating the attention of music enthusiasts, but its origins remained elusive. It wasn't until 2019 that a 16-year-old student in São Paulo, Brazil, came across the snippet and uploaded it to YouTube and several Reddit communities, helping the search go viral.

The Breakthrough

The breakthrough in the search for "Subways of Your Mind" came in 2023, when a Reddit user named Marijn1412 made a remarkable discovery. While researching bands that had played at an annual event called Hörfest, Marijn1412 stumbled upon an old article about a German band called FEX. Intrigued, Marijn1412 reached out to one of the band members and asked if he still had any old recordings. To Marijn1412's delight, one of the recordings was titled "Subways of Your Mind."

Confirmation and Reunion

The discovery was further corroborated by FEX's Michael Hädrich, who played keys, guitar, and sang backup vocals for the band. Hädrich confirmed that the evidence, including studio recordings, live performances, and the unmistakable voice of the lead singer, all pointed to FEX as the creators of the elusive track. Hädrich and his former bandmates, bassist Norbert Ziermann and guitarist/singer Ture Rückwart, were "completely surprised and overwhelmed by the really nice comments and contributions" from the online community.

The Road Ahead

With the mystery solved, FEX is now planning a reunion to re-record "Subways of Your Mind" and potentially create a music video for the song. Hädrich, who now lives in Munich, is set to travel to Kiel to reunite with his former bandmates and explore the possibility of a second recording session. The rediscovery of this lost gem has sparked excitement within the music community, and fans eagerly await the opportunity to hear the band's updated take on this beloved track.

A Remarkable Journey

The story of "Subways of Your Mind" is a testament to the power of persistence and the enduring appeal of music. From an accidental recording to a global search, this song has captivated the hearts and minds of countless individuals, proving that even the most elusive musical treasures can be unearthed with dedication and determination. As FEX prepares to bring this lost classic back to life, music enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the opportunity to experience the magic of "Subways of Your Mind" once again.
More Stories
see more