DDWW Interview: Annie Zaleski Discusses Rio 33 1/3 (Duran Duran)

Interview by Tracey Elena 
Photo Credit: Laura Wimbels
Photos Courtesy of Annie Zaleski

Annie Zaleski is an award-winning Cleveland, Ohio-based music journalist, author and editor. Annie’s articles, interviews, and profiles have appeared in publications including NPR Music, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Salon, Billboard, The A.V. Club, Vulture, Alternative Press, Stereogum, The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Las Vegas Weekly, and Cleveland Plain Dealer. Annie has also written liner notes, such as the 2016 reissue of R.E.M.’s Out of Time and Game Theory’s 2020 collection Across The Barrier Of Sound: PostScript and appeared as herself in the documentaries Punk’s Not Dead and Blondie: One Way or Another. 

Annie’s 33 1/3 book on Duran Duran’s 1982 album Rio was published on May 6 via Bloomsbury. 

T: Thank you for interviewing with DDWW. Can you give me the origin story behind Rio 33 ⅓?

A: So 33 1/3 is a series of books (https://333sound.com/) where each book is about one album. Every so often, the publisher, Bloomsbury, puts out a call for proposals, and anyone can follow the guidelines they set forth and send one in. I pitched 'Rio' several times over the years - starting in 2007! -- and I finally landed on the right proposal this time around. 

T: Please tell us the experience of writing a bestseller based on an iconic album from one of your favorite bands.

A: I did a lot of research! There's a lot of information out there about the band and Rio, but I wanted to dig into some other material -- newspapers, magazines, videos - -that wasn't quite as common, to see what I could dig up. I paired that with interviews and then analysis of my own about the album.

T: Do you think the Rio vibes are still part of the band's trajectory? 

A: Rio's vibes are part of the band's trajectory, in that so many of the skills, techniques, methods and approaches they perfected on that album are still in play today. Simon is still a very surreal and abstract lyricist, too. I also think the sonic freedom the band had then is still pretty ingrained in them.

T: In speaking with DD band members Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor, and John Taylor, as well as several others who contributed to Rio, were there any recollections or stories that stood out to you?  

A: What stood out to me is how much Duran Duran were in creative sync around that time-- career goals, songwriting, ambition, work ethic. They were all really moving in the same direction, and the music and inspiration reflected that cohesion. I also loved that Nick Rhodes told me the Rio sax solo was planned out, so no wonder it's so great!

T: If you had to pick one song from Rio that best describes you, what would it be?

A: Good question! Probably "New Religion" -- it's kind of moody, like me (ha) and is a combination of a lot of different sounds and textures -- and personally I like a lot of different music, some of it disparate. But it all somehow fits together and works and makes sense!

T: What are your thoughts on the new single and video ‘Invisible’? Does it feel like the antithesis of Rio? A: I love "Invisible," both the song and video. Visually, it's so disorienting and thought-provoking. Sonically, I think it sounds so different and unique from other Duran Duran songs: There are echoes of past eras -- Notorious, Big Thing, The Wedding Album -- but this sounds relentlessly fresh.  

I think "Invisible" has the experimental spirit of 'Rio.' On 'Rio,' the band worked with the late Colin Thurston, who excelled at drawing out the best performances from the band, without muting their unique sound and approach. What's interesting is that Erol Alkan, who Duran Duran worked with on "Invisible," is very similar in that regard. He drew out the strengths of each member of Duran Duran, and I think that's one reason the song's so good.

C: Once you received the go ahead after years of pushing for the book, what was your favorite part about writing it? A: Probably digging in and putting together the narrative! I had so much information, but it was a fascinating and challenging puzzle to write, arrange and edit all the information I had into something that was readable, organized, and cohesive. 

K: Duran Duran has done amazing work throughout the 80s to current times. What do you say to people who view Duran Duran only through an 80s perspective? A: I love this question! For starters, I stress that Duran Duran are known for moving forward constantly; they've never made the same album twice, and they've never duplicated -- or wanted to duplicate! -- what they did in the '80s. I also name a lot of the music they've made since then --- for example, "Ordinary World," "Come Undone," Medazzaland, All You Need Is Now, Paper Gods -- as being contemporary-sounding and vibrant. 

T: Over the past two years, I've noticed a swelling of support for Duran Duran to be included on a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot.Through a variety of sources, I've heard the benchmarks for consideration include: Influence, innovation, critical acclaim, cultural impact, and groundbreaking/commercial success. Briefly, how would you address those points to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

A: *Influence You name a musical movement of the last 35-40 years -- the second British Invasion, grunge, '90s alternative, Britpop, nu-metal, '00s post-punk, third-wave ska, '00s punk and emo -- and there's a Duran Duran super-fan at its core. They've had a massive influence on pop and rock music, both in obvious and subtle ways.

*Innovation. Besides their cinematic music videos -- which set the blueprint for what MTV and music videos could be in the '80s -- the band are always embracing new technology, including being the first band to release a commercial MP3 for download ("Electric Barbarella"), teaming up with NASA and the AI technology-driven video for "Invisible." Plus, there's the music, which always sounds futuristic!

*Critical acclaim. Although Duran Duran used to be critiqued pretty harshly in the press, I think it's safe to say the band is finally deemed cool these days - -the reaction to "Invisible" especially showed that.

*Groundbreaking/commercial success. They've sold more than 100M records -- it doesn't get much more successful than that! 

*Cultural impact. I think a lot of the above sums this up perfectly -- you look at fashion, music, videos, technology, and Duran Duran have had an impact.

T: Lastly, there was a Spotify update that in addition to the October release of Future Past there will be "40 thrilling projects and events celebrating their long and illustrious career." What do you think one of the 40 projects could be? (Personally, I hope Reportage is released). A: I hope one is a vinyl reissue campaign of Duran Duran albums released in the '90s forward -- I need 'Medazzaland' on vinyl! 

Many thanks to Annie Zaleski for being gracious with her time in answering my questions. She rocks! Check out Annie at https://anniez.com and follow her on social media!

You can order Rio 33 ⅓ from Amazon, Bloomsbury, or your favorite independent bookstore!