A summer of performing at venues in Europe has had to be put on hold for a Manx electro rock group.

Describing themselves as ’darkwave funsters’, Mark E Moon were set to appear at a prominent music festival in Belgium alongside a host of big names until the coronavirus outbreak put a halt to virtually every social event this year.

But the duo, featuring singer Mark Sayle and Phil Reynolds, chose not to dwell on what could have been and instead decided to release a new album of remixes.

Entitled ’Refer: Remix’, their new release consists of a collection of remixes of tracks from their debut album ’Refer’, which was released in December through the German record label, Cold Transmission.

The group have built a strong fanbase in Europe, with the album generating several positive and impressive reviews and selling well.

The duo even performed their first gig in Waregem in Belgium towards the end of 2019

’We were due to play at the W-Festival in Belgium on May 21,’ said Phil.

’We would have been on the same bill as Kim Wilde, Technotronic and Fields of the Nephilim, no less.

’But it sadly wasn’t to be.

’To keep ourselves occupied, we hit on the idea of getting some pals to remix their favourite tracks from ’Refer’.

’We think it turned out pretty well and we’re very happy with the results.

’It’s given the songs a fresh burst of life and has helped us hear then through new ears.

It’s refreshing to find out how other people might hear your music.’

Accompanying the new EP is a brand-new video for the lead album track ’Hollow Eyes’.

’Refer: Remix’ will be available through the Mark E Moon Bandcamp page from tomorrow (Friday).

The band are also currently working on their second album, entitled ’Old Blood’, to be released later this year, again through Cold Transmission and are looking forward to playing at the hopefully rescheduled festival shows in 2021.