Ladytron

Ladytron
Background information
Origin	Liverpool, England
Genres	New Wave, Electropop, Electroclash
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Nettwerk
Website	www.ladytron.com
Members
Helen Marnie Daniel Hunt Mira Aroyo Reuben Wu

Ladytron are an Electropop/New Wave band originally formed in Liverpool, UK. Ladytron formed in the summer of 1999 when Liverpool musicians and DJs Reuben Wu and Daniel Hunt met dual singers Glaswegian Helen Marnie and Bulgarian-born Mira Aroyo. The band's name was taken from the song of the same name by Roxy Music.

Music

Ladytron blends electronic pop music and New Wave, using an array of vintage analogue equipment to achieve their distinct sound. Albums so far have focused on a balance between pop structures and digitally edited analogue electronic sound, along with some more experimental leanings including psychedelic elements. All four members write songs differently, which adds to the eclectic nature of their albums.

The band has a large cult following worldwide, and toured extensively since the release of Light & Magic, intensifying on the Witching Hour and Velocifero albums. They have also on rare occasion opened for other artists; taken by Soulwax onto their UK tour in 2001, Björk in 2003, and across Europe, they opened for Nine Inch Nails in early 2007 at the invitation of Trent Reznor. Daniel Hunt, Mira Aroyo and Reuben Wu also play DJ sets in clubs and events around the world.

History

Ladytron's debut album, 604 (2001), was released on the Emperor Norton/Invicta HIFI labels. The single "Playgirl" brought some national and international attention to the band.

Light & Magic (2002) was released to wider exposure and included the underground hits "Seventeen", "Evil", and "Blue Jeans". Following 18 months on tour supporting Light & Magic, Ladytron recorded their third album, Witching Hour (2005). This album saw an augmentation of their sound, leading the album to be described by Pitchfork Media as a "quantum leap record".^[1] The album was released with two singles, "Sugar" and "Destroy Everything You Touch". The band were awarded 5 NME singles of the week in the process.^{[citation needed]}

The band finished work on their fourth studio album, Velocifero, in February 2008.^[2] It had a full release worldwide on June 3, after making the top 40 through a two week exclusive release on iTunes. Velocifero was recorded in Paris, with the band handling production duties with some collaboration from Alessandro Cortini (Modwheelmood, Nine Inch Nails) and Vicarious Bliss (Justice, DJ Mehdi).^[3] Velocifero has been the band's most successful release to date.^{[citation needed]}

The band was speculated to work with singer Christina Aguilera on her new album called Bionic since the beginning of 2009, along with Sia Furler and Goldfrapp.^[4]

Ladytron continued the final months of the Velocifero Tour through summer 2009, which contained a headline show at Sydney Opera House as part of the Brian Eno-curated Luminous festival. The Velocifero tour has seen them play the longest run of dates, and to the biggest crowds, in their career so far.

Remixing

Ladytron have produced remixes for many artists, including Placebo, Blondie, Gang of Four, David Gahan, Goldfrapp, Bloc Party, Kings of Convenience, Indochine, Apoptygma Berzerk, She Wants Revenge, Soulwax, Nine Inch Nails, and Simian.

Discography

Studio albums and soundtracks

• 604 (2001)
• Light & Magic (2002)
• Witching Hour (2005)
• Velocifero (2008)

EPs and compilations

• Miss Black and Her Friends (1999), Bambini, Japan only
• Mu-Tron EP (2000)
• Softcore Jukebox (2003)
• Extended Play (2006)
• Live At The London Astoria 16.07.08 (2009), live album

Singles

• "He Took Her to a Movie" (1999)
• "Playgirl" (2000)
• "Commodore Rock" (2000)
• "The Way That I Found You" (2001)
• "Playgirl" (Remix) (2001)
• "Seventeen" (2002)
• "Blue Jeans" (2003)
• "Evil" (2003)
• "Sugar" (2005)
• "Destroy Everything You Touch" (2005)
• "Weekend" (US Only) (2005)
• "Ghosts" (2008)
• "Runaway" (2008)
• "Tomorrow" (2009)

Music videos

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ladytron

• Official Site