Content: Tomorrow / Destroy Everything You Touch / Soft Power / (Interview) / Black Cat / Discotraxx / Versus / Runaway
28 March 2011
Ladytron - KCRW, 2006
Content: Intro / Destroy Everything You Touch / International Dateline / Soft Power / Sugar / Interview / High Rise / Fighting in Built Up Areas / Last One Standing
27 March 2011
26 March 2011
Ladytron members
Helen Marnie
She grew up in Glasgow. Marnie is a classically trained pianist. She studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. She dropped out of university in Glasgow before going on to study music at the University of Liverpool, where she received in 1999 a Bachelor of Arts in pop music.
She claims influences such as Kate Bush, Maria Callas, and Joni Mitchell. Her favorite music includes Bat for Lashes, MGMT, Fairport Convention, Serge Gainsbourg, Grimes, Chvrches, Tegan and Sara, Phosphorescent, Lana Del Rey, Yeasayer, Glasvegas, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Heart, Carole King, Fever Ray, Daughter, Camera Obscura, First Aid Kit, Haim, CSS, Geographer, Emeli Sandé, Santigold, The Twilight Sad, Frightened Rabbit, Prince, Whitney Houston, Belinda Carlisle, Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Bangles, Carly Simon, ABBA. Helen's height is 168 cm (5'6"). In 2011, Helen Marnie married with someone named Nic.
In 2012, Marnie started recording her debut solo album, titled Crystal World. The album was produced by her Ladytron band mate Daniel Hunt and the Icelandic musician Barði Jóhannsson. She run a successful PledgeMusic campaign to fund the making of the album. Crystal World was self-released on 11 June 2013. In July 2013, the album was released on CD format through Les Disques du Crépuscule label.
Marnie said about this album: "For the past year I've been writing more than ever, and I'm so pleased with the results thus far. The album, as yet untitled, is straight from the heart. I can't put it any other way. It means a lot. It is me, noone else. It is everything around me, my loves, my life, hopes and loss. I wanted to create an electronic album with more of a pop element and pristine vocals. Lyrically, the album is expansive, but the Elements do play a part in much of the record, with the sea being particularly dominant and reoccurring. So, with the sea in mind and beautiful landscapes, I decided to fly to Iceland to record in a studio there. The light is so pretty, the air fresh, the sea vast, that I thought it would be the perfect setting to record".
On 9 September 2014, she premiered a new single titled "Wolves". The song was produced by Jonny Scott and was released on iTunes on 14 September 2014. On 18 April 2015 (Record Store Day), "Wolves" with a Marsheaux remix as a B-side was released on 7" vinyl as a limited edition (500 copies). In 2015, Marnie performed vocals on Bang Gang' song "Silent Bite" and in 2016 she collaborated with the Scottish musician RM Hubbert on the song "Sweet Dreams".
Her second solo album, Strange Words and Weird Wars, was released on 2 June 2017 on Disco Pinata and it was supported by the singles "Alphabet Block" (24 January), "Lost Maps" (30 March) and "Electric Youth" (18 May).
Links: official site, Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blog.
Mira Aroyo
Aroyo moved with her family to Israel when she was ten. Mira's first musical instrument that she ever played was the guitar. She also used to play the accordion.
She was a postgraduate research geneticist in the Oxford University's Biochemistry department. She co-authored an article on "Species specificity in the activation of Xer recombination at dif by FtsK", published in Molecular Microbiology in 2003.
Aroyo collaborated with John Foxx & The Maths for the song "Watching a Building On Fire" and with the indie pop band The Projects.
Some of her favorite artists are Nick Cave, The Birthday Party, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Serge Gainsbourg, Woody Guthrie, Cheap Trick, Jeff Wayne, Jane Birkin, Dolly Parton, Blondie, Suicide, Bill Callahan, Vitalic, Brian Wilson, krautrock, country.
In 2010, Mira Aroyo married with Harry Hardie. She is a pescetarian.
Links: Wikipedia.
Reuben Wu
Wu is a classically trained violinist. He trained in Industrial Design at Sheffield Hallam University. He graduated in 1997 and finished his MSc in 1998 at University of Liverpool before working as an industrial designer for Team Consulting in Cambridge until going full time with the band in 2002. Reuben Wu and Daniel Hunt met in the 1990s in Liverpool.
Wu is also an accomplished photographer. In 23 June 2011, he released a book with a collection of photographs from an expedition with a friend on Svalbard in March 2011. He designed the cover of the album 604 (UK version) and its singles. Also he was involved in the making of various ads, including their soundtrack.
He features on the Electric Six song "Love Song for Myself" on their seventh album Zodiac.
His favorite music include My Bloody Valentine, Brian Eno, Goblin, The Fall, Serge Gainsbourg, Curve, Wire, Broadcast, Stereolab, Aphex Twin, Pansonic, Nine Inch Nails, The Carpenters, Angelo Badalamenti, Johann Sebastian Bach, Throbbing Gristle, Bat For Lashes, Santigold, Sisters of Transistors, The Future Sound of London, HTRK, Psychic TV, DAF, Joy Division, Queen.
Links: official site, Wikipedia, Twitter.
Daniel Hunt
In 1990s, he founded the record label Invicta Hi-Fi. Ladytron released their albums, EPs and singles on Invicta Hi-Fi until 2003. In early 1990s, Hunt sang and played guitar for indie rock band Jules Verne. He was also a member of the band Chevette, better known for the Pulp cover "We Can Dance Again". From 1998 to 1999, Hunt was also the keyboardist of the band Venini.
Hunt, Wu and DJ Revo opened the Liverpool club night Evol in September 2003. In September 2005, Hunt and Wu helped by some collaborators, opened the Liverpool bar/restaurant/music venue Korova.
Daniel Hunt worked on several movie scores, including that of Would You Rather and L'Esecutrice, both in collaboration with Icelandic musician Barði Jóhannsson. Hunt also co-produced Marnie's album, Crystal World. He featured as vocalist on two Ladytron songs, "International Dateline" and "Versus". He has produced other artists such as Christina Aguilera, Marina Gasolina, Javiera Mena, Niue, and Lush (the EP Blind Spot).
His favorite music includes My Bloody Valentine, Black Sabbath, Duran Duran, David Bowie, Jean Michel Jarre, Mantronix, Newcleus, Jonzun Crew. His all time favorite album is Loveless by My Bloody Valentine. In 2011, Daniel Hunt got married with Adriana.
Links: official site, Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter.
Sources: Ladytron's Wikipedia page, the Wikipedia pages of each member, Ontario Empoblog, various interviews.
Ladytron biography
Ladytron are an electronic band formed in 1999 in Liverpool, England. The band consists of Helen Marnie (also known as Marnie; lead vocals, synths), Mira Aroyo (vocals, synths), Daniel Hunt (synths, guitar) and Reuben Wu (synths). Their sound is usually described as electropop mixed with new wave and shoegaze influences. They took their name from the song "Ladytron" by Roxy Music. According to Brian Eno, once a Roxy Music member, Ladytron are "the best of English pop music".
They released five studio albums so far: 604 (2001), Light & Magic (2002), Witching Hour (2005), Velocifero (2008) and Gravity the Seducer (2011). They also issued the live album Live at London Astoria 16.07.08 (2009), the compilation album Best of 00-10 (2011), and the EPs Miss Black and Her Friends (1999), Commodore Rock (2000), Mu-Tron EP (2000), Extended Play (2006), The Harmonium Sessions (2006), Ace of Hz EP (2011).
History
Liverpool-based producers and DJs Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu met in the 1990s. Hunt was the founder of the indie record label Invicta Hi-Fi and of a nightclub. Wu trained in Industrial Design at Sheffield Hallam University and graduated in 1997. He became an industrial designer at Team Consulting Limited until 2002.
Using the moniker Ladytron, Hunt and Wu recorded the debut single "He Took Her to a Movie" with the guest vocalist Lisa Eriksson (who later formed the band Techno Squirrels). "He Took Her to a Movie" was released in July 1999 and gained positive reviews. In the summer of 1999, Hunt and Wu met Helen Marnie (born in 1978 in Glasgow, Scotland) and Mira Aroyo (born in 1977 in Sofia, Bulgaria). Marnie and Aroyo joined Ladytron as vocalists and keyboard players. Marnie studied music at the University of Liverpool where she received a Bachelor of Arts in pop music in 1999. Aroyo was a postgraduate research geneticist in the Oxford University's Biochemistry department.
In December 1999, Ladytron issued the EP Miss Black and Her Friends in Japan only. It was followed in June 2000 by the EP Commodore Rock and in October 2000 by Mu-Tron EP. All the songs from these EPs, except "Miss Black" and "Olivetti Jerk", were later included on their debut studio album. "He Took Her to a Movie", Mu-Tron EP, "The Way That I Found You", were all selected as NME "Single of the Week".
In 6 February 2001, Ladytron released their critically acclaimed debut album, 604 on Emperor Norton (US). The album was also released in 26 March 2001 on Labels (Germany) and in 2 April 2001 on Invicta Hi-Fi (UK). It was re-released in 20 July 2004 on Emperor Norton (US) and in 14 January 2011 (Germany)/18 January 2011 (US)/24 January (UK) on Nettwerk.
604 has been written mostly by Daniel Hunt and co-produced by him and Lance Thomas. Three singles supported the album's promotion: "He Took Her to a Movie", "Playgirl", and "The Way That I Found You".
Also in 2001, Ladytron covered The Human League' song "Open Your Heart" for the compilation album Reproductions: Songs of The Human League. Until 2004, the band wore uniforms on stage. Daniel Hunt stated in 2001 that their uniforms were inspired by the SF movie The Andromeda Strain. In an interview from 2002, Hunt also said that the meaning of 604 album title is the area code for British Columbia.In 17 September 2002, Ladytron released their sophomore album Light & Magic at Emperor Norton (US) and Telstar (UK). The album was also released in 7 April 2003 at Warner Music (Germany) and in 21 June 2003 at Victor Entertainment (Japan). It was re-released in 20 July 2004 on Emperor Norton (US) and in 14 January 2011 (Germany)/18 January 2011 (US)/24 January 2011 (UK) on Nettwerk.
Light & Magic was co-produced by the band and Mickey Petralia in Los Angeles. The album featured a darker sound than their debut and spawned three underground hits, "Seventeen", "Evil", and "Blue Jeans". They also issued in 2003 a limited 7" single, "Cracked LCD / USA vs. White Noise". Ladytron toured over a year to support this album.
In 7 October 2003, they issued the mix compilation Softcore Jukebox on Emperor Norton. The compilation includes songs of other artists selected by the band and also two of their own songs: the single remix of "Blue Jeans" renamed "Blue Jeans 2.0" and the cover "Oops Oh My" by Tweet. In 2004, they played a series of shows in China as part of an exhibition tour set up by the British Council.
In 3 October 2005, Ladytron released their third studio album Witching Hour on Island (UK). The album was also released in 4 October 2005 on Universal Music (Germany) and Rykodisc (US). It was re-released in 5 April 2007 on Major (Germany), in 5 November 2007 on So Sweet (UK), in 18 January 2011 (US)/24 January 2011 (UK) on Nettwerk.
Witching Hour was co-produced by the band and Jim Abbiss. The album featured live drums and guitars mixed with their trademark sound. This album was very well received by critics and fans. It was supported by the singles "Sugar", "Destroy Everything You Touch", "International Dateline" (promo only), "Weekend", and "Soft Power". The single "Destroy Everything You Touch" became the band's signature song.
Their third album was followed in 2006 by Extended Play, a two-disc EP CD/DVD compilation that features exclusive unreleased remixes and UK B-sides, as well as a 35-minute bonus DVD that included a 27 minutes documentary titled Once Upon a Time in the East: Ladytron in China based on their short 2004 tour in China. In the same year Ladytron recorded The Harmonium Sessions, which contained four reworked songs from Witching Hour.Without any real label support, Ladytron toured exhaustively over the next two years, on the strength of their cult following. They played in North America, Europe, and South America. They also opened for Nine Inch Nails in early 2007 at the request of Trent Reznor.
Along their career, Ladytron have produced remixes for many artists, including Dave Gahan, Goldfrapp, Placebo, Blondie, Bloc Party, Kings of Convenience, Gang of Four, She Wants Revenge, Soulwax, Nine Inch Nails, Simian, Indochine and Apoptygma Berzerk.
In 2 June 2008, the group issued on Nettwerk their fourth album, Velocifero. The album was recorded in Paris, with the band handling production duties with Alessandro Cortini (Modwheelmood, Nine Inch Nails, SONOIO) and Vicarious Bliss (Justice, DJ Mehdi). Their sound evolved to an even more organic sound and harsher beats. The band states that "velocifero" literally means "bringer of speed" and is also the name of a classic retro styled scooter. The album spawned three singles, "Ghosts", "Runaway" and "Tomorrow".
In 6 April 2009, Nettwerk issued the remix compilation Velocifero (Remixed & Rare). In the same year, the band self-released their first live album entitled Live at London Astoria 16.07.08. They also co-wrote and produced the songs "Birds of Prey" and "Little Dreamer" for Christina Aguilera. These songs featured on her 2010 album Bionic.In 2009, Ladytron toured North America with The Faint (co-headline tour), and performed two special shows with Brian Eno at the Sydney Opera House in the summer. They also announced that they will be the opening act for Depeche Mode on few concerts in Eastern Europe, but these concerts were cancelled due to Dave Gahan’s illness.
The soundtrack of the video game FIFA 11 featured a new Ladytron song, "Ace of Hz", which was released as digital single on 30 November 2010. In 11 January 2011, the band issued the digital EP Ace of Hz, which includes the album mix plus 5 remixes.
In 28 March 2011, Ladytron released the compilation Best of 00-10 on Nettwerk. It featured 17 tracks on standard edition and 33 tracks on deluxe edition (plus a 80 pages booklet). They also issued the remix compilation Best of Remixes and the iTunes video compilation Best of 00-10 Videos.
In 12 September 2011, they released the fifth studio album, Gravity the Seducer, on Nettwerk. The album was recorded in Kent's countryside and it was produced by the band and Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Editors). Daniel Hunt said "Gravity the Seducer is more of a jump than the last album was, more ethereal and melodic, a touch more abstract in places than we've gone before, baroque 'n' roll".Gravity the Seducer has been preceded by the single "White Elephant", issued on 17 May 2011. The band premiered the song "Ambulances", in 16 June 2011. It was followed by the single "Mirage" in 8 August 2011.
On 20 December 2011, Nettwerk issued the remix compilations 604 (Remixed & Rare), Light & Magic (Remixed & Rare) and Witching Hour (Remixed & Rare).
Using the stage name of Marnie, Helen Marnie started in 2012 a solo career. She self-released her debut solo album Crystal World on 11 June 2013. The album was produced in 2012 in Reykjavik, Iceland by her band mate Daniel Hunt in collaboration with the Icelandic musician Barði Jóhannsson. In 2 June 2017, she released her second solo album, Strange Words and Weird Wars.
On 1 February 2019, the band released their sixth album Ladytron on PledgeMusic and later (on 15 February) on !K7. 3 singles were released to promote the album: "The Animals" (28 February 2018), "The Island" (16 August 2018), "Far From Home" (29 November 2018).
Touring
There were 7 main Ladytron tours: 604 tour (2001), Light & Magic tour (2002–2004), Witching Hour tour (2005–2007), Velocifero tour (2008–2009), Best of 00-10 tour (2011), Gravity the Seducer tour (2011), Ladytron tour (2018-2019). During the years, they toured in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia.
The band played at various music festivals like La Route du Rock 2001, Reading Festival 2001, 2003 and 2005, Festival Internacional de Benicàssim 2001 and 2005, Coachella Festival 2003 and 2006, Hultsfred Festival 2003, Arvikafestivalen 2003 and 2006, Lowlands Festival 2003, Dot-to-Dot Festival 2005, Pukkelpop 2005, Exit Festival 2005, Creamfields 2007, Electric Picnic 2007, Bonnaroo Festival 2008, Ruisrock Festival 2009, Traffic Festival 2009, Standon Calling Festival 2009, Electrosonic Festival 2009, Ping Gu Valley Festival 2011, Donaufestival 2011, Selector Festival 2011, Hegyalja Festival 2011, Decibel Festival 2011, DeLuna Fest 2011, Zouk Festival 2011.Since Light & Magic tour, Ladytron started to tour extensively and to add touring members to play live bass and drums. Previous touring members include Pop Levi (bass during Light & Magic tour), Andrea Goldsworthy (bass during Witching Hour tour), and Keith York (drums during Light & Magic tour and Witching Hour tour).
Bands to open for Ladytron on their tours include Simian, The Presets, Client, Phaser, CSS, Asobi Seksu, Mount Sims, Crocodiles, Franz Ferdinand, SONOIO, VHS or Beta and Geographer.
Ladytron have opened for other artists like Soulwax on their UK tour in 2001, Björk in 2003, and Goldfrapp in 2006. In early 2007, they opened for Nine Inch Nails on their European tour, at the invitation of Trent Reznor. In 2009, Ladytron and The Faint co-headlined a North American tour.
Note: Biography based on Ladytron's Wikipedia page.
21 March 2011
Ladytron - Melt! Festival, 2007
Format: MP4, 480x272
Size: 208 MB
Source: internet stream
Content:
1. High Rise
2. True Mathematics
3. Evil
4. Weekend
5. He Took Her to a Movie
6. Soft Power
Download
26 February 2011
Ladytron - BBC Radio 1, 2001
Format: MP3, VBR
Note: BBC live broadcast performed on the Steve Lamacq Evening Session and captured from digital radio (DAB)
Track listing:
1. Playgirl
2. He Took Her to a Movie
3. Discotraxx
4. The Way That I Found You
Download
03 January 2011
Ladytron - Metro 95.1 FM Southfest, Buenos Aires, 2006
Format: MP3, 128 kbps
Track listing:
01. Intro
02. High Rise
03. Evil
04. Cracked LCD
05. He Took Her to a Movie
06. International Dateline
07. Fighting in Built Up Areas
08. Discotraxx
09. Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Seventeen
Download
Track listing:
01. Intro
02. High Rise
03. Evil
04. Cracked LCD
05. He Took Her to a Movie
06. International Dateline
07. Fighting in Built Up Areas
08. Discotraxx
09. Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Seventeen
Download
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