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Ladytron

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Ladytron are a band formed in Liverpool, England. They take their name from the song "Ladytron" by Bryan Ferry (from Roxy Music's eponymous debut album of 1972).

Contents

Sound and lyrics

Music journalists have classified Ladytron as electroclash and, as is typical for that genre, the group's live performances include live guitars and a drummer along with the electronics. Despite Ladytron's classification, they are notable for not using sampling on their records or in their shows, instead playing everything live using synthesizers. It should be noted, however, that their latest album, Witching Hour, avoids most electro conventions, falling more into the realm of electro-pop. Ladytron's lyrics are of a somewhat obscure nature, mostly dominated by banal images and snippets of everyday life, and sometimes written in Bulgarian by Bulgarian bandmember Mira Aroyo. Ladytron's first hit single, "He Took Her To A Movie," featured a different singer, Lisa Eriksson of Techno Squirrels; however, all other material on 604 had current singers Aroyo and Helen Marnie. Albums so far have focused on a balance between pop structures and a retro sound, along with some more experimental leanings. Witching Hour saw a beefing up of their sound, leading the album to be described by Pitchfork as a "quantum leap record".[link]

Instrumentation

When playing live, Ladytron use vintage Korg synthesizers, including a Korg MS-10 (played by Wu), a MS-20 (Aroyo), as well as four MS-2000Bs (which are modern digital "analogue modelling" synths), one for each band member. Their MS-2000Bs all have names, which are written on the back in large white letters. Aroyo's is called "Babylon", Hunt's is "Ulysses", Wu's is named "Gloria," and Marnie's is "Cleopatra." Apparently, the naming scheme is so the stage crew don't get the synths mixed up.

Image

Originally, Ladytron were known to perform in monochromatic military uniform-inspired outfits of black or olive drab, lending an edge of simplicity and asexuality to their stage presence. Since the release of Witching Hour, the band seems to have abandoned military chic in favour of futuristic, Blade Runner-inspired fashions. Marnie and Aroyo have tended to wear futuristic, goth-style dresses while Wu and Hunt wear shirts and jeans.

Trivia

The band's premier concert in the United States was on February 16, 2003, at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. The concert had an attendance of a few hundred people despite it being the night of the region's worst blizzard in 10 years, with nearly 2 feet of snow.

A Ted Rall cartoon from June 8th, 2006, features George W. Bush (as "Generalissimo El Busho") mentioning he had Robert Fisk rip the band's first album for him.[link]

Discography

Videos

Interviews

Features

External links

 

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