Stereolab | Artist
Stereolab are an English-French avant-pop band formed 1990 in London, led by the songwriting team of Tim Gane (guitar, keyboards) and Lætitia Sadier (vocals, keyboards, percussion, horns). The initial band lineup also included Martin Kean (bass), Gina Morris (keyboards, vocals), and Joe Dilworth (drums). The group's music combines influences from krautrock, lounge and 1960s pop music, often incorporating a repetitive motorik beat with heavy use of vintage electronic keyboards and female vocals sung in English and French. Gane and Sadier formed Stereolab after the break-up of McCarthy. The two are the group's only consistent members. Other longtime members include Mary Hansen (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), who died in 2002, Andy Ramsay (drums), and The High Llamas' leader Sean O'Hagan (guitar and keyboards), who was a member from 1993-94 and continued to appear on later records. Although the band found success in the underground music scene and were influential enough to spark a renewed interest in older analogue instruments, they have never had a significant commercial impact. They were released from their record contract with Elektra due to poor sales, instead continuing with their self-owned label Duophonic. After a ten-year hiatus, the band reunited for live performances in 2019. To-date Stereolab have released 15 studio albums and numerous EPs and Singles. Standout albums include Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements (1993), Mars Audiac Quintet (1994), Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996), Dots and Loops (1997), Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night (1999), Sound-Dust (2001), and Margerine Eclipse (2004). Also highly recommended are the 2001 compilation ABC Music: The Radio 1 Sessions, and the various Switched On series of compilation releases. Stereolab's music is politically and philosophically charged. Dave Heaton of PopMatters said that the group "[uses] lyrics to convey ideas while using them for the pleasurable way the words sound." Lætitia Sadier, who writes the group's lyrics, was influenced by Situationist philosophy and Marxist theory, as well as strong anti-war sentiments. Sadier releases solo albums under her own name. The duo of Tim Gane and Sean O'Hagan have also released two excellent movie soundtrack albums, La Vie d’Artiste (2007) and Copacabana (2010). Stereolab have been called one of the most influential and fiercely independent and original groups of the Nineties.
Artist Website: stereolab.co.uk
Featured Albums: Stereolab
Related Artists: McCarthy, Laetitia Sadier, Nurse With Wound, Tim Gane
