Pages tagged “ladytron”

European electroclash foursome creates soundtrack for S&M club

One of the first groups to bring the electroclash movement into the public eye, Ladytron evolved through its first three albums, substantially developing its sound from the cold detachment of 604 to the smoother, more accessible synth-pop of Witching Hour. Its latest, Velocifero (which shares its name with a brand of Italian scooters) furthers the band’s synth-pop formula, although tracks like “Ghosts” and “I’m Not Scared” easily could’ve appeared on Witching Hour. For Velocifero, the band brought in producer Alessandro Cortini, former touring keyboardist for Nine Inch Nails, along with Vicarious Bliss of electronica label Ed Banger. Cortini’s industrial-rock experience clearly influenced several of Velocifero’s tracks, including its strongest, “Black Cat,” which opens the album with synthetic drum beats that verge into industrial/electro territory and would be right at home playing in the background of a dark, gritty S&M club. Never before has Ladytron sounded so sinister, been so danceable and connected so well with its audience.

One of the perks of working for an entertainment publication is the privilege to hear forthcoming albums. This enables us to tell you, our loyal and most esteemed audience, when to (and when not to) download one of the plethora of tracks that are floating around the interweb.

That's how we're able to tell you to download the below MP3 if you're a fan of electronic, hip-hop, electroclash, alternative or pop music. Or drums. Or dancing. Or shady S & M clubs. Or seedy strip joints. Or if you're actually a stripper. Or if you are dating a stripper. Or if you're dating someone that you pretend is a stripper. Or if you have nothing to do with strippers at all.

You get the picture. Take a listen. Download the song and put it on your favorite mobile-music device. You won't be sorry. And after you do, look forward to our June issue, where we review the album in its entirety.

MP3: Ladytron - "Black Cat"

Dates with Datarock, minus one:

May
20 - Edmonton, A.B. @ The Starlite Room
21 - Calgary, A.B. @ The Warehouse
23 - Vancouver, B.C. @ Commodore Ballroom
24 - Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox
25 - Portland, Ore. @ Wonder Ballroom
27 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Fillmore
29 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda
30 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Henry Fonda
31 - San Diego, Calif. @ The Belly Up

June
2 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ In The Venue
3 - Denver, Colo. @ The Gothic
5 - Dallas, Texas @ Palladium Ballroom
6 - Austin, Texas @ Stubbs
7 - Houston, Texas @ Meridian
8 - New Orleans, La. @ House Of Blues
10 - Orlando, Fla. @ Club Firestone
11 - Tampa, Fla. @ Czar
12 - Miami, Fla. @ Studio A
13 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Variety Playhouse
15 - Manchester, Tenn. @ Bonnaroo Festival *
16 - St. Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant
17 - Chicago, Ill. @ Vic Theater
18 - Detroit, Mich. @ St. Andrews Hall
25 - New York, N.Y. @ Terminal 5
26 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Theater of Living Arts
27 - Baltimore, Md. @ Sonar
28 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
30 - Boston, Mass. @ Paradise

July
2 - Montreal, Q.C. @ Metropolis (Jazz Fest)
3 - Quebec City, Q.C. @ Theatre Imperial de Quebec (Summer Fest)
4 - Toronto, O.N. @ Harbourfront Centre

*Datarock will not appear at Bonnaroo

Related links:
Paste: Ladytron hooks up to Nettwerk for new album
Ladytron.com
Ladytron on MySpace

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.

Amidst its various remix projects, Ladytron somehow found the time to focus on its own material. The electro-house-disco-rock group has signed aboard Nettwerk to release its next studio album, which arrives in May 2008.

"We are in an unusual situation because we're an established band, but we didn't want to work with a traditional major label," member Daniel Hunt told Billboard.com. "We wanted to work with people who really understood where we were. The best thing about the Nettwerk deal is that the band and the management will have the ability to be really hands-on with the marketing and planning. This time around, nothing will be left to chance."

Vicarious Bliss (who's worked with Justice) co-produces. There's no title to the collection just yet, and Hunt says that the recording is still in the very early stages.

Meanwhile, 2005's Ladytron release The Witching Hour (originally released on the band's old label Rykodisc) is seeing a second life on So Sweet Records.

Related links:
Ladytron.com
Nettwerk.com
YouTube: Ladytron - "Destroy Everything You Touch"

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.