Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane (guitar/keyboards) and Lætitia Sadier (vocals/keyboards/guitar), both of whom have remained at the helm across many lineup changes. Other long-time members include Andrew Ramsay (drums) and Mary Hansen (vocals/keyboards/guitar). Ramsay joined the group in 1993, while Hansen joined ten years before her accidental death in 2002.Called “one of the most fiercely independent and original groups of the Nineties”,[1] Stereolab were one of the first bands to be termed “post-rock“. Their primary musical influence is 1970s krautrock, which they combine with lounge, 1960s pop, and experimental music. They are noted for their heavy use of vintage electronic keyboards, and their sound often overlays a repetitive “motorik” beat with female vocals sung in English or French. Stereolab often incorporate socio-political themes into their lyrics. Some critics say the group’s lyrics carry a strong Marxist message, and Gane and Sadier admit to being influenced by the Surrealist and Situationist cultural and political movements. However, Gane is skeptical of labels such as “Marxist pop”, and defends the band against accusations of “sloganeering”.
Although many of the band’s albums have been underground hits, they have not found larger commercial success. The band were released from their recording contract with Warner Music when Warner’s imprint Elektra Records folded. The release was reportedly due to poor record sales, and since then Stereolab’s self-owned label, Duophonic Records, has signed a distribution deal with Too Pure. Duophonic holds the copyrights to the band’s recordings, and on the label the band have released many limited-edition records.
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Hi Chris,
Besides all that, it’s got a great beat and you can dance to it. Big fan – I was hoping your post would reference a planned tour or new tunes. Care to share your top 3 disques?
Cheers, Adam
Yes. I will share my top three ASAP. Also, I am sorry but I have become so attached to talk radio, NPR, and podcasts, that I have not listened to music in years now. I will follow-up with more Stereolab love soonest!
The last time I saw Stereolab was I think two years ago in 2006. My mate, David Gelles, treated my to the gig at the 930 club in DC. It was brilliant and who knew that he knew I loved them. It coincided with my 36th birthday, actually — brilliant treat and a tour like that seems to be pretty rare for Stereolab any more:
“Stereolab Announce Tour Dates for 2006
If 2005 was the year of Stereolab album releases, then 2006 is shaping up to be the year of of Stereolab tour dates. Our favorite retro-futurists are back and ready to hit the U.S.. They have a few European dates sketched out, but I’m sure they’ll be adding more dates on both continents as time goes on.
In 2005, Stereolab released the multiple singles Kyberneticka Babicka, Plastic Mile, and Interlock, plus the 4 disc set of Oscillons From The Anti-Sun. They also released a bunch of old vinyl they just happened to find in the warehouse, which included older albums in LP format.
So now you can witness the spectacle for yourself. Travel far, young pilgrim, as the sight of a Stereolab live show is one to behold forever. Lights, keyboards, mania, and tightly controlled jazz improv in the form of Stereolab songs will all be on tap for the evening, including an audience of hipsters ranging in age from 18 to 40-plus. These guys have been around for a while and know what they’re doing.
Stereolab: Tour Dates
03-01 – Costa Mesa, CA – Detroit Bar
03-02 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
03-04 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
03-05 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
03-06 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
03-07 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
03-09 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
03-10 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave
03-11 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
03-12 – Detroit, MI – Detroit Majestic Theatre
03-14 – Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix Concert Theatre
03-15 – Montreal, Quebec – La Tulipe
03-16 – Northampton, MA – Pearl Street
03-17 – New York, NY – Town Hall
03-18 – New York, NY – Town Hall
03-20 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts
03-21 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
03-22 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
03-24 – Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa
03-28 – Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre
03-29 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
05-11 – London, England – Koko
05-13 – Paris, France – La Cigalle
05-15 – Berlin, Germany – Hebbel Am Ufer Theatre
05-17 -Prague, Czech Republic- Palac Akropolis”