[Mechanical R]

This week I got the chance to speak with Liverpool based four piece, Ladytron to see what their plans are for the upcoming year of 2011.

Mechanical R: How did Ladytron come together as a band?
Reuben: We all met in Liverpool in 1999 through mutual friends and hanging out at the same bars and liking some of the same music, we just wanted to make music we all liked and no one was really making it.

MR: How far through the recording process of Ladytron 00-10 are you now?
R: It's all finished. There are 2 new tracks on there, including Ace of Hz. We've only just finished the 5th studio album as well

MR: Will this album differ from your previous work?
R: I think so. The core of the music remains the same but it is a different sounding collection of songs. I think it sounds more expansive but understated, and there is more fragility to these songs. It's definitely less 'electro'.

MR: You have quite a unique sound as a band, how would you describe Ladytron to new listeners.
R: Well we've been doing this for 10 years now we keep on reminding ourselves. When we first started, not many people listened to electronic music apart from dance music and since then, electronic sounds have crossed over in such a huge way, it seems like it was never any different. We were never pioneers or anything, but I think we were part of a new wave of interest in using synthesized sounds in independent music.



MR: Where do your influences come from as a group?
R: There are lots, too many to mention really. I was trained in music since I was a child so my musical background was classical at first and then evolved from that. I think being in a band definitely helps evolve your own sound as you end up having each individual bringing something new to the group which you wouldn't when you're working alone.

MR: You've also done quite a few remixes of other artists work, is there a way you’ll go about remixing a song? And who does the most out of the band?
R: It depends on the song really. If it's a song-based track then I'd prefer to keep some song structure in it and bring in new elements to that, but that's just my approach. Just like DJing, Mira and Danny and I do the remixing but I've done quite a few of them recently.

MR: Your most recent album 'Velocifero' has featured on a lot of EA Games already, most notable track being 'Ghosts', do you hope for more of your tracks to make it into the next batch of EA games to come in 2011?
R: Well the first single of our next album (Ace of Hz) is featured on FIFA 2011, and that's always really great for us. Hopefully when the new album is released they'll be more of our music included on big games.

MR: What would be your favourite track from the album Velocifero, and do you have a favourite from your upcoming track? If so, what makes it your favourite?
R: I would say that Tomorrow and Black Cat are my favourites off Velocifero. Tomorrow was an old song which I wrote for Witching Hour in 2004 so I'm glad it's now out there. Black Cat to me sounds like a Dario Argento film crossed with Miami Vice. There's something really orchestral about it which isn't really apparent when you hear it though. It's also one of the only tracks I sing on. Off the new album...a song called White Gold and another called Mirage.



MR: You guys have been around for a fair while now, has the burst of diversity in music, electronic especially within the lasts few years helped with getting Ladytron on the map and more out there with new fans?
R: I think the new wave of electronic pop music between 2000-2002 (aka Electroclash) helped the profile of the band even though we (and everyone else) were reluctant members of the scene. In a lot of ways, it put using electronic instruments in pop music back in fashion, and since then, every band seems to be using synthesizers, without getting all these interview questions on synthesizers like we did back then.

MR: Best thing that happened to you guys in 2010?
R: We finished the tour in 2009 and took a well-deserved break from touring in 2010.

MR: With 2010 drawing to a close, what’s the bands goal for 2011?
R: Get the Best Of out, get the new album out.

MR: How long have you been working with Artwerk?
R: Not sure, a good few years now.



MR: Have you found an increase in interest in your work since being signed with the Artwerk team and on select EA trax?
R: Yes definitely. The games industry is another world of opportunity. We'd love to get more involved.

MR: Which genre of games do you see your music suiting best?
R: Well it's been used on driving games, footy games, the SIMS, there's a pretty good range.

MR: Do you guys play many video games?
R: Not me personally, but I always enjoy it when I get the opportunity.

MR: Any games you’re looking forward to coming soon?
R: Anything we end up getting our music on

Thanks Ladytron!

You can catch some of Ladytrons tracks in EA titles such as Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, Fifa 11 and The Sims 3.

Ladytrons Best of album ‘Ladytron 00-10’ and their 5th album will be available via Nettwerk in 2011.

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