Laika (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Laika


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Origin = London, England
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Genre = Indie electronic Dream pop Avant pop Post-rock
Years_active = 1993 – ?
Label = Too Pure
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URL = http://www.laika.org/
Current_members = Margaret Fiedler Guy Fixsen Lou Ciccotelli
Past_members = John Frenett Rob Ellis
Louise Elliot

Laika is a UK-based indie/experimental band founded in 1993 by ex-Moonshake members Margaret Fiedler and John Frenett, and producer/engineer Guy Fixsen. The band was named after the first animal to orbit the earth, the Russian dog Laika.

History

Vocalist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Fiedler and bassist Frenett were members of the Too Pure band Moonshake before the group splintered in half after a US tour. Co-chief songwriter David Callahan continued on with Moonshake along with drummer Mig Moreland and the assistance of various guest musicians. Fixsen was a producer/engineer for the group, as well as with legendary bands such as My Bloody Valentine and The Breeders amongst others.

On recordings and in live shows, Fiedler and Fixsen shared guitar, vocals, keyboards, and sampling duties. In their first incarnation, the band was augmented by flautist/saxiphonist Louise Elliot and drummer/percussionist Lou Ciccotelli (God, Eardrum). After the group released "Silver Apples of Moon" in 1994, Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Spleen) had join them as a sometimes second drummer/percussionist.

Musically the band is similar to contemporaries such as Stereolab, what may be described as electronica with dreamy female vocals. However, they also rely on a more organic approach to their songwriting with live drums and percussion, together with guitars and samples, creating a complexly-layered and polyrhythmic stew of beats and diverse analogue sounds that defy simple categorization.

Elliot and Frenett have played on all Laika LPs except for 2003's "Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing".

After their release of their last album, little is known about the status of Laika. There have been no formal announcements of a break up or hiatus.

Outside Band Activities

In 2000, Margaret Fiedler had joined PJ Harvey's backing band on an extensive world tour promoting Harvey's Mercury Prize-winning Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea album. On this tour, she had played guitar, cello, and "other instruments".

After the release of "Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing" in 2003, Fielder took a sabbatical from music to study law.

In 2008, Margaret Fiedler McGinnis is playing rhythm guitar with Wire, replacing Bruce Gilbert, on tour.

Discography

ingles / EPs:

* "Antenna EP" (single 1994, Too Pure)
* "Almost Sleeping EP" (single 1997, Too Pure)
* "Breather EP" (single 1997, Too Pure)
* "Uneasy" (single 2000, Too Pure)
* "Black Cat Bone" (vinyl only 12" single 2000, Too Pure)
* "Badtimes" (single 2000, Too Pure)

Albums:

* "Silver Apples Of The Moon" (album 1994, Too Pure)
* "Sounds Of The Satellites" (album 1997, Too Pure)
* "Good Looking Blues" (album 2000, Too Pure)
* " [Lost In Space (Laika)|Lost In Space - Volume 1 [1993-2002] " (compilation 2003, Too Pure)
* "Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing" (album 2003, Too Pure)

Tracks on V/A compilations:

* "If You Miss (Laika Virgin mix)" (from "Macro Dub Infection", 1995)
* "Lower Than Stars" (V/A "Volume 12", 1995)
* "German Shepherds" (from "Whore - Various Artists Play Wire", 1996)
* "Looking For The Jackalope (236 remix)" (from "Beat Experience", 1997)
* "Black Cat Bone" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Radio Sunnydale UK Version, 2003)

External links

* [http://www.laika.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.toopure.com/laika/discography.html Discography from official Too Pure website]
* [http://www.toopure.com/laika/biography.html Biography from official Too Pure website]
* [http://lorseau.hinah.com/gallery.php?c=pzic&s=session&g=laika Concert photos] by Laurent Orseau (Black Session)