Add N to (X)
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronic music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Andrew Aveling, Barry Smith, Ann Shenton |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
Key people | Andrew Aveling, Barry Smith (Barry 7), Ann Shenton, Steven Claydon |
| Products | Electronic music albums and singles |
Add N to (X) was a London-based English electronic music group established in 1994 by Andrew Aveling, Barry Smith (known as Barry 7), and Ann Shenton. In 1997, Steven Claydon took over Aveling’s role. Following early releases on smaller labels, the band signed with the independent label Mute Records in 1998, gaining moderate commercial recognition before their split in 2003.
Their artistic output frequently incorporated mature subject matter, as demonstrated by the animated clip for "Metal Fingers in My Body" and the "Plug Me In" video, which included adult performers.
Biography
In 1994, Andrew Aveling collaborated with Justin Anderson under the name Radix Couplment. After Anderson left, Aveling rebranded the project as Add N to (X), a name derived from a mathematical expression. Steven Claydon joined before the release of their first album, Vero Electronics (1996), which was issued through Blow Up Records.
The band received 'Single of the Week' honors twice from NME in 1997 for "The Black Regent" and "King Wasp." Their sophomore album, On the Wires of Our Nerves (1998), attracted critical acclaim and enjoyed considerable playtime on BBC Radio 1's The Breezeblock program.
Their live shows often featured extra musicians and utilized vintage synthesizers such as the EMS Synthi AKS, Korg MS-20, Moog Rogue, EDP Wasp, Omnichord, and ARP 2600. Visually, their branding involved fetishistic collages combining sexual imagery with analogue electronic instruments.
During their tenure with Mute Records, they released three albums: Avant Hard, Add Insult to Injury, and Loud Like Nature. The single "Little Black Rocks in the Sun" was uniquely issued on a 10-inch hexagonal vinyl format. Ann Shenton departed or was removed midway through the Loud Like Nature tour; thereafter, Smith and Claydon briefly continued touring before the group disbanded.
Following the breakup, Barry Smith manages Horseglue Records alongside Ethan Reid. Ann Shenton went on to create Large Number and established White Label Music. Steven Claydon pursued a career in visual arts, exhibiting at Tate Modern in 2006. Andrew Aveling became a member of Littl'ans.
Albums
- Vero Electronics (1996)
- On the Wires of Our Nerves (1998)
- Avant Hard (1999)
- Add Insult to Injury (2000)
- Loud Like Nature (2002)
Singles
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