Electrelane
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Brighton , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
| Website | web |
Electrelane is an indie rock group originating from Brighton, England, founded in 1998 by Verity Susman and Emma Gaze. The ensemble consists of Susman, Gaze, Mia Clarke, and Ros Murray. Their musical style draws inspiration from bands like Neu!, Stereolab, Sonic Youth, and the Velvet Underground. Renowned for their concentrated live shows, they engage minimally with the audience and seldom perform more than a single encore.
Although the members hold pronounced feminist and political beliefs, they generally refrain from directly conveying these themes through their music or interactions with fans. A notable exception is their rendition of Leonard Cohen's protest track "The Partisan", which they performed during their U.S. tour preceding the 2004 Presidential election.
Formation and initial phase (1998–2000)
Electrelane’s debut single, "Film Music," was recorded and released in January 2000 via Indenial, a subsidiary of Skint Records. This was followed by "Le Song," issued on Fierce Panda. Subsequently, they launched their own imprint, Let's Rock!, distributed through 3MV. Their first releases under this label included the singles "Gabriel" and "Blue Straggler." During autumn 2000, work commenced on their first album amid lineup shifts: original bassist Tracy Houdek departed due to pregnancy, briefly replaced by Rupert Noble before Rachel Dalley took over; original guitarist Debbie Ball was succeeded by Mia Clarke.
Rock It to the Moon era (2000–2003)
Their inaugural album, Rock It to the Moon, arrived in April 2001 on Mr. Lady Records. While Electrelane initially performed as a conventional vocal band, this record featured predominantly instrumental tracks. Verity Susman remarked that focusing on instrumentals provided a more compelling and innovative direction compared to earlier vocal efforts. The album received an 8/10 rating from NME, which highlighted its concentrated approach and polished production as standout qualities for a debut release.
The Power Out period (2003–2004)
Electrelane’s sophomore album, The Power Out, was produced in collaboration with Steve Albini, though the band maintained self-production responsibilities. Released in February 2004 through Too Pure, it showcased an increased use of vocals alongside more structured arrangements influenced by pop music. Critics widely applauded the album for its intricate composition and expanded vocal presence.
A distinctive feature of this album was the inclusion of vocals in several languages: French appeared on "Gone Under Sea," Spanish sonnets by 16th-century Catalan poet Juan Boscán Almogáver were featured on "Oh Sombra!", German excerpts from Friedrich Nietzsche's Die fröhliche Wissenschaft appeared on "This Deed," and English choral segments performed by Chicago a cappella enriched "The Valleys." These multilingual literary elements set the record apart while remaining accessible to listeners.
In mid-2004, Rachel Dalley left the group and was succeeded by longtime collaborator Ros Murray.
Axes phase (2004–2006)
For their third album, the largely instrumental Axes, Electrelane returned to Steve Albini’s studio in Chicago. During their initial recording session, the band performed the entire album live in one continuous take to preserve their concert energy. Emma Gaze described how rehearsing in a relaxed circle differed from typical isolated recording setups, aiming to capture an authentic live atmosphere. Verity Susman characterized the album as a seamless piece embodying their improvisational approach and live sound. Released on 9 May 2005, Axes garnered generally favorable critiques.
To promote Axes, Electrelane embarked on an international tour that broadened their reach across major territories including the UK, US, Canada, and Europe. They led headline tours as well as supported groups such as the Ex and Le Tigre, performing at prominent festivals like South by Southwest and ATP Festival.
No Shouts, No Calls and Extended Hiatus (2006–2007)
Electrelane's fourth album, No Shouts, No Calls, marked their first project to be entirely recorded and mixed using digital technology. The songwriting process began in Berlin during the 2006 World Cup, which influenced both their creative approach and timeline; notably, a sample from a match between Hertha BSC and FC Moskva is incorporated into the track "Five."
In August 2006, the band issued Singles, B-Sides & Live, a compilation featuring rare tracks, live recordings, and early versions of songs from their debut. The recording and mixing sessions for No Shouts, No Calls took place in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with completion achieved by November of that year. The album was released in key territories between April and May 2007, preceded by the lead single "To the East." Critical reception was predominantly favorable; Heather Phares of AllMusic highlighted several tracks as some of Electrelane’s finest work, while certain reviewers observed elements reminiscent of progressive rock. James Reed from The Boston Globe included it among the best albums of 2007.
During mid-2007, Electrelane toured the United States alongside Tender Forever and supported Arcade Fire on tour. Their festival appearances extended to prominent events such as Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival and European festivals including La Route du Rock, Summercase, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Festival Paredes de Coura.
In November 2007, the band announced they would enter an indefinite hiatus following their final concert on 1 December in Brighton, England. Subsequently, on 14 December, they hosted a benefit event for the Anti-Trafficking Alliance at London’s Barfly club; however, instead of performing live music, they chose to DJ.
Temporary Reunion (2011–2012)
In February 2011, Electrelane revealed plans to perform at several festivals such as London's Field Day and The Big Chill at Eastnor Castle. Early 2012 saw them touring Australia; nevertheless, they confirmed there were no intentions to produce new material or embark on further tours.
Announcement of New Music (2021)
In November 2021, the band disclosed they were creating their first new compositions since the release of No Shouts, No Calls in 2007, expressing that "playing together again feels really, really good."
From 2022 onwards, Verity Susman has released two film scores along with an album under the name Memorials, a collaborative project with Matthew Simms from Wire.
Lineup
- Current members
- Verity Susman – lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, organ, saxophone, clarinet (1998–present)
- Emma Gaze – drums, artwork (1998–present)
- Mia Clarke – guitar, backing vocals (2000–present)
- Ros Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
- Former members
- Tracey Houdek – bass guitar (1998–1999)
- Debbie Ball – guitar, vocals (1998–2000)
- Rupert Noble – bass guitar (1999)
- Rachel Dalley – bass guitar (1999–2004)
Discography
- Studio albums
- 2001: Rock It to the Moon
- 2004: The Power Out
- 2005: Axes
- 2007: No Shouts, No Calls
- Singles and EPs
- 2000: Film Music
- 2000: Le Song
- 2000: Gabriel
- 2001: Blue Straggler
- 2002: I Want to Be President EP
- 2003: On Parade
- 2004: This Deed
- 2005: Two For Joy
- 2007: To the East
- 2007: In Berlin
- Compilations
- 2006: Singles, B-Sides & Live
External links
- Electrelane.com (Archived 6 March 2015) – Official website of the band
- Beggars Group: Electrelane
- [ AllMusic profile]
- Electrelane archive at the Internet Archive live music repository
- Electrelane interview on ZME Music, 24 July
- English all-female bands
- English indie rock groups
- Alternative rock groups from Brighton and Hove
- Musical groups established in 1998
- Musical groups disbanded in 2007
- English post-rock groups
- Underground punk scene in the United Kingdom
- 1998 establishments in England
- All-female electronic bands
- All-female rock bands
- All-female pop bands
- French-language musical groups from the United States
- Spanish-language musical groups of the United States
- German-language musical groups from the United States
- Musical groups disestablished in 2007