The Ladybug Transistor story begins in Brooklyn, NY during the mid-1990's. Their debut album, Marlborough Farms (1995 Sit N Spin), named after the band's fabled Victorian Flatbush headquarters and studio, was a recording project based around founding member Gary Olson's collaborations with friends. They soon caught the attention of Merge Records who released Beverley Atonale in 1997. It was around this time that Ladybug Transistor evolved into a proper band with siblings Jennifer and Jeff Baron, Sasha Bell, San Fadyl and Julia Rydholm. This collective crafted the trilogy of The Albemarle Sound (1999 Merge), Argyle Heir (2001 Merge), and The Ladybug Transistor (2003 Merge), on which The Ladybug Transistor developed their trademark sound - a distillation of classic pop, characterized by a precise melodicism that is anchored by the restrained baritone of Olson.

As Marlborough Farms has become a gathering place for the musicians that Ladybug has befriended over the years, the band took advantage of this situation by recruiting many of them to contribute to their most recent full length Can't Wait Another Day (2007). The album features spirited contributions from members of Aislers Set, Architecture in Helsinki, The Clientele, Jens Lekman, Kevin Barker (Currituck Co., Vetiver), Heather McIntosh (Circulatory System, Instruments) Roy Nathanson (Lounge Lizards/Jazz Passengers) and others. The first fruits of these sessions were heard on 2006's Here Comes The Rain EP, which also introduced two new members to the family, with Kyle Forester and Ben Crum of Great Lakes enhancing the Ladybug sound by adding inspired keyboards and guitar.

Ladybug Transistor also worked with Soft Machine legend Kevin Ayers on a soon-to-be-released album that was produced by Olson, whose other recent recording projects also include work with Mates of State, Circulatory System, and a duet with Sweden's Marit Bergman.

The Ladybug Transistor are: Gary Olson, Julia Rydholm, Ben Crum, Kyle Forester, San Fadyl, Jeff Baron and friends...

www.theladybugtransistor.com

03.19.2010

New York, NY

Bowery Electric

Marlborough Farms [cd] (Sit N Spin) 1995
"Intro / Rushes of Pure Spring" on split w/ Portastatic & Land of the Loops [7"] (After Hours) 1997
Beverley Atonale [cd] (Merge) 1997
"Massachusetts" on Oh, Merge comp. [cd] (Merge) 1999
The Albemarle Sound [cd] (Merge) 1999
Live At The Amigo [cd] (Merge) 1999
Argyle Heir [cd/lp] (Merge) 2001
The Ladybug Transistor [cd/lp] (Merge) 2003
Here Comes the Rain [cdep (Spain) / digital ep (North America)] (Green UFOs / Merge) 2006
Can't Wait Another Day [cd] (Merge) 2007