The Ladybug Transistor is from New York. Brooklyn to be exact. Formed in 1995,
they've evolved from a three-piece band into a six-piece mini orchestra. In 1995 their first record
Marlborough Farms was released. At this time the band was
comprised of Gary Olson, Edward Powers and Javier Villegas.
In 1996 the band started playing shows in the New York City area. Siblings Jeff and Jennifer
Baron joined the lineup. Javier decides to leave to pursue photography interests. Gary, Jeff, Jennifer and Ed
embarked on their first tour in Switzerland.
In 1997 Beverley Atonale, their second album is released on Merge Records. Ed Powers
also leaves the band. San Fadyl and Sasha Bell (Essex Green) become the
newest Ladybugs and the band embarks on their first national tour.
A single for Today Knows / Massachusetts was released on Merge in 1998. Later that year,
the Ladybugs collaborated with Soft Machine founder Kevin Ayers on a French language reworking
of his 1969 classic Puis-Je? for the Pop Romantique compilation.
In 1999, their third album The Albemarle Sound was released on Merge Records.
Shortly after its release violinist Julia Rydholm (Essex Green) joined
the band.
Spanish pop label Elefant Records released Brighton Bound / Cicada Sonata as a single in 2000.
Also that year, A Velvet Underground tribute album entitled Rabid Chords was released in Japan which
includes the Ladybugs’ countrified rendition of I Found a Reason.
Merge Records released the band's 4th album entitled Argyle Heir in May 2001.
It was recorded at the band's Marlborough Farms studio.
The Ladybug Transistor, the band's 5th album was released by Merge Records in October 2003.
Official website: www.theladybugtransistor.com
Other projects involving Ladybug Transistor members:
Sixth Great Lake, Essex Green
| ALBUMS |
FORMAT |
LABEL |
RELEASE DATE |
| Marlborough Farms |
CD |
Sit N Spin |
1995 |
| Beverley Atonale |
CD |
Merge Records
(MRG 121) |
1997 |
| Albemarle Sound |
CD |
Merge Records
(MRG 154) |
1999 |
| Live at the Amigo |
CD |
self-released
(LBT 001) |
1999 |
| Marlborough Farms (re-issue) |
CD |
Feeding Frenzy
(FF 001) |
2000 |
| Argyle Heir |
CD |
Merge Records
(MRG 189) |
May 2001 |
| Argyle Heir |
CD |
Pointy Records
(POINT 005) |
July 2001 |
| Albemarle Sound |
CD |
Pointy Records
(POINT 006) |
July 2002 |
| The Ladybug Transistor |
CD |
Merge Records
(MRG 229) |
Oct. 2003 |
| SINGLES / EPs |
FORMAT |
LABEL |
RELEASE DATE |
| split w/ Portastatic & Land of the Loops |
7" |
After Hours |
1997 |
| Today Knows b/w Massachusetts |
7" |
Merge Records |
1998 |
| Brighton Bound b/w Cicada Sonata |
7" |
Elefant |
Jan. 2000 |
Kindercore singles club: September
(split single with Of Montreal) |
7" |
Kindercore
(KCSC 010) |
June 2001 |
| Split w/ Mid-State Orange |
7" |
Low Transit Industries |
Dec. 2003 |
| COMPILATIONS |
SONG |
FORMAT |
LABEL |
RELEASE DATE |
| KXLU, Vol. 3 |
Rushes of Pure Spring (Live) |
CD |
KXLU |
1997 |
| Little Darla Has a Treat for You Vol. 6 |
Rushes of Pure Spring |
CD |
Darla |
1997 |
| We Can Still Be Friends |
The Swedish Libra and You Three |
CD |
Magic Marker
(MMR 001) |
1998 |
| Zoephile |
Here is Your Space (instrumental) |
CD |
Z&Zoe |
1999 |
| Counterattack Of U.S. Indie |
Meadowport Arch |
CD |
Contact
(CR 001) |
July 1999 |
| Pop Romantique |
Puis-Je? |
CD / LP |
March
(MARCH 39) |
Feb. 1999 |
| Oh, Merge |
Massachusetts |
CD |
Merge
(MRG 161) |
1999 |
| Christmas Two |
Silver Bells |
CD |
Kindercore
(KC 035) |
Nov. 1999 |
| Indie Aid Abroad |
Even Stevens |
CD |
Candle Records |
1999 |
| Rabid Chords 002: Tribute to the Velvet Underground |
I Found a Reason |
2x CD |
Victor
(VICL 60588) |
2000 |
| Kindercore Fifty |
Meadowport Arch (remix) |
3x CD |
Kindercore
(KC 050) |
Aug. 2000 |
| Popular World |
Today Knows (live) |
CD |
Sky Blue Records
(SBR 001) |
2001 |
