Stereolab: How Music and Romance Don't Always go Hand-in-Hand

[@dollarbillfilms7616]

Never knew this turmoil existed within the band, being someone whose really only listened heavily to Dots and Loops. Great video!

[@jessmanuel540]

There were 3 women in Stereolab. Laetitia, Mary, & Gina. Later replaced by Katharine.

[@Sveccha93]

Stereolab and Cocteau Twins are two of my top UK acts of all time and both plagued by this dynamic. Two edged sword I suppose.

[@marguskiis7711]

US: Blondie, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, White Stripes

[@waynevelzis8162]

The answer is not always. Lux interior and poison ivy of the cramps lasted till lux passed on

[@Rojagray]

Great analysis and articulation of the impact that Mary Hansen's death had on the band's / groop's internal dynamic. Mary's loss is probably the reason they never reached the consistent excellence of the earlier records, and on some of the later, ultra-produced tracks, Laetita's contribution feels quite disembodied, figuratively speaking. Still love 'em though and enjoyed this video.

[@DeafWithTheRecord]

Cheers Rob!

[@stereofidelic67]

After Mary's death, and a small hiatus when Laetitia was 'with child' they put out Margarine Eclipse - which is actually a very, very good record. Chemical Chords was a bit 'meh' and then Not Music was just forgettable IMO.

[@Fontsman-14]

Very much a demarcation of their roles within the band. After Mary's tragic death, the band's balance was markedly affected. Another vocalist might've reinvigorated the band and given Laeticia some new collaborative energy and left her less exposed.

[@nexusnostalgia]

I always had a huge crush on Mary Hansen

[@THX-C]

Me, too. Her singing was incredible. I bought Mouse On Mars simply because she sang on the record. It’s a great EP for a lot of other reasons but I initially bought it because her voice is incredible.

[@stereofidelic67]

So if Laetitia had no control over the melody or song structure, just the words, why does her solo work sound so Stereolab?

[@NOWtheband]

Because she admires Tim and learned a lot about music from him plus they both have similar influences and musical tastes.

[@adhidassler]

i remember seeing this one tv show (seem like the 90s or early 00s) on youtube few years ago where they come into tim & sadier's house (when they were still together) and ask them about their record collection (inspection/interrogation style) anyone know whats the name of the show? i tried to find that video again but no result. thanks in advance!

[@rogerhalliwell3104]

That was the Adam & Joe show. They did a segment each week called Vinyl Justice where they’d go through Musicians record collections.

[@adhidassler]

@@rogerhalliwell3104 ahh finally.. thank you very much!

[@vivlaughlove_]

in a band with my now ex, wish me luck lmfao

[@cjr1971]

Hello Did we forget about the other girl in the band Katherine Gifford! Mary was my fav member RIP

[@blooflazh7]

I wonder what happened to her

[@NOWtheband]

@@blooflazh7 - After Stereolab, Katharine was in Snowpony until 2003. Since then she's guested on various records. Most recently in 2019 on Teeth Of The Sea's Wraith LP.

[@blooflazh7]

@@NOWtheband Oh wow, thanks for sharing. I've heard of snowpony before, but I actually had no idea she was still making music. Plus I didn't know she sung! Quite interesting. It seems a lot of people from the 90s alt/shoegaze era keep a low profile now so its interesting to see when theyre still active

[@NOWtheband]

@@blooflazh7 - You're most welcome! Yeah, it's good that many of those musicians are still active. 🙂

[@stpaulimdog]

What about Morgane Lhote? Was she not a woman also?

[@toasted_heretic]

Dudes, that's harsh. You're working from a couple of quotes and calling people control freaks and sexist. You can't throw that around without evidencing it, and two quotes do not do that.

[@DeafWithTheRecord]

You're right, we were just discussing how the dynamics appeared from the outside! I don't think either of us consider Tim Gane to be a "sexist" (although he'd probably admit himself he's a control freak lol). Ultimately, with a conversation like this it's about acknowledging some of the dynamics without accusing people of anything or allowing it affect our enjoyment of the music.

[@oliviaaus1086]

reminds me of the experience roisin murphy had in Moloko

[@chrishill5622]

Thanks for this. My favourite Stereolab era was around Mars Audiac Quintet. Maybe there was more balance with Laetita, Mary, and Katherine in the band. (and Morgane also on tour, if I recall) I saw them in Liverpool in 1996, and there was clearly tension. At the time, I put it simply down to touring. Back then, I'd no idea about the dynamics in the band and between Tim and Laetita. I still thought/imagined left-leaning bands like Stereolab and the Wedding Present were pillars of liberty, equality, fraternity (erm...), and democracy. Casting my net a bit wider re the question... the answers mostly a yes (personal disaster). For example, Neil and Rachel from Slowdive. David and Rachel from Flying Saucer Attack, Liz and Robin from the Cocteau Twins. Abba. Fleetwood Mac. But some exceptions, notably Amelia and Rob from Heavenly, Talulah Gosh, et al, and Steve and Gillian from New Order, The later couple even had their own side project. (As for the old, bickering couple that was Barney and Hooky...)

[@GuyJames]

and Tina and Chris from Talking Heads even started a new band together, Tom Tom Club

[@Saltedcoil]

Low seemed to last till Mimi unfortunately passed.

[@adrianjohnson2287]

That interview was in 2008.

[@paulf2351]

What you say is true

[@marguskiis7711]

Strange, a woman in band is almost always also lover of a band member.

[@THX-C]

I was fortunate to see them again last year after almost two decades. Acrimonious but not failure. If by failure, do you mean did the band cease to exist, sure I’ll give you that but all bands cease to exist but are they all failures? Emperor Tomato Ketchup, Dots & Loops, Sound Dust are incredible albums. I always thought Seeya was an equal to Tim - she should have pushed back. Despite Tim being highly gifted, Laetitia should* have pushed back. Those French journalists were total bastards. Mary’s tragic death may have hastened the Groop’s demise. *bosses always take advantage of the employees they control. Another reminder why I hate capitalism.

[@carlwilson1772]

Thought there was another girl on keys in Stereolab?

[@djrobotcitizen]

Yes Australian Mary Hansen from 92 til death in 2002

[@djrobotcitizen]

on second thought I think it may be Katharine Gifford you are thinking of :)

[@carlwilson1772]

@@djrobotcitizen Yes Katherine Gifford. They said there were only 2 women in Stereolab but there were 3.

[@djrobotcitizen]

My impression is she's overlooked for while she appears in numerous live clips she had a more fleeting cameo kind of role on the studio recordings ... Currently checking out her 90s band SnowPony - www.discogs.com/artist/155235-Snowpony

[@balorprice]

There was Gina Morris right at the beginning, but also Morgane Lhote for the 94-99 (ish) period, when they were most happy as a band. This clip is very biased by hand-picking the worst quotes of the work dynamic. But to their credit, they said Laetitia "spent long periods as the only woman in the band", fair enough.