Helen Marnie

Last updated

Helen Marnie
Helen Marnie 1.jpg
Helen Marnie at Ottawa Bluesfest in 2008
Background information
Birth nameHelen Lindsay Marnie
BornFebruary 21, 1978
Origin Glasgow, Scotland
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • synthesizers
  • piano
Years active1999–present
Labels
Website www.ladytron.com

Helen Lindsay Marnie [1] (born 1978) is a Scottish musician, known as the lead vocalist and one of the keyboardists and songwriters of the electronic band Ladytron. In 2012, she started a solo career as Marnie and released her debut solo album Crystal World on 11 June 2013. Her second solo album, Strange Words and Weird Wars , was released on 2 June 2017. [2]

Contents

Biography

Helen Marnie was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. [3] She is a classically trained pianist. [4] [5] Marnie studied classical piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. [6] She dropped out of university in Glasgow before going on to study music at the University of Liverpool, England where she received in 1999 a BA in pop music. [5] [6]

In the summer of 1999, English producers and DJs Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu met students Helen Marnie (through various DJ gigs) [7] and Mira Aroyo (through a mutual friend). [8] Sharing similar interests in music, they formed the electronic band Ladytron in the same year. Since then, Marnie has performed as the lead singer of the band, and also plays synthesizers and contributes to songwriting.

On 24 May 2012, her Ladytron bandmate Daniel Hunt announced that he would produce Marnie's solo album in Iceland in August 2012. [9]

On 16 September 2012, Marnie set up a PledgeMusic account to help fund the making of her album. [10] The album was produced in 2012 in Reykjavík, Iceland by her bandmate Daniel Hunt in collaboration with the Icelandic musician Barði Jóhannsson. [11] Regarding her album, Marnie said that she wanted "to create an electronic album with more of a pop element and pristine vocals". [10]

Marnie shot her first solo music video on 30 April in Glasgow with a group of friends. [12] On 16 May 2013, she announced the cover and the title of the album, Crystal World . [10] On 29 May 2013, Marnie premiered on her official YouTube account the music video directed by Michael Sherrington for her debut single as solo artist, "The Hunter". [13]

After some delays, Marnie released her debut album Crystal World on 11 June 2013. After PledgeMusic copies of the CD version were delivered in July 2013, Crystal World was issued to stores by Les Disques Du Crépuscule in August 2013.

Marnie marked Record Store Day in April 2014 with a limited edition 12-inch single, The Hunter Remixed, featuring mixes by Stephen Morris (of Joy Division/New Order) and Glasgow electro radicals Roman Nose, as well as the album version of the song plus a mix of Sugarland by Mark Reeder. The single was limited to 500 copies in clear vinyl. She also released the James Slater directed music video of "Hearts on Fire" on the same day.

On 9 September 2014, she premiered a new single titled "Wolves" from the upcoming second solo album, initially planned for release in 2015. [14] [15] [16] The song was produced by Jonny Scott and was released on iTunes on 14 September 2014. [17] The music video was published on YouTube on 17 September and it was co-directed by Marnie and Michael Sherrington. On 18 April 2015 (Record Store Day), "Wolves" with a Marsheaux remix as a B-side was released on 7" vinyl as a limited edition (500 copies). [18]

In 2015, Marnie performed vocals on Bang Gang' song "Silent Bite". [19] In 2016, she collaborated with the musician RM Hubbert on the song "Sweet Dreams".

On 24 January 2017, she released the first single titled "Alphabet Block" from the forthcoming second solo album, Strange Words and Weird Wars . [20]

Touring

In 2015, Marnie started touring as a solo artist with a backing live band that consists of Emer Tumilty (synthesizers and backing vocals), Jonny Scott (guitar, synthesizers) and Peter Kelly (drums). [21] [22] She performed songs from her solo career and from Ladytron's back catalogue. Marnie and her live band played in Lima (Peru) and Santiago de Chile (Chile) so far.

Musical influence

Marnie grew up with pop music like Whitney Houston, Belinda Carlisle, Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Bangles, Carly Simon, and ABBA. [4] She claimed musical influences such as Kate Bush, [4] [23] Maria Callas, [23] and Joni Mitchell. [23] She also mentioned artists like Bat for Lashes, [24] MGMT, [24] Fairport Convention, [24] Serge Gainsbourg, [4] Grimes, [11] and Chvrches [11] as her favourites.

Personal life

Marnie was married in 2011. Near the end of 2012 she moved back to Glasgow, after living in London for more than a decade. [6] [25] [26] [27]

In November 2024, Marnie opened up a coffee shop in Montrose. [28]

Instruments

Helen Marnie live at the Arches, Glasgow, 2011 Helen Marnie - Live at the Arches, Glasgow 2011.jpg
Helen Marnie live at the Arches, Glasgow, 2011

During Ladytron's live shows, Helen Marnie sings and occasionally plays one synthesizer. She played live the following instruments for the band:

On the early part of Witching Hour tour, Ladytron used to name their four identical Korg MS2000B to be easier installed on stage. Her MS2000B keyboard was named Cleopatra. [29]

On her solo career gigs, she sings and plays a Korg Delta.

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wire (band)</span> English rock band

Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, Bruce Gilbert (guitar), George Gill and Robert Grey. They were originally associated with the punk rock scene, appearing on The Roxy London WC2 album, and were instrumental to the development of post-punk, while their debut album Pink Flag was influential for hardcore punk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevie Nicks</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1948)

Stephanie Lynn Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladytron</span> English band

Ladytron are an English-based electronic band formed in Liverpool in 1999. The group consists of Scottish lead singer Helen Marnie, Bulgarian-Israeli Mira Aroyo, and Englishman Daniel Hunt. Reuben Wu (synthesizers) was a member from 1999 until 2023. They have released seven studio albums: 604 (2001), Light & Magic (2002), Witching Hour (2005), Velocifero (2008), Gravity the Seducer (2011), Ladytron (2019) and Time's Arrow (2023). They also issued the live album Live at London Astoria 16.07.08 in 2009 and the compilation album Best of 00–10 in 2011. They have produced remixes for artists such as Dave Gahan, Erasure, Goldfrapp, Apoptygma Berzerk, Placebo, Blondie, Gang of Four, Christina Aguilera, Nine Inch Nails, Bloc Party, Kings of Convenience, Soulwax and Róisín Murphy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emily Haines</span> Canadian singer and songwriter (born 1974)

Emily Savitri Haines is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the lead singer, keyboardist and songwriter of the rock band Metric and a member of the musical collective Broken Social Scene. As a solo artist, she has performed under her own name and as Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton. Haines possesses the vocal range of a mezzo-soprano.

<i>Witching Hour</i> (Ladytron album) 2005 studio album by Ladytron

Witching Hour is the third studio album by English electronic music band Ladytron, released on 3 October 2005 through Island Records internationally and Rykodisc in the United States. The album was promoted by four singles: "Sugar", "Destroy Everything You Touch", "Weekend" and "Soft Power".

<i>Ladytron</i> (album) 2019 album by Ladytron

Ladytron is the sixth studio album by English electronic music band Ladytron. It was released on 1 February 2019 through PledgeMusic as well as their Ladytron Music imprint via !K7. The songs "The Animals", "The Island", "Far from Home", and "Deadzone" have been released as singles. Daniel Hunt has described the album as "heavier" than the group's previous album, Gravity the Seducer (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alessandro Cortini</span> Italian musician

Alessandro Cortini is an Italian musician best known for his work with modular synthesizers, and being the keyboard, guitar, and bass player in the American industrial band Nine Inch Nails. As a member of Nine Inch Nails, Cortini is the first Italian inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mira Aroyo</span> Bulgarian musician

Mira Aroyo is a Bulgarian-born Israeli-English singer, musician, songwriter, DJ, and geneticist. She is best known as the keyboardist, co-lead vocalist, and co-songwriter of the electronic band Ladytron, which she co-founded in Liverpool in 1999. She writes and performs her Ladytron lyrics in both Bulgarian and English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Castles</span> Canadian electronic music group

Crystal Castles was a Canadian electronic music group formed in 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, by songwriter-producer Ethan Kath and singer-songwriter Alice Glass. Crystal Castles was known for their chaotic live shows and lo-fi melancholic homemade productions. They released many limited vinyl singles between 2006 and 2007 before releasing four studio albums between 2008 and 2016.

<i>Velocifero</i> 2008 album by Ladytron

Velocifero is the fourth studio album by English electronic music band Ladytron and their first to be released by Nettwerk. The album was first released digitally on 19 May 2008, followed by a physical release on 2 June in the United Kingdom and on 3 June elsewhere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Hunt</span> Musical artist

Daniel Hunt is an English musician, songwriter and producer. He is a founding member, principal songwriter and producer of the electronic band Ladytron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben Wu</span> Musical artist

Reuben Wu is a British artist, photographer, and musician. He is also known as a founding member of the electronic band Ladytron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Glass</span> Canadian singer and songwriter

Margaret Osborn, known professionally as Alice Glass, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the co-founder and former frontwoman of the electronic band Crystal Castles. In 2014, she embarked on a solo career. She released her eponymous debut EP in 2017. Her solo debut album, Prey//IV, was released in February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seventeen (Ladytron song)</span> 2002 single by Ladytron

"Seventeen" is a song by English electronic music group Ladytron. It was released as the first single from their second album Light & Magic (2002).

<i>Gravity the Seducer</i> 2011 studio album by Ladytron

Gravity the Seducer is the fifth studio album by English electronic music band Ladytron, released on 12 September 2011 by Nettwerk. Recorded in Kent, England, the album has been described as "haunted, evocative, romantic", and having "a feminine warmth".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladytron discography</span>

English electronic music band Ladytron have released seven studio albums, one live album, eight compilation albums, six extended plays, 20 singles, one promotional single, one video album and 19 music videos. Formed in 1999 in Liverpool, Merseyside, the band consists of Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu (synthesisers).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RM Hubbert</span> Scottish guitarist and singer

RM Hubbert, commonly known as Hubby, is a Scottish guitarist and singer. Best known for his solo work as RM Hubbert and as a member of Scottish post rock band El Hombre Trajeado, he has been an active member of the Glaswegian DIY music scene since 1991.

<i>Crystal World</i> 2013 album by Marnie

Crystal World is the debut studio album by Scottish musician Marnie, self-released on 11 June 2013 through the site PledgeMusic. The album was produced in 2012 in Reykjavík, Iceland, by her Ladytron band-mate Daniel Hunt in collaboration with the Icelandic musician Barði Jóhannsson. Alessandro Cortini also produced the second song, "We Are the Sea". Crystal World comprises ten original songs written by Marnie while Ladytron had a break after their fifth studio album, Gravity the Seducer in 2011. Crystal World is available in these formats: music download, CD, 12" vinyl.

<i>Strange Words and Weird Wars</i> 2017 album by Marnie

Strange Words and Weird Wars is the second studio album by Scottish musician Marnie, released on 2 June 2017 through Disco Pinata. It is Marnie's second album released during the hiatus of her main band Ladytron, the first being Crystal World (2013).

Bryan M. Ferguson is a Scottish filmmaker and music video director, best known for his music videos for artists such as Garbage, Alice Glass, Ladytron, Arab Strap and Boy Harsher.

References

  1. ↑ "Writer/Composer: Marnie Helen Lindsay". Broadcast Music Inc. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Marnie - A Badge of Friendship". Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Interview: Ladytron's Helen Marnie - The Skinny". theskinny.co.uk.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hodgkinson, Will (4 December 2002). "Home entertainment: Ladytron – Culture – The Guardian". London. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 "The University of Liverpool: Insight Autumn 2006 – PDF page 11" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Album with sci-fi sheen marks a new beginning". HeraldScotland. 18 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "3/29 – Ladytron – 'Best Of: 00 – 10'". Nettwerk Press Blog. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Videovision: Ladytron interview". 2002. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  9. ↑ Daniel_IV_ (24 May 2012). "Just confirmed that I'll b". Twitter. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Marnie: New Album". PledgeMusic. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 "An Interview with MARNIE – The Electricity Club". Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  12. ↑ "Marnie". www.facebook.com.
  13. ↑ "Marnie - The Hunter (Official Video)". 29 May 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  14. ↑ "Marnie". www.facebook.com.
  15. ↑ "WOLVES" – via soundcloud.com.
  16. ↑ "Wolves: A Short Conversation with MARNIE - The Electricity Club". The Electricity Club. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "Wolves - Single by Marnie" – via music.apple.com.
  18. ↑ Tweet, factorybenelux | 13:05 | permalink | Bookmark with: Delicious | reddit | StumbleUpon. "Les Disques du Crépuscule: Record Store Day 18 April 2015".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ "Bang Gang - Silent Bite". Indie Shuffle.
  20. ↑ "Marnie — 'Alphabet Block' • Popjustice". 24 January 2017.
  21. ↑ "INTRODUCING THE BAND…." 19 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "LIVE REVIEW - MARNIE - Hebden Bridge Trades Club - 27/6/15". 30 June 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 "biyl – Interviews: Helen Marnie (Ladytron)". Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 "An Interview" . Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  25. ↑ "Five Questions For Ladytron " The FADER". Thefader.com. 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  26. ↑ "Interview: Ladytron's Reuben Wu – Shanghai – Shanghai Blogs Blog – City Weekend Guide". Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  27. ↑ "Marnie update - October, 2012". PledgeMusic. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  28. ↑ McLaren, Rob (22 November 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Pop star who tours the world opens Angus coffee shop".
  29. ↑ "Artist Details". Korg. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.