From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Laika is a UK-based indie / experimental band founded in 1993 by vocalist/lyricist Margaret Fiedler and producer/engineer Guy Fixsen. Together with bassist John Frenett, Fiedler was previously a member of the Too Pure band Moonshake before the latter splintered in half after a US tour, with other chief songwriter David Callahan carrying on under that name but with the assistance of various guest musicians. Fixsen had worked as a producer and engineer for that band, and also worked with legendary bands such as My Bloody Valentine and The Breeders amongst others.

Throughout their existence, Laika have had their studio and performing ranks bolstered by various other musicians of which the most notable are the drummers / percussionists / multi-instrumentalists Lou Ciccotelli (God, Eardrum) and Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Spleen).

Of course this arrangement was also reciprocated during arguably Laika's most fruitful period between 2000-2001 when Margaret Fiedler was asked to join up with PJ Harvey's backing band (which also included drummer Rob Ellis back in the fold) on an extensive world tour promoting Harvey's Mercury Prize-winning Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea album. Fiedler assisted on additional guitar, cello, and "other instruments".

Musically the band are similar to contemporaries such as Stereolab, what may be described as electronica with dreamy female vocals. However, they also rely on a more organic approach to their songwriting with live drums and percussion, together with guitars and samples, creating a complexly-layered and polyrhythmic stew of beats and diverse analogue sounds that defy simple categorisation.

The band was named after the first animal to orbit the earth, a Russian dog called Laika.

• Antenna EP (single 1994, Too Pure)
• Almost Sleeping EP (single 1997, Too Pure)
• Breather EP (single 1997, Too Pure)
• Uneasy (single 2000, Too Pure)
• Black Cat Bone (vinyl only 12" single 2000, Too Pure)
• Badtimes (single 2000, Too Pure)

• Silver Apples Of The Moon (album 1994, Too Pure)
• Sounds Of The Satellites (album 1997, Too Pure)
• Good Looking Blues (album 2000, Too Pure)
• Lost In Space - Volume 1 [1993-2002] (compilation 2003, Too Pure)
• Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing (album 2003, Too Pure)

• If You Miss (Laika Virgin mix) (from Macro Dub Infection, 1995)
• Lower Than Stars (V/A Volume 12, 1995)
• German Shepherds (from Whore - Various Artists Play Wire, 1996)
• Looking For The Jackalope (236 remix) (from Beat Experience, 1997)
• Black Cat Bone (Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Radio Sunnydale UK Version, 2003)

• Official website
• Discography from official Too Pure website
• Biography from official Too Pure website

• Concert photos by Laurent Orseau (Black Session)