Leila Arab (Persian: لیلا عرب, born in 1971), professionally known as Leila, is an Iranian-born record producer and DJ based in London, England. She has released music on the labels Rephlex, XL and Warp.[3] She has also worked extensively with Icelandic singer Björk.[4]
Leila | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leila Arab |
| Also known as | Grammatix,[1] Little Miss Specta |
| Born | 3 September 1971[2] Tehran, Pahlavi Iran[2] |
| Origin | London, England[2] |
| Genres | Electronic |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, DJ |
| Years active | 1993-present |
| Labels | Rephlex Records, Warp, XL Recordings |
| Website | warp |
Biography
editArab was born in Pahlavi Iran and spent part of her childhood there.[5] Her family fled to London following the Iranian Revolution in 1979.[6] She became interested in DJing and keyboards, and left college to perform with singer Björk 1994, later working with her as a sound engineer and live mixer.[5] She met Richard D. James while both were on tour with Björk, and both James and Grant Wilson-Claridge suggested she release her solo recordings on their label Rephlex Records.[7]
In 1998, Leila released her debut album, Like Weather, on Rephlex.[8] In 2000, she released Courtesy of Choice on XL Recordings.[9] Ben Thompson of The Telegraph referred to these releases as "two collections of spooky electronic soul which [...] established her as an integral member of the Nineties' golden generation of British writer-producers."[6]
After a hiatus following the death of her parents, she released Blood Looms and Blooms in 2008 on Warp.[10] It included vocal contributions from Terry Hall and Martina Topley-Bird.[11] In 2009, she contributed a cover of an Aphex Twin song, "Vordhosbn", to the Warp20 (Recreated) compilation album.[12]
In 2012, she released her fourth LP U&I on Warp.[13] In 2015, she released a collaborative EP with Zebra Katz, titled Nu Renegade, on ZFK Records.[14]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Like Weather (1998)
- Courtesy of Choice (2000)
- Blood Looms and Blooms (2008)
- U&I (2012)
EPs
edit- Nu Renegade (2015) (with Zebra Katz)
Singles
edit- "Don't Fall Asleep" (1997)
- “Space, Love" (1998)
- "Feeling" (1998)
- "Sodastream" (1999)
- "Mettle" (2008)
- "Deflect" (2008)
- "(Disappointed Cloud) Anyway" (2011)
References
edit- ^ "Leila Arab". British Council. 12 October 2005. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
- ^ a b c Dalton, Stephen (31 January 2012). "A talented diaspora presents a new kind of Iranian music". The National. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Saxelby, Ruth (8 May 2015). "Zebra Katz And Leila Debut Snarling "You Tell Em" Video". The Fader. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Savvides, Alexandra (19 September 2008). "Leila interview by Alexandra Savvides". Cyclic Defrost. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ a b Bush, John. "Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- ^ a b Thompson, Ben (5 July 2008). "Postcards from the planet Leila". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
- ^ Warwick, Oli. "Label of the month: Rephlex". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ Cardew, Ben (24 January 2017). "The 50 Best IDM Albums of All Time (2/5)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Turner, Luke (2012). "Leila - U&I - Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Padilla, Sean (3 August 2008). "Leila: Blood, Looms and Blooms". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Lynskey, Dorian (3 July 2008). "Leila, Blood, Looms and Blooms". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (1 July 2009). "Warp20 Box Set Tracklist Revealed". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Gilard, Stephane (3 February 2012). "Leila - U&I". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Rosario, Richy (10 December 2015). "Premiere: Jump Into Zebra Katz's Mind Twisting World In the Video For "Nu Renegade"". Vibe. Retrieved 27 April 2017.