| Lou Rhodes | |
|---|---|
Lou Rhodes in London, March 2006 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Louise Ann Rhodes[1] |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | acoustic, folk |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Infinite Bloom, A&G Records |
| Associated acts | Lamb |
| Website | www.lourhodes.com |
Lou Rhodes is an English singer and songwriter from Manchester, now living in Wiltshire. In addition to providing vocals and lyrics for the band Lamb, Rhodes has released three solo albums: Beloved One, Bloom and One Good Thing. Rhodes has collaborated with 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, Funkstörung, Pale 3, Sugizo, Plump DJs, Sheila Chandra, Eliza Carthy, Art of Noise, and The Cinematic Orchestra on Ma Fleur and the soundtrack to Les Ailes Pourpres.
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Rhodes started her own record label, Infinite Bloom, at the beginning of 2006, to issue her debut solo album Beloved One which was shortlisted for the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize the same year. This album explores the folk side of Rhodes's music, which was previously undisplayed while performing in Lamb, although songs such as "Fortress" are reminiscent of her times playing in Lamb. She has been described as following a Nick Drake path as a singer-songwriter.[2]
Rhodes performed at Glastonbury Festival in 2005 and in 2007 on the new stage at "The Park", which had been organized by Emily Eavis. In May 2007, Rhodes had to cancel her UK tour after the sudden death of her sister.
Rhodes' second album Bloom was released through A&G Records/Infinite Bloom on September 1, 2007. It was given three (out of five) stars by Q magazine. On 24 September 2007 she released the first single from Bloom, called "The Rain". In October 2007 Lou Rhodes began a tour to promote the album.
In 2009, Lamb reunited for a tour. During this same period, Rhodes recorded her third album, One Good Thing, which was released in early 2010.
Although Lamb are famous for blending trip hop with jazz and elements of drum and bass, Rhodes's solo work is more organic and rooted in folk music. Rhodes expressed a doubt that she will ever return to electronica.[3] She combines finely tuned acoustic guitars—the essence of almost every arrangement—with violin, double bass, and rich percussion. Lyrically, her songs can be described as extremely romantic, soulful and very personal,[4] this is how Rhodes explains the last album's lyrics:[5]
| “ | Sometimes I think, "My God, I keep writing all these love songs," and I really struggle with that. I think I'm a bit of an emotional junkie, you know? It seems to be what consumes me. The heart never ceases to provide me with subject matter. I don't know why that is. Someone asked me the other day, "Are you in love with being in love?" And I couldn't really answer that question. | ” |
Lou Rhodes has two sons. She lives in rural Wiltshire, England.[6]