The Ladybug Transistor formed in Brooklyn in 1995, and frontman Gary Olson has been the band’s sole constant member. Clutching Stems (Merge) is the group’s seventh album and the first to be made following the 2007 asthma-related death of drummer San Fadyl. Since, the band’s lineup has solidified behind Olson, featuring Kyle Forester, Julia Rydholm, Mark Dzula, Eric Farber and Michael O’Neill. The Ladybug Transistor will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with Olson.
Kyle Forester: Been spending a lot of time recently listening to, thinking about and looking at pictures of Del Shannon. “Runaway” is the oldie that never gets old, right? Does anybody ever get sick of that song? Well, “Hats Off To Larry,” the follow-up single, is almost as good and follows pretty much the same formula. It’s great and has gotta be the best song with “Larry” in the title. The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover is a more ambitious, late-’60s Del record, and it’s fantastic. Check out the transition from “Silver Birch” to “I Think I Love You”; it’s as good as any weird transition on any record. Sometimes I wish I could listen to Del’s voice without really knowing how kinda crazy and amazing-looking he was, but if that’s not possible for you, I also recommend “Runaway” on David Letterman in 1986, which features a very sweet, enthusiastic performance of the iconic organ solo by Paul Shaffer.
Video after the jump.
