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.
Julia Rydholm: Her performance lifts the song from a mere collaborative jamboree-style tribute to An Important Message. Whenever Ms. Staples sings, she sounds at once totally heartfelt, out of breath, full of life, outraged, world weary and world wise. This musical moment is no exception. I know she’s lip-synching in The Last Waltz (it’s one of the pre-filmed segments), but heck, her staged fire is still convincing. And her hand claps at the end of the song really get to me. Such a subtle and spontaneous addition that suddenly boost this performance from a mere hats-off to a significant, caught-up-in-the-feeling moment. I never get tired of this performance.
