Biography
Who are the mysterious vector lovers? In the last year their trademark bittersweet electro melodies have made waves in the UK music press and with covermount appearances for both Jockey Slut and DJ mag a timely explanation is probably in order... Vector Lovers is actually the alias of Martin Wheeler, creator of achingly gorgeous synth tunes and downright funky robot electro.
Originally from Reading and part of the scene that spawned the bands Chapterhouse, Slowdive and the 20420c26u Chemical Brothers, Martin moved to York in 2001 and now lives on the street where comedy legend Frankie Howerd spent his early years. Oooh, I say....What's his story then? As a young teen he occasionally attended Reading's worst comprehensive school, wearing a red leather tie, a stolen Lyle & Scott sweater and the customary flick haircut (dyed burgundy with ink from a felt tip marker). He listened to Depeche Mode and smoked out of is bedroom window while flashing day-glo terry toweling socks at passing schoolgirls... Uh huh... We're talking the Eighties right? Yep - the golden era in which Martin discovered Kraftwerk's 'computerworld' and bought his first synth - a Casio CZ101 (ok, its not as cool as a Moog or a Juno, but it was once used by the Thompson Twins, who he still has a soft spot for). Now in his early thirties, he's been making music for a wee while (as well as computer games - he was behind several ZX Speccy top ten hits) though as a result of his perfectionist tendencies we've had to wait until now for Vector Lovers to suddenly drop out of the blue with a ready-made arsenal of perfectly formed and beautifully crafted electro tunes.
Things are certainly falling into place for Martin now he's signed to Soma - he's stopped wearing toweling socks, and runs his own label, IWARI.com, releasing the 'Roboto Ashido Funk' 12" to critial acclaim ("one of the top ten electro/techno releases of 2003" - IDJ magazine). Now sold out and on wish lists from Detroit to Tokyo we thought it would make sense to reissue the 12" as his first Vector Lovers release (remastered and remixed) on Soma. Something tells us you're going to agree ;-)
Now Vector Lovers is signed to Soma and set for much wider exposure, with an album out later this year. Bring on the droids.....
Releases by
Vector Lovers
Catalogue # : Soma CD37
Release date : Monday, 27th September 2004
Genres : Electro
Format : CD Album
Girl + Robot
Tokyo Glitterati
Telecom Meltdown
Electrobotik Disco
Funk & Droid
Electrosuite
Yamanote Sundown
Futures in Plastic
Kissed You By The Fountain
Lake Nocturne
Metrolux Forever
Solitaire
Catalogue # : Soma 149
Release date : Monday, 7th June 2004
Format : Twelve
Funk & Droid
Electrosuite (Long & Dirty)
Yamanote Sundown
Nightwalking Your Memory
Review
Update
Soma's latest signing is Martin Wheeler from Reading, who apparently lives on
the same street as where Frankie Howerd grew up (missus). His four-track debut
is actually a re-mastered version of the EP he released on his own Iwari label.
It's the most overtly electro Soma release so far - moody glistening and
innovative. The opening 'Funk & Droid' no relation to Richard Norris's old
outfit - comes on like Roxy Music 'Love Is The Drug' meets the Clash's
'Magnificent Seven', before the electro-boogie style is further explored on a
longer version of 'Electrosuite'. The flip drifts into gentler, more cinematic
mood, ending up with 'Nightwalking Your Memory' recalling Suicide in it's rather
lovely final coda. Full marks to Soma for departing from any norm they might've
had - as always!
5/5
Chart:
Buzz Chart : No 14 (18) 12.5.04
Zzub Chart : No 4 (11) 12.5.04
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