Lola”

Berlin-based avant-garde industrial band Lolita Terrorist Sounds will release their highly anticipated studio album “St. Lola” featuring Swans lap-steel guitar hero Kristof Hahn and avant-garde legend Bob Rutman (†) on October 20th. The debut will be available on all major digital platforms and special limited editions.

Prepare to be captivated by the ground-breaking sounds of Lolita Terrorist Sounds. A Berlin-based avant-garde industrial act that pushes the boundaries of music with their highly anticipated debut album. Recorded and produced by bandleader Maurizio Vitale in a former secret service building in East Berlin and mixed by Thomas Stern (Nick Cave, Einstürzende Neubauten, Swans, Crime and the City Solution), the band's unconventional and creative approach has resulted in an album that resonates with raw energy and unapologetic artistic expression.The collaborations with Swans guitar hero Kristof Hahn on lap-steel guitar guested on almost the entire album and avant-garde legend Bob Rutman (†) add magic to this outstanding debut.

Emerging from the shadows of Berlin

The songs featured on “St. Lola” came together in a former East Berlin haunted building used by the secret services during the Wall era. Band leader Maurizio Vitale recorded and produced the studio debut at this very special place adopting an esoteric approach towards music: “I used a limited amount of old microphones and analog gear to capture and preserve the instinctive roughness of the music. It was more about capturing the magic of the moment and the historical place where the songs were conceived rather than making a polished record.”

‘Mind the Gap’ – the new single accompanying the album release will be released on October 20th

‘Mind the Gap’ is sonic journey that bridges the cultural expanse between London and Berlin. Accompanied by a visually stunning 8mm video clip reminiscent of the classic filmmaking style of Jean-Luc Godard, ‘Mind the Gap’ offers a nostalgic yet fresh perspective. At the heart of the video lies a genderfluid protagonist, who becomes the voice and embodiment of the song's profound message: ‘Mind the Gap’ is a poignant reflection of the human condition in the modern world.

“St. Lola”: An avant-garde odyssey of marginalized characters, and modern saints

The band's journey to “St. Lola” has been marked by a series of acclaimed singles and live releases, building anticipation for the groundbreaking debut. Starting from the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Shaved Girl’ (ft. Bob Rutman on bow chime), released as a single during Pride Month, an electrifying anthem for LGBTQ+ liberation. It delves deep into the heart of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace one's identity fully. This empowering message sets the tone for the eclectic journey of “St. Lola''. In the streets of Paris, a ‘Prison Song’ unfolds a heart-wrenching epistolary love story. The haunting vocals and evocative instrumentation reveal two lovers torn apart by circumstances beyond their control – a jail sentence that stands as a barrier to their affection. ‘Red Carpet’ transports listeners into the illusory world of fame's shadowy side. Subtle satire intertwines with lines from the ancient Greek tragedy “The Oresteia”, provocatively challenging societal ideals of success. Journeying into the realm of full moon rituals and tribal rhythms, ‘Curse’ mesmerizes listeners with mystic landscapes inspired by the tales of “One Thousand and One Nights.” “St. Lola'', the album's namesake track, serves as a haunting and evocative culmination. Set against the backdrop of a desolate Berlin bridge on a grey day, it paints an atypical love story – a painful farewell between two souls deeply intertwined. The ethereal vocals and tugging melody encapsulate the poignant essence of love and loss, bringing the album's diverse narratives full circle. Closing the album is ‘Living-in-glory’, a drony and ecstatic track that delves into the world of ASMR. This final sonic exploration takes listeners on a journey of sensory immersion, invoking a trance-like state through its ambient textures and soothing whispers.

Pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration

“St. Lola” stands as a testament to the band's commitment to pushing boundaries and defying musical conventions. Drawing inspiration from an array of sources, Lolita Terrorist Sounds channels the raw intensity of Nine Inch Nails, the avant-garde spirit of Einstürzende Neubauten, the sonic depth of Swans, the primal energy of the Stooges, and the dark poeticism of early Nick Cave.

They have said about the band:

“It reminds me of the best post-punk bands from the 70s…hotter than a frying pan, sharper than a razor…” – Kristof Hahn (Swans, Pere Ubu)

“A driving beat pushes Lolita Terrorist Sounds from a cool classic sound to a new strange world…” – Thomas Wydler (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds)

“Splicing together the grit and dirty glamour of the best 80s coldwave and industrial rock – with 21st-century shine and shiver all its own…” – Nick Soulsby (author of several books on Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and Swans)

“The innovative sound of L.T.S. will reach the charts…” – Bob Rutman

“Very nice. Took me back to some of the records I made for Factory Records in the 80s…” –

Jon Caffery (Producer – Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, Gary Numan)

“Sounds really good to me! Very vibe and cool!” – John Agnello (Producer – Sonic Youth, Alice Cooper, Screaming Trees)

“It’s great!!! Fantastic everything including production and mix” – Victor Van Vugt (Producer – Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode, Gogol Bordello)

Check the bands previous singles:

‘St.Lola’ (live video session): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=iWGVY_WSYZA

‘Curse’: https://youtu.be/k1ohkmcIwpw

‘Prison Song’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQahigpRCOc

‘Red Carpet’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SZ7oam0LuY

‘Shaved Girl’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DPCWjrm0CQ

About Lolita Terrorist Sounds:

Lolita Terrorist Sounds is a Berlin-based avant-garde band founded by Maurizio Vitale. The name is a provocative combination of Nabokov’s novel title “Lolita”, and adding the challenging perception of the word “Terrorist”. Both were generated using the W. Burroughs cut-up technique and adding to it the word “Sounds” to best describe the groundbreaking nature of the band's compositions and performances. Vitale’s past and present collaborations include work with members of acclaimed bands such as Einstürzende Neubauten, Swans, Iggy Pop, Thåström, PJ Harvey, and Faust. His talent was at the service of the legendary Sabar percussionist Doudou N’Diaye Rose (SN), and he has played with German singer Andrea Schroeder both in the studio and live. In support of their previous release ‘Shaved Girl’, Lolita Terrorist Sounds has opened for the Swedish artist Anna von Hausswolff, done numerous live dates, and has played an exclusive acoustic show on the national German Radio Eins. ‘Shaved Girl’ was released as a limited edition vinyl release on the cult label Psychofon Records (The Residents). Graphic novelist Reinhard Kleist (Nick Cave “Mercy on me”, David Bowie “Starman”) curated the special artwork of the album, and also took part in some of the live performances of the band as a special guest. During the global lockdown, Lolita Terrorist Sounds ingeniously pivoted their artistic expression to create “Lolita Kitchen Sounds,” a groundbreaking live-streaming cooking show that fused the passion for music with culinary expertise. Blending delectable dishes with live music performances, the show became a virtual feast for the senses, gaining a devoted following and making waves in the digital entertainment landscape. Among a series of singles releases, ‘Prison Song’ stands out in the band's trajectory. Featuring the masterful lap steel guitar work of Kristof Hahn from Swans, ‘Prison Song’ showcased the band's ability to collaborate with exceptional talents, pushing their sound into uncharted territories. The critical acclaim for ‘Prison Song’ was not only limited to its musical arrangement but also extended to the airwaves. Notably, the song received praise and recognition on Mike Watt’s (The Stooges, Minuteman) radio show. Additionally, Mally Harpaz of Anna Calvi's band featured the song on her radio show, further solidifying Lolita Terrorist Sounds' reputation as an emerging force in the experimental music scene. Adding to their momentum, an unreleased studio version of ‘Shaved Girl’ emerged in June 2021, an anthem of liberation released during Pride Month. This track also paid tribute to the visionary Bob Rutman (†), who left an indelible mark by joining the recordings sessions for the song with his avant-garde genius before his passing. The song resonates as a celebration of identity and a testament to the enduring power of artistic collaboration. Lolita Terrorist Sounds now shine at their creative zenith. Amid impactful releases and global performances, anticipation builds for their upcoming full-length album, set to drop in October 2023.