La Roux#Ben Langmaid

{{short description|English synth-pop act}}

{{About|the musical act|their self-titled album|La Roux (album)|the former Belgian town of La-Roux and other meaning| Roux (disambiguation)}}

{{distinguish|LaRue (disambiguation){{!}}LaRue / La Rue|LeRoux (band)}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = La Roux

| image = La Roux.jpg

| alt =

| caption = La Roux performing in 2014

| background = group_or_band

| alias =

| origin = London, England

| genre = {{hlist|Synth-pop|new wave}}

| years_active = {{start date|2008}}–present

| label = {{hlist|Kitsuné|Polydor|Cherrytree|Interscope|Supercolour}}

| associated_acts =

| website =

| current_members = Elly Jackson

| past_members = Ben Langmaid

}}

La Roux ({{IPAc-en|l|ɑː|ˈ|r|uː}} {{respell|lah|ROO|'}}) is an English synth-pop act formed in 2008 by singer Elly Jackson and record producer Ben Langmaid. The act's debut album La Roux (2009) was a critical and commercial success, winning a Grammy Award and producing hit singles such as "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof". Recording of a follow-up album was marred by unsuccessful collaborations, the cancellation of two planned release dates, and reported conflict between the duo.

Langmaid ultimately left the group in 2012, and Jackson released a second album, Trouble in Paradise, in 2014, maintaining the former duo's name as her stage persona. The album was a critical, but not a commercial success, and La Roux subsequently parted ways with Polydor Records. She released her third album, Supervision, independently in 2020.

History

=2006–2011: Beginnings and self-titled album=

Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid were introduced by a mutual friend in 2006. Initially, they performed largely acoustic music under the moniker Automan due to Elly's great admiration of acts like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell.{{cite web |first=Heather |last=Phares |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/la-roux-mn0001062118/biography |title=La Roux |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |year=2009 |access-date=28 July 2009}} Their style later shifted to electronic music and the name was changed to La Roux which referred to both the act and Jackson's stage persona; the name alludes to the singer's red hair and tomboyish appearance, mingling the masculine ("le roux") and feminine ("la rousse") French terms.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Interview-La-Roux/article-927484-detail/article.html |title=Interview with La Roux ahead of Nottingham date on the NME Tour |work=Nottingham Evening Post |date=24 April 2009 |access-date=11 February 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505105845/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Interview-La-Roux/article-927484-detail/article.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}

La Roux's debut single, "Quicksand", was released by French independent record label Kitsuné in December 2008 to minor chart success. The duo then signed to Polydor Records in order to release an album. The second single, "In for the Kill", was released on 16 March 2009 and subsequently remixed by two prominent dubstep producers, Skream and Skrillex.{{cite web |last=Grundy |first=Gareth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/15/la-roux-in-for-kill |title=Electronic review: La Roux, In for the Kill (Skream remix) |work=The Guardian |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=25 April 2009}}{{cite web |last=Klapper |first=Rudy |url=http://klap4music.com/2010/09/la-roux-in-for-the-kill-skrillex-remix |title=Klap 4 Music: La Roux, In for the Kill (Skrillex Remix) |publisher=Klap 4 Music |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=31 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724152615/http://klap4music.com/2010/09/la-roux-in-for-the-kill-skrillex-remix/ |archive-date=2012-07-24}} "In for the Kill" debuted at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart on 22 March 2009, peaking at number 2 four weeks later. "Bulletproof", their third single, was released on 21 June 2009 and debuted at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and went on to sell over 2 million copies in the United States. The band's debut album, La Roux, was released on 26 June 2009 to generally favourable reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/la-roux/la-roux |title=Reviews for La Roux by La Roux |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=14 April 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/531/La-Roux-La-Roux.aspx |title=La Roux by La Roux reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=8 January 2020}} It peaked at number 2 in the UK and number 70 on the Billboard 200,{{cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/news/read/us-sales-improve-but-nothing-to-boast-about/042838|title=US sales improve, but nothing to boast about|work=Music Week|date=2010-06-10|access-date=2010-06-10}} among others. The fourth single, "I'm Not Your Toy", was released on 29 September 2009{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-61-1303743|title=La Roux announce new single details|date=13 August 2009|work=NME}} and reached number 27 on the UK chart. "As If by Magic" and "Tigerlily" were mooted as next singles,{{cite web|author=Stéphane Brunet |url=http://www.hall-musique.net/2009/09/la-roux-as-if-by-magic-nouveau-single.html |title=La Roux – As if by magic, nouveau single |publisher=Hall Musique |date=10 September 2009 |access-date=25 June 2010 |language=French |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916120319/http://www.hall-musique.net/2009/09/la-roux-as-if-by-magic-nouveau-single.html |archive-date=16 September 2009}}{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Copsey |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a244299/la-roux-announce-new-single-video-news/ |title=La Roux announce new single, video news |work=Digital Spy |date=15 July 2010 |access-date=15 July 2010}} but the release plans were later cancelled.

File:La Roux Eleanor Elly Jackson.jpg in Manchester, 2010]]

In order to promote La Roux, the band was the supporting act on Lily Allen's UK tour of March 2009.{{cite web |last=Gregory |first=Jason |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/48854/La-Roux-To-Support-Lily-Allen-On-UK-Tour |title=La Roux To Support Lily Allen on UK Tour |publisher=Gigwise |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=12 April 2009}} La Roux then headlined the NME Radar Tour alongside Magistrates and Heartbreak,{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-58-1319493 |title=La Roux to headline 2009 Samsung NME Radar Tour |work=NME |date=3 March 2009 |access-date=25 April 2009}} performed at the Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds festivals{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-65-1311350|title=La Roux, Marmaduke Duke, Big Pink for Reading And Leeds Festivals|author=Jamie Fullerton|date=9 June 2009|work=NME}} as well as London's Scala.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-67-1315037|title=La Roux to play London Scala|date=1 June 2009|work=NME|access-date=2 June 2009}} In July and August 2009, La Roux toured North America. The eight-city tour included performances at Osheaga Festival, All Points West Music & Arts Festival and Lollapalooza.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-62-1306450|title=La Roux announce North American tour|author=Fiona Byrne|date=19 June 2009|work=NME}} The group returned to North America for a seven-date tour in October.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-52-1315707|title=La Roux plot North American tour|author=Laura Ferreiro|date=26 August 2009|work=NME}} Their two Australian dates sold out within minutes forcing an upgrade in venues.{{cite web|url=http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/110455-la-roux-shows-sold-out-venues-upgraded-to-meet-demand.html|title=LA ROUX shows sold out - venues upgraded to meet demand!|website=AltSounds.com|date=26 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829074450/http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/110455-la-roux-shows-sold-out-venues-upgraded-to-meet-demand.html|archive-date=29 August 2009}} In November, the duo embarked on an eleven-date UK and Ireland tour.{{cite web |last=Gregory |first=Jason |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/51612/la-roux-announces-massive-autumn-uk-tour |title=La Roux Announces Massive Autumn UK Tour |publisher=Gigwise |date=8 July 2009 |access-date=4 January 2013}} La Roux gained fifth position on the BBC Sound of 2009 poll.{{cite news |last=Youngs |first=Ian |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7787555.stm |title=BBC Sound of 2009: La Roux |publisher=BBC News |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=7 January 2009}} The Guardian website featured La Roux on the New Band of the Day column,{{cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/19/new-band-la-roux |title=New band of the day – No 433: La Roux |work=The Guardian |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=7 January 2009}} having previously featured them as one of the Best New Acts of 2009.{{cite web |first=Rebecca |last=Lovell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2009/jan/18/la-roux |title=The Best New Acts of 2009: La Roux |work=The Guardian |date=18 January 2009 |access-date=11 April 2009}} The album has been nominated for a Mercury Prize, and was eventually certified platinum in the UK and Ireland, and gold in Australia.

Sales of "In for the Kill" spiked 600 per cent when Skream's "Let's Get Ravey" remix of the song appeared on the HBO show Entourage in August 2010. A remix EP of the song was released in tandem with the November US tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2010/08/la-roux-tour-us/|title=La Roux to Tour the U.S.|author=Eric Vilas-Boas|work=Spin|date=25 August 2010|access-date=26 August 2010}} In October, a new music video for the song was released, shot at New York's landmark Hotel Chelsea.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.tv/news/la-roux-new-in-for-the-kill-video/|title=La Roux goes to New York to revitalize In For The Kill|publisher=MTV|date=8 October 2010|access-date=27 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012143556/http://www.mtv.tv/news/la-roux-new-in-for-the-kill-video/|archive-date=12 October 2010}} Also in 2010, Jackson contributed vocals to Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/53330|title=Kanye West announces La Roux, Jay-Z, MIA will feature on new album|date=7 October 2010|work=NME|access-date=7 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010131818/https://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/53330|archive-date=10 October 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1649541/20101007/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West Adds M.I.A., La Roux And Alicia Keys To Album|author=Gil Kaufman|publisher=MTV|date=7 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009210502/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1649541/20101007/west_kanye.jhtml|archive-date=9 October 2010}} and to West and Jay-Z's collaborative album Watch the Throne, on the track "That's My Bitch".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-and-jay-zs-watch-the-throne-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110809|title=Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne': A Track-by-Track Breakdown|author=Matthew Perpetua|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=9 August 2011}} She also performed on Chromeo's third album Business Casual, providing chorus vocals for the track "Hot Mess" which was released as a single in early 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/12400/Chromeo+Featuring+Elly+Jackson+-+Hot+Mess+(UK+Version)|title=Chromeo Featuring Elly Jackson - Hot Mess (UK Version)|date=1 February 2011|publisher=glasswerk.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027154514/http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/12400/Chromeo+Featuring+Elly+Jackson+-+Hot+Mess+(UK+Version)|archive-date=27 October 2011}} In February 2011, at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, La Roux won the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for their self-titled debut album and "In for the Kill" was nominated for Best Dance Recording.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees |title=Nominees And Winners |publisher=grammy.com |access-date=27 December 2021|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215144843/http://www.grammy.com/nominees |archive-date=15 February 2011}}

=2012–2017: Departure of Langmaid and ''Trouble in Paradise''=

In a January 2012 interview, the second La Roux album was described as "a lot cheekier" and "sexier".{{cite web |last=Harmsworth |first=Andrei |url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/01/20/la-rouxs-elly-jackson-the-music-on-our-new-album-is-a-lot-sexier-291122/ |title=La Roux's Elly Jackson: The music on our new album is a lot sexier |work=Metro |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=4 January 2013}} The material, which the duo had been working on intermittently for over two years,{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-40-1305688 |title=La Roux to begin work on second album |author=Adam Adshead |work=NME |date=27 November 2009 |access-date=2 December 2009}} was said to draw more on acoustic sounds and instruments. It had been reported that La Roux were writing the second album with an indie rock band whose members are friends of Jackson.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-44-1291499 |title=La Roux writing second album with 'established' indie band |author=Matt Wilkinson |work=NME |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=17 January 2011}} Langmaid left La Roux at some point later in 2012, although his departure was officially confirmed two years later.

La Roux started a low-key comeback tour on 28 March 2013 in Brighton during which she premiered four new songs. Early reactions to the new material were positive.{{cite web |url=http://www.popjustice.com/briefing/la-rouxs-in-full-on-get-on-with-it-mode-and-about-time-too-to-be-honest/112377/ |title=La Roux's in full-on Get on With It mode, and about time too to be honest |website=Popjustice |date=29 March 2013 |access-date=29 March 2013}} In April 2014, La Roux announced that her second studio album, Trouble in Paradise, would be released in the UK on 21 July. It was preceded by the song "Let Me Down Gently", which premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 12 May, and the first official single "Uptight Downtown", released on 28 May 2014. The latter was a moderate success in the UK, peaking at number 63. On 9 June, "Tropical Chancer" was released as another promotional single. During the promotions for the album, Jackson revealed that she and Langmaid had parted ways, and she was now the sole member of La Roux.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/track-review-la-rouxs-soul-purging-comeback-epic-let-me-down-gently-20252 |title=Track Review - La Roux's Soul-Purging Comeback Epic 'Let Me Down Gently' |author=Al Horner |work=NME |date=13 May 2014 |access-date=16 May 2014}} Langmaid responded that he was "truly saddened" by the split.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/la-roux-14-1247272 |title=Ben Langmaid 'truly saddened' by his departure from La Roux |author=David Renshaw |work=NME |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=23 June 2014}} Trouble in Paradise met with favourable critical reception,{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6554/La-Roux-Trouble-in-Paradise.aspx |title=Trouble in Paradise by La Roux reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=27 December 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FixEX0vdr5M |title=La Roux's Elly Jackson chats to Lauren Laverne |publisher=YouTube |date=9 October 2014 |access-date=28 December 2021}} but did not repeat the commercial success of the predecessor, peaking at number 6 in the UK, where it stayed on the chart for only four weeks, and failing to enter the top 10 anywhere else. "Kiss and Not Tell", released as a single on 20 October 2014, failed to make an impact on the charts.

La Roux toured North America in July 2014, including two opening shows for New Order in San Francisco and Los Angeles.{{cite web |last=Beauchemin |first=Molly |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/54644-la-roux-announces-north-american-tour/ |title=La Roux Announces North American Tour |work=Pitchfork |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=8 August 2014}} She then continued the tour alternating between Europe and North America, before embarking on the Australian leg at the end of the year. In early 2015, the tour proceeded to South America. La Roux then performed additional dates in Europe, including Croatia's INmusic Festival, UK's Glastonbury, and Germany's Melt! Festival. Her touring band consisted of four musicians, including keyboardist and backing vocalist Mickey O'Brien. Jackson provided joint lead vocals for the tracks "Tutti Frutti" and "People on the High Line", along with backing vocals on "Plastic", for New Order's album Music Complete, released in September 2015.{{cite web|title=New Order Announces European tour & special guests on new album|url=https://mute.com/mute/announced-european-tour-special-guests-on-new-album|website=Mute|date=7 July 2015|access-date=7 February 2016}} She also filmed a cameo appearance for the film Absolutely Fabulous, released the following year, in which she performed "Sexotheque" and "Uptight Downtown". In 2016, La Roux's live lineup comprised Seye Adelekan, Olugbenga Adelekan from Metronomy and Jay Sharrock from Miles Kane's band.{{cite tweet|user=SeyeMusic|author=Seye|number=728309002413719552|date=5 May 2016|title=Seye Adelekan on Twitter}} During that time, La Roux was recording new music, but decided to scrap the entire material in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/la-roux-supervision-interview-music-industry-personal-essay/|title=La Roux: How to Be a Musician When You Hate the Music Industry|last=Jackson|first=Elly|publisher=Vice Media|date=2 February 2020|access-date=7 March 2020}}

=2018–present: ''Supervision''=

File:LaRouxFabric050220-25 (49573620641).jpg in London, 2020]]

In 2018, La Roux provided vocals for Whyte Horses' "The Best of It". The following year, she featured on their cover of "Mr. Natural" and provided background vocals for Tyler, the Creator's track "Thank You" on his album Igor. In the meantime, she composed and recorded material for her third studio album, Supervision, which was her first recorded entirely as a solo act. It was released on 7 February 2020 through Jackson's own independent label Supercolour Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.dejongensvanhemmes.nl/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.record_flypage&product_id=4251910&category_id=31&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39|title=La Roux-Supervision -Coloured-|publisher=dejongensvanhemmes.nl|access-date=17 October 2019|language=Dutch}} The album was preceded by the singles "International Woman of Leisure" on 31 October 2019, "Gullible Fool" on 5 December 2019, and "Automatic Driver" on 23 January 2020. None of the singles made impact on the charts and the album met with mixed to positive reviews upon its release. Commercially, the record achieved only moderate success, reaching number 20 in the UK and number 85 in Germany. La Roux announced a concert tour in Europe in February and North America in March 2020 to support Supervision, having recruited new touring musicians. The American leg of the tour was postponed until November and eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=http://www.commodoreballroom.com/view-all/2020/3/20/laroux|title=La Roux - CANCELLED — The Commodore Ballroom|date=5 November 2020 |publisher=commodoreballroom.com|access-date=18 December 2021}}

La Roux featured on Boulevards' single "Too Far" and CASisDEAD's single and video "Park Assist". In 2021, she released a cover of Gang of Four's "Damaged Goods" which was included in the compilation The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill & Gang of Four. She also appeared in the Sky Arts documentary Blitzed: The 80's Blitz Kids' Story in which she discussed the cultural effects of the New Romantic movement on younger performers like herself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/tag/the-blitz-club/|title=RUSTY EGAN: The Blitzed Interview|publisher=Electricityclub.co.uk|date=22 March 2021|access-date=28 December 2021}}

In 2022, La Roux's musical style branched out further when she released “Feedback,” a single featuring rapper Baby Tate and heavily influenced by R&B.

In July 2023, La Roux posted a previously unreleased track, [https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=pCtHRv4BZVwOj-QH&v=FpSPH51U24w&feature=youtu.be Malibu Barbie], exclusively on her YouTube account.

Artistry

Elly Jackson's first interest was in folk music. She was particularly interested in Carole King and Nick Drake whose music she discovered in her parents' record collection. Jackson's early musical material consisted of folk ditties influenced by Joni Mitchell.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/breaking-la-roux-20091104 |title=Breaking: La Roux |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=4 November 2009}} Her taste in music changed during her mid-teens when she became involved in the rave scene. She lists Gerry Rafferty,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/elly-jackson-its-not-just-being-catchy-1976326.html|title=Elly Jackson: 'It's not just being catchy'|work=The Independent|date=19 May 2010}} Madonna, Prince, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, Jenny Wilson, and The Knife{{cite web |last=Wøien |first=Kim |url=http://www.musikknyheter.no/interview/5782 |title=Et intervju med La Roux |language=no |publisher=Musikknyheter.no |date=4 September 2009}} as her influences. She made her performing debut at the Half Moon Pub in Herne Hill, London, at the age of 17.{{cite web|title=Singer La Roux slams 'aggressive' developers in row over future of iconic Half Moon music pub|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/singer-la-roux-slams-aggressive-developers-in-row-over-future-of-iconic-half-moon-music-pub-a3221181.html|work=Evening Standard|date=9 April 2016|access-date=9 April 2016}}

In July 2010, La Roux curated and mixed a volume of Sidetracked, a compilation series from Renaissance that allows artists from the electronic field free rein to showcase their musical interests. The eclectic mix featured the likes of Japan, Heaven 17, Joyce Sims, Fever Ray (lead singer of The Knife), Doris Troy, Tears for Fears, Gerry Rafferty and many more of her influences. It also includes an exclusive recording of The Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb", a cover La Roux had been featuring in her then-recent live sets.{{cite web |url=http://www.renaissance.dj/micro/sidetracked_laroux/index.htm |title=Renaissance: La Roux - Sidetracked |publisher=renaissance.dj |access-date=2020-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726070133/http://www.renaissance.dj/micro/sidetracked_laroux/index.htm |archive-date=26 July 2010}}

Jackson is unhappy with what she perceives as a "normality" fashion trend among a majority of today's musical acts.{{cite web |last=Day |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/apr/19/female-artists-pop-music |title=Pop's new wave: quirky, stylish girls fashioned from the 80s |work=The Observer |date=19 April 2009 |access-date=20 April 2009}}{{cite web|last=Dingwall |first=John |url=http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/129287362 |title=A Girl Named Roux Leads 80s Revival; Electropop Trendsetter Recaptures the Style of New Romantics for A New Generation of Music Fans |work=California Chronicle |date=1 May 2009 |access-date=4 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312060105/http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/129287362 |archive-date=12 March 2012}} Her androgynous clothing and hair style has been compared to the 1980s group A Flock of Seagulls.{{cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Lester |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/24/la-roux-elly-jackson |title=La Roux: 'Of course Lady Gaga's not my thing' |work=The Guardian |date=24 September 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10002126 |title=N-Dubz hit out at 'bitter' La Roux |work=Newsbeat |publisher=BBC News |date=1 October 2009}} Jackson strongly opposes stylists who try to make her appearance more classically feminine.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-14-la-et-la-roux-20100714-story.html|title=La Roux takes its best shot|author=Kennedy, Gerrick D.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=14 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718231653/https://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/14/entertainment/la-et-la-roux-20100714|archive-date=18 July 2010}}

Members

  • Eleanor Kate "Elly" Jackson (born 12 March 1988) is the lead singer, songwriter and sole member of La Roux, formerly a synthpop duo. She is known for her reddish toned hair and androgynous style.{{cite news|title=La Roux's Elly Jackson Refused to Wear Heels at Viktor & Rolf's Men's Show|work=New York|author=Odell, Amy|date=24 June 2010|url=https://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/06/la_rouxs_elly_jackson_refused.html}} Her vocal range is that of a soprano.{{cite news| url=http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/interviews/La_Roux| title=Elly Jackson SPG Interview| work=Student Pocket Guide| access-date=26 December 2011| first=Andy| last=Fuller| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224164643/http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/interviews/La_Roux| archive-date=24 December 2011}} She was born in London to actors Trudie Goodwin and Kit Jackson, and has an older sister named Jessica. Jackson's great-grandfather was Anthony Bernard, founder of the London Chamber Orchestra and first musical director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Jackson attended Pimlico School, Sydenham High School, and Royal Russell School. She was frequently bullied in school because of her appearance and weight.{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/entertainment/la-roux-singer-tells-of-bullying-421756.html |title=La Roux singer tells of bullying |publisher=BreakingNews.ie |date=8 August 2009 |access-date=6 April 2013}} She has expressed discomfort with revealing her sexuality to the public.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/la-roux-interview-new-album-supervision-gay-lgbtq-elly-jackson-a9319376.html|title=La Roux: 'The gay community are dying for you to label yourself'|date=2020-02-05|website=The Independent|access-date=2020-04-20}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/amplify/133397/la-roux-interview-amplify/|title=British pop enigma La Roux is back and bolder than ever|author=Daniel Megarry|date=2020-03-25|work=Gay Times|access-date=2020-03-27}}
  • Ben Langmaid was a member of La Roux from its inception until 2012, as songwriter and producer. He did not participate in the music videos or live performances with Jackson. Langmaid, a London-based producer and composer, has been involved with various other music projects in the past. He was a DJ throughout the 1990s.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15309897|title=Why are La Roux and Example writing for girl bands?|publisher=BBC News|author=Mark Savage|date=19 October 2011}} He has a close association with Rollo Armstrong of Faithless; the two musicians went to the same school and later collaborated as Huff & Puff in the mid-1990s, releasing the house single "Help Me Make It" in 1996. Langmaid also recorded as Atomic and was one half of Huff & Herb,{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher=Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 262}} before contributing as a songwriter to indie rock band Kubb's debut album Mother, released in 2005. This project was again linked to Rollo Armstrong; Kubb's frontman Harry Collier was introduced to Langmaid after Collier sang "Happy Birthday to You" to Armstrong whilst working as a waiter in a North London organic café.{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Jon |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kubb-mn0000324303/biography |title=Kubb |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |year=2009 |access-date=28 July 2009}} Langmaid turned down the offer of a permanent position in Kubb. In 2011, Langmaid wrote material for the early 1990s R&B-styled girl group War of Words.

=Touring members=

  • Michael Greene – keyboards; left the band in 2012 to release music as Fort Romeau{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/03/la-roux-collaborator-fort-romeau-builds-his-own-kingdoms-0/|title=La Roux Collaborator Fort Romeau Builds His Own 'Kingdoms'|website=Spin.com|date=21 March 2012}}
  • Mickey O'Brien – keyboards and backing vocals (2008–2016)
  • William Bowerman – percussion (2009–2016)
  • Ed Seed – bass (2013–2016)
  • Matthew "Matty" Carroll – bass (2013–2016)
  • Seye Adelekan – bass (2016)
  • Olugbenga Adelekan – bass (2016)
  • Jay Sharrock – percussion (2016)
  • Fernando Sanchez – bass, keyboard (2019–2020){{cite web|url=https://matuklon.com/la-roux-teases-supervision-in-kingston/|title=La Roux Teases Supervision in Kingston|date=5 February 2020|publisher=matuklon.com|access-date=12 December 2021}}
  • Louis Sommer – bass (2020, 2025){{cite web|url=https://matuklon.com/la-roux-live-the-lower-third-london-2025/|title=La Roux Live at The Lower Third in London, 2025|date=7 May 2025|publisher=matuklon.com|access-date=16 May 2025}}
  • Karl Bossche – percussion (2020)
  • Dani Diodato – bass, keyboard (2025)

Discography

{{main article|La Roux discography}}

Awards

class="wikitable"
Year

!Award

!Category

!Nominated work

!Result

rowspan="18"| 2009

| O2 Silver Clef Awards

| Best Newcomer

| La Roux

| {{Won}}[http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if52b9a5b28d70b3359e1f64f6947cb7f Take That, Madness Win Silver Clefs Billboard Business News 4 July 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001070558/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if52b9a5b28d70b3359e1f64f6947cb7f |date=1 October 2012 }}

rowspan="2"| Studio8 International Music Awards

| Best Female Newcomer

| Elly Jackson

| {{Won}}

Studio8 Song of July 2009

| "Bulletproof"

| {{Won}}

Mercury Prize

| –

| La Roux

| {{Nom}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/nme/46222|title=Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009: nominees announced|date=21 July 2009|work=NME|access-date=21 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724161818/http://www.nme.com/news/nme/46222|archive-date=24 July 2009|url-status=dead}}

rowspan="3"| MTV Europe Music Awards

| Best New Act

| rowspan="4"| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

Best Push Artist

| {{Nom}}

Best UK & Ireland New Act

| {{Nom}}

Žebřík Music Awards

| Best International Discovery

| {{nom}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.anketazebrik.cz/historie/2010-2004/|title = 2010-2004 – Anketa Žebřík}}

rowspan="2"| Virgin Media Music Awards

| Best Newcomer

La Roux

| {{Nom}}

Best Album

| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

mtvU Woodie Awards

| Breaking Woodie

| rowspan="3"| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

Q Awards

| Breakthrough Artist

| {{Nom}}

UK Festival Awards

| Best Breakthrough Act

| {{Nom}}

Popjustice £20 Music Prize

| 5th

| "In for the Kill"

| {{Nom}}

The Record of the Year

| 7th

| "In for the Kill"

| {{Nom}}

UK Music Video Awards

| Best Styling in a Video

| "Quicksand"

| {{Nom}}

iTunes 2009 UK Music Awards

| Single of the Year

| "In for the Kill"

| {{Won}}

Best Art Vinyl

| Best Art Vinyl 2009

| La Roux

| style="text-align:center; background:#fdd;"|9th{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6947489/Muse-Florence-and-the-Machine-and-Laroux-among-best-record-sleeves-of-2009.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6947489/Muse-Florence-and-the-Machine-and-Laroux-among-best-record-sleeves-of-2009.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Muse, Florence and the Machine and Laroux among best record sleeves of 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2010 |access-date=13 February 2010}}{{cbignore}}

rowspan="15"| 2010

| rowspan="2"| Brit Awards

| British Breakthrough Act

| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

British Single

| "In for the Kill"

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="2"| Glamour Women of the Year Awards

| Band of the Year

| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

Sheer Infusion Newcomer

| La Roux

| {{Nom}}

rowspan="3"| NME Awards

| Best Dancefloor Filler

| "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix)

| {{won}}

Best New Band

| La Roux

| {{nom}}

Best Dressed

| Elly Jackson

| {{nom}}

| Ivor Novello Awards

| Best Contemporary Song

| "In for the Kill"

| {{nom}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958550/lily-allen-dizzee-rascal-up-for-ivor-novello-awards|title=Lily Allen|magazine=Billboard|date=20 April 2010}}

| MTV Video Music Awards Japan

| Best Dance Video

| "I'm Not Your Toy"

| {{nom}}

rowspan="5"| International Dance Music Awards

| Best Underground Dance Track

| "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix)

| {{nom}}

Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track

| "Bulletproof"

| {{nom}}

Best Electro Track

| "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix)

| {{nom}}

Best Dubstep/DNB/Jungle Track

| "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix)

| {{won}}

Best Break-Through Artist (Group)

| La Roux

| {{won}}

NewNowNext Awards

| Brink of Fame: Music Artist

| La Roux

| {{nom}}

rowspan="4"| 2011

| rowspan="2"|Grammy Awards

| Best Dance Recording

| "In for the Kill"

| {{nom}}

Best Electronic/Dance Album

| La Roux

| {{won}}

Billboard Music Awards

| Top Dance Artist

| La Roux

|{{nom}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472097/full-2011-billboard-music-awards-finalists-list|title=Full 2011 Billboard Music Awards Finalists List|website=Billboard.com|date=13 April 2011|access-date=2020-03-22}}

BMI Pop Awards

| Award-Winning Song

| "Bulletproof"

| {{won}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/david_foster_named_bmi_icon_at_59th_annual_bmi_pop_music_awards|title=David Foster Named BMI Icon at 59th Annual BMI Pop Music Awards|date=18 May 2011|website=BMI.com|access-date=27 April 2020}}

rowspan=3|2014

| Popjustice £20 Music Prize

| Best British Pop Single

| "Uptight Downtown"

| {{nom}}

rowspan=2|Rober Awards Music Poll{{cite web|url=https://roberawards.com/awards-archive/2014-the-year-in-music/the-rober-awards-2014-music-poll/|title=The Rober Awards 2014 Music Poll|website=Roberawards.com|access-date=2020-03-22}}

| Best Female Artist

| rowspan=2|La Roux

| {{nom}}

Best Pop Artist

| {{nom}}

rowspan="3"| 2015

| rowspan="3"|NME Awards

| Best Album

| Trouble in Paradise

| {{nom}}{{cite web|title=NME Awards 2015 With Austin, Texas - Meet The Nominees|website=NME|date=17 December 2014|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/nme-awards-2015-with-austin-texas-meet-the-nominees/366374|access-date=19 January 2016|ref=nmeawards}}

Best Solo Act

| rowspan=2|La Roux

| {{nom}}

Best Fan Community

| {{nom}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/various-artists-1448-1210294|title=Kasabian, Royal Blood, Jamie T lead nominations for NME Awards 2015 with Austin, Texas - voting open | NME|website=NME|date=16 December 2014|access-date=27 April 2020}}

References

{{Reflist}}