Lou Rhodes facts for kids

Lou Rhodes is an English singer and songwriter from Manchester. She is best known as the singer for the band Lamb. Besides her work with the band, Rhodes has also released four of her own solo albums.

Rhodes has worked with many other musicians, including 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, and The Cinematic Orchestra. In 2023, she started a new band called Kiiōtō with musician Rohan Heath. Their first album, As Dust We Rise, came out in July 2024.

Musical Journey

Lou Rhodes grew up in Manchester, England. Her mother was a folk singer, so music was always a big part of her life. Before she became a famous singer, she worked as a photographer.

Forming the Band Lamb

In the mid-1990s, Rhodes met an engineer named Andy Barlow. They started making music together and formed the band Lamb. Their unique sound quickly got them a record deal with Mercury Records. The band became known for mixing electronic sounds with Rhodes's beautiful vocals.

After working together for about ten years, Rhodes and Barlow decided to take a break from Lamb in 2004. This gave them both a chance to work on their own music.

A New Solo Career

In 2006, Rhodes started her own record label called Infinite Bloom. She released her first solo album, Beloved One. This album was very different from her music with Lamb. It had a gentle, folk sound with acoustic guitars.

The album was a big success and was even shortlisted for the famous Nationwide Mercury Music Prize. This showed that people loved her new musical style. She performed at big events like the Glastonbury Festival.

More Albums and Lamb's Return

Rhodes released her second solo album, Bloom, in 2007. She was on tour for the album when she had to stop because of a family tragedy.

In 2009, fans were excited to hear that Lamb was getting back together for a tour. The band even released a new album called 5. During this time, Rhodes also recorded her third solo album, One Good Thing. It was a quiet, acoustic album that she recorded in just two weeks.

Her fourth album, theyesandeye, was released in 2016. It included a cover of the song "Angels" by the band The xx.

Writing and Style

Musical Style

While Lamb is known for electronic music like drum and bass, Lou Rhodes's solo music is much more acoustic and based in folk music. She uses acoustic guitars, violin, and soft percussion to create a personal and soulful sound.

Her lyrics are often about love and personal feelings. She once said that her heart always gives her ideas for songs.

Writing for Children

Besides writing songs, Lou Rhodes is also an author of children's books. Her first picture book, The Phlunk, was published in 2012 and received great reviews. She released a second book, The Phlunk's Worldwide Symphony, in 2015.

Personal Life

Lou Rhodes was married to Crispin Robinson and has two sons. She lives in a quiet, countryside area in Wiltshire, England.

Discography

Albums

• 2006: Beloved One
• 2007: Bloom
• 2010: One Good Thing
• 2016: theyesandeye

Singles

• 2006: "Tremble"
• 2007: "The Rain"
• 2010: "There for the Taking"

Books

• 2013: The Phlunk (ISBN: 9780957369016)
• 2014: The Phlunk's Worldwide Symphony (ISBN: 9780957369023)