Leila Arab

Leila Arab (Persian: لیلا عرب‎, born in 1971), professionally known as Leila, is an Iranian-born record producer and DJ based in London, England. She has released music on the labels Rephlex, XL and Warp.[3] She has also worked extensively with Icelandic singer Björk.[4]

Leila
Birth nameLeila Arab
Also known asGrammatix,[1] Little Miss Specta
Born1971 (age 49–50)[2]
Tehran, Iran[2]
OriginLondon, England[2]
GenresElectronica
Occupation(s)Producer, DJ
Years active1993-present
LabelsRephlex Records, Warp, XL Recordings
Associated actsBjörk, Zebra Katz
Websitewarp.net/artists/leila/

Biography

Arab was born in Iran and spent part of her childhood there.[5] Her family fled to London following the Iranian Revolution in 1979.[6] She became interested in DJing and keyboards, and left college to perform with singer Björk 1994, later working with her as a sound engineer and live mixer.[5] She met Richard D. James while both were on tour with Björk, and both James and Grant Wilson-Claridge suggested she release her solo recordings on their label Rephlex Records.[7]

In 1998, Leila released her debut album, Like Weather, on Rephlex.[8] In 2000, she released Courtesy of Choice on XL Recordings.[9] Ben Thompson of The Telegraph called referred to these releases as "two collections of spooky electronic soul which [...] established her as an integral member of the Nineties' golden generation of British writer-producers."[6]

After a hiatus following the death of her parents, she released Blood Looms and Blooms in 2008 on Warp.[10] It included vocal contributions from Terry Hall and Martina Topley-Bird.[11] In 2009, she contributed a cover of an Aphex Twin song, "Vordhosbn", to the Warp20 (Recreated) compilation album.[12]

In 2012, she released her fourth LP U&I on Warp.[13] In 2015, she released a collaborative EP with Zebra Katz, titled Nu Renegade, on ZFK Records.[14]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles
  • "Don't Fall Asleep" (1997)
  • “Space, Love" (1998)
  • "Feeling" (1998)
  • "Sodastream" (1999)
  • "Mettle" (2008)
  • "Deflect" (2008)
  • "(Disappointed Cloud) Anyway" (2011)

References
  1. "Leila Arab". British Council. 12 October 2005. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  2. Dalton, Stephen (31 January 2012). "A talented diaspora presents a new kind of Iranian music". The National. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  3. Saxelby, Ruth (8 May 2015). "Zebra Katz And Leila Debut Snarling "You Tell Em" Video". The Fader. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  4. Savvides, Alexandra (19 September 2008). "Leila interview by Alexandra Savvides". Cyclic Defrost. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. Bush, John. "Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  6. Thompson, Ben. "Postcards from the planet Leila". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  7. Warwick, Oli. "Label of the month: Rephlex". Resident Advisory. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  8. Cardew, Ben (24 January 2017). "The 50 Best IDM Albums of All Time (2/5)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. Turner, Luke (2012). "Leila - U&I - Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. Padilla, Sean (3 August 2008). "Leila: Blood, Looms and Blooms". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. Lynskey, Dorian (3 July 2008). "Leila, Blood, Looms and Blooms". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. Breihan, Tom (1 July 2009). "Warp20 Box Set Tracklist Revealed". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  13. Gilard, Stephane (3 February 2012). "Leila - U&I". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. Rosario, Richy (10 December 2015). "Premiere: Jump Into Zebra Katz's Mind Twisting World In the Video For "Nu Renegade"". Vibe. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
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