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| instrument = Synthesizers
| instrument = Synthesizers
| genre = [[Electronic music|Electronic]], [[synthpop]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| genre = [[Electronic music|Electronic]], [[synthpop]], [[New wave music|new wave]]
| occupation = Musician, photographer, musical director, industrial designer
| occupation = artist, photographer, musician
| years_active = 1999–present
| years_active = 1999–present
| label = [[Nettwerk]]
| label = [[Nettwerk]]
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}}
}}


'''Reuben Wu''' (born 1975) is a British artist, photographer, musician, and [[industrial designer]]. He is also known as a keyboardist, songwriter, and producer for the [[electronic music|electronic]] band [[Ladytron]].<ref name="TheTimes">{{cite news|title=Made up in China|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=[[News International]]|date=2005-01-01|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article406382.ece|accessdate=2009-07-19}}</ref>
'''Reuben Wu''' (born 6 September 1975) is a British artist, photographer, and musician. He is also known as a founding member of the [[electronic music|electronic]] band [[Ladytron]].<ref name="TheTimes">{{cite news|title=Made up in China|work=[[The Times]]|publisher=[[News International]]|date=2005-01-01|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article406382.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615150439/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article406382.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2011|accessdate=2009-07-19}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Reuben Wu was born in [[Liverpool]] in 1975, the son of [[Hong Kong]]ese immigrants. He trained in [[industrial design]] at [[Sheffield Hallam University]], graduating in 1997.<ref name="blurb">{{cite web|title=SVALBARD 12 inch version By Reuben Wu|url=http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2274359|publisher=Blurb.com|accessdate=2013-03-19}}</ref> Meanwhile, he met [[Daniel Hunt]] in Liverpool in 1994; they formed [[Ladytron]] in 1999, along with [[Mira Aroyo]] and [[Helen Marnie]].{{fact|date=May 2019}} Wu finished his [[MSc]] in 1998 at the [[University of Liverpool]]. He worked as an [[industrial designer]] until going full-time with the band in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Designer Downtime|url=http://www.core77.com/reactor/designer_downtime2.html|publisher=Core77.com|accessdate=2013-03-19}}</ref>
Reuben Wu was born in [[Liverpool]] in 1975, the son of [[Hongkonger]] immigrants. He trained in [[industrial design]] at [[Sheffield Hallam University]], graduating in 1997. Meanwhile, he met [[Daniel Hunt]] in Liverpool in 1994; they formed [[Ladytron]] in 1999, along with [[Mira Aroyo]] and [[Helen Marnie]].<ref name="nettskinny">{{cite web |url=http://nettskinny.com/release/20110214/329-ladytron-best-00-10 |title=3/29 – Ladytron – 'Best Of: 00 – 10' |work=Nettwerk Press Blog |date=14 February 2011 |accessdate=8 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110841/http://nettskinny.com/release/20110214/329-ladytron-best-00-10 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videovision.org/vv_interviews-ladytron.html |title=Videovision: Ladytron interview|year=2002 |accessdate=8 May 2013}}</ref> Wu finished his [[MSc]] in 1998 at the [[University of Liverpool]]. He worked as an [[industrial designer]] until going full-time with the band in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Designer Downtime|url=http://www.core77.com/reactor/designer_downtime2.html|publisher=Core77.com|accessdate=2013-03-19}}</ref>


Wu and Hunt launched the Liverpool nightclub Evol in 2003 and bar/music venue [[Korova (Liverpool)|Korova]] in 2005.<ref name="JessMolyneux">{{cite news|last=Molyneux|first=Jess|title=Lost Liverpool music venue that was 'seen as a rite of passage' in the city|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=2022-06-17|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/lost-liverpool-music-venue-seen-24222366}}</ref>
Wu hand drew the artwork of the UK edition of Ladytron's first album ''[[604 (album)|604]]'' and began to document his travels on tour with the band via photography. His visual art career began in 2012 once the band took a break and he was able to focus full-time on his own creative output.<ref name="LiverpoolEcho">{{cite web|last=Wright|first=Jade|title=Ladytron’s tour de force|work=[[Liverpool Echo]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|date=2008-04-25|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/find-things-to-do/ladytrons-tour-de-force-3489603/|accessdate=30 May 2013}}</ref> Wu had since created artistic content for [[GE]], [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s "Shot On iPhone" campaign, [[Jaguar Land Rover]], [[Google]] and [[Interscope]] amongst others.{{fact|date=May 2019}}


Wu co-wrote and produced two songs "Birds of Prey" and "Little Dreamer" for [[Christina Aguilera]]'s 2010 album ''[[Bionic (Christina Aguilera album)|Bionic]]''.<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|author1=Pitchfork|title=Christina Aguilera Working With Goldfrapp, Ladytron? |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/33977-christina-aguilera-working-with-goldfrapp-ladytron/ |date=November 12, 2008}}</ref>
Wu and Hunt set up the Liverpool nightclubs Evol in 2003 and [[Korova (Liverpool)|Korova]] in 2005.<ref name="LiverpoolEcho" />


Utilizing his skill an artist and designer, Wu illustrated the artwork of the UK edition of Ladytron's first album ''[[604 (album)|604]]'' and was introduced to photography by documenting his travels on tour with the band. His own visual art career began later in 2012 once the band took a sabbatical and he was able to focus full-time on his own creative output.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|author1=Jacqui Palumbo|title=How this photographer makes sublime landscapes of the American West|website=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/reuben-wu-landscape-photography/index.html|date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> Wu has since created artistic content for [[GE]],<ref name="Adweek">{{cite web|author1=Erik Oster|title=GE, Barbarians, Ladytron Member Collaborate to Make Freight Logistics Interesting
Wu produced and co-wrote two songs "Birds of Prey" and "Little Dreamer" for [[Christina Aguilera]]'s 2010 album ''[[Bionic (Christina Aguilera album)|Bionic]]''.{{fact|date=May 2019}}
|url=https://www.adweek.com/agencyspy/ge-collaborates-with-reuben-wu-in-attempt-to-make-freight-logistics-interesting/59025/|website=Adweek|date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s Mac OS Big Sur wallpapers, [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Google]] and [[Interscope]] amongst others.{{fact|date=May 2019}}


In 2017, Wu photographed the artwork for [[Zedd]] and [[Alessia Cara]]'s double platinum single "[[Stay (Zedd and Alessia Cara song)|Stay]]" and [[Zedd]] & [[Liam Payne]]'s single "[[Get Low (Zedd and Liam Payne song)|Get Low]]" in collaboration with [[Samuel Burgess-Johnson]].{{fact|date=May 2019}}
In 2017, Wu was commissioned to photograph the artwork for [[Zedd]] and [[Alessia Cara]]'s double-platinum single "[[Stay (Zedd and Alessia Cara song)|Stay]]" and [[Zedd]] & [[Liam Payne]]'s single "[[Get Low (Zedd and Liam Payne song)|Get Low]]" in collaboration with [[Samuel Burgess-Johnson]].{{fact|date=May 2019}}

Wu became a [[National Geographic]] photographer in 2022 after having his first assignment published in the magazine, a cover story on [[Stonehenge]] for the August issue. For this story, he used his unconventional drone lighting technique to illuminate the ancient megalith at night.<ref name="National Geographic">{{cite web|author1=Emily Martin, Sylvia Mphofe|title=How the spirit of ancient Stonehenge was captured with a 21st-century drone
|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/stonehenge-behind-the-cover-august?loggedin=true&rnd=1679283951816|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320035001/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/stonehenge-behind-the-cover-august?loggedin=true&rnd=1679283951816|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2023|website=National Geographic|date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> In March 2023, the Stonehenge story won "Online Storytelling Project of the Year" in the Pictures of the Year International Competition, an annual contest for documentary photographers and photojournalists and part of [[Pictures of the Year International]].

In March 2023, Wu announced his departure from Ladytron citing growing commitments to his photography and art career.<ref>https://exclaim.ca/music/article/ladytron_keyboardist_reuben_wu_has_left_the_band</ref>


==Instruments==
==Instruments==
During [[Ladytron]]'s live shows, Reuben Wu plays [[synthesizer]]s. [[Korg MS-10]] was his primary synthesizer for the first four Ladytron tours.
During [[Ladytron]]'s live shows, Reuben Wu played [[synthesizer]]s. [[Korg MS-10]] was his primary synthesizer for the first four Ladytron tours.


Wu played live the following instruments for the band:
Wu played live the following instruments for the band:
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Roland_Corporation|Roland]] SH-2 (''604'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Roland_Corporation|Roland]] SH-2 (''604'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[microKorg]] (''Light & Magic'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Korg Mono/Poly]] (''Light & Magic'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Korg MS2000]]B (''Witching Hour'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Korg MS2000]]B (''Witching Hour'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Korg MS2000]]B, [[Minimoog Voyager]] (''Velocifero'' tour);
* [[Korg MS-10]], [[Korg MS2000]]B, [[Minimoog Voyager]] (''Velocifero'' tour);
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*''[[Gravity the Seducer]]'' (2011)
*''[[Gravity the Seducer]]'' (2011)
*''[[Ladytron (album)|Ladytron]]'' (2019)
*''[[Ladytron (album)|Ladytron]]'' (2019)
*''[[Time's Arrow (2023)|Time's Arrow]]'' (2023)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.reubenwu.com/ Reuben Wu's Official Website]
* [http://www.reubenwu.com/ Reuben Wu's Website]
* [https://www.instagram.com/itsreuben/ Reuben Wu's Official Instagram]
* [https://www.instagram.com/reuben/ Reuben Wu's Instagram]
* [https://www.cnn.com/style/article/reuben-wu-landscape-photography/index.html CNN Interview]
* [http://thephotographicjournal.com/interviews/reuben-wu/ Interview with The Photographic Journal]
* [http://thephotographicjournal.com/interviews/reuben-wu/ Interview with The Photographic Journal]
* [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2016/06/lighting-the-night-sky/ National Geographic: Surreal Desert Landscapes Painted on a Canvas Made of Sky]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160616022102/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2016/06/lighting-the-night-sky National Geographic: Surreal Desert Landscapes Painted on a Canvas Made of Sky]
* [http://blog.instagram.com/post/142124754222/160402-itsreuben The Adventure Photography of Ladytron Co-Founder Reuben Wu]
* [http://blog.instagram.com/post/142124754222/160402-itsreuben The Adventure Photography of Ladytron Co-Founder Reuben Wu]
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
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[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:Alumni of Sheffield Hallam University]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool]]
[[Category:British Asian musicians]]
[[Category:Photographers from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Photographers from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Musicians from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Musicians from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Ladytron members]]
[[Category:Ladytron members]]
[[Category:Electronic dance music DJs]]
[[Category:British electronic dance music DJs]]
[[Category:English people of Hong Kong descent]]
[[Category:English people of Hong Kong descent]]
⚫
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool]]

Latest revision as of 12:45, 13 November 2024

Reuben Wu
Wu performing in April 2009
Background information
Born (1975-09-06) 6 September 1975 (age 49)
OriginLiverpool, England
GenresElectronic, synthpop, new wave
Occupation(s)artist, photographer, musician
InstrumentSynthesizers
Years active1999–present
LabelsNettwerk
Websitewww.ladytron.com
www.reubenwu.com

Reuben Wu (born 6 September 1975) is a British artist, photographer, and musician. He is also known as a founding member of the electronic band Ladytron.[1]

Biography

[edit]

Reuben Wu was born in Liverpool in 1975, the son of Hongkonger immigrants. He trained in industrial design at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 1997. Meanwhile, he met Daniel Hunt in Liverpool in 1994; they formed Ladytron in 1999, along with Mira Aroyo and Helen Marnie.[2][3] Wu finished his MSc in 1998 at the University of Liverpool. He worked as an industrial designer until going full-time with the band in 2002.[4]

Wu and Hunt launched the Liverpool nightclub Evol in 2003 and bar/music venue Korova in 2005.[5]

Wu co-wrote and produced two songs "Birds of Prey" and "Little Dreamer" for Christina Aguilera's 2010 album Bionic.[6]

Utilizing his skill an artist and designer, Wu illustrated the artwork of the UK edition of Ladytron's first album 604 and was introduced to photography by documenting his travels on tour with the band. His own visual art career began later in 2012 once the band took a sabbatical and he was able to focus full-time on his own creative output.[7] Wu has since created artistic content for GE,[8] Apple's Mac OS Big Sur wallpapers, Mercedes-Benz, Google and Interscope amongst others.[citation needed]

In 2017, Wu was commissioned to photograph the artwork for Zedd and Alessia Cara's double-platinum single "Stay" and Zedd & Liam Payne's single "Get Low" in collaboration with Samuel Burgess-Johnson.[citation needed]

Wu became a National Geographic photographer in 2022 after having his first assignment published in the magazine, a cover story on Stonehenge for the August issue. For this story, he used his unconventional drone lighting technique to illuminate the ancient megalith at night.[9] In March 2023, the Stonehenge story won "Online Storytelling Project of the Year" in the Pictures of the Year International Competition, an annual contest for documentary photographers and photojournalists and part of Pictures of the Year International.

In March 2023, Wu announced his departure from Ladytron citing growing commitments to his photography and art career.[10]

Instruments

[edit]

During Ladytron's live shows, Reuben Wu played synthesizers. Korg MS-10 was his primary synthesizer for the first four Ladytron tours.

Wu played live the following instruments for the band:

On the early part of the Witching Hour tour, Ladytron used to name their four identical Korg MS2000B to enable easier installation on stage. His MS2000B keyboard was named Gloria.[11]

Discography

[edit]

Ladytron

[edit]
Main article: Ladytron discography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Made up in China". The Times. News International. 1 January 2005. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  2. ^ "3/29 – Ladytron – 'Best Of: 00 – 10'". Nettwerk Press Blog. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Videovision: Ladytron interview". 2002. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Designer Downtime". Core77.com. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  5. ^ Molyneux, Jess (17 June 2022). "Lost Liverpool music venue that was 'seen as a rite of passage' in the city". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror.
  6. ^ Pitchfork (12 November 2008). "Christina Aguilera Working With Goldfrapp, Ladytron?". Pitchfork.
  7. ^ Jacqui Palumbo (16 January 2023). "How this photographer makes sublime landscapes of the American West". CNN.
  8. ^ Erik Oster (12 December 2013). "GE, Barbarians, Ladytron Member Collaborate to Make Freight Logistics Interesting". Adweek.
  9. ^ Emily Martin, Sylvia Mphofe (19 July 2022). "How the spirit of ancient Stonehenge was captured with a 21st-century drone". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023.
  10. ^ https://exclaim.ca/music/article/ladytron_keyboardist_reuben_wu_has_left_the_band
  11. ^ "Artist Details". Korg. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
[edit]
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