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'{{Infobox Musical artist | Name = Lightspeed Champion | Img = Lightspeedchampionatbfi.jpg | Img_capt = Dev Hynes (right) with family members at the B.F.I Harold and Maude event. | Img_size = 150 | Background = Musician | Origin = [[United Kingdom]] | Genre = [[Indie pop]]<br />[[Folk]]<br />[[Baroque Pop]] | Years_active = 2005–present | Members = Devonte Hynes | Label = [[Domino Records (1993)|Domino Records]] | Associated_acts = [[Whirlwind Heat]]<br />[[Lightspeed Heat]]<br />[[Test Icicles]]<br />[[Hope of the States]]<br />[[Florence and the Machine]]<br />[[Emmy the Great]]<br />[[Arctic Monkeys]]<br />[[The Horrors]]<br />[[Pun Lovin' Criminals]]<br />[[Eugene McGuiness]]<br />[[Jack Penate]]<br />[[We Are Scientists]]<br />[[The Wombats]]| | URL = [http://www.lightspeedchampion.com www.lightspeedchampion.com] }} '''Lightspeed Champion''' is the stage name of [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Composer]] and [[Songwriter]] '''Devonte Hynes''', born 23rd December 1985 who is currently signed to [[Domino Records]].<ref name=nmebio> {{cite web | url = http://www.nme.com/artists/lightspeed-champion#biography | title= Lightspeed Champion Biography | publisher = [[NME]] | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref> Incorporating elements from a variety of musical genres, Lightspeed Champion marks a significant departure in sound from Hynes' previous [[dance-punk]] band [[Test Icicles]]. Lightspeed Champion released his debut album ''[[Falling Off the Lavender Bridge]]'' on [[January 21]], [[2008]] through [[Domino Records]]. Hynes was born in [[Houston, Texas]] but raised in [[Essex, England]] Since the age of 2, but currently resides in [[New York]]. The name 'Lightspeed Champion' comes from a series of comic strips Hynes drew as a teenager in his school [[mathematics]] [[textbooks|books]].<ref> {{cite web|url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/15/lightspeed_champion__performs_live_from_sxsw/ | title = Lightspeed Champion performs live from SXSW | publisher = Minnesota Public Radio | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref> Hynes was voted the 49th 'coolest person in rock' in [[NME]]'s 2007 Cool List, <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/coollist|title=NME Cool List|publisher =NME.com|accessdate=2008-01-04}}</ref> jumping to position 20 in the following year's list. <ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.twistedear.com/index.php/News/NME-s-Cool-List-2008-announced.html | title = NME's Cool List 2008 announced | publisher = Twisted Ear | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref> == ''Falling Off the Lavender Bridge'' == In early 2007, Hynes recorded his debut album in [[Omaha, Nebraska]] with [[Saddle Creek]] producer [[Mike Mogis]], most famous for his involvement with the band [[Bright Eyes (band) |Bright Eyes]]. A number of Omaha-based musicians appear on the record, including Mogis himself, trumpet player and pianist [[Nate Walcott]] (also of Bright Eyes), [[The Faint]]'s drummer [[Clark Baechle]] and guest vocalist [[Emmy The Great]] - along with moonlighting members of [[Cursive (band)|Cursive]] and [[Tilly And The Wall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=artists&artistID=248|title=Domino Records page|publisher =Domino Records|accessdate=2007-12-17}}</ref> These recording sessions resulted in the single "[[Galaxy of the Lost]]", released on [[July 30]], 2007, and the album ''[[Falling Off the Lavender Bridge]]'', released on [[January 21]], 2008..<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/site/index.php?page=releases&releaseID=709|title=Domino Records listing|publisher =Domino Records|accessdate=2007-12-17}}</ref> Hynes has also recorded a number of [[bootlegs]] and unofficial releases, made available to the public through his [[blog]] and [[MySpace]]. {{cite web | url = http://www.nme.com/artists/lightspeed-champion#biography | title= Lightspeed Champion Biography | publisher = [[NME]] | accessdate = 2009-02-20}} These include an album written and recorded entirely in a day and an [[Extended play|EP]] consisting only of covers of [[Green Day]] songs.<br> == Writing for other Artists == Hynes has also written and contributed songs to a number of other acts. His vocals appear on songs by [[The Chemical Brothers]] ("All Rights Reversed”, from 2007's ''[[We Are The Night]]''), [[Basement Jaxx]] (on their latest album ''[[Scars (Basement Jaxx album|Scars]]''<ref name="ScarsAlbum">[http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/intl/42225/Basement_Jaxx_unveil_guests_on_new_album Basement Jaxx unveil guests on the new album]</ref>), as well as [[Florence and the Machine]]. He has been asked to contribute songs for the forthcoming debut album by [[X-Factor]] finalist [[Diana Vickers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article2423616.ece|title=Diane Vickers goes for indie debut|publisher =[[The Sun]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref> == Soundtrack And Classical Performances == In December 2008, Hynes was asked on behalf of [[The British Film Institute]] to perform the Soundtrack of the cult [[Hal Ashby]] film "[[Harold And Maude]]" after a screening of the performance. Hynes then had to cancel this due to an operation he had to undergo on his throat. The event was rescheduled for May 2009. In July 2009 Hynes will reprise the soundtrack and perform at [[Latitude Festival]]. In June 2009 Hynes performed at The [[Barbican]] in London in commemoration of the composer [[Moondog]]. Singing renditions along with [[London Saxophonic]] of songs from the [[Moondog]] Album "[[Sax Pax For A Sax]]". He also sung "Fujiyama part 2" backed by The Britten Sinfonia conducted by [[André De Ridder]] and [[Andi Toma]] ([[Mouse On Mars]]). == Touring "Falling Off The Lavender Bridge" == The touring band for the "Falling Off The Lavender Bridge" album at various points consisted of friends of Hynes' from other bands, including [[Florence Welch]] of [[Florence and the Machine]], Martin, aka The Train Chronicles and UK singer-songwriter [[Emmy the Great]]. Mike Siddell, formerly of [[Hope of the States]], plays violin with the band. He is a prolific musician and a core member of the Brighton based Willkommen Collective, playing with Willkommen bands such as Sons of Noel and Adrian, [[The Leisure Society]] and [[The Miserable Rich]]. He also plays with [[Troubles (band)|Troubles]] and made a guest appearance on the debut EP by [http://www.myspace.com/agenuinefreakshow A Genuine Freakshow],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myspace.com/agenuinefreakshow|title=A Genuine Freakshow |publisher =A genuine Freakshow|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref>. Anna Prior, formerly of Leeds bands [[Dead Disco]] and The Ivories, played drums for most of the tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com|title=NME |publisher =NME.com|accessdate=2008-01-04}}</ref> Other guest members to have contributed in live shows include [[Alex Turner (musician)|Alex Turner]] of the [[Arctic Monkeys]], [[Faris Badwan]] of [[The Horrors]], Frederick Blood-Royale of [[Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man]], <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/2840721|title=Watch: Lightspeed Champion, Arctic Monkey, Ipso Facto, 'Fred Les' play one-off covers show|publisher =Drowned in Sound|accessdate=2008-02-22}}</ref> [[Jack Penate]] and Eugene McGuinness as well as [[We Are Scientists]]' Keith Murray on the June 6th episode of ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''. Backed by a full band he appeared at the [[NME Awards|NME 2008 Awards]], broadcast on Channel 4 on February 29, 2008, dressed as characters from [[Star Wars]], including [[Princess Leia]] on the drums. The band's affinity with Star Wars continued when they played the main theme to the trilogy at [[O2 Wireless Festival]] 2008. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/music/ontv/N/nme-awar ds-2008.html|title=Channel 4 music|publisher =CHannel 4|accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref> Hynes and a violinist [[Mike Siddell]] began a short U.S. tour in March 2008, ending with an appearance at [[SXSW]] 2008. At [[SXSW]] they befriended [[The Wombats]], and ultimately supported them at a Royal Albert Hall concert. Hynes also performed with [[We Are Scientists]] at [[Glastonbury]] 2008, with latter's front man [[Keith Murray]] joking to [[Zane Lowe]] in a post-show interview that "he owed us a sandwich!". Hynes appeared at Belgian music festival [[Pukkelpop]] in August 2008. By the end of what became a two year touring period, Hynes had suffered severe damage to his throat, and had to undergo extensive surgery. == Books == In March 2008 Hynes self-published a small comic book titled "I'm Asleep - Comics, Photographs and Illustrations" to mark the release of ''Falling Off The Lavender Bridge''. It featured comics by himself, [[Semifinalists|Ferry Gouw]], [[Faris Badwan]] of [[The Horrors]] and Gary Card, and [[photography]] by Hynes. June 2009 saw the release of the book "Punk Fiction : An anthology of short stories inspired by Punk" which featured a short story by Hynes titled "The KKK Took My Baby Away..." (from the [[Ramones]] song of the [[The KKK Took My Baby Away|same name]]), described as a "[[comedy]] [[sci-fi]] [[monologue]]". Proceeds from the book went to the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]]. ==New Albums== The follow-up to ''Falling Off The Lavender Bridge'' was recently completed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=300|title=Said No.|publisher =[[Lightspeed Champion]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref>, with a release date yet to be decided. It is produced by [[Ben Allen]] ([[Gnarls Barkley]], [[Animal Collective]]), and features the song "Madame Van Damme"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=285|title=Studio report one|publisher =[[Lightspeed Champion]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref> (formerly known as "The Prostitue/Escort Song"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.last.fm/music/Lightspeed+Champion/_/Hooker+Song+%28live+on+WTOTS%21+Jan+08%29|title=Lightspeed Champion - Hooker Song (live on WTOTS! Jan 08 - Free listening on Last.fm|publisher =[[Last.fm]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref>), which has been played live regularly<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7jJ58ZuJU|title=Lightspeed Champion - The Prostitute Song|publisher =[[YouTube]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref>. In the downtime between the release of the new Lightspeed Champion album Hynes announced a side-project called Blood Orange, with whom he is planning to record an album with soon<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=300|title=Said No.|publisher =[[Lightspeed Champion]]|accessdate=2009-04-07|deadurl=no}}</ref>. ==Discography== === E.P's === * "[[Lightspeed Heat]]" (Collaboration with the band "[[Whirlwind Heat]]") October 27, 2007 ===Singles=== * "[[Galaxy of the Lost]]" ([[July 16]], [[2007]]) * "[[Midnight Surprise]]" ([[October 15]], [[2007]]) * "[[Tell Me What It's Worth]]" ([[January 14]], [[2008]]) '''#72''' * "[[Galaxy of the Lost]]" ([[May 12]], [[2008]]) (Re-Release) * "[[My Turn]]" ([[July 4]], [[2008]]) (Collaboration with Basement Jaxx) ===Albums=== * "[[For Screening Purposes Only]]" (whilst in the band "[[Test Icicles]]" (31 October 2005) #69 UK * ''[[Falling Off the Lavender Bridge]]'', [[January 21]], [[2008]] ([[Domino Records]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/4156778/-/Product.html?searchstring=Lightspeed+Champion&searchsource=0|title=Play.com listing|publisher =Play.com|accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> UK #45 ===Official bootlegs=== * "[[Bad Covers EP]]" [[July 8]], [[2007]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=113|title=lightspeedchampion.com Blog Entry|publisher =lightspeedchampion.com|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> * "[[Nimrod (album)|Team Perfect presents : Green Day's 'Nimrod']]" [[July 16]], [[2007]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=121|title=lightspeedchampion.com Blog Entry|publisher = lightspeedchampion.com|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> * "[[I Wrote And Recorded This In Less Than Five Hours]]" August 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vice.typepad.com/vice_magazine/2007/08/london---new-li.html|title=Vice.com|publisher = Vice Magazine|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> * "[[Garbageband Xmas EP]]" [[December 8]], [[2007]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=200|title=lightspeedchampion.com Blog Entry|publisher =lightspeedchampion.com|accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> * "[[Album In A Day 2]]" [[October 4]], [[2008]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightspeedchampion.com/bmachine/devwrites.php?id=251|title=lightspeedchampion.com Blog Entry|publisher =lightspeedchampion.com|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref> * "[[House-sitting Songs]]" [[June]], [[2009]] === Official Bootlegs Under Blood Orange === [[Said N]]o - [[Demo Version]], [[June]], [[2009]] == Bibliography == * "[[I'm Asleep - Comics, Photographs and Illustrations]]" March 2008 * "[[punk fiction : an anthology of short stories inspired by punk]]" June 2009 ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.lightspeedchampion.com Official Site] * [http://www.myspace.com/lightspeedchampion MySpace page] * [http://uk.youtube.com/addmelolz Hynes' YouTube page] * [http://www.cnettv.co.uk/music/cnettv-live/lightspeed-champion-10000196.htm Lightspeed Champion Live Session at CNETTV] * [http://platformsmagazine.com/contents/?p=15 Lightspeed Champion Interview on Platforms Magazine] * [http://www.mtv.co.uk/sessions/lightspeed_champion Lightspeed Champion live set at Spanking New Sessions] * [http://thisisoffset.co.uk/?p=68 Lightspeed Champion covers Michael Jackson] * [http://larecord.com/interviews/2008/06/27/photos-lightspeed-champion-the-troubadour/ Live Photos @ The Troubadour] (July 2008) [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:British folk musicians]] [[fr:Lightspeed Champion]] [[nl:Lightspeed Champion]]'