Spray, the dynamic musical duo comprised of Ricardo Autobahn on synthesizers and Jenny McLaren on vocals and guitars, have carved a unique niche in the electropop scene since their formation in 2001. Formerly members of the Cuban Boys, Ricardo and Jenny transitioned from the chaotic technopunk that propelled them to the top of the Festive 50 twice and into a memorable Christmas Chart Battle with Sir Cliff Richard, to a more polished electropop sound as Spray. Their hit single “Cognoscenti Vs Intelligentsia” (a.k.a. The Hamster Dance Song) reached number 4 on the UK singles chart and earned them a spot on Top of the Pops, with John Peel declaring it “the most requested song I’ve had since God Save The Queen.” The Cuban Boys’ success was further solidified when they were named the 30th most popular band in the history of the John Peel Show.
Spray’s debut album, “Living In Neon,” was released in 2002 on U.S. indie label Ninthwave Media, followed by “Children Of A Laser God” in 2006, which included a popular cover of Lisa Lougheed’s “Run With Us,” the theme song from The Raccoons. After a hiatus, Spray returned with their fourth album, “Enforced Fun,” in 2016 on the cult dance label Banoffeesound. Behind the scenes, Spray contributed to the UK’s 2006 Eurovision hit “Teenage Life” with Daz Sampson and collaborated on a dance version of “Rhinestone Cowboy” with Glen Campbell, which also hit the top 10.
In 2019, Spray joined AnalogueTrash and began live performances, marking a new phase for the previously studio-based duo. Their live shows feature classics from their catalogue, chart hits, and unexpected surprises. During the pandemic in 2020, Spray engaged their audience with online performances and the launch of Spray Social Mondays, short video diaries that kept fans updated and even made their mother an internet sensation.
Lockdown did not hinder their creativity, resulting in the release of “Ambiguous Poems About Death” in late 2021. Since then, Spray has been prolific, performing gigs, creating new material, remixes, and reworking back catalogue gems. One notable reworking is “(Ich bin verliebt) in den Ampelmann,” a German-language version of “The Emergency Exit Man” from their 2021 album. This track was inspired by their admiration for the Ampelmann, the beloved East German traffic light man, during their trips to Berlin.
Ricardo explains, “On our many trips to Berlin, we have been very taken with the character of the Ampelmann, the ubiquitous and beloved traffic light man that is a hangover from the Cold War era. Whilst in Berlin in 2023, the decision was made to celebrate the character in song, by rewriting a Spray song – The Emergency Exit Man – from our hit album Ambiguous Poems About Death in German. So, we did, and here it is.”
The song marks the first time Spray has performed in German, with the translation provided by their Berlin-based friends Jon Jardine and Alexis Hardege. Phil Fletcher and mega-fan Terri MacDonald contributed backing vocals. Ricardo adds, “The beloved East German traffic light man is everything that makes Berlin great: warm, quirky, and artistic, and a unique symbol of German unification. The original English language song Emergency Exit Man became really popular after Ambiguous Poems About Death was released back in 2021, so it’s always been in our mind to give it a platform as a single. This seemed the perfect opportunity.”
As Spray enters their third decade, their blend of observational, often tongue-in-cheek electropop continues to captivate fans. Their music is a nod to the 80s and 90s sounds, with lyrics that are both timely and timeless. Fans of the Pet Shop Boys and Sparks will appreciate Spray’s ability to deliver pop music masterclasses and lyrically complex, yet enjoyable tracks. Spray remains an exciting act to watch, both in the studio and on stage, as they continue to surprise and entertain their audience.
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