Readers Wifes

Readers Wifes

Readers Wifes is a London synth-pop group active since 1997. The act is formed around Kim Phaggs and Chelsea Kelsey, and it develops from their work as DJs in London’s Duckie club night, where they play long sets built from an eclectic mix of 1980s electro, glam, punk, ska, Motown and Kate Bush. Their approach places them among the early examples of a club culture that mixes different styles rather than following one genre.

Formation and early work

The group forms in London in 1994, before beginning to make its own recordings in 2001. At that point Phaggs and Kelsey decide to create the kind of music they can use in their DJ sets, moving between influences such as Marc Bolan and Kraftwerk. An early track reaches Jeremy Kimberley and Mark Satanic, regulars at Duckie, who rework it and send it back to the duo. The four then write together for a year.

Singles and collaborations

Readers Wifes emerges in early 2002 with a debut single and a run of live performances. Their limited-edition first single, “Bitch At The Brits/Fuc Dup”, is a critique of the music industry and sells out within a week. In 2003 the group begins working with Steven Severin, founder and bassist of Siouxsie & The Banshees, who produces later recordings after seeing the band live.

The first release from that collaboration is the 2005 single “Scumpop/Black Silk Stocking”, another limited-edition record and a chart entry. Later in 2005 the band releases “Nostalgia”, again produced by Severin, with guest vocals from Justin Bond of Kiki & Herb. “Nostalgia” reaches number 15 in the UK Indie Charts and also appears in the main UK charts.

Debut album

After “Nostalgia”, Readers Wifes continues work on its debut album, Gaslight.