Space Age Batchelor Pad Music - by Ben Cardew (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first book to examine the incredible career of Stereolab, one of the world's most acclaimed, elusive cult bands, using twenty songs to plot a path through their compelling story.

Stereolab are one of the most fascinating guitar groups of the past fifty years, a source of constant reinvention and illuminating contrasts, where political ideology meets the sweetest pop melodies and driving guitars rub along with space-age jazz. They are perhaps the greatest Anglo-French collaboration since Concorde: a hugely respected, highly influential group whose fan base grows larger by the year, stretching from chart-topping hip hop artists to underground indie stars. And yet their appeal remains elusive.

What kind of music do Stereolab make? What's their best album? Their greatest song? There are no easy answers.

In writing this book, Ben Cardew spoke to more than fifty people from the Stereolab universe to trace the history of the band from the depths of 90s indie London to their all-conquering reunion tour of 2025. Using twenty of their songs as jumping-off points, he examines in loving detail what makes this most fascinating band work, unpicking the cultural references, stylistic contradictions, and brilliant ideas at the heart of the group.

Space Age Batchelor Pad Music is designed for dedicated fans and interested newcomers alike, going deep into a band of infinite jest, excellent fancy, and spiralling contradiction. It's a story of restless creativity and human endeavour spanning more than three decades of enigmatic artistic life.

Review Quotes

'Nobody could quite tell Stereolab's story better than Ben Cardew, a lifelong fan whose intimate knowledge of their discography is matched only by the brio he brings to the page, opening up whole new ways to hear their Dadaist French disko.' Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork

'Like the Groop itself, Space Age Batchelor Pad Music is deep but casual reading, sampling and savouring everything interesting about their remarkable discography.' Harry Tafoya, journalist

'It's like liner notes for an entire discography, written with the rigour of a reporter as well as the gleefully gesticulating enthusiasm of a fan.' Ben Beaumont-Thomas, music editor, The Guardian

'My favourite Stereolab song isn't even in this book: instead, it has provided me with several new ones. A passionate, knowledgeable, entertaining and extremely well-written love letter to one of the greatest experimental pop groups of all time.' Stephan Kunze, author of Zen Sounds

'Ben Cardew articulates what is so difficult to describe about Stereolab,
like watching someone complete an upside-down puzzle. It will undoubtedly expand and deepen your connection to the Groop.' Jeremy Larson, Pitchfork

About the Author

Ben Cardew is a music writer and radio journalist with thirty years of experience behind him. He wrote his first review in 1991, setting him on a path that would lead to freelancing for The Guardian, Pitchfork, The Quietus, NME, Wired, Vice, DJ Magazine, and many other outlets. Ben has lived in Barcelona since 2011 and works for Radio Primavera Sound, the online radio station of the Primavera Sound festival. He has interviewed everyone from Daft Punk to Quincy Jones and appeared on a range of TV and radio shows talking about the music industry. His first book, Daft Punk's Discovery: The Future Unfurled, was published by Velocity Press in 2021.