Radar: Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich is an American-born, British-based new wave artist whose wild originality helped define the late-’70s post-punk sound. After moving from Detroit to London, she immersed herself in the art scene, writing lyrics for Cerrone’s “Supernature” before breaking out with her 1978 debut Stateless. Its single “Lucky Number” became an instant classic—off-kilter, infectious, and unlike anything else on the radio—introducing her playful, theatrical voice and bold visual style to the world. Through her releases on Stiff Records and beyond, Lovich fused punk urgency with pop hooks and art-rock experimentation. Her look and sound—braided hair, angular rhythms, bursts of yelps and whispers—pushed the boundaries of what pop could be. After stepping back in the ’80s to raise a family, she returned with Shadows and Dust in 2005 and still performs today, an enduring symbol of creative freedom and eccentric brilliance. We spoke about all these things in the midst of her current travels with The B-52’s and Devo here in the US, her first full US tour in 35 years. ICYDK: Dylan Hundley is an artist & performer. She is the co-creator and lead singer of Lulu Lewis & the creator of all things at Darling Black. She co-curates & hosts Salon Lulu, which is a New York-based multidisciplinary performance series. She is also a cast member of the classic New York film Metropolitan.