Miranda Sex Garden


Miranda Sex Garden were a music group from London, England. They were active from 1990 to 2000.

Biography

Formed in 1990, Katharine Blake, Kelly McCusker and Jocelyn West were originally a trio of madrigal singers. They were educated at The Purcell School for Young Musicians in Bushey. They were discovered by Barry Adamson when they were singing madrigals on Portobello Road in London. He invited them to sing on his Delusion soundtrack, with the song Il Solitario. After that Daniel Miller invited them to sign a contract with Mute Records. They recorded their first single Gush Forth My Tears in March 1991. It was a madrigal with a beat, mixed by Danny Rampling. Their first album, Madra, was produced by classical producer Tony Faulkner. It was entirely a cappella, with the songs all based on traditional English verse. It took only two days to record.
By 1992, Jocelyn West had left the band and was replaced by Donna McKevitt. More new band members were Ben Golomstock who played guitars and Trevor Sharpe who played drums. On their second release, Iris, the sound evolved into a blend of their madrigal-styled vocal harmonies with sounds reminiscent of folk music, gothic rock, dark wave, ethereal wave, and industrial music. The third album Suspiria came out in March 1993. Kelly McCusker left the band in late 1993 to start a career in classical music. She was replaced by Hepzibah Sessa.
Their sound became increasingly dark and sophisticated over the years. The fourth album, Fairytales of Slavery, was produced by Alexander Hacke of Einstürzende Neubauten. In 1995 the group disbanded. Katharine Blake formed a new group with Dorothy Carter in 1996, Mediæval Bæbes. Sharpe later drummed for Minty, Plastic Fantastic and The Servant.
In 1999 they reformed with some new members and released their final album Carnival of Souls in April 2000.

Members

The group's membership changed significantly over time; only Katharine Blake remained in the group for their entire run.
The performers on their last album, Carnival of Souls, were:
Former members:

Albums