Lovage: A trip-hop experiment in seduction and intrigue

Lovage is a genre-blending musical project that emerged in the early 2000s, weaving elements of trip-hop, lounge, and alternative rock to create a distinctive soundscape which lend it elements of the avant-garde.

The project, spearheaded by Dan the Automator (Dan Nakamura) under the alias "Nathaniel Merriweather," features an all-star lineup: Mike Patton, Jennifer Charles, and Kid Koala. Together, they produced a single album, Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By, released in 2001. Think about that: Its very title promises to be a soundtrack for enhancing one's lovemaking experience. How nice!

This album combines sultry, atmospheric instrumentals with lyrics that veer between playful and provocative, creating an experience that's as cinematic as it is soothing.

Each member of Lovage brings their own musical influence to the project, resulting in a complex, layered sound.

Meet the band members of Lovage

Mike Patton: Known for his work with bands like Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, Patton is a versatile musician who contributed vocals and instrumental elements to Lovage. His involvement added a unique texture to the band, blending his eclectic style with the seductive themes of the album.

Jennifer Charles: A singer and songwriter, Charles is best known for her work with the band Elysian Fields. Her smoky, entrancing vocals add a rich sensuality to Lovage’s music, perfectly complementing Patton's eclectic contributions.

Dan the Automator (Dan Nakamura): As a producer and DJ, Dan the Automator has a reputation for influential projects like Handsome Boy Modeling School and the Gorillaz’s debut album. His production on Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By adds a cinematic feel, drawing from his past collaborations with artists like Kool Keith on Dr. Octagonecologyst and the Gorillaz project. His beats and moody instrumentation form the backbone of Lovage’s sound.

Kid Koala: Known for his skillful turntablism, Kid Koala brings scratch effects and audio textures that further elevate the atmospheric quality of the album.

Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By: The album

Lovage’s only studio album, Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By, received a generally favorable reception, with an average score of 66 on Metacritic based on twelve reviews. Critics praised the album’s adventurous fusion of trip-hop beats, moody sounds, and sultry vocal performances. The album explores themes of love, seduction, and emotional intrigue, with lyrics that often carry a tongue-in-cheek tone, adding humor to the seductive ambiance.

Notable tracks from the album include:

• "Book of the Month": With its dark, seductive tones, this track sets the stage for the album’s thematic journey into love and sensuality.
• "Stroker Ace": A playful and cheeky song, it draws a humorous parallel to Burt Reynolds’ car-chase classic, referencing the world’s non-need for another such movie in a similarly ironic style.
• "To Catch a Thief": This track’s cinematic quality and moody vibe perfectly capture the album’s overarching themes of intrigue and seduction.

The lyrics throughout the album play with seductive tropes, adding a playful edge to the music. In "Pit Stop (Take Me Home)," for instance, the words take on an almost theatrical absurdity, with lines like “Licking your greasy spoon, jukebox playing my tune…Playing you like a bassoon.” This cheeky style keeps the album from taking itself too seriously, even as it delves into sultry and emotional territory.

Lovage’s legacy

Lovage was a short-lived project, with the band active only from 2000 to 2002, but their sole album has left a lasting impression on fans of genre-blending music. The combination of trip-hop beats, layered instrumentation, and the duet-like interplay between Patton and Charles’ vocals creates a unique listening experience that still resonates with fans. Its calm, entrancing nature even lends itself to soothing listeners, making it both a work of art and a balm for the mind.