PAPER MAGAZINE: Rise of Spalding Rockwell from NYC Rock Scene to Electro-Rock Pioneers - Interview Magazine - Nicole Lombardi Press

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Spalding Rockwell, Paper Magazine.- Nicole Lombardi, Spalding Rockwell

NEW YORK DOLLS  NEW YORK CITY PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE known for churning out S.A.T-tutored, Aspen-vacationing, Park Avenue princesses, but there are exceptions. Take the band Spalding Rockwell. Nicole Lombardi, 26, attended the Professional Children's School before she was shipped to boarding school in Jersev. "My friends and I would have champagne parties, and I would wear my mom's couture" Nikki recalls. Her bandmate Mary Louise "ML" Platt Perlman, also 26, attended Brearley, the exclusive all-girls school on the Upper East Side. "I was the pretty girl who the older kids put makeup on and took out to the clubs," she says. The girls met in high school, but only after they reconnected at a party freshman year of college did their friendship turn professional. ML had just dropped out of Johns Hopkins and Nikki was a jaded acting student at Tisch. So the two girls did what any self-respecting misguided soul would do - they wrote songs. After moving from hip-hop to punk to rock 'n' roll, electroclash god Larry Tee took them under his wing in 2002. Their song "White Cotton Panties" was a hit at Tee's electroclash festivals, but Spalding Rockwell knew the scene wasn't really for them. They branched out, collaborating with Armand Van Helden on his chart-topping dance number "Hear My Name" and completing Kate (Defend Records), a full-length album of their own. Explains Nikki: "It's derivative of nothing and derivative of everything at the same time." More important, ML stresses. "It's tight. And it's ours."  WRITTEN BY ALEXIS SWERDLOFF

Nicole with her SG Bass

Crafting a Unique Sound with Kate (Defend) - Nicole Lombardi, Spalding Rockwell

The duo’s debut album, Kate (Defend), marked a turning point. It is a genre-mashing collection that combines electro-rock with punk-rock bravura and hip-hop bravado. This blend creates a sound that is both edgy and danceable, appealing to fans across multiple music scenes.

The album’s production showcases their ability to merge electronic beats with live instrumentation, giving their music a dynamic and unpredictable feel. Tracks from Kate (Defend) highlight their skill in balancing catchy hooks with gritty energy, making their sound stand out in a crowded musical landscape. - Nicole Lombardi, Spalding Rockwell

Style and Visual Identity

Spalding Rockwell’s image complements their sound. Their fashion choices, such as Mary Louise Platt’s Dolce & Gabbana suit and Nicole Lombardi’s sequined GF Ferre top, mix glamour with inqenuity.

Their look is carefully crafted but never feels forced. It’s an extension of their personalities and artistic vision, helping them stand out in the New York music scene and beyond.