VIA PRESS RELEASE | Kevin Smith called her an American Pop Icon. John Waters called her a Sexual Terrorist.
Hot off her mainstream feature turn in Waters’ Cry-Baby, Traci Lords entered the music scene when she was featured in the Manic Street Preachers’ track “Little Baby Nothing.” Gary Kurfirst saw the magic and signed her to his Radioactive label. The result was 1000 Fires, released in 1994, a bold and forward-thinking debut that helped pioneer the electronica/trance sound powerful lyrics that would soon sweep ‘90s dance floors. Traci joined the Lollapalooza Tour, appearing with Moby and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult in support of the record.
The club scene took notice: lead single “Control” soared to #2 on Billboard’s dance chart, and follow-up “Fallen Angel” hit #11. Her music was featured on soundtracks for the films Mortal Combat, Virtuosity, and Pet Sematary Two.
The fierce honesty and personal intensity displayed in her music have defined her entire career. She tackles themes like trauma and survival with raw emotion and clarity. 1000 Fires was ahead of its time, blending vulnerability, sexuality, and industrial-edged dance production in a way that paved the way for a new generation of pop disruptors.
Artists like Charli XCX, Grimes, and even early Lady Gaga have embraced a similar formula: emotionally charged lyrics layered over pulsing, high-gloss electronic beats. Lords’ influence lives on in these artists’ fearless approach to image, sound, and storytelling.
For its long-overdue vinyl debut, we’ve expanded 1000 Fires with two bonus tracks: the “Overlords House Mix” of “Control” and the “Muzik Club Vocal” of “Fallen Angel.” The 2-LP set is pressed on striking red smoke vinyl, limited to 1000 copies, or pink and white “Ursula” marbled vinyl, limited to 500 copies, and exclusive to Vertigo Vinyl. Both versions come with an insert/poster featuring a powerful image of the icon herself.
1000 Fires is finally coming to retail August 8.
