STEREOLAB are about to release their first material since the death of member Mary Hansen. The 5 track EP titled 'Instant 0 in the Universe' will be limited to 5000 copies and be released October 13 on their label Duophonic UHF Disks. The group has been understandably quiet this year, but they have finished a new record that is expected to be released early in 2004. You can listen to snippets of the new EP on www.stereolab.co.uk.

Mary Hansen, a member of STEREOLAB for the last 10 years, died on Monday in London in a bicycle accident. Mary, 36, had been a guitarist and vocalist with the band for the past 10 years. Oddly enough, Hansen, along with fellow bandmates Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier, all guest on "Electric Circus," the new album by Chicago rapper Common that hit stores just this week (a photo of Hansen even appears on the record cover collage.) Stereolab remains one of the most influential bands of our time, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Tim, Laetitia, and all of Mary's friends and family.