Laika was formed in 1993 in London by Margaret Fiedler as lead vocalist and programmer, and Guy Fixsen, guitarist and programmer. The duo, formerly of Moonshake, recruited bassist John Frenett, drummer Lou Ciccotelli, flautist‑saxophonist Louise Elliott, and drummer Rob Ellis, and named the group after the Soviet space dog. Their breakthrough came with the single "44 Robbers/Coming Down Glass" in 1994, which preceded the debut Silver Apples of the Moon on Too Pure the same year, receiving critical praise for its blend of electronica, krautrock, and dub. In 1997 the band released Sounds of the Satellites, followed by Good Looking Blues in 2000, during which Margaret Fiedler joined PJ Harvey’s touring ensemble. The 2003 release Wherever I Am I Am What Is Missing marked a shift to a duo format and preceded an indefinite hiatus. Laika’s catalog, including the Antenna EP (1994) and singles such as "Uneasy" (2000), has been cited as influential in the post‑rock and trip‑hop scenes, and the group was noted for supporting Radiohead on tour. Since 2003, the band has remained inactive, with no further releases or formal disbandment announced.
