What do Lovely Killbots sound like?

They sound like two players making dance rock music for four, the usual body count for most bands.

Ryan Beattie beats the drums, while Lauralee Sheehan plays the piano. They are the living core of their group’s hi-tech yet low-fi sound.

Originally the duo’s intention was to add more members, Beattie explains.

“Initially we thought we wanted to put together a larger band, but when we first jammed stuff out on the piano and drums we realized we could create a full sound on our own,” he said.

Although they went to the same high school they barely knew each other before the band was formed. Now they work with the closeness that comes with a two-player operation.

“It’s like a marriage, ” Sheehan said. “Especially for a two- person band there can be very intense moments that are hard to diffuse. It’s a challenging dynamic but very rewarding.”

The pair decided on their band’s intriguing name because they view it as both machine-like and beautiful.

“It perfectly describes our band,” said Sheehan. “A bit mechanical, definitely lovely, a little dark, yet still upbeat, and of course…super-badass.”

There are bands with pre-produced elements like Chemical Brothers, Crystal Castles, and The Knife, and there are others like Dresden Dolls and The White Stripes where two members record all the music recorded, added Beattie. He says he finds a live drummer the most inspiring, however.

The Lovely Killbots write songs about relationship frustrations and artistic struggles.

Beattie and Sheehan know first-hand the challenge of producing new material while balancing a job and responsibilities of a band.

“A lot of artists live like this now,” Sheehan said. “It’s very modest, but it’s a passion.”