Unicorn Hard-On is the solo moniker of Valerie Martino, a veteran of the American D.I.Y. underground who played a significant role in merging noise with techno. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, she became active in the city's noise scene along with artists like Ren Schofield (later known as Container) and began bringing her chaotic, beat-driven performances to basements and small venues in college towns throughout the United States. Several cassettes, CD-Rs, and a split 7" with Taiwan Deth appeared, as Martino constantly moved to different cities (including Los Angeles, Nashville, and Philadelphia) while refining her distinctive style. In 2011, she released a split 12" EP with Container on Hot Releases/More Records. By this time, many American noise artists had embraced techno, with the likes of Carlos Giffoni, Prurient, and members of Wolf Eyes all putting out more rhythmic records or side projects, but Martino's bright, exuberant work was still one-of-a-kind. Her long-awaited debut LP arrived in 2013, when John Elliott (Emeralds, Outer Space, Mist) released Unicorn Hard-On's Weird Universe on Spectrum Spools. Three years later, German label Untergang-Institut issued the project's final album, Dream Machine. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi