We got down to Rough Trade Nottingham to check out the audible wares of local favourite I Am Lono...
Having seen I Am Lono about four times now, news of their EP launch party at Rough Trade was music to my ears, quite literally.
They’ve been impressing audiences more and more each gig so the sight of their name in chalk at the top of the Rough Trade sign in typical, LONO-style capitals, I must say excited me a little. From playing in front of fifteen people at JT Soar to a good few hundred when supporting Slow Readers Club at Rock City, Lono’s deserved rise hasn’t gone unnoticed as upstairs in Rough Trade began filling up hours before they were due to play.
The evening’s celebrations kicked off with a showreel of the band’s new music vids, which impressed both fans and LONO alike, who watched the finished version of some of their own videos for the first time. The clip for Lovers, which hit around 10,000 views on Facebook, was up on LeftLion the other day.
Daphnellec geared us up for some loud music with a techno set that had everyone tapping their feet as they queued up for another pint. Then, with their usual degree of professionalism, the I Am Lono boys stepped onto the stage all clad in black and jumped into an opener of Tomorrow which quickly made me and everyone else stop talking and turn our attention to centre-stage.
I couldn’t take my eyes off each band member. My focus on Matt laying into passionate vocals was stolen by Dave’s powerful guitar and erratic energy, which soon became infectious to everyone around me. At points, the slow opening drum beats and melodic synth at the start of songs like Abigail had me helplessly swaying with the rest of the crowd. Though it never seemed long before I had my hand in the air bellowing lyrics, as Lono turned song after song into an explosive crescendo. After wrapping things up with an electric rendition of Ask, I don’t think people needed any more convincing to head over to the merch table.
If I had to compare, I’d say the Notts-based newbies are a bit like Depeche Mode, but meaner and with more punch. Just try and see these guys up close while you can, cos’ sooner or later you’ll be seeing their name in more than just chalk.
I Am Lono launched their new EP, Hunt Us Down Like The Dogs We Are, at Rough Trade on Friday 9 November
I Am Lono on Soundcloud
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