Review: Lorna Album Launch – The Bodega – 3 May 2013

It has been well documented that the music scene in Nottingham is in the midst of something of a boom period.  Hit albums, TV and major festival appearances are now on the verge of becoming the norm rather than the rarity.  This is, of course, long overdue.  You would, however, be forgiven for thinking that this is the exclusive domain of the young, and that longer serving artists have missed the boat.  This is an entirely understandable notion.  The music industry has held a long obsession with young artists, and it’s natural that this is reflected locally as well as nationally.

Which is a crying shame, as the more experienced amongst our local talent have just as much to offer, as two out of the three acts on show at Lorna’s “Heart of Wire” album release show at the Bodega proved.

First up, and carrying the flag for the younger element were AUGUST ACTUALLY.  I was first introduced to their well thought out, jangly indie pop late last year, when I first heard their “Vampire” single, but this was my first opportunity to see them live.   And they didn’t disappoint, despite their on-stage insistence that there were under-rehearsed.  The songs are well crafted, well played and you could see the band’s confidence grow as the sat progressed.  It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone play drums and trumpet simultaneously.  The songs are quirky, yet the lyrical content reveals a darker tone.  A promising outlook for August Actually.

THE AMBER HERD have been quiet for some time as they write and rehearse in preparation for their first full length album.  On evidence of tonight’s showing, this has been time well spent.  A 50-50 mix of tracks from previous releases and newer songs, the Herd showed a punchier, grittier edge than previously, augmented by a massive wall of sound emanating from guitarist Paul Wentworth’s effects pedals.  Older songs like “Red Gold” have been given a facelift, and sit well alongside the likes of “Tim Man”, played tonight for the first time and which features a blistering coda.  A slowed down “Another River” also looks destined to be a crowd pleaser.  The set perfectly demonstrates Neil Beard’s ability to deliver a killer hook, supplemented by arrangements that cover folk introspection, post punk aggression and Hawkwind-esque effects beamed down from outer space.  The Herd won some new fans, that’s for sure.

Headliners, LORNA skilfully built a different atmosphere.  Quieter, more deliberate, and altogether beautiful.  Vocalists Mark and Sharon delivered hushed tones that were the perfect matched to the well arranged instrumentation, an intriguing melting pot featuring violin, flutes and electronic beats.  The show largely featured, as one would expect, songs from the new album of which the opening sequence of “Sounds we hear” and new single “As She Goes By” were particularly delightful, and again sat well alongside older favourites like “Understanding Heavy Metal Parts 1 and 2”.  Despite being blighted partially by that most hideous of gig diseases – chatter, Lorna managed to overcome these pitfalls a gentler band often faces with great aplomb.  The closing “The Last Mosquito Fight of Summer” encompasses everything that makes Lorna stand out – a great tune, performed with a heartbreaking delicacy that built into a crescendo of a wig out.  Cleverly done and well performed.  Lorna have being doing their thing for over 10 years now.  It would be an injustice if they, alongside others from the Nottingham Music Scene “Sixth Form” including The Amber Herd, were unable to join their younger counterparts in achieving a wider audience.