2020

by Dave Goodwin

published: 14 / 2 / 2021

I Am Lono - Bodega, Nottingham, 27/2/2020

intro

Dave Goodwin at the Bodega in Nottingham enjoys a night of dark post-punk/synth rock from promising new band I Am Lono.

Nottingham Bodega has changed so much over the last few months. It feels like this old friend has been around for ever. It's still the brilliant music venue it always has been, but it has undergone a bit of a facelift. The tight stairs are still there at the front of the venue that lead up to an intimately-sized room with what looks like a small stage as you veer to the right. It may be small, but it has had at least twelve musicians on there in one go in the past. The Bodega is a lot cleaner and sounds louder than it has ever done thanks to the addition of equipment here and there. There’s a nsmall bar and a rest area with another bar downstairs which also houses the odd acoustic gig now and again, all of which makes the Bodega an awesome venue for the likes of the subject of tonight’s entertainment. I Am Lono have slowly gained a decent following here in Nottingham, which is unsurprising really as the content of one of the East Midlands top up-coming bands is off the scale. I Am Lono are a four-piece post-punk, synth-rock band from Nottingham but their sound is unique to the four players - Matthew Cooper, Matthew Holt, Tim Maddison and David Startin. Their songs have been played on BBC 6Music and BBC introducing, and they have released music on the Nottingham record label Louder City Records. Taking influence from bands such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode and Siouxsie and the Banshees, I Am Lono are dark. Anthemic, moody, atmospheric and dark. They are darker than the inside of the Grim Reaper's pants. They don’t say much. They don’t need to. You just need to watch and listen. From the thumping boss beats from Maddison at the back to the screaming synth and vocals of Holt up front they are a sight and sound to savour and destined surely for bigger rooms than the Bodega. But this will do for now. Roaring through no less than eight tracks - 'Number', 'Fives', 'Kanye', 'Salvation TV', 'Unit 45', 'The Wrecks', 'Ghost' and 'Simone' - all of which are new material written after their debut EP, 'Hunt Us Down Like the Dogs We Are'. This is a band just starting out, but with an armoury full of experience and talent. Feverish guitar pounding the stage, impending doom bass eating away at your senses, searing synth with a chasmic vocal and drums that won't leave your head even during the long journey home. That is I Am Lono. And they are fucking dark. Marvellous! Photos by Dave Goodwin www.davegoodiwnimages.com