Acclaimed new London five-piece Curse Of Lono present their debut album Severed, a sumptuously cinematic record that combines spaced out, harmony-laden indie-folk with driving, gothic alt-rock, produced at Gun Factory studio by Oli Bayston (Boxed In). Founded and fronted by Felix Bechtolsheimer, formerly the singer-guitarist in British roots pioneers Hey Negrita, Curse Of Lono formed in early 2015, though the songs on Severed were written over a 14-year period. They range from the perky, Paul Simon-ish new single Pick Up The Pieces to the more lugubrious He Takes My Place, the almost jazzy London Rain and the rootsy, rhythmic Send For The Whiskey. The album belongs as much to the Americana tradition and old faithfuls such as Little Feat as it does to more modern, playful practitioners of the form such as Beck. Lyrically, the songs cover themes including infidelity and sexual jealousy, the death of friends, and Felix's personal struggle with heroin addiction. 'Although Severed is a dark record in places, it is not an addiction record,' says Felix. 'It's about growing up enough to be able to share a drink with the ghosts of the past without letting them push you around.' In the summer of 2015 Curse Of Lono added ex-Hey Negrita drummer Neil Findlay, lead guitarist Joe Hazell, bassist Charis Anderson and keyboardist Dani Ruiz Hernandez to the line-up. The band released their debut EP in October 2016 to glowing reviews, launching it with a sold-out gig at The Islington. The four tracks on the EP form the soundtrack to Saturday Night, a short film of inter-connected music videos directed by Alex Walker. Saturday Night, which stars Grant Masters and Marta Hermida, was released alongside the EP, with the four episodes premiering on Louder Than War, Relix, Indie Rock Caf and Spindle Magazine. To expand on the visual theme, Curse Of Lono spent a day filming at their London studio with live music video producers Ont Sofa, recording ten live performances which they are releasing monthly through different websites and on their own YouTube channel as The Doghouse Sessions. 'If dangerous living bothers you, look away now - but for everyone else, Curse Of Lono are a new beacon of darkness'Mojo 'Mixing harmony-filled indie roots and gothic alt-rock, its a gorgeous debut' - Louder Than War 'Exile On Main Street meets William Faulkner' - Classic Rock 'Sexy, sweaty and savage, Curse Of Lono explore the heart of darkness with unflinching accuracy' - Shindig! 'Utterly, utterly mesmeric' -'A cinematic journey down the rabbit hole of Americana... A stumble through hell and high water was never so alluring' - Jim DeRogatis - WBEZ Chicago 'A shockingly sweet debut that is equal parts Teenage Fanclub and a gothic Big Star' - Innocent Words (US) 'A grown up collection of songs that range from heartache, to sex for escape, to the darkest of humours and the general human condition' - No Depression (US) 'Swooshes along like a plush car through wet night time city streets' - Record Collector 'They might just be the best new thing this year' - AmericanaUK Review Who would have thought the best indie roots-rock album of the year would come via Curse Of Lono, a London-based collective who, with Severed, may have just released the best Shins-cum-Fleet Foxes record the world will ever hear Cinematic, full of lush harmonies, layered guitar jangles and singalong choruses, the new LP from Curse Of Lono easily stands out as the best record of 2017, and it's only March... Severed is a triumph. A record so brilliant and accomplished that in a fairer world, would outsell anything else on the radio today. It earns our highest recommendation. --Benjamin Ricci, Performer, March 7th 2017
