Formed in 2019, Lawne is the result of a meeting of minds between old friends and self confessed music nerds Joe Nicklin and Joe Martin. Their sound draws upon myriad influences with dub, electronics, hip hop, psych, jazz, post-punk and Afrobeat all somehow ingrained within the mix.
Their debut LP, Attic was released last year to much critical acclaim from DJs and tastemakers alike, receiving radio play from Gilles Peterson, Cerys Matthews, Robbie Vincent and many more besides.
“One of the most exciting releases of the year!” Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music)
“The entire album is sublime.
” Colleen Cosmo Murphy (Balearic Breakfast / The Loft)
“One of my favourite groups at the moment!” Bill Brewster (Lowlife / NTS)
To celebrate the release of the LP, Lawne pitched up at North London vintage musical emporium Audio Gold to play a Tiny Desk style set for an intimate, personally invited audience that included soul music DJ legend Robbie Vincent, Balearic bossman Bill Brewster and Gilles Peterson co-presenter Pedro Montenegro in its ranks.The set featured a number of surprises, including this very unexpected medley of early 00s hip hop, R&B and pop classics from Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jah Rule, Eminem and many more, all given Lawne’s unique, untouchable stamp, as Joe Nicklin explains:
“The whole idea of the night at Audio Gold was to say thanks to people that had supported us over the last year or so with a special intimate show. We wanted to make this night different from our previous shows in any way possible, especially as the majority of the audience had already seen us live at least once before. We decided we’d include a cover of some sort and excitedly started throwing suggestions each other’s way. It was either 200 gruelling games of rock, paper scissors to decide a winner or we’d have to do a medley, so we did a medley.
It was also a nice opportunity to be a little more off the grid than we usually can be live, so we had a lot of fun with it too. I hope the love that was felt in the room comes across in the recorded version.”
Reactions and Radio Play
Played by Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music)
Featured on the Somewhere Soul New Music Friday playlist
“This is great, obvs! I feel like my whole teenagerhood just flashed before my eyes.” Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music)
“If you grew up on early 2000s R&B and hip hop then this seamless live medley from UK fusion group Lawne will bring you so much joy.” Somewhere Soul (UK)
“Magnifique !! Love it ..” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)
“Nicely done.” Chris Read (BBE, UK)
“Funny hearing them playing the riffs from so many pop hits. Nice production…” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“Class.” Lorenzo Aldino (Jockey Club Ibiza, Spain)
“Superb!! I’m looking forward to the announced album!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Lane un univers déroutant, envoutant mais telle dansant.” Diggers Radio (France)
“Nice!” Martijn Barkhuis (Jazzrdeville, Netherlands)
“A pleasure!!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Very good cover.” Amar Kabouche (Radio Fauve, Hong Kong)
“What a cool medley! Love this and can’t wait to share with my listeners. So smooth and tastefully done. Fantastic work!” DJ Nelito (Power FM, The Netherlands)
“Lovely.” Paul Knight (Reform Radio, UK)
“Love everything I’ve heard from this group and this is soulful and I like it more than the originals!” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Melbourne, Australia)
“Really clever approach to the cover version.. in direct contrast to Cathy Berberian’s approach to Lennon/McCartney!” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
“Straight in with another warm, well-paced & danceable instrumental from Lawne. The dominant guitar sound has a particularly Hank Marvin feel to it, especially when the reverb is turned up, though lacking in the nervous energy of Cliff’s musical sidekick.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
