Laki Mera - Barfly, London, 7/9/2011
by Sarah Mwangi
published: 3 / 10 / 2011
intro
Despite Glaswegian electronic quartet's Laki Mera's military efficiency and mechanical production, Sarah Mwangi finds much that is achingly human in their music at a show at the Barfly in London
Framed by delicate female vocals, Laki Mera presented artful electronic soundscapes on an auburn autumn night in Camden. In an uniform of black T-shirt and jeans, Laki Mera illustrated military efficiency as they sped through their half hour set. The Scottish quartet were sandwiched between amateur rock bands of non-descript talent on the Barfly stage, but, however, proved to be the much needed palette cleanser with their intricate dream-pop. And although their mechanical production had a metallic coldness to it, they still managed to caress the audience; enveloping them in Laura Donnelly’s warm breathy vocals. On ‘Fool’, these precious vocals danced coyly with the strings which were sharply plucked then left to swirl around an intoxicatingly sweet monosyllabic refrain. ‘More Than You’ and ‘She’s a Day Later’ were equally playful yet displayed measured and mature notes. Emerging into the foreground when Donnelly exited stage left, the remaining trio played an enthralling MacBook-aided instrumental piece. With Keir Long on piano, Tim Harbinson on drums and computer glitches courtesy of Andrea Gobbi, they filled the room with a staticky yet melodious jam until Donnelly returned to rein them in. Full of focus and absorbed in their own instruments, Laki Mera barely looked up at each other let alone their audience throughout the night. Then Donnelly spoke. With a charming Glaswegian cadence that was otherwise disguised in song, she breathed life into their automaton-like performance. The act was simple but played a significant role in personalising it to their Camden crowd. A feature they should fit into their precisely tuned outfit.
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2008) |
In December of last year, Glasgow-based ambient/electronica act Laki Mera released their debut album as a pay-if-you-want digital download. With a CD version now also out, John Clarkson speaks to singer Laura Donnelly about why they did this, the group's sound and their plans for the future |
reviews |
Fool Remixes (2011) |
Enjoyable and inventive remixes on new EP from Glasgow-based electronic rock act, Laki Mera |
The Proximity Effect (2011) |
Clutter EP (2010) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart