____twoism

It's 2AM and I just got back from the Stars of the Lid gig in London. Now, I think some of you know just how much I love these guys - we're talking total fanboy level here - so maybe you'll appreciate how big a deal it is when I say that, frankly, the reason I'm sat here tapping away at silly-o'clock instead of getting some much needed shut-eye ISN'T because of the wonderful Messers McBride and Wiltzie, but instead because of a guy I saw tonight who, in no uncertain terms, simply blew the place apart tonight.

If you've not heard of Lichens (aka Rob Lowe), please, just go and check him out right now - preferably live if at all possible. You will not be disappointed. It was a staggering live performance which involved Lichens, a microphone, a Gibson SG, an ebow, a loop station of some sort (couldn't see which from where I was), and a large persian rug. In 25 minutes Lichens gradually built up layers of sound, starting with a purely vocal/whisled "Dawn Chorus" effect, but ended wailing out into the audience with a style that I cannot do justice here. The nearest I can attempt is to say it's something like Bjork meets Stevie Wonder, with Jonsi from Sigur Ros thrown in for good measure. One long unbroken drone and vocal epic which left the whole place gob-smacked. This man is a rare talent.

Oh just go and see for yourselves, please, please, please. Absolutely, positively mind-bending.

I have 'The Psychic Nature Of Being' on constant repeat for the last weeks. It's exceptionally good.

I hope to be able to catch him here in Montreal eventually. A must-see for me.

Wow... Consider me very impressed... I just watched this live performance...
There are some spine-tingling moments on here...
Thanks very much for bringing this to my attention; now I wonder which of his recordings I should pick up first?!

Just bought 'The Psychic Nature of Being' off of Amazon... It's on Kranky as well! Can't wait!

The concert of a lifetime I think.

Stars of the Lid are so good.

Goiter Sanchez wrote:Wow... Consider me very impressed... I just watched this live performance...
There are some spine-tingling moments on here...
Thanks very much for bringing this to my attention; now I wonder which of his recordings I should pick up first?!

Thanks for sharing that youtube clip. Awesome stuff indeed!

My god...looked as if he was channeling some ancient spirits near the end...like he was pulling music out of time or from a different place, far, far from here. Absolutely incredible. Many thanks for the recommendation...will become an avid fan of this guy, I'm sure. Damn!

Just bought "Omns" last night. I was disappointed with the first listen on headphones, since the production is really minimal (he just recorded a few jams and didn't seem to do much with it afterwards). But, listening to it in the car this morning was fantastic. Definitely worth the purchase.

Someone should get the guy some stereo stomp boxes! Instant improved headphone experience.

Just found a link to a full video recording of the gig I mentioned at the top of this thread.
It's just as incredible as I remember it. 25 minutes of awesome, inspirational TONE.

Go check it and let it wash over you. Stunning.

EDIT: what the video fades out to (sadly) is him walking down the aisle of the Church - still wailing - with all of us starring like slack-jawed dumbstruck idiots at him. Total God-like-genius.

Mexicola wrote:Just found a link to a full video recording of the gig I mentioned at the top of this thread.
It's just as incredible as I remember it. 25 minutes of awesome, inspirational TONE.

Go check it and let it wash over you. Stunning.

EDIT: what the video fades out to (sadly) is him walking down the aisle of the Church - still wailing - with all of us starring like slack-jawed dumbstruck idiots at him. Total God-like-genius.

FUCK
that was stunning
that guy is truly talented
thanks for sharing this truly astonishing stuff with us, mexicola!

Numerator wrote:FUCK
that was stunning
that guy is truly talented
thanks for sharing this truly astonishing stuff with us, mexicola!

You're very welcome!

Forgot to mention, the whole reason I found the vid was that he is playing live in London this October. If you can make it, I'd wholeheartedly recommend going - I promise you won't be disappointed.

The gig he is playing - Cafe OTO - is a fantastic little arthouse/coffee shop in North East London. I was so blown away when I first caught Lichens live, that I travelled back to London 4 days later and saw him again in this very venue. A perfect chance to get up close and personal.

From their email today:

* * * LICHENS * * *

Does anyone remember this? Rob Lowe aka LICHENS mesmerising all present in support of Stars of the Lid at St Giles-in-the-Fields in 2008.We're thrilled to declare that Rob, fresh from exploits in Om, Singer & Matteah Baim's band, will be playing a headline Cafe Oto show as Lichens on Thursday 21st October.

...and supports tbc very, very soon.

LICHENS (Kranky)

Thursday 21st October
Cafe Oto
18 - 22 Ashwin St, E8 3DL
8pm / £7 adv.
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/87399

Mexicola wrote:Just found a link to a full video recording of the gig I mentioned at the top of this thread.
It's just as incredible as I remember it. 25 minutes of awesome, inspirational TONE.

Go check it and let it wash over you. Stunning.

EDIT: what the video fades out to (sadly) is him walking down the aisle of the Church - still wailing - with all of us starring like slack-jawed dumbstruck idiots at him. Total God-like-genius.

Really amazing performance! There is actually a recorded version of this track called 'Time & Light (Version)' from his tour album '∞' which is also stunning.

Thanks for introducing me to Lichens all those years ago Mexicola. I am still a big fan and have nearly everything he's put out. I even met him and watched him perform last year which was incredible!

Ha! My pleasure. He's a nice guy too if you get the chance for a chat.

It was actually here that I saw him (I'm sitting front left side nearest the isle during the audience shots). I ask the first question during the audience Q&A as well about his use of Esperanto. This recording didn't capture the performance he did afterward unfortunately, but I recorded that myself with my Zoom luckily



EDIT: actually they recorded the performance as well!

Oh, and regarding his recorded works I'd say if anyone is interested in where to start I'd recommend 'Lítið Fólk' on Morc Records which features this track, marrying his vocal and modular creative proclivities wonderfully:

It's 2AM and I just got back from the Stars of the Lid gig in London.

Whoever brought this thread back from the dead, thanks for making my heart skip a beat!!!

I thought the first post was new at first...

Hang on a second...Rob Lowe?

Lol! Not that one..

Oh wow! I forgot about this guy. Been a while. I had some of his performances bookmarked, which was then lost when I formatted my computer years ago. I'm using a whole new computer now.
Thanks for reviving this thread. People need to check this guy out. What a trip it is to watch him perform. I'd love to catch him live if he ever comes out to my part of the woods.

New record put out under the name Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe rather than Lichens.

http://www.factmag.com/2016/01/21/rober ... servation/

Released on Demdike Stare's record label.