Lau-Land’s musical world will showcase their own music as well as The Unthanks with Martin Hays and Dennis Cahill and The Voice Squad, the Sonic Thinking Seminar with Fred Frith and Adrian Utley.
Workshops, concerts and a Concourse installation from Hacker Farm are at the heart of Lau-Land, with additional late night events at Gateshead’s Central Bar.
Can you explain the band’s name?
Lau means light or fire in Shetland and Orkney
Where do the band members originate from?
Aidan O’Rourke is from the West Highlands, Kris Drever from Orkney and Martin Green from Cambridge but he’s trying very hard to become Scottish.
What has been your proudest moment so far in your career?
We’ve had some amazing times, whenever we get to collaborate with remarkable musicians it feels very special. Working with Jack Bruce was a real highlight.
How do you feel about having your own festival at Sage Gateshead?
Fantastic. We love the Sage and have done a lot work there. It is the perfect place for us to host our Lau-Land event.
What can audiences expect from your performance?
Intensity and energy and a little bit of larking around. We love playing together and we like to keep it both loose and tight.
Who has been the greatest influence on your music style?
There are too many to mention here, everything from The Band to Shostakovich and from Aphex Twin to Gillian Welch.
How do the dynamics of the group work?
With elegance, economy, grace and protracted negotiation.
It’s a total democracy, which is slow but very rewarding.
What’s the hardest thing about touring?
Being away from home for long periods, but you do get to see incredible places round the world. It’s a great job.
If you could choose to add a new member to Lau, dead or alive, who would it be?
Ghandi, no, Hendrix.
What’s next for Lau?
We are working on a new album just now, and it’s gonna be a cracker!
- Lau will perform on Thursday, May 29, at Sage Gateshead, For full Lau Land festival details including performers, workshops and further information please visit sagegateshead.com
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