Lorna

Lorna is an indie band from Nottingham, United Kingdom. It begins as a studio project in 1997, formed by Nottingham songwriter Mark Rolfe, and later grows into a quartet. The core line-up includes Rolfe, Sharon Cohen, Andy Bullock and Matt Harrison. Sharon Cohen contributes vocals and has experience in music production and technology, while Bullock works as bassist and vocalist and has collaborated with Rolfe in several projects over a number of years. Harrison adds classical training and an interest in electronic experimentation.

Studio work and early releases

The band writes, conceives and produces its music in its own studio, Stars of Winnetka, using a wide range of collaborators and instrumentation. Their first release is the CD-EP Never Grow Old, issued in 2001 on Nottingham independent label Intromit Records. The release leads to a publishing deal through EMI Music in the same year via Heavenly Recordings head Jeff Barrett.

Over the following two years, the band records more than 40 new tracks. Collaboration plays an important part in this period, including work with musicians associated with Six By Seven, Spiritualized and Echoboy. A 7-inch single follows in 2001 on Spanish label Becalmed Records and receives critical attention and international radio play.

This Time, Each Year

In 2003, Lorna completes its first full album, This Time, Each Year, which contains fourteen new songs and is released in December 2003 by Spanish label Pause Music. The album gains strong critical response and is singled out by several Spanish radio stations as an album of the year choice by early 2004. The band promotes it with a full tour of Spain, including television and radio appearances and capacity shows in cities such as Madrid and Valencia.

After the European release, Lorna signs with US-based Hybrid Electric Records in early 2004 to issue the album in the United States and Canada.

The December EP and later releases

In late 2004, Lorna releases The December EP on its own label, Winnetka Records. The handmade, limited CD-EP contains five original and traditional holiday songs, and all sales go directly to volunteer-run animal shelters and rescue homes in the United Kingdom.

In January 2005, the band signs to Words On Music for the worldwide release of its second album, Static Patterns and Souvenirs. The album contains eleven songs and uses Scottish pop, post-rock, Americana and dream pop as starting points. Its arrangements combine conventional and unusual instruments, including pedal steel, classical guitar, flute, vibraphone, viola, banjo, French horn, flugelhorn, harmonica, mandola, theremin, found noises and electronics. Vocals are often shared between Mark Rolfe, Sharon Cohen and James Allen.

Collaborations and performances

Lorna performs with Neil Halstead, Evan Dando, Mark Gardner of Ride, American Analog Set, Midlake and Pernice Brothers. The band tours Spain in 2004 and the US West Coast in August 2005.