Author | Michelle King
Lo-Fang is the musical moniker of one Matthew Hemerlein, who claims to be inspired by both Bach and Wu-Tang Clan, and while I don’t hear much of the latter in his debut album Blue Film, there is certainly something orchestral in his arrangements and something instantly classic about his compositions. The songs range from pop to R&B to electronic to ambient while maintaining as much cohesiveness as some of the most impressive concept albums.
Written during Hemerlein’s travels across the world, Blue Film began as a mix-tape and evolved into a triumphant full-length album three years in the making. Literally penned in hotel rooms from London to Bali, Tokyo, Nashville, Cambodia, and oh yeah, don’t forget the exotic state of Maryland, the album blends a myriad of musical styles and displays both Hemerlein’s wandering inspiration and classical training (he plays every instrument on the album, including guitar, upright bass, cello, banjo, piano, and violin). With swooning vocals layered over soulful melodies, it’s hard to not draw comparison to contemporary James Blake, but Hemerlein’s emotive voice is actually his own, skipping the vocoder distortion Blake often opts to bring into the mix.
Fun fact: Lo-Fang just wrapped up a tour with Lorde – a match made not due to industry politics but because the seventeen year-old songstress is an actual fan of Lo-Fang’s music. She attended one of his shows in LA at the end of last year (she also listed “#88” as one of her top 10 songs of 2013) and immediately asked him to join her for her US spring dates.
Check out the KCRW in-studio performance of the song “Permutations” below, as well as his Letterman appearance with “#88” and the official video for “Look Away,” all taken from Blue Film, which released February 25 on 4AD.
For more information please visit Lo-Fang’s Facebook and Twitter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAmIf7PGduc
Michelle King is a music fiend currently residing in Athens, GA. While her business card will tell you she is executive manager and director of publicity at Noisy Ghost PR, you can also find her blogging at She Turns the Tables, racing for Reality Bikes, and going on adventures with her awesome dog.
Follow Michelle on Spotify for up to the minute musical suggestions!
