Lorna

Lorna was originally formed as a studio project in 1997 by Nottingham, England songwriter Mark Rolfe, gradually expanding over the years to a quartet. Lorna's songs are conceived, written, and produced by the band in their own studio Stars of Winnetka, with the assistance from various collaborators and an eclectic and wide range of instrumentation. Studio work is Lorna's forte — Rolfe has a deep-rooted understanding and knowledge of conventional music theory as well as orchestration, and singer Sharon Cohen has spent years of academic and self-study of Music Production and Technology. Often a co-writer with Rolfe and Cohen is bassist and sound instrumentalist James Allen, whose biggest gift to Lorna's music is providing the majority of the genuine, earthy male vocals. Matt Harrison completes the core of Lorna's studio and songwriting team, contributing his classical knowledge and affection for electronic experimentation.

Lorna released their first CD-EP Never Grow Old in March 2001 on Nottingham independent label Intromit Records. Seduced and intrigued by the release, the head of Heavenly Recordings (Jeff Barrett) immediately signed Lorna to a publishing deal through EMI Music in 2001. The next two years were spent recording over 40 new tracks.

More experimentation, inspiration, and collaboration — including work with members of Six By Seven, Spiritualized, and Echoboy — led to a 7" vinyl release in 2001 through the Spanish label Becalmed Records. The single received critical acclaim and worldwide airplay. "Piano and guitar notes fall like teardrops. This is imagined memory where Brian Wilson invites Slowdive to work with him."

In 2003, Lorna completed their first proper album, This Time, Each Year — a collection of fourteen new songs. The album was released in December 2003 by the Spanish label Pause Music. It received immense critical acclaim, and by January 2004 This Time, Each Year was already marked for Album Of The Year by many Spanish radio stations. The band took on a full promotional tour of Spain to astounding success including slots of national daytime TV and radio and playing capacity shows at cities including Madrid and Valencia. Following the European release of This Time, Each Year, Lorna signed with US based label Hybrid Electric Records in early 2004 to release the album in the US and Canada.

In late November 2004 Lorna released The December EP on their own label, Winnetka Records. This release was a strictly limited edition, handmade CD-EP of five original and traditional holiday songs in which the band donated 100% of all sales directly to a small number of volunteer-run animal shelters and rescue homes throughout the United Kingdom.

In January 2005 Lorna signed to Words On Music for the worldwide release of their second album, Static Patterns and Souvenirs. The album showcases eleven new songs that use Scottish pop, postrock, Americana, and dream pop as signposts. Lorna invigorates each of these genres by injecting a complex yet seamless array of instrumentation, both traditional (pedal steel, classical guitar, flute, vibraphone, viola, banjo, French horn, flugelhorn, harmonica, mandola) and experimental (theremin, found noises, electronics). This orchestration serves as an innovative anchor to the compelling melodies sung, often in tandum, by Mark Rolfe, Sharon Cohen, and James Allen. Repeated listens are rewarded with newfound orchestral discoveries throughout these stunning musical arrangements.

Lorna have performed with Neil Halstead (Mojave 3), Evan Dando, Mark Gardner (Ride), American Analog Set, Midlake, and Pernice Brothers. The band toured Spain in 2004 and toured the US West Coast in August 2005.