Lori makes Honey Dip feel safe

I’d first seen Lori perform with her band Wishbone Ash at Honey Dip’s first anniversary show– and while my highlights of the night were the anarchist hip hop group RHiMETHINK and our beloved Status non Status, Lori’s band set a dark yet playful tone for the night. Even followed by Willow Switch, Wishbone Ash had tighter drums.

Though comparison is no good for community, Lori’s honesty at the open mic she hosted last night was a welcomed respite. Without the rock instrumentation, her voice finds some very golden notes and her simple yet viceral lyricism shines through unmediated. I was particularly stunned by her closing song — written on the same day as the performance — about once being preyed upon yet admitting she still missed him. A statement made even more powerful by how comfortable she appeared on the stage, ready to bear her soul for a room with strangers lurking in the corners.

Similarly heartfelt was Uncle Dirtnap. The biggest applause of the night went to their folk-punk nihilist diatribe. They’ve been a hidden gem in the scene for some time and despite remaining a small contributor, they’re the most excellent representation of the genre I’ve seen live.

Also that night was Robin: the venue’s owner and other half of Willow Switch. They performed a spoken word piece about laying down to die while tuning their banjo over a droning synth. It was pained in unexpected ways– I wished for the drone to stop. I wished they didn’t mention Ontario. I too feel the distance between us all, and I long for the noise to end… secretly, that’s exactly the reaction they we’re going for.

Oliver performed a couple originals as well, and I marked crush on the bartender off my bingo cart. I find his voice more compelling than Sam Hansell’s, London’s been without a rockstar for some time.

Finally was my first time singing on a stage, with a diminished song about the land and stealing souls, and cut short when I broke a second string. After I got off the stage, I was descended upon by 3 goths - like angels - to say I sounded like Willow Switch meets Violent Femmes…this should sustain me for a long time. This morning I woke and a new song streamed out, I probably played to myself for an hour straight.

event listing, missing some: https://www.honeydipbar.com/

(photos coming soon, I need to get my film developed)

Written by Aiden Waasaezi