Curse Of Lono: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

Bob Boilen | July 14, 2022
The resonant voice of Felix Bechtolsheimer has me obsessed with his band Curse of Lono. For the group's Tiny Desk (home) concert, the six musicians set up shop in the office at Bechtolsheimer's house above his home studio in South London. They begin their set as they do their evocative 2022 album, People In Cars, with the song "Let Your Love Rain Down On Me." Bechtolsheimer's baritone is set against the dreamy wail of the pedal steel as he sings, "I'm gonna make my move, hear the engine roar / Roll the windows down, slam my foot to the floor / Now I'm driving hard in this big machine / When they kill the pain, we'll all get clean." All that angst leads to the chorus which, for me, offers one of the few glimmers of hope: "Let your love rain down on me." This isn't hope-filled, uplifting music; these are dark songs written following the losses of Felix's father, uncle and former girlfriend. That former partner is the subject of the final spine-chilling song. "So Damned Beautiful" tells the tale of her drug-filled weekend affair that ends in tragedy. It's the first duet Felix Bechtolsheimer has written; originally recorded with Tess Parks, it's sung here with Bo Lucas of the Brighton duo Lucas & King. The fragile characters and cinematic storytelling make their impact thanks to a band that knows how to delicately weave its sound and pulsing textures with an underpinning of drama and plenty of open space that leaves me mesmerized.

SET LIST
"Let Your Love Rain Down On Me"
"Steppin' Out"
"So Damned Beautiful"

MUSICIANS
Felix Bechtolsheimer: vocals, guitars
Bo Lucas: vocals
Joe Harvey Whyte: pedal steel
Tom Sansbury: bass, vocals
Chris Jones: drums, percussion
Carlos de los Santos: keys, vocals

CREDITS
Video by Babysweet
Audio by Toby Hulbert

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Joshua Bryant
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#TinyDesk #NPRMusic #CurseOfLono

[CurseOfLono]

Thank you so much to all the Tiny Desk team - we had loads of fun filming this!

[Mercury-Wells]

This singer's vocals are like a warm hearth in winter - and it's winter here in little Bunbury, WA, so my cockles are very grateful.

[vancebrainard]

Wowza. Thank you all who are involved in giving me a chance to listen and discover a new sound every day. It makes me slow down and enjoy life in that moment.

[London]

Please come to Denmark. Your sound is fantastic and I think the Danes will love you.

[pamelapayne]

Music, art & LOVE absolutely heals EVERYTHING!!!! Keep spreading ALL OF IT💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿😎💗💗💗

[tomas]

Wow! Great songs, great band, love the steel sound🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏼

[eyelidman]

Rather delightful! Thanks a million!👍🌞🇬🇧👍

[laurabealmear]

Neat, really enjoyed the sound, thanks for sharing

[Junetao]

I couldn’t even sleep neither. This is going to help me !!

[gabiclz]

Thanks . So many hearts are coming to me while I listen this beautiful music

[geethaortac]

I think I’ve fallen in love with them. I wish I had found this earlier. Amazing amazing amazing!!!

[joyramlogan]

Music for the soul, heart and mind ♥️

[deskypoo]

Never heard of you guys till today, I'm hooked though. Off to find more of your stuff.

[o_almaia]

Glad to another discovery through the Tiny Desk! ♥️

[urbaneplanner]

Great mixing and sound - I was listening to this bands albums and I actually like this Tiny Desk sound a bit better

[mailecrane]

Such good voices, im always coming to Npr to find new music, never disappoints

[SteppingLively]

if this is a curse im lookin to get hexed

[johnconnor]

Just wanted to comment here to proudly share that I've been sober for 1, 026 days.

[heycheez]

I'd def subscribe if he had a podcast

[pastoralexdocavaco]

Gosto muito de ver esse canal a partir DO Brasil