The duo Lake Me consists of Nathalie Stern on guitar and vocals, and Lucy Hammond on drums. Both have been writing, recording and touring their music in various bands for a total amount of 20 years. Although Lake Me started out as a guitar and vocal based solo project in 2001, the sound was made complete by the addition of drums two years later.

 

Playing nationally and internationally, Lake Me have created a base around Europe with their bare set up. Their music draws references from Led Zeppelin to Lucinda Williams, Lungfish to Neko Case without the risk of disintegrating their unique sound. On the contrary, the songs have a distinct sound which has been derived from a diverse musical palette and assembled to provide a combination of subtle vocals and full on instrumental batterings.

 

The band has netted international tours in the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland. Their distinct blend of musical genres has seen them support acts as diverse as Erase Errata, PW Long, Stinking Lizaveta, Stars and most recently Young James Long.

 

Forging links with other aspects of art, Lake Me have worked with two visual artists at several shows, merging their aural performances with live and pre-recorded film footage. This came about as the result of a project which culminated in a show at an arts centre with experimental and improvised projections intermixed with the band playing live, creating a conceptual space of music and visuals.

 

In the summer of 2005, Lake Me released their debut album entitled Solace. Keen on keeping their hands-on approach at the forefront of their creativity, the album was self-released and spans two years of Nathalie's and Lucy's collaborative musicianship and self-reflective musings. The CD comes in a recycled cardboard packaging which is designed, hand printed and assembled by the band itself. The album contains 11 tracks of stripped down blues-infused tunes and off-beat rhythms, epitomising the uncompromising offerings of their music. Also available on vinyl now!

 

Alongside Lake Me, both members have projects of their own involving music and art. Both are involved in organising autonomous non-corporate events in the region to promote women artists, be they regional, national or international. As well as arranging a women focused music festival, events and lending a helping hand with setting up Ladyfests, Lucy is involved in several separate music projects and sometimes works as a DJ. Nathalie pursues a solo project experimenting and improvising with traditional and own folk songs, using only a loop pedal and vocals. Many of these are songs that she grew up with in Sweden, and although her solo shows are displays of more subdued performances, the harmonies and beats found in traditional folk music can be heard in some of the more subtle songs of Lake Me.