Nate Bergman
London Clapton Blondies
Lionize frontman triumphs at unexpected solo show in the capital.
This wasn’t the plan. Nate Bergman was supposed to be opening for Snake Oil & Harmony tonight, and joining them on their European tour. Having fronted Maryland rockers Lionize for his entire adult life, this was going to be his first proper outing as a solo artist.
That was the plan. But when the you-know-what threw a sudden spanner in the works of virtually all international travel – including his headliners, due to fly in from the States – he found himself stuck in London without a tour and without income. Undaunted (well, maybe a little), he booked an alternative gig. Which is why we find ourselves being serenaded in a dark bar in East London by this troubadour for the times.
Bergman’s hearty yet soulful voice was always key to Lionize’s sound. But it was also buried, to a degree, in their fiery fusion of beefy riffs, organ blasts, funky bass lines and reggae sensibilities. Tonight, with only a guitar and a heartful of tunes, he makes like Otis Redding crossed with Bruce Springsteen. A Slow Dance In Hell marries Americana and heartland, Into My Arms is all hooky, unclichéd heartache, while a haunting yet sweet, darkcountry take on Swedish pop star Robyn’s Dancing On My Own works startlingly well, preceded by grinning memories of “very tall, very handsome, very drunk” men in Sweden.
It’s not the night he had in mind, but for those of us here, watching this odds-defying new chapter in Bergman’s musical life, it feels special.