Lawns: A New Sound in Berlin’s Indie Rock Scene
NMR – Classic Punk vibes from this trio, guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocal….the perfect ingredients for this style of music, presented flawlessly from these guys.
In the autumn of 2020, a fresh chapter in Berlin’s music scene began when guitarists and vocalists Ben Lubin and Joe Green formed Lawns. Following the disbandment of their previous noise rock group, the two sought to channel their creative energy into a new project. After a brief and unsuccessful hunt for a drummer, they connected with Tobias Humble—formerly of Gang of Four, Ghostpoet, and Pleasure Complex—who had recently moved to Berlin. This meeting, arranged through a mutual acquaintance, instantly clicked. Tobias’ deep roots in London’s indie rock and his wide-ranging musical experience made him the perfect fit for the band both musically and personally.
Reflecting on their chemistry, Ben from Lawns says, “We all got on super well from the start. Being three Englishmen in Berlin, all of a similar age, we had tons in common—whether it was music, books, films, comedy, or just our juvenile sense of humour.” The bond between the trio was not just social; it translated into a productive songwriting process. “We started jamming and writing, and it became apparent that we could write a lot of stuff quickly—actually quicker and more easily than any project I’d done before,” Ben adds.
This quick synergy led to the release of their debut EP, Fine, which was recorded at Impression Recordings in Berlin with producer Robbie Moore. By the summer of 2021, Lawns was performing live in Berlin and across Germany, building a reputation as a band with a unique, powerful sound.
The band’s debut EP made it clear that they were not interested in sticking to a traditional format. Steering away from the typical guitar/bass/drums setup, they incorporated a two-guitar/no-bass approach, with some tracks featuring baritone guitars. The vocals were shared between both guitarists, adding depth to their sound. Drawing on influences from British post-punk and early ’90s American indie rock, Lawns fused these elements with avant-garde flair. This distinctive sound, combined with their dynamic live performances, quickly established them as one of Berlin’s most exciting new acts.
“We’ve always put everything into our gigs,” says Tobias. “We never wanted to be a band that just stands there, looking cool. I think that goes back to growing up watching videos of Fugazi, Shellac, and Jesus Lizard.”
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