Lawrence Hayward: A Forgotten Talent

Lawrence Hayward of indie rock bands Felt, Denim and Go-Kart Mozart is my musical hero. Felt, formed in 1979, released 10 singles and 10 albums throughout their 10 years of existence. If it wasn't for the video I watched on YouTube of Christopher Owens of Girls speaking to Lawrence, I doubt I'd have been made aware of the musical magician that is the mononymous Lawrence. Felt were very much an underground band and never reached the same heights of fame as their 90s successors, such as The Charlatans, a band whose singer Tim Burgess cited Lawrence as a significant influence.
Lawrence worked alongside Elizabeth Fraser of alternative Scottish rock band Cocteau Twins in one of my favourite songs, 'Primitive Painters', released on Cherry Red Label in 1985. Lawrence was never big on making music videos and Primitive Painters is one of Felt's few videos that's posted online.

Denim followed Felt and were, in my opinion, equally as good, moving towards glam-rock with satire incorporated into the lyrics. A lyric which never ceases to make me laugh is "my gay friend said all naked women look like slaughtered pigs" in 'Glue and Smack' from their album 'Denim On Ice'. Other top Denim songs include 'Middle Of The Road', 'I'm Against The Eighties' and 'Here Is My Song for Europe'. Denim released 2 LPs in 1992 and 1996 and a compilation record in 1997.

Go-Kart Mozart, formed in 1998, a year after Denim disbanded, are still around, although Lawrence stated in an interview with The Guardian "I haven't got any fans!" after the dismal attendance rates on his 2013 tour. Despite this though, Go-Kart Mozart have an album out later this year, as well as the documentary 'Lawrence of Belgravia' (although it was due to be released in the summer of last year).

I don't believe Lawrence is as eager for fame as he makes out. After all, why would you release such a vast number of albums if fame was your predominant incentive for making music, and you didn't get the recognition you believe you were entitled to? I, similarly to Tim Burgess, feel an obligation to spread the work of Lawrence. I'm not asking you to buy any of his albums, but to simply take a listen to Primitive Painters and bask in it's glory. Although, if you were to buy an album that'd be an added bonus (remember kids, illegally downloading music is very naughty).