Ask Carol LVLS Hackney

Album Launch Show

Story by Matthew Murray

11/11/2025

Ask Carol lit up Hackney’s Lvls with powerhouse vocals, looping guitars, and Nordic cool. Who needs a full band when two people can do all this?

Lvls is in Hackney, opposite the former Olympic Stadium — now home to West Ham United. On a mild November Saturday night, the vibrant bars lining the riverbanks from Hackney Wick Station down to where Lvls is located were packed with people having a great time. I’d never been out in Hackney before — not being a Londoner — and it was a real surprise. Lvls sits a little further down the river from the livelier spots, in a much quieter location. I imagine it feels completely different on a warm summer evening, but for us, it meant a dark walk along the riverbank. Inside, a few people were upstairs watching football — most likely West Ham fans who had been drinking since the earlier Burnley match — giving the space a laid-back, post-match vibe. Downstairs, though, the atmosphere completely shifted. The basement venue, which probably holds around a hundred people, was intimate and had incredible sound. Ask Carol are a two-piece, but as others have noted, they don’t sound like it. Their multi-layered sound comes partly from looping guitar sections and partly from playing multiple instruments simultaneously. Karoline was a force of nature — her powerful, expressive voice soaring as she played electric guitar and, at times, a floor tom, sometimes all at once. She’s not only captivating to watch but genuinely thrilling to hear. Oh, and she also plays the trombone — not something you see from many lead singers! The trombone has become a bit of a signature element in their sound; the way she uses it gives their music a spacious, cinematic quality. Ask handled drums, guitar, keyboards, and some vocals — completing the duo’s full, textured sound. I can’t remember if they played the final track from their new album Moo Moo, but cows were mentioned a few times during the set! Apparently, when they first started out, cows were their only audience — and not the most attentive ones. They played for about an hour, mixing songs from both of their albums into a brilliant set. Based on the new singles, I’d expected a more chilled, sit-down vibe, but the tracks from their first album had everyone up and moving. Karoline even treated us to a few Jimi Hendrix-style guitar moments — including playing behind her head — which was electrifying to watch. Later, they covered Manic Depression by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, describing it as an ode to those living in the far north of Norway and beyond, where the extremes of endless daylight and darkness can deeply affect people’s moods. Support came from the talented solo artist Angel Parker. Usually accompanied by a backing band, this time it was just her and her guitar. She had a great rapport with the audience, drawing us in both emotionally and physically. Her voice was stunning — and her a cappella rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird sent shivers down my spine. Truly beautiful. I have no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of Ask Carol over the next year, especially following the release of their second album. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Jools Holland appearance is on the horizon.