Vorn


“Cult figure” (noun). A writer, musician, artist, or other public figure who is greatly admired by a relatively small audience or is influential despite limited commercial success.

Enter Vorn Colgan, the writer, musician, and artist behind largely underappreciated “World Famous in Newtown” acts like Vorn (the band), Gold Medal Famous, and the Wellington Sea Shanty Society. To paint a more complete picture of the man, add words like collaborator, teacher, funnyman, busker, occasional blogger, and recent cancer survivor.

Vorn - Down For It album cover (2011)
Photo credit: Artwork by Anne Bilton
Vorn during their North Island tour in October 2009.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Wellington Sea Shanty Society performing at Waimārama Community Hall in 2022.
Photo credit: Andrew Caldwell
Wellington Sea Shanty Society - A Sailor Needs A Boat music video (2022)
Vorn - Mental Health Issues in Newtown Part II music video (2011)
Wellington Sea Shanty Society performing at Waimārama Community Hall in 2022.
Photo credit: Andrew Caldwell
Vorn - Thunk (2006) released on Powertool Records
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn - A Safe Pair Of Hands music video (2023)
Vorn - They Don't Know You Like I do music video (2009)
Vorn And The album cover (2008)
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn - The Winter Sessions (2017)
Thomas Liggett and Nick Brown of Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Crash Bandihoot performing at the Gardens Magic summer concert series in the Wellington Botanic Gardens, 2023.
Photo credit: Sophie Dobschall aka Eyes Closed
Thomas Liggett of Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Vorn - More Songs About Girls And The Apocalypse album cover (2014)
Photo credit: Artwork by Renée Gerlich
Wellington Sea Shanty Society performing in Breaker Bay, Wellington, 2022.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Wellington Sea Shanty Society and Croche Dedans - Soon May The Wellerman Come live (2018)
Lake McKenna and Vorn Colgan of the Wellington Sea Shanty Society at sea.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Publicity shot for The Late Album, 2018. L-R: Nick Brown, Vorn Colgan, Thomas Liggett.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Gold Medal Famous live at the Mighty Mighty in Wellington, 2011.
Vorn
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn performing at Bodega in Wellington, 2010.
Photo credit: Rebecca Teng
Vorn - Dance and Feel Dirty music video (2011)
Vorn - Start Choppin (2018)
Crash Bandihoot - The Mad Prince (2024)
Vorn Colgan playing trombone on the waterfront with Crash Bandihoot for the Wellington Jazz Festival, 2023.
Photo credit: Joshua Apperley
Vorn - Modern Classics album cover (2009)
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn - The Late Album (2023)
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn - Inflation live at Happy in Wellington (2009)
Vorn - A Dying Man's Curse Be Upon You music video (2023)
Thomas Liggett of Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Vorn performing Nights Grow Long at San Fran, Wellington (2019)
Gypsy Hendrix covering All Along The Watchtower (2016)
Vorn - The Family Planning Song music video (2013)
Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Gig poster for Vorn's More Songs About Girls and the Apocalypse album release show at Meow, Wellington, 2014. Supported by Neverwoz and Warwick & The Wankers.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn Colgan performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
Vorn performing at Bodega in Wellington, 2010.
Photo credit: Rebecca Ten
Vorn Colgan playing accordion
Photo credit: Ben Woods
Nick Brown of Vorn performing at CupaDupa festival, 2024.
Photo credit: Joseph James
2013 South Island tour poster
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
Vorn performing at Valhalla in Wellington, 2023.
Photo credit: Melissa Nolan McDougall
Vorn during recording The Winter Sessions, 2017.
Photo credit: Vorn Colgan collection
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