Laura Jean: Vocals, guitars, etc
Biddy Connor: Viola, organ, vocals, etc
Martin Mackerras: Clarinet, vocals
Geoff Dunbar: Bass, vocals
Jen Sholakis: Drums, percussion, guitar, vocals
Influences
Pooka, Neil Young, Will Oldham, Gillian Welch, Kate Bush, Mark Hollis, Mazzy Star, Tori Amos, Nick Drake, John Martyn, PJ Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Wilco, Neko Case, lots of others.
Sounds Like
Eden Land Review Quotes
"It is an outstanding record and may well end up with the sobriquet "best Australian album of 2008".
Starkly, irrevocably emotional, it is populated by timeless characters for whom the Bible is not a book but a life map, dressed in stays and buttoned boots, high collars and layers, caught in evening’s low light, or gaslight."
Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald March 08
"Some concept albums fall apart when individual tracks are picked out, but every song on this album stands up on its own, from the stunning ethereal opener to the rich, upbeat Lady of the Lake and beyond." ****1/2 MX Magazine March 08
"This is trad. folk with passion and compassion. Biblical imagery, lyrical mastery and a voice that soars, cries and caresses. Laura shows new maturity and Eden Land is a keeper."
**** Warcry Magazine
Sydney-born, Melbourne-based songwriter Laura Jean first came to national attention in 2006 with the release of her debut album Our Swan Song. Lush and pastoral, adorned with strings, woodwind and Laura’s beautiful modal harmonies, Our Swan Song was a critical and popular favourite, gaining Triple J high rotation and introducing Laura Jean as a powerful, exotic new voice in Australian music.
Our Swan Song also made waves overseas, most notably reaching the ears of Gary Lightbody, leader of Scottish pop stars Snow Patrol, who raved about the album on the BBC and then invited Laura to join his band onstage for two successive Australian tours in 2007. Each night, Laura sang Martha Wainwright’s part of the duet Set The Fire To The Third Bar, and in doing so reached a whole new fanbase.
Laura also found herself asked to support other international bands such as M Ward, Midlake, Okkervil River and Richard Buckner, as well as homegrown stars of the likes of New Buffalo and Darren Hanlon.
After this kind of reception, Laura Jean felt confident enough to aim for the stars on her next album. An unashamed concept record, Eden Land explores ideas of self-discovery, sexual awakening and loss of innocence through a suite of nine interconnected songs.
“On one level it’s a breakup album,” she says. “On another level it’s about leaving a safe situation to experience life. And on another level this album is about becoming aware of my sexuality. And that all ties in with the concept of Eden, someone leaving an idyllic place, kind of pre-awareness, to experience life, which is bound by physicality.”
As opposed to Our Swan Song, which was a three year labour of love, Eden Land came effortlessly, the songs written in seemingly direct communication with Laura’s subconscious, and recorded in just five days with Sydney producer Chris Townend (whose credits stretch all the way from The Sleepy Jackson to Natalie Imbruglia) at his BJB Studios.
Additional vocals and overdubs were completed back in Melbourne with Simon Grounds, producer of Our Swan Song, at Bakehouse Studios. But compared to her debut, Eden Land was born almost fully-formed. “It came together very naturally,” says Laura. “It’s very hard to explain, but it was just there.”
Unlike the arm-long list of musicians on her debut, Laura assembled a core band for Eden Land, featuring Biddy Connor (viola), Jen Sholakis (drums, percussion), Geoff Dunbar (bass) and Martin Mackerras (clarinet). The Eden Land Choir, whose massed vocals grace tracks like Yellow Moon and Love Is Going To Lead Us, is made up of Laura and her bandmembers, plus guests such as Paddy Mann (Grand Salvo), Oliver Mann, blues performer Liz Stringer and Lehmann Smith (Kes Band).
Singularly assured and strikingly beautiful, Eden Land is a powerful, ambitious record, suffused with an otherworldly atmosphere which struck even Laura as she was writing it. “I realised that I was speaking about a reality that wasn’t necessarily earthly, but could be from a parallel place,” she says. “I decided about halfway through that I could hear a land called Eden Land.”
Hey Laura! How are you? Just letting you know, my EP "Imaginary Mind" has finally arrived! It can be bought from my website for $10, which is found on my page, and along with that i have also uploaded two songs from it! So please have a listen if you have time, would be great to hear what you think! All the best!
Hey Laura, If you're looking for kicks on a Tuesday (!) night...
ALEX HALLAHAN & BAND at the WESLEY ANNE Tuesdays in November with a revolving door of special guests each week:
Tuesday 3rd November + Anita George Tuesday 10th November + Lady Grey Tuesday 17th November + The Stillsons Tuesday 24th November + Fee Brown + Gen Finnane
hi laura, thanx for joining the experience, although i have requested GOD as my friend as well as the lackey called POPE and are quite disapointed neither have replied but you have and that is a GOOD START !
Dearest Laura Jean - how are you? I suppose you'll be on the road with the Pixie chicks but if you do happen to be in town this friday night, I'm launching my new album at the Wesley Anne.
Hi Laura, How are you? If you're free, would love to see you at my single launch Sunday coming... ... If not, keep being wonderful and stay neat AND tidy.
Al
Monday 27th Sept - 2pm Interview / live on PBSfm - 5 Foot High & Rising
Sunday 4th Oct - Matinee (doors 2pm) Single LaunchatNorthcote Social Club
Hi there :) thanks for the add. I heard you on rage really late at night and thought your song "its supposed to be summer" was really really beautiful :) all the best with everything, really love your style and songs! Gem :)
Hey Laura, your show the other night was amazing... your voice is such a fine, fine instrument (and your thoughts - razor sharp)! By the time you kicked into Helpless I'd lost all connection with the 'real world' thank you. I wanted to say hi, but then I didn't want to intrude prior to the show either... then I had to run for the last train., eh! hope to meet ya proper soon. Al
thanks, twas an honour and anytime :) silly me didn't grab one (album) ... will have to grab one some other way... yes it was inspiring and very appreciated, i even giggled a little which was lovely. happy travels
Long live the stage dive. I wanted to hug you, but you looked busy. Instead, I bought a copy of Eden Land, came home, listened to it with friends, drank sake, and heard my guinea pigs squeak in time with your voice.
HI..i I dont know if you remember me but im Sarah Parsons' Sister and Sallys autnie i was a kid when i stayed with sarah but you and your sister spent time with us.
This is just a small invitation to check out my new
song "Alice's Hand (Mantra for The River)"...Yeah, I know what you're
thinking, "No..." Oh, well... Ha.
Online Now!
