Photo of Leah Flanagan

Leah Flanagan

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Released: Aug 9, 2010
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General Info

  • Genre: Acoustic / Glam / Soul

    Location Darwin, Au

    Profile Views: 83135

    Last Login: 7/28/2012

    Member Since 10/25/2006

    Website leahflanagan.com.au

    Record Label Flagonwheel Music

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    Hailing from Darwin might be perceived as a disadvantage, given it's as far from Melbourne as you can be while still in the country, but Leah Flanagan has turned it into a distinct advantage. Flanagan sings sweetly but wields a mean ukelele - as Darwin locals will attest, she's been playing original songs to hot-blooded acclaim since she could swing a tune, and is the darling of the tropical north. The release of her second album, Nirvana Nights, is not a tribute to that grunge band's nocturnal habits, but to a small, defiantly seedy bar in Darwin where everybody plays. This testament to Flanagan's home-town sums up the tone of the album. Which is not to say it's small-time – this is a beautifully recorded document of Northern soul, with full-blooded melodies and Flanagan's voice – at times channelling Shirley Bassey, at others Lucinda Williams, dominating a succulent procession of profound musicianship from some of Melbourne's finest players – Liz Stringer, Grant Cummerford, Matt Earl, Netanela Mizrahi, Mel Robinson, Emily Lubitz and Harry Angus. Yes, she recorded it in Melbourne, where she travels frequently to play – when she's not in Vancouver with the Black Arm Band, Berlin at the Popkomm Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Adelaide Fringe or wherever else in the world she's in demand. The album, produced by Steven Schram (The Cat Empire/Little Birdy/Custom Kings) is a robust interpretation of her onstage persona – vividly human, quiet but possessed of a formidable strength and artistry. Bristling with gorgeous melodies and the kind of wry swing you might suspect of Tom Waits or Jolie Holland, there's also the off-kilter catch of Martha Wainwright's emotional torrent in Flanagan's maturing, but already well-gravelled delivery. But her home and family are foremost authorities – her grandmother's acute effect on Flanagan's world is registered in both Goodbye and Alyawarre Girl, whereas Nirvana Nights, the song, stories Darwin's small but zealously hedonistic community. Leah Flanagan is taking her music beyond Darwin's embrace to a wider world. Her second album announces a woman awake.
  • Members

    Leah Flanagan | vocals/guitar/ukulele Netanela Mizrahi | violin Matt Earl | drums Tom Jones | double bass Melanie Robinson | cello/vocals Dylan Hartas| guitars Brian Manning | keys/trumpet
  • Influences

  • Sounds Like

Stream

  1. Leah Flanagan

    The slowdowns in redfern... http://t.co/i2AqTqBUzC

  2. Leah Flanagan

    Happy Mother's Day to all! especially to my mum Dianne..xo

  3. Leah Flanagan

    If anyone knows Kuya McDonnell can you tell him to come to the Braidwood Hotel...grazie

  4. Leah Flanagan

    BRAIDWOOD HOTEL TONIGHT!! 7ish!

  5. Leah Flanagan

    https://t.co/xXsRWW5G0X .... GOODLUCK BAO BAO! Us NT mob will look after you if you win! http://t.co/PPmpQVIhFB

Comments

Post a comment...
  • Mike Gayhart

     I am a rock and metal head from day 1. I am shocked and surprised at this!!!  I think Leah Flanagan is out of this world!!! So beautiful. Such a huge change for me. I love her sound!!!!   Such a refreshment for me. I am so blown away at my change of direction! SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!   Whenever I am feeling down, or it is a slow day I am so lifted by her! I hope Leah can see my message. This has made my heart soar!!!!!!!   SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

    8 months ago
  • 8 months ago
  • Joshua Rael

        

    1 year ago
  • Stephan Nesrallah

    Thanks for the friendship! It’s much appreciated. 
    “Take me back to a simpler time” … from the video “Simpler Time” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjLMDE_Zpts - There are wars taking place in every country in the world ... some are just more obvious …    

    1 year ago
  • M. J.

    great songs, awesome delivery.

    1 year ago
  • Koahlition

    Thanks for the wonderful songtrails workshop and sharing some of your experience with us.Cheers and bless. Rohan and Koahlition

    1 year ago
  • Bity Booker

    Hi leah, I really enjoy your ukulele! i'm bity booker check my music if u can:) cheers

    2 years ago
  • Lenore FErrell



    Hope the year is treating you well

    2 years ago
  • Betty L. Fowler

    Hey!i love you music


    2 years ago
10 of 457More

THE MUSIC



Leah Flanagan is a flash from the past, in the style of Maria Muldaur and Bonnie Raitt, as she dances and sings her way into your heart as she heads for what I believe will be a promsing future. Who could not be charmed by a beautiful woman, strumming a lovely ukulele and singing her own thoughtful yet care free songs. I am a Leah Flanagan fan and encourage you to be one as well. JIMMY BUFFETT

"Such a gift is rare" - Martin Jones RHYTHMS

Best known for her role with musical troupe the Black Arm Band, Leah Flanagan is as musically restless as you'd expect of someone with Italian, Irish and indigenous Australian bloodlines. During her second coming, Flanagan offers up slow, swooning acoustic (First Class Lovers) or the saddest of break-up songs (Uneven Stairs). On the emotional flip side, there's the uke-powered September Song, as carefree as the spring breeze, the pure pop of Innocent Hearts, or the woozy, boozy title track. Equal parts Lucinda Williams and Shirley Bassey, Flanagan is a rich talent and the curse of every music store - just where do you file this? - Jeff Apter **** 1/2

I can't recall the last time a singer/songwriter from Darwin graced the pages of MAG, so welcome Leah Flanagan who earlier this year made the trip to Melbourne to record her second album. Sensitively produced by Steven Schram (The Cat Empire), Flanagan's ethereal voice - first heard in the southern states with The Black Arm Band - is perfectly matched on these tracks with acoustic guitars, double bass, cellos and subtle electric guitars. Her sense of melody enhances songs inspired by her late grandmother and life in the tropical north. Album also includes a cover of Liz Stringers Innocent Hearts. - Billy Pinnell

About Leah

Hailing from Darwin might be perceived as a disadvantage, given it's as far from Melbourne as you can be while still in the country, but Leah Flanagan has turned it into a distinct advantage.

Flanagan sings sweetly but wields a mean ukelele - as Darwin locals will attest, she's been playing original songs to hot-blooded acclaim since she could swing a tune, and is the darling of the tropical north.

The release of her second album, Nirvana Nights, is not a tribute to that grunge band's nocturnal habits, but to a small, defiantly seedy bar in Darwin where everybody plays. This testament to Flanagan's home-town sums up the tone of the album.

Which is not to say it's small-time – this is a beautifully recorded document of Northern soul, with full-blooded melodies and Flanagan's voice – at times channelling Shirley Bassey, at others Lucinda Williams, dominating a succulent procession of profound musicianship from some of Melbourne's finest players – Liz Stringer, Grant Cummerford, Matt Earl, Netanela Mizrahi, Mel Robinson, Emily Lubitz and Harry Angus.

Yes, she recorded it in Melbourne, where she travels frequently to play – when she's not in Vancouver with the Black Arm Band, Berlin at the Popkomm Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Adelaide Fringe or wherever else in the world she's in demand.

The album, produced by Steven Schram (The Cat Empire/Little Birdy/Custom Kings) is a robust interpretation of her onstage persona – vividly human, quiet but possessed of a formidable strength and artistry. Bristling with gorgeous melodies and the kind of wry swing you might suspect of Tom Waits or Jolie Holland, there's also the off-kilter catch of Martha Wainwright's emotional torrent in Flanagan's maturing, but already well-gravelled delivery.

But her home and family are foremost authorities – her grandmother's acute effect on Flanagan's world is registered in both Goodbye and Alyawarre Girl, whereas Nirvana Nights, the song, stories Darwin's small but zealously hedonistic community.

Leah Flanagan is taking her music beyond Darwin's embrace to a wider world. Her second album announces a woman awake.

Band Members


Leah Flanagan | vocals/guitar/ukulele
Netanela Mizrahi | violin
Darryl Barba | drums
Tom Jones | double bass..

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