Laura J Martin - The Hangman Tree

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4...according to our Clinton on Fri 03 Feb, 2012.

Album reviewed elsewhere by Business Lady so I'll keep it brief. This is a single from said album. She has a very high pitched voice one part Kate Bush, one part Newsom and one part dingly dell dwelling big eared pixie. Its a pleasant folky romp without really threatening any life changing event or world domination. Contains what is possibly a piccolo. Be warned. On the B side she covers Shaggy's 'Tease Me'. Whatever next? I was going to say that she's put that goddamn flute down that littered her previous records but here it is, fluttery as ever. I once saw Shaggy play live at Leeds Reggae Festival. He played for 11 and a half minutes, wandering off half way through a song. Never to return.

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On 23 January 2011 Laura J Martin is to release her eagerly anticipated debut album ‘The Hangman Tree’ on Static Caravan. Armed with a flute ready for wrangling, mandolin and a loop station, she sings over her loops and beats; songs inspired by subject matter as disparate as Japanese folklore to real life sentiments and characters. The album, which features the vocals of Euros Childs, shows her wonderfully eccentric folk-driven wonkiness in all it’s glory. With a vocal style reminiscent of Bjork, Bonnie Dobson and Kate Bush, Laura hails from the suburbs of Liverpool with influences that ricochet between Serge Gainsbourg, Wu Tang Clan, David Bowie and Herbie Mann. Mining the strange, darker underbelly of folk with untold layers of intrigue, she flits effortlessly between flute, mandolin and xylophone, as well as using looped vocals and instruments to great effect. There’s an otherworldliness to the off-kilter, psychedelic feel of her music, which made her an ideal choice to support the likes of Misty’s Big Adventure, Scout Niblett, Buck 65, Hannah Peel, Bonobo, Little Dragon, Singing Adams and Jonny (Euros from Gorkys and Norman from Teenage Fanclub’s band), with whom she appeared as both guest and support. She has had a string of releases including the single 'Spy' and 'Inside Your Bones' - a single made in collaboration with 'The Simonsound' (with whom she also performs on their live set), as well as having cut a record with Richard James (Gorky's Zygotic Mynci). Laura has also just finished an improvised album with Euros Childs and Sweet Baboo under the moniker 'Short and Curlies’. As well as performing live on Rob da Bank's Campfire Special (Radio 1), Laura has also been championed by Marc Riley (Radio 6), who, wowed by her performance in the live session with 'Jonny' snapped her up for a further solo session in March this year, and is currently planning a UK Tour in support of the album’s release.for more information please contact Ken or Alison at Hermana.

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