Liverpudlian artist Laura J Martin releases her new single ‘Counting Time’ tomorrow. It follows the release of her 2020 critically acclaimed collaborative album Wyndow with Lavinia Blackwall – what Folk Radio called “an experimental time capsule of beautiful melodies, ethereal vocal layers, and powerful lyrics”. This is also Martin’s first solo material since 2016.
Of her new single, Martin says:
“Here’s my rebellion against the HH:MM:SS hour-archy (this is now a word)! ‘Counting Time’ came from the abstract idea of trying to measure something that feels immeasurable – how do you measure something that’s invisible and you can’t hold it in your hand? At the same time, I was listening to NYC minimalism’s biggest pinups, Arthur Russell and Philip Glass, and experimenting with a small Casio keyboard and a memory man delay pedal. So this is my crude idea of filtering ideas about time which are above my station and trying to imagine what Arthur and Phil’s records would sound like if they were on a smudged-up pop hits magazine cover flexi disc.”
While Laura may call her creation crude, she does a fine turn at creating enchanting, quirky, melodic avant-pop through which you can visualise a smiling Russell and Glass…she calls it a kaleidoscopic universe of sound. Grab those Crocs and sign me up.
The accompanying enchanting video was made by Jess Swainson and Laura…
Martin has so far released three solo albums. Her latest, On The Never Never, was recorded in Nashville with members of Lambchop, Silver Jews and Jesus Lizard. A mercurial and bewitching live performer who interweaves layers of vocals, flute, mandolin and electronics, Laura and her band have toured regularly across the UK and Europe and supported acts such as PJ Harvey, Teenage Fanclub, Cate Le Bon and performed and collaborated extensively with Euros Childs. Consistently played and supported by BBC Radio 6 Music DJs such as Marc Riley, Cerys Matthews, Lauren Laverne, Gideon Coe and Stuart Maconie; Laura’s most recent release was a collaborative project ‘Wyndow’ written with Lavinia Blackwall of Trembling Bells. She is currently finalising her next solo album, scheduled for release in early 2024.
Laura J Martin Tour Dates
November 11th – More Music, Morecambe w/ The Moulettes
22nd November – The Castle Hotel, Manchester w/ Peter Brewis (Field Music)
December 1st – The Vault Arts Centre, Dumfries w/ Lavinia Blackwall
January 20th – The Feret, Preston w/ Lavinia Blackwall
February 25th – Cluny 2, Newcastle w/ Withered Hand
Website: https://www.laurajmartin.net/
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