An alt.folk star in the ascendant whose striking melodies and wise-beyond-her-years vocals could melt even the iciest of hearts, Laura Marling muddles the strength of Regina Spektor with the intelligence of Carole King and the acoustic lushness of Joni Mitchell. She began playing the guitar at the age of three, first being taught the blues by her father in front of the family fire, and has been in thrall to the songs and lyrics of the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor and John Mayall ever since.
Laura’s already hugely popular with indie’s big hitters; Jamie T personally invited her on tour with him last year after being hugely impressed by her gorgeous modern folk-pop when he caught her playing just her second ever gig. More recently Rakes front man Alan Donohoe got in touch with her via her Myspace page and asked her to collaborate with the band on the fantastic Suspicious Eyes, a tale of racism and post 7/7 paranoia from their new album The New Messages.
Laura has been writing her own songs for over five years, but admits that she only got good a year and a half ago – “when I stopped singing in an American accent.” She has since collaborated with fellow singer songwriter Thom Stone and is soon set to take on some of the members of defunct country band Captain Kick and the Cowboy Ramblers as her very own backing group – prepare to be seduced by the fresh face of folk.