Laura J. Martin -‘The Hangman Tree’ (Static Caravan)

Liverpudlian Laura finally releases her debut album, several singles down the line, including the rather fine title track. In that time she has collaborated with members of Teenage Fanclub and Gorky’s for last year’s album as Jonny, amongst other projects, not to mention being proficient at both the mandolin and flute, both of which she plays live.

Her vocal style is somewhere around the Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom and Bjork end of the spectrum. It’s a good sort of kooky, without being melodramatic or histrionic. Amongst her interests are Japanese folklore, but there’s also a sense in which this is a very English record – in the way that the pastoral sounds of Fairport Convention or Virginia Astley make for a very English sound. The psychedelic folk feel might gtet it labelled acid folk or some such bizarre type label, if labelling or pigeon-holing is your thing.

The album is very much as one piece, and there are no doubt those who will find the spirit impenetrable. But there will be those who fall in live with it, who embrace and relish its charms and unusual approach, up against so much run of the mill folk and pop music today. Set to become a cult classic, I think.

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The Hangman Tree is released on Static Caravan on January 23.

Laura J Martin – The Hangman Tree – Salamander (Featuring Euros Child) (static caravan) by pdis_inpartmaint

Laura J Martin – The Hangman Tree – The Hangman Tree (static caravan) by pdis_inpartmaint

Hailing from Liverpool, Laura J. Martin is a flute-playing, mandolin tottin, loops backed singer with some excellent ideas on display for all to hear. She lists artists as diverse as Wu-Tang Clan, Lalo Schifrin and David Bowie as influences. Her haunting style suggests that the inevitable comparisons to artists like Joanna Newsom, Kate Bush and Bjork are to be deserved, rather than derided for being too ‘obvious.’

She released her first single ‘Doki Doki’ back in 2008, and a number of singles have followed since then, including ‘The Hanging Tree’ ‘Spy’ and ‘Kiss By Good Night’ (sic). 2012 will see the release of her debut album The Hangman Tree, released on January 23 through Static Caravan. Check out these tracks for now…

Laura J. Martin ‘Doki Doki’

Laura J. Martin ‘The Hanging Tree’