Laura J Martin Talks

Art & Culture

Laura J Martin is a talented flautist, mandolin player and singer. She has released two albums to date – 'Hangman Tree' in 2012 and 'Dazzle Days' towards the end of last year. We caught up with her to ask a few quick questions ahead ahead of her performance at Friday's Book Slam;

Tell us a little about yourself and your music?

I'm Laura from Liverpool and I play the flute, piano, mandolin and loop it all together live. I like to bring along friends on cello, bass and drums and an mpc player to boot on occasions.

How would you describe your music for an audience that hasn’t heard or seen you play before?

The dreaded question! It has been described as pop, folk, electronic and verging on psychedelic but I would say come and see me to find out..

Towards the end of last year you released your second album “Dazzle Days”. Can you tell us about how you found the process of creating a second album and how your music has changed?

I was in the process of creating it whilst the Hangman Tree (my first album) was being released, so it was something I was eager to get on with. The songs are maybe more personal, based on personal experience and people I know. Musically I would say there is more bass and beats compared to the first.

Can you tell us a little bit about what inspires and influences your music?

I do derive inspiration from artists and composers such as David Bowie, Lalo Schifrin, Serge Gainsbourg to name a few. I take stories from people I know or my own experiences and with a few twists and turns, make them into something I can sing about. Reading poetry really helps too.

What’s exciting you about playing at Book Slam?

The Taberacle! I have played Bookslam before and had a really great time, I like the mix of books and music and the audience is always a good one!

As this is Book Slam! What are you currently reading?

I love Sarah Silverman so The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman is always going to be to hand and I have just borrowed a book of selected Auden poems from a friend which I'm enjoying a lot.

If you could perform with any artist in the world who would it be and why?

Elvis of course! Sadly this will never happen.

Laura will be performing this Friday 27th June at Book Slam at The Tabernacle with authors Kamile Shamsie and Nikesh Shukla who will be reading from their latest books, with Sara Pascoe hosting the evening. You can get your tickets, priced £6, here.