biographical info
'The Great Divine', Lara's sophomore album, evolved from a desire to express innocence in a way that would be familiar to all of us, while gently nudging us to expand our hearts and our ears. The songs could be described as simple allegories that developed into avant-folk/pop songs, influenced by M. Night Shyamalan's movie 'The Village', C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, Philip Pullman's Dark Materials books, and the beauty that exists in all of us.
The album was recorded over the course of a year, in between touring, sweeping the floors in her house (which Lara seems to like more and more), and hanging out with her husband and two dogs. Colin Lay (recording engineer extroardinaire) recorded, co-mixed, and mastered the album. "We recorded the bed tracks at Retrogram Sound (a studio just outside of Edmonton, Alberta). Then, I bought myself Protools (recording software) and did the rest of the album at home on my trusty (for the most part) computer", Lara laughs.
The lovely and sweet Alexia Melnychuk came in and played some banjo and did some singing. Kevin Parkinson played his sensitive and unique style of percussion on most of the songs, and Marty Majorowicz played trombone (a real one - very exciting) on one of the songs, 'Picadilly Square'. Also, on one of her favorite songs, 'Gold Brick', (which also features The Brilliant Gold Choir), Lara's brother Justin and mom Trish, both sang..."it breaks my heart to hear their voices on there", Lara says.
Since her first solo performance in May of 2005, Lara has been steadily honing her craft. Having played almost 200 shows across Canada in the last year alone, she is developing into a sensitive, articulate performer, whose goal is to better herself on every level. Lara has had the honor of playing various festivals, including Fred Eaglesmith's Southern Ontario Picnic, South Country Fair, North Country Solstice Festival, Night of Artists, Homefest, and The Works. These festivals have included such artists as Rae Spoon, Mary Gauthier, John Wort Hannam, and The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir. She has opened for Gaye Delorme and shared stage and tour van, over the course of a year, with friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Alexia Melnychuk. She has been featured on CBC Radio, CKUA Radio, Breakfast Television, and Alternative Trends Magazine, to name a few.
lineup
Isabelle Stahl backup vocalist/accompanist
Kevin Parkinson percussionist