artist Laura Peek

Laura Peek's sophomore album, Key, sees Peek going solo and adding more layers to the foundation on which she builds her conversational narratives.

Peek turned heads with her pop song prowess on From the Photographs (2007), her debut album.  Her video for “Stand Right There,” directed by Juno-winning Ante Kovac, garnered more than 300,000 views on YouTube.  She also toured Canada and the United States as a vocalist/multi-instrumentalist with Buck 65.  

Now with Key, Peek's songs attempt to decipher clues about the past, reflect on hidden motivations, and make sense of personal choices and circumstance.   “Laundry” explores the life of an elderly female veteran.  "Stay Sharp" is a classic pop progression with memento mori lyrics.  

Arrangements co-written by David Christensen include cello, alto flute, and accordion as well as Peek's unique piano playing.  The result is a focused, intimate fullness that serves the songs well. 

As well as collaborating on the arrangements, this album also marks the first time Peek has collaborated on songwriting: "Away from the Harbour" was co-written with Mike O'Neill.  “On the Shelf” features a collaboration of sorts, too: in an old library book, Peek found a traditional song collected by folklorist Helen Creighton, and wrote her own words for its haunting melody.

Three years in the making, Key opens one of many possible entryways into understanding who we are.