|
Biography:
Laurie Levine, a prolific songwriter, has a jazzy and soulful voice that breathes life into her songs and embodies the emotional core of her lyrics. Her music comes from the “heartspace”, a word coined by poet Breyten Breytenbach to describe South Africa’s anguished beauty. Her songs touch our unspoken corners and her sounds are a contemporary interpretation of true folk.
Levine’s debut album, “Unspoken”, was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in 2007 and since then she has managed to build on the strong foundations laid with that record.
The album, which was recorded and produced by Dan Roberts over an intense one-year in-studio period, is set to break new ground on the local singer-songwriter scene with its blend of Nashville verve and “Nu Folk” sophistication. The 12 track release embodies an organic and mature sound backed by beautiful melodies and stark lyrical honesty.
While recording, Laurie has also been developing her live act, and the additions of accordion, mandolin and piano have already alerted audiences to her evocative new sound.
Quick Facts:
- Debut album, “Unspoken”, nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in 2007
- Has graced the stages of the following festivals – Oppikoppi, The Joy of Jazz Festival, Splashy Fen, Levis Vintage Sundays, Mr Price Pro, The Old Mutual Emmarentia Concert Series, The White Mountain Folk Festival
- Directed and featured in Ancestral Grooves, an orchestral show which played to full houses and standing ovations at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in May 2008
- Performed at the opening ceremony of the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies
- Was invited to perform with Rodriguez in London & Joe Jackson in Johannesburg
- Recently performed at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and CBGB’s in New York
- Regularly tours and performs in South Africa
“Singer-songwriter Laurie Levine’s music speaks to the heart. Her style of emotive folk has been compared with that of Tori Amos, but Levine is a talent all on her own.” *Mail and Gaurdian*
“It’s a nu folk album with good musicianship, cleverly constructed songs and sharp lyrics.”- *The Weekender*
“While her music may best be described as folk, it is as versatile as her voice and gracefully embraces a wide variety of sounds from rock to jazz and even country”- *Pretoria News*
“Levine’s songwriting is imaginative, complex and endlessly intriguing and her voice is a unique selling point” *The Citizen*
“At the core of ‘Unspoken’ are a clutch of songs that waste no time in laying claim to the heart of any listener through Levine’s ability to move from the intimate (‘In Your Arms’) to minutely-observed social commentary with the ease of someone born to it.” *Diane Coetzer- Entertainment **Africa  Back to top
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
