Wednesday, Sep. 08, 2010
Laura Marling
Laura Marling was just 18 years old at the time of her 2008 debut album, Alas, I Cannot Swim, but she defied her years with mature lyrics drawing on religious and poetic influences. Her second effort, I Speak Because I Can — created with Kings of Leon producer Ethan Johns — hit No. 4 on the U.K. album charts. She has finished a collaborative single in India with Mumford & Sons (she's dating Marcus Mumford, who accompanies her during her live shows). Weaving her soft voice together with skillful guitar playing to create a vulnerable yet sophisticated sound, Marling has played at Sasquatch! and the 2010 Hop Farm Festival, near London (headlined by Bob Dylan).
Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Joni Mitchell
Recommended song: "Rambling Man"