Laura Marling

Still in her mid 20s, Brit nu-folk artist Laura Marling is already four albums into a career with the release of Once I Was An Eagle. Her sound is characterized by striking melodies and poetic lyrics. Her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim, and her second album, I Speak Because I Can, were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2008 and 2010, respectively, and she won Best Female Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and the NME Awards around her third album, A Creature I Don't Know.

At the age of 16 Marling moved to London from Hampshire where she soon became part of a cluster of bands drawn to acoustic instruments and tradition-tinged melodies which formed a movement labeled "nu-folk" by the British press - bands such as Mumford & Sons, Noah And The Whale, Johnny Flynn and others. In fact, she became part of the original line-up of indie folk band Noah and the Whale before stepping out on her own.

If anything, her new album outpaces its predecessors in ambition, length and candor. The CD emphasizes just three instruments: Marling's acoustic guitar, producer Ethan Johns' drums and the cello of Ruth de Turberville. But there are other instruments added throughout to create effect and mood.

Once I Was An Eagle features 16 songs! The first four tracks - Take The Light Off," "I Was An Eagle," "You Know" and "Breathe" -- flow together as a suite. Other standout tracks include "Where Can I Go?," "Lobster Hunter," "Devil's Resting Place," "Once" and "Save These Words.

"This album is definitely a step towards being more ... plain in my songwriting," Marling recently said in an interview. "As I've gotten older, more comfortable with myself, I've become more comfortable channeling honesty into songwriting."

After relocating to Los Angeles a few months ago, Marling and some of her creative friends made When Brave Bird Saved, a short film featuring music from her new album. View it at www.youtube.com/lauramarling.

Marling just wrapped up some North American dates and is now planning a tour throughout the world. She should return here in the fall.

For more information, visit www.lauramarling.com.

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