Lauren Thomson

"Auckland-based songwriter Lauren Thomson has built up a very strong reputation from her live work over the last year and impressed a lot of people with this album, a five-song collection that is indeed an impressive expression of her capabilities. Thomson’s songs are based around guitar and the voice, but one of the big strengths of this album is how the songs like Into The Way of Fools can be bared down to these essentials while elsewhere she embellishes the sound with a band who excel at playing just the right thing at the right time – letting the melody dominate Our Love Is Due, giving Heals My Wounds just enough groove and pulse, and adding dynamics to Autumn Rain, powerful enough to let Thomson’s voice take off and soar. The songs are full of country inflections, and it is no surprise to see names like Emmylou Harris and Ani Di Franco listed as influences (perhaps one could add Maria McKee to the list too). Like them, Thomson is an affecting singer who really knows how to phrase a line, and as a songwriter clearly understands the balance between words and music." - Waikato Times

"True story: I received this five-song EP before Christmas, played it a bit then put on the "get to" pile -- which meant it was ignored in the Christmas shuffle.
The other day I pulled it out to enjoy again and post this week when an e-mail arrived from this Auckland singer-songwriter asking (politely) if I might be interested in writing about it.
You could say that was cosmic coincidence, serendipity or whatever -- or more appropriately perhaps in Thomson's case, that it was evidence God exists.
Not that she needs that: Thomson is a Christian of some persuasion -- but I would hope that wouldn't deter anyone because she here delivers a showcase selection of firmly alt.country singer-songwriter styles and her slightly detached delivery (more studied weariness than any failing) is quite compelling.
Here the title track ballad could have easily come from any recent and decent Americana album and the country flavours from the small band add another rootsy dimension. When the pace lifts on the brooding Autumn Rain the band really come into their own. Thomson has opened frequently for Miriam Clancy (whom Elsewhere tipped you off to long before any other media) and so we are saying here too is someone to watch. This EP (with only scant religious references) hints at a deep talent waiting to emerge. Can't wait for an album if the songs are as consistently as strong and well realised as these. "
- Graham Reid, Elsewhere
- Elsewhere, Graham Reid

"To listen to Lauren Thomson's voice and achieve the greatest effect, I suggest dimming the lights, closing one's eyes, emptying your mind of all else around you and allow her bruised melancholic tones wash over you. There's something oddly soothing about them, within these sad songs a glimmer of optimism lurks that manages, oddly, to make them sadder. Beautifully sadder. A sound of hope shines in these dark gems that beguiles them. If Johnny Cash was a beautiful young woman in Auckland... "
- Cheese On Toast
- Cheese On Toast

"Who would have thought that fluro would become cool again? And who would've thought that country, or alt-country (or whatever you want to call it), could become hip and actually sound so amazing! I don't say this lightly, but Lauren Thomson is the kiwi find of the year. Her voice is stunning and at the same time blatantly honest. She is one of very few to master the art of melancholy, while stirring the listener to hope through the infusion of elegant harmonies, wonderfully poetic lyrics and a flowing country lilt. Be sure to catch her at Parachute. "
- Soul Purpose Magazine ****
- Soul Purpose Magazine

Then on walks Lauren Thomson.
She too at first seems mild, meek and innocent. Then opens up with an oaken aged mature whisky stilled voice. You'd think you were with Eva Cassidy in the live gigs before "Songbird", where audiences were experiencing musical history, they really had no idea they had touched the hem of musical greatness. That's the thing about great these most humble of artists. They're all about the story telling. They live the story humbly, coming forward only with a sense of mutuality in sharing. It's not all about me. They live in the wake of personal sacrifice and because they feel it, we feel it.
If you haven't heard Lauren yet then make some time for it. You may have missed Eva Cassidy while she was aspiring, but there's still time to experience Lauren.
- Joshua Thomas

For me, the stand out performer of the week was Lauren Thomson, down to visit us from Auckland. From the moment she first started singing, she had the audience captivated, and each of her songs are gems.
Starting off with a haunting melody and subtle guitar playing, she moved to a more upbeat country song, and at one point even threw in a cover of Landslide. However I think her originals were just as good if not better than the legendary Stevie Nicks.
Lauren's voice is beautiful and engaging, and full of dynamics. It was very sweet when she asked her husband Ben up on stage to sing harmonies with her, and explained that the song, Our Love Is Due, was written about him just before they got together. Lauren has a glow about her, which is refreshing to see in a city where you come across so many world weary faces.
In all honesty, I didn't want to move for even a moment to take photo's. Lauren really did cast a spell over the place, and it was the highlight of a very busy musical week for me. She's definitely one to keep an eye open for, and I believe her EP, Our Love Is Due, is coming out soon.

Charlette Hannah
- Wellington Live Music

The APRA Silver Scroll Award has been presented since 1965 and as an event, is a highly anticipated evening on the nation’s music industry calendar.

The Silver Scroll will be presented at the invite only event held on September 10th at Auckland’s magnificent Town Hall.

APRA are proud to announce the top 20 songs eligible for New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriting award.

Anthony Healey, APRA’s Director of New Zealand Operations: “The music world is changing rapidly, but great songs remain at its heart. All these songs are examples of our independence and our diversity.”

As the only peer voted music award in New Zealand, this award is no popularity contest or industry competition. Peer voting for the winner of the APRA Silver Scroll is all about songwriters recognising the outstanding achievements of their cohorts and honouring the craft of songwriting.

An anonymous panel of writers have convened the preliminary list below; it is now down to the 6,000+ New Zealand APRA Members – the nation’s songwriters and composers – to elect their 2008 songwriting champion.

“This year, there were more songs entered than ever before.” noted Healey, “The writers are both familiar faces and unknowns, some at the beginning and others in the midst of their songwriting careers. Songwriting in New Zealand is in good stead.”

The top 20 list of songs from the last year include relative new comers Iva Lamkum, Lauren Thomson, the lads from Collapsing Cities and Nick Buckton aka Side Kick Nick. It highlights the constantly high standard of writing from previous year’s finalists and winners; Liam Finn, Opshop, Wayne Mason, Dave Dobbyn, Geoff Maddock of Goldenhorse and Anika Moa. Plus, some long-time-coming nods for Elemeno P, The Phoenix Foundation and Shihad.

For the five eventual finalists (to be announced in August), the evening is extra special as their work is performed by another artist on the night of the Silver Scroll celebration. These special collaborations and performances are what make the APRA Silver Scroll Awards so unique.

And is if that’s not enough to ensure a sublime evening of performance and celebration; it’s also the place that another surprise inauguration into the newly established New Zealand Music Hall of Fame is made.

Soon to be it’s own stand alone event in conjunction with RIANZ, Healey states; “The New Zealand Music Hall of Fame ensures that we’re dedicated to preserving and acknowledging the contribution that our colleagues have made towards shaping and influencing New Zealand culture in a significant way. If the standing ovation that Jordan Luck received last year is any indication, we are right to celebrate such significant people alongside their musical counterparts at an event like the Silver Scroll Awards.”
- APRA