Music ‘Parle’ excellence
Irish musician, Luan Parle.
SHE recorded her first album at the age of 11; since then, she has shared a stage with everyone from Ben Taylor to Elton John; and just this year she picked up a Meteor Award for Best Irish Female Artist. She is the stunningly talented Luan Parle, who will be performing tonight (Friday, June 1) in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
It's been a busy a few years for the Wicklow-born musician. She has spent a lot of time on the road, touring in England and playing with such luminaries as Elton John and James Blunt.
Besides touring, Luan has been in America recording. Having spent so much time away from Ireland, Luan fears that perhaps people here have forgotten about her; highly unlikely, as the beautiful, vivacious 26-year-old leaves a lasting impression.
"It's been frustrating for me to be away," she admits, "but now I can bring my work to Irish audiences."
The album 'Free', the fruits of her labours in America, has just been released. Although described on her website as an album which 'emotes Luan's second chances and failed romances' theme, she insists that 'Free' is about much more than the "love thing". It is also, regardless of what most press releases say, not strictly speaking her professional debut.
The title track 'Free' actually relates to difficulties Luan experienced with the album she recorded before this one, an album that she has so far been unable to release. Although she is understandably reluctant to disclose the full details, it appears there were some tangled "politics" involved.
“I was singing in church when I was six and there’s never been any other career choices.”
"The song 'Free' is about that," she admits. "It kinda' tells the story of what went on there. The album 'Free' itself wasn't actually meant to be about love, it just took on that theme."
But never mind 'love'; what causes Luan even more problems is the 'c' word.
"People classify me as 'country', but it's more of a country influence. There's a little bit of country, folk, acoustic rock. In my live shows, people are surprised at how rock it is."
Although every artist puts something of themselves into their work, Luan insists her songs are not directly biographical. Rather, she tries to put herself into other people's shoes.
"'Song For You' is actually about my uncle who had a brain haemorrhage and was in a coma," she explains. "The lyrics 'can you hear me, are you listening?' is about that. I actually brought in a mini-disc and headphones and played it to him, and I definitely saw a result."
Tonight's gig in the Dunamaise is one of Luan's all-ages concerts, something she began as a result of so many of her friends having younger siblings who wanted to see her perform. Luan considers it very important for young children to get into music, no surprise considering how young Luan herself was when she began. She started playing guitar at the age of seven and recorded her first song at 11, 'I Look Up To The Sky,' which she first performed to the nation on the 'Late, Late Show'.
"Since I was a kid I wanted to be a singer," she says. "I was singing in church when I was six and there's never been any other career choices."
With 'Free' now in the public domain, and work already begun on her next album, fans can be thankful the careers guidance counsellor at Luan's old school didn't try to change this rising star's mind.