Album Notes

Lavalu (1979) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in The Netherlands.

She started playing the piano when she was 4 years old and was trained in classical music. She never had much interest in popular music until she heard Tori Amos, Björk and Radiohead. By then she was a late adolescent and inspired to compose and write her own songs and lyrics.

Starting on her own as a singer/songwriter she won several awards and after feeling somewhat lonely asked Yonga Sun (Drums, Best Solist Dutch Jazz Competition 2005) to accompany her. With him she released her first EP 'Anxiety' (2005). A year later Miguel Boelens (Saxophones, Dutch Jazz VIP 2005) joined the group and together with Oene van Geel (violin) as guest player they recorded Lavalu’s second EP ‘Now’ (2007).

Thanks to “Now” Lavalu was invited to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Bimhuis and Paradiso in Amsterdam. Whereas this EP was originally intended only for promotional purposes it is now available to the general public.

Lavalu’s voice fits right into the void between Björk and Roisin Murphy. Her personal lyrics and the way she conjures rhythm and harmony, form an elixir of pop, jazz, rock en trip-hop.

Lavalu calls it ‘jazzpoprocktriphop’. Her music is so innovative that none of the existing genres fit.

Lavalu eschews everything that is forced in any way: “Honesty, especially to oneself, is Lavalu’s credo. We create music which makes us happy when we play it and foremost we want our audience to just have an exciting night. Each time it is fantastic to see the audience exploding with us.”


Reviews:

“...Is this funk? Classical? Jazz? Pop? None, and yet all of the above. Lavalu is indie, creative and very exciting. We want more!...”
OOR (Leading popmagazine of the Netherlands/Belgium)

“Like Björk she moves on the daring edge of pop, jazz and classical. One of the Netherlands’ greatest talents was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and is called Marielle Woltring. Artist name: Lavalu.”
Northern Holland Daily News

“…Fronted by Marielle Woltring, this bunch is tight, bright and having risen through the ranks in 2008. It’s fairly impressive to see them headlining so soon…” Amsterdam Weekly

“Singer Marielle Woltring is blessed with one of the most outstanding voices of the Netherlands.”
Noorderslag Festival