Laura Barrett Declares Victory

Toronto singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Laura Barrett will release her first full-length album, Victory Garden, on Sept. 23 through Paper Bag Records.

Known more recently for experimenting with an African thumb piano called the kalimba, the classically-trained pianist returns to her musical roots on Victory Garden. She was supported by a wide range of guests, including: Basia Bulat on autoharp and vocals; Randy Lee (The Bicycles, Hylozoists) on violin; Jeremy Strachan (Feuermusik) on clarinet; Lief Mosbaugh (The Hidden Cameras) on oboe and viola; and John Tielli (Metal Kites) on theremin. Hylozoist Paul Aucoin recorded and mixed Victory Garden in addition to playing the vibraphone.

Barrett's Earth Sciences EP originally came out in 2005, but was reissued in February by Paper Bag. Her Ursula EP was released in December by Ta Da! Records. Barrett also plays with The Hidden Cameras and used to be in the now-defunct Henri Faberge & The Adorables.

You can see Barrett here:

Aug. 14 Toronto, ON @ Hugh's Room w/Royal Wood
Aug. 16 Toronto, ON @ The Theatre Centre w/Sunparlour Players
Sept. 20 London, ON @ Victoria Park (LOLA Festival)

Here are the songs on Victory Garden:

"Wood Between Worlds"
"Consumption"
"Spoiler Alert"
"Chidiya"
"Bluebird"
"A Certain Major Vinylsky"
"Ferryland"
"The Sharper Side"
"Space Seed: The Musical"
"Escape To The Sun Dome"
"Rien A Declarer"
"To The Stars!"