Leah Senior

Leah Senior
Leah Senior by Izzie Austin
Leah Senior by Izzie Austin
Background information
OriginWoodford, Victoria, Australia
GenresFolk
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • singer
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • piano
Years active2015–present
LabelsPoison City Records
Member ofGirlatones

Leah Senior is an Australian musician.

Career

Leah Senior grew up in Woodford, Victoria, and played classical piano and guitar.[1] She released her first album Summer's On The Ground in 2015 on Flightless Records.[1] It was nominated for Best Folk Roots Album at Music Victoria Awards of 2016.[2]

The album was likened to folk music from the 1960s and 70s,[3] and early Laura Marling,[4] and was built around acoustic guitar and strings.[5] This was followed in 2017 by her album Pretty Faces, featuring a similar folk style, with a full band on the song Black Limousine.[6]

Leah Senior performing at Seasonal Fruits Festival in Brisbane September 2023

During 2017, Senior joined Jesse Williams, Jacob Booty, and Fabian Hunter-Shaw to record an EP as Girlatones. The band recorded a debut album Fitting In Well, with Tam Matlakowski replacing Fabian Hunter-Shaw.[7] This was followed by a second album Horn If You’re Honky in 2020 that was described by Rhythms as "a bit more rock’n’roll than the Go-Betweens".[8] It was released by Lost & Lonesome Recording Co.[8]

2020 also saw the release of Senior's third solo album The Passing Scene,[9] with an lenticular album cover created by Jamie Wdziekonski.[10] Senior wrote the album on piano before working on the songs further with her band, made up of Luke Brennan, Tam Matlakowski, Jesse Williams, and her sister Andi Senior.[11][12] The Passing Scene was recorded at her home in Preston,[1] and was described as being more of "a baroque pop vein", different from the melancholic folk her early albums were known for.[13]

In May 2023, Senior announced her next album The Music That I Make would be released in August on Poison City Records.[14] She narrated 'Dawn of Eternal Night', the bonus song of the album PetroDragonic Apocalypse by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard released in June.[15]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected details
Title Details
Summer's On The Ground
  • Released: November 2015
  • Label: Flightless (FLT-019)
  • Format: CD, digital
Pretty Faces
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Flightless (FLT-030)
  • Format: CD, digital, LP
The Passing Scene
  • Released: 2020[16]
  • Label: Flightless (FLT-059)
  • Format: digital, LP
The Music That I Make
  • Released: 2023[14]
  • Label: Poison City Records (PCR193)
  • Format: CD, digital, LP

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 The Music That I Make Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP Nominated [17]

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Summer's On the Ground Best Folk Roots Album Nominated [2]
2017 Pretty Faces Best Folk Roots Album Nominated [18]
2020 "Evergreen" Best Victorian Song Nominated [19]
Leah Senior Best Solo Artist Nominated
2023 Leah Senior Best Regional Act Nominated [20]
Leah Senior Best Folk Work Nominated
2024 Leah Senior Best Regional Act Nominated [21]

References

  1. ^ a b c Buckley, Nick (2020-06-22). "Leah Senior: Melbourne folk songwriter embraces nature, mystery and the metaphysical world". NME. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  2. ^ a b "The Age Music Victoria Awards announces nominees, sells out after party". The Music Network. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  3. ^ "The Shortlist's album reviews: November 27". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  4. ^ Johnston, Tara. "Album Review: Leah Senior - Summer's On The Ground". themusic.com.au. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  5. ^ Davis, Georgia (2015-11-23). "Leah Senior – Summer's On The Ground". SpeakerTV. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  6. ^ Wilton, Jake (2017-06-28). "Album Review: Leah Senior 'Pretty Faces'". Australian Music News | AAA BACKSTAGE. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  7. ^ "girlatones | triple j Unearthed". www.abc.net.au. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  8. ^ a b Wise, Brian (2020-05-22). "The Girlatones Keep It Simple - And Great!". Rhythms Music Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  9. ^ Martin, Josh (2020-06-12). "Leah Senior shares new live at home versions of songs from 'The Passing Scene'". NME. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  10. ^ Pirovic, Jasmine (2023-05-04). "A decade of music through the lens of Jamie Wdziekonski". RUSSH. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  11. ^ Gillespie, Kyra (2020-11-06). "Leah Senior nominated for Music Victoria Awards". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  12. ^ Brancatisano, Gloria (2017-06-16). "Calm and connection were the themes of the night when Leah Senior took to Karova Lounge". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  13. ^ Martin, Josh (2020-05-29). "Leah Senior shares new single 'With or Without Me'". NME. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  14. ^ a b Gallagher, Alex (2023-05-25). "Leah Senior Announces New Album 'The Music That I Make', Shares Video for New Single". Music Feeds. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  15. ^ Parker, Jack. "King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are unforgiving and sonically violent on PetroDragonic Apocalypse". All Things Loud. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  16. ^ Parker, Tom (2020-06-12). "Leah Senior revealed her third album today and it's a divine masterpiece". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  17. ^ "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ "A.B. Original & Cable Ties lead The Age Music Victoria Awards 2017 nominations". The Music Network. 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  19. ^ "Music Victoria reveal Industry Awards winners and Hall of Fame inductees". The Music Network. 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  20. ^ "Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards". Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  21. ^ "G Flip, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ninajirachi Dominate Music Victoria Awards Nominations". The Music. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.