Laura MacFarlane: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Laura Sandra MacFarlane''' (also credited as '''Lora MacFarlane''') is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and audio engineer. Since 1996 she is the founding mainstay of the Australian [[indie rock]] band, [[ninetynine]]. MacFarlane also performs solo and has been in other bands, including as an early drummer and singer with United States rock group, [[Sleater-Kinney]] (1994–96).

== Biography ==

Laura Sandra MacFarlane is from [[Glasgow]], Scotland. Her parents are George MacFarlane (1936–2006) and Patricia "Patsy" MacFarlane. She has two older siblings and one daughter ~~Astrid MacFarlane~~ .<ref name="APRA At the">{{cite web|publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) |title='At the Backdoor' at APRA search engine |url=https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch#axd?q=At%20the%20Backdoor |accessdate=5 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020448/https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch |archivedate=17 November 2015 }} Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g At the Backdoor or at 'Performer:' Laura MacFarlane</ref><ref name="NAA 1">{{cite web | url = http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=30075760 | title = Item details for: PP704/1, MacFarlane G | publisher = [[National Archives of Australia]] | date = 13 March 2008 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Kralevich">{{cite web | url = http://www.sportingpulse.com/get_file.cgi?id=60125 | title = In Memory of... George MacFarlane | author = Kralevich, Bert | editor = Justina Harring | publisher = North Perth Bowling & Recreation Club | work = Sporting Pulse | date = October 2006 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> The MacFarlane family migrated to [[Perth]] in October, 1978.<ref name="NAA 1"/> George was an accomplished musician, and had played trombone and percussion instruments with British and Australian army bands.<ref name="Kralevich"/>

MacFarlane began her interest in music as a child, playing [[vibraphone]] and trumpet. She went on to receive a music scholarship at [[Perth Modern School]], for vocals and percussion, and later studied music at [[The University of Western Australia]]. MacFarlane began performing in independent bands in Perth from 1988 onwards. She was the main songwriter in the Brautigans from 1989-1991,<ref name="Schaefer"/> performing vocals, guitar and [[vibraphone]].<ref name="Gerard">{{cite web | url = http://davidgerard.co.uk/pf/11.5/pf11.5.pdf | title = Perth Bands | author = Gerard, David | page = 3 | work = Party Fears | date = Summer 1990–91 | ~~issue~~volume = 11. | issue = 5 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref> She performed in other local bands, including Halcyon Days on drums<ref name="Gerard"/> and Louder than God, which had an extensive line-up of ten members, co-founded by [[Iain McIntyre]].<ref name="Gerard"/><ref name="Gerard 2">{{cite web | url = http://davidgerard.co.uk/pf/15/pf15.pdf | title = Perth News | author = Gerard, David | page = 1 | work = Party Fears | date = August–September 1991 | issue = 15 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref>

MacFarlane then joined Manic Pizza, on bass guitar and vocals, with Gareth Edwards (Sandro) on guitar and [[Cameron Potts]] on drums.<ref name="Schaefer">{{cite web | url = http://messandnoise.com/features/3609057 | title = Gareth Edwards: Part One | author = Schaefer, René | work = Mess+Noise | date = 12 May 2009| accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref> As a member of Manic Pizza, MacFarlane relocated to [[Melbourne]] in the early 1990s.<ref name="Schaefer"/> Edwards later told René Schaefer, of Mess+Noise website, that "Cameron was heavily into the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]] at the time. I was a [[Hüsker Dü]] freak;. Laura provided the actual talent."<ref name="Schaefer"/> In 1992, MacFarlane formed [[Sea Haggs]] (later renamed Keckle)<ref name="NLA Sea Haggs">{{Citation | author1=MacFarlane, Lora | author2 = Sea Haggs | author3 = Keckle | title=Jelly | publication-date = 1991 | publisher = Woozy Muzik. [[National Library of Australia]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28035212 | accessdate=5 October 2015 }} Note: This source uses "Lora" MacFarlane.</ref> on guitar, [[viola]], percussion and vocals, with ~~McFarlane~~McIntyre and Potts. That group's material was later included on a compilation album, ''Jelly'' (1995).<ref name="NLA Sea Haggs"/>

In 1992, ~~Macfarlane~~MacFarlane began publishing ''Woozy'' [[fanzine]] with McIntyre. ''Woozy'' was a self-published fanzine, with a [[Do it yourself|DIY]] philosophy, that promoted local Melbourne and Australian bands, as well as international [[underground music|underground]] acts and [[grassroots]] politics. ''Woozy'' produced over 20 publications from 1992-2002. In 1996, MacFarlane also co-founded, with McIntyre, ''Choozy'' independent distribution (1996–2002), which distributed music, fanzines and small publications within Australia and overseas.<ref name="McIntyre">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150922030708/http://wemakezines.ning.com/events/i-was-a-zinester-in-the-90s | url = http://wemakezines.ning.com/events/i-was-a-zinester-in-the-90s | title = I Was a Zinester in the '90s | last = McIntyre | first = Iain | authorlink = Iain McIntyre | publisher = Sticky Institute | work = We Make Zines | archivedate = 22 September 2015 | date = 20 February 2010 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="NLA Woozy">{{Citation | author1 = McIntyre, Iain | author2 = Macfarlane, Laura | title=Woozy | publication-date = 1992 | publisher = Woozy (Iain McIntyre, Laura MacFarlane). National Library of Australia | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/30995506 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:Laura MacFarlane performing with Ninetynine NSC 2007.jpg|thumb|MacFarlane on keyboards and vocals with [[ninetynine]], [[Northcote, Victoria|Northcote]] Social Club, 2007]]

MacFarlane began playing drums and vocals in 1994 with visiting United States rock group, [[Sleater-Kinney]], and in 1995 she went to [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]] and [[Seattle]] to tour and record with the band. She is the drummer, co-producer and co-writer on their self-titled debut album, ''[[Sleater-Kinney (album)|Sleater-Kinney]]''.<ref name="AMG Sleater-Kinney">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/sleater-kinney-mw0000023187/credits | title = ''Sleater-Kinney'' – Sleater-Kinney | Credits | publisher = [[All Media Guide]] | work = [[AllMusic]] | accessdate = 4 October 2015 }} Note: This source uses "Lora" MacFarlane.</ref> She is also ~~the~~ lead singer and guitarist on the track, "Lora's Song". MacFarlane provided drums, backup vocals and guitar (track 12) on their follow up album, ''[[Call the Doctor]]'' (March 1996).<ref name="CTD Booklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Call the Doctor |others=[[Sleater-Kinney]] |year=1996 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Chainsaw Records]] |location=Portland, Oregon |id=CHSW #13}}</ref>

In 1996, MacFarlane returned to Melbourne and founded an [[indie rock]] band, [[ninetynine]], initially as a solo project, playing all the instruments on the debut album, ''99'' (October 1996).<ref name="AMO 99">{{cite web | url = http://www.amo.org.au/artist7202.html | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20051121130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/44131/20051122-0000/www.amo.org.au/artist7202.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2221 November 2005 | title = Artists :: Ninetynine | publisher = [[Australian Council for the Arts]] | work = [[Australian Music Online]] | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Her project soon became a band, including Potts (from 1997) and McIntyre (from 2000).<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Oz Music 2">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20030807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist3991.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist3991.html | title = ninetynine | publisher = Oz Music Project | archivedate = 76 August 2003 | accessdate = 7 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> By 2010, ninetynine had released eight albums, and toured the world several times. The band celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of ''Further'' in 2016.<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Trevor">{{cite web | url = http://messandnoise.com/releases/2000773 | title = ''Bande Magnétique'' | author = Trevor | publisher = Junkee Media | work = Mess+Noise | date = 30 July 2010 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> MacFarlane founded her own record label, Patsy,<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Oz Music 2"/> which issued ninetynine material, as well as that by ~~other~~the bands: [[Sea Scouts (band)|Sea Scouts]], Fiona Beverage, Boo Who, Baseball, Trixies Undersea Adventure, and Vivian Girls.

MacFarlane has played a variety of instruments on a number of records, including vibraphone, drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals.<ref name="Andrews">{{cite journal | url = http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/ninetynine/180.htm | title = ninetynine – ''180°'' – Review | author = Andrews, Chris | ~~work~~journal = Stylus Magazine | date = 1 September 2003 | accessdate = 7 October 2015 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005935/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/ninetynine/180.htm | archivedate = 5 March 2016 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> She has worked with other artists, including Lee Memorial (alongside Karl Smith of [[Sodastream (band)|Sodastream]]),<ref name="Lubulwa">{{cite news | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/lee-memorial-nsc-melbourne-10052009/801868 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151007150349/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/lee-memorial-nsc-melbourne-10052009/801868 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 October 2015 | title = Lee Memorial @ NSC, Melbourne | last = Lubulwa | first = Eva | work = FasterLouder | publisher = [[Junkee|Junkee Media]] | date = 13 May 2009 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Bombazine Black, The Wonder,<ref name="Gray">{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/melbourne/bombazine-black-the-toff-in-town-23-09-10 | title = Bombazine Black – The Toff in Town | last = Gray | first = Michele Davis | work = The Au Review | publisher = Heath Media & the AU review | date = 8 October 2010 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Winterborn, Tarantula,<ref name="Trevor"/> [[Sally Seltmann|New Buffalo]],<ref name="Attlee">{{cite web | url = http://www.ausmusicscrapbook.com/musicnews/archive/2003/2 | title = Music News: February 2003: Thursday 13th | author = Attlee, Mathew | work = Aus Music Scrapbook | date = February 2003 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Trixies Undersea Adventure, Boo Who, Popemobile,<ref name="Oz Music">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20030807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist1f63.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist1f63.html | title = Bruna | publisher = Oz Music Project | archivedate = 76 August 2003 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Dragster, [[Paul Dempsey#Other projects|Scared of Horses]], [[Cold Cold Hearts]], Madigan, Disaster Plan, Clag, and Low Talk.

MacFarlane has worked as audio engineer at [[3CR Melbourne]] radio;, and on many recordings, including solo work, recent ninetynine releases, Covens Revenge, The Hatchets, Cleber Claux Memorial Singers, Baseball, Love of Diagrams, The Stabs, and Jules Sheldon. MacFarlane is also a teacher and educator of music, establishing Augment Music Education in 2016. ~~MacFarlane~~She is based in Melbourne, and still plays as a member of ninetynine, as well as performing solo.<ref name="Linacre">{{cite web | url = http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/7689 | title = Packed book launch in Melbourne | first = Emma | last = Linacre | publisher = [[Socialist Party (Australia)|Socialist Party]] | date = 23 July 2015 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref>

In 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria|Melbourne Covid lockdown]], ~~Laura~~MacFarlane started the Vivid Recording Project, which was a series of three ~~EPs~~[[Extended play|EP]]s that featured a specific instrument, and only that instrument, with vocals. -The EPs were ''Into the Metalude'' (vibraphone), ''The Narrows'' (~~Guitar~~guitar) and ''Future Obscura'' (Casio ~~keys~~keyboards). Their initial releases were in conjunction with the [[Bandcamp|Bandcamp ~~Fridays~~Friday]]s, held to assist music artists during the pandemic. In 2021, the whole project was released as the album ''ViViD''.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

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*Scared of Horses – ''An Empty Flight'' CD 1998 (Brass Companion)

*Sea Scouts – ''Beacon of Hope'' 1998 (Patsy)

*[[The ~~Cats~~Cat's ~~Meow~~Miaow]] – ''The Long Goodbye'' 10” (Darla Records)

*Boo Who – ''Tigers Are Better Looking'' 2000 (Patsy)

*Trixie Undersea Adventure – ''Life Raft'' CD 2001 (Patsy Radio One)

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== References ==

{{Sleater-Kinney}}▼

== External links ==

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* [http://lifemusicmedia.com/photo-gallery-lou-barlow-laura-macfarlane-northcote-social-club-17-april-2012/ "Photo Gallery: Lou Barlow + Laura MacFarlane @ Northcote Social Club – 17 April 2012"]

▲{{Sleater-Kinney}}