Anne-Lise Larsen

STATS Rank: 5,007 Views: 4,415

Born: August 22 Primary Instrument: Vocal

Musical style: intense chill. A mood that blends feelings and sentimentality with a retro inspired modern electronic twist.

A lifetime ago, Anne-Lise earned her bona fide musician stripes from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. But even then, there was a restless soul beneath the serious persona of the professional cellist. After years of freelancing and teaching cello, the desire to “sing and be free” was overwhelming. With no reason to stay in Brisbane, and wanting a fresh start with a new musical life, Anne-Lise took the leap and moved to Sydney.

Sydney projects have included the A-L Larsen Duo, 2000-2003 and her band, Ayelle, with Paul Wheeler [Billy Thorpe's Sunbury Aztecs) on bass 2003-2004.

A solo career is the latest phase of Anne-Lise's musical journey. Her debut solo release, I'm Alive [2006 EP], was an affirmation of arrival and survival in the music world. The EP was entirely written, composed, arranged and performed by Anne-Lise, and recorded and produced in her studio. Belying its one-woman origins, I'm Alive appeals to a wider, shared experience, exploring tales of love, loneliness, the pursuit of dreams and the seduction of envy.

In May 2008, Anne-Lise performed a ground breaking acoustic set of her original music by accompanying herself with her cello at Amanda Easton's PopTarts. This led to a support for Sophie Serafino at The Basement in October. Two songs from that concert became the “b-sides” to Anne-Lise’s 2009 limited release single, “Could You Be The One (I’ve Been Looking For)”.

The latest one-woman production is the new album Planets Aligned. “I learned a lot from releasing I'm Alive. This abum has better production than I’m Alive, is slightly more experimental and I have brought my cello into the mix to complement my sentimental groove. Making music as a solo performer isn’t exactly what I had planned, but now, I couldn’t imagine doing my music any other way”. Planets Aligned explores themes of personal reflection, dissecting relationships, shattered illusions and the resolution of such with the discovery of new lust, love and finally contentment.

Planets Aligned is full of silky masterful lead vocals and backing vocals with a rich layering, reminiscent of 70s soul and disco. Anne-Lise has made full use sound textures, with sweeping string synthesizers, a traditional Fender Rhodes, exotic percussion, beat driven melodic bass lines and a mixture of traditional pop funk style drumming and dance drum loops. Planets Aligned is an album for those who crave passion, human emotion, musicianship, melody and power in their music with a bit more substance than pop, and more accessibility than jazz.

Anne-Lise has recently begun producing her own podcast available as a free download via iTunes.

Last Updated: November 22, 2011

”...an original mixture of jazz/funk/blues for the annoyed, the bitter, and the broken-hearted, for the dramatic drama queens who want to throw back dry martinis to feed their angst” The Leader, May 2009

A distaff Dylan with sublime songs - www.ubl.com

“I must say: I like what I hear. Nice and fluffy music, good to have a warm morning coffee with....” Bernd Niedergesaess, Music Editor Europe, Radio 42.

Planets Aligned
Anne-Lise Larsen
2009
Tracks: Rest Of My Days; Birds Still Fly; A Little Dissonance; That's The Way It Used To Be; Felt So Good; The Weather; Could You Be The One (I've Been Looking For)?; The Weather; Itty Bitty Love Ditt
Personnel: Anne-Lise Larsen: all instruments, programming & vocals, and cello.

Could You Be The One (single)
Anne-Lise Larsen
2009
Tracks: Could You Be The One (single); Seize the Day (live at The Basement audience bootleg); Could You Be the One (live at The Basement audience bootleg)
Personnel: Anne-Lise Larsen: all instruments, programming & vocals, and cello.

I'm Alive
Glamaphonic
2006
Tracks: Back Where She Began; Seize the Day; Cold Cold City; I Just Wanna Be Rich.
Personnel: Anne-Lise Larsen: all instruments, programming & vocals.

The A-L Larsen Duo Acoustic Versions
Indie
Promotional
Tracks: A Little Dissonance; Felt So Good; Back Where She Began.
Personnel: Anne-Lise Larsen: vocals, Andy Manessis: guitar.

one two three four
Promotional
2002
Tracks: You Didn't Know Me When; Corcorvado; You Go To My Head.
Personnel: Anne-Lise Larsen: vocals, Session: piano.

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