Laura Koonjean

Member

• Genre: Songwriter
• Website: www.myspace.com/laurafkoonjean

Biography

Who are you?
Singer-songwriter and late bloomer.

Where are you from?
Born but not bred in London. I’ve moved around. Most of my childhood was spent by the sea in Sussex. Later years found me living anywhere from Liverpool to Leyton. Having spent many happy years in the north west of England, I could be described as a northern soul with a southern heart, who is now back home in London.

Why do you write songs?
I love it. The process for me is part perspiration, but more often divine inspiration. Lyrics are my building blocks, the rest flows from that. The first song I wrote was called The Ballad of Lois Lane. It became the anthem for a weekly singer/ songwriter showcase called Lois Lane’s Acoustic Heroes in Manchester. I’ve been writing ever since. 

How did you begin your musical journey?
Like all the greats, I sang in church and my early work was used there.  In 2007, I released an EP - See You in Heaven. The proceeds went to Watoto, a charity that takes care of orphans in Uganda. The first recording I ever did was an album by St Paul’s Primary School Choir in Hastings. 

What inspired Songs the bedroom wrote?
I spent part of 2008 on a round the world trip. The writing began to flow from that. Songs the bedroom wrote began life in my room, were birthed at the Clapham Grand and nurtured in Birmingham, Ealing and Croydon. They emerged from my time in California, amazing conversations that took place on street corners, temping at a wonderful homeless charity called ‘Alone in London’ and some challenging ‘man moments’. This album deals the wonders of modern life as well as broken heartedness in its various forms.

For me, music is a response to what I have encountered through daily life, conversations, love or lack of love and the things I've seen.  
                                                                                                                            
Who will listen to your music?
Those who like thoughtful lyrics, honesty and passion in catchy, radio-friendly tunes. 

Who are your influences, musical, arts, family?
Friends, family, people and their stories, life experiences.  Early Neil Young, 90s brit-pop, The Feeling, Athlete, MJ Cole, Sara Groves, and Matt Redman to name just a few.

What about the live aspect? 
I love to perform live, it's part of my DNA. From am early age I was made to get up and sing, no questions asked, no holding back. Of course I still get nervous, but I have sung all around the world and on occasion, literally sung for my supper.