Hearing Laura Marling sing, it is hard to believe how young she is – just eighteen years old. Having been compared to her folk heroes Joni Mitchell and Carole King, as well as Kate Bush, her deft, cool phrasing is suggestive of someone who has a story to tell, and knows how to tell it. Similarly, Marling's lyrics run deep: there is love and romance (of course), but Marling also explores loss, grief and mental illness with startling insight, as evidenced in the dark, urgent loveliness of 'My Manic & I.' Her debut album ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’ has set critics and fans across the world whispering her praises.

“A classic to stand the test of time.” The Guardian

Musically, the only suggestion of Laura’s youth is an unmistakable freshness and lustiness, unique to someone looking at the world through young eyes. And the giveaway, in person, is when Laura Marling says something like, 'Finding my own voice? That probably didn't happen until six, seven months ago…' Yes, she really is that young.

“Alas I Cannot Swim marks the arrival of a major talent brave enough to swim against the commercial tide,” NME

Little wonder then, that Laura Marling has attracted so much attention already. She’s been on nine separate tours, opening for Jamie T and Devendra Banhart (Banhart avidly watched her set from the wings). A breathtaking appearance on 'Later…' led even Jools Holland to whisper to Marling that her performance was 'absolutely amazing.'

Laura Marling will perform two intimate side shows when she visits Australia in August to play the Splendour In The Grass Festival. With numerous tours now under her belt – from SXSW in Austin, Texas, to shows in New York, and extensive European tours and festivals, Laura Marling has graduated from teenage talent to professional musician. This is the first time Laura Marling will entertain Australian crowds; it’s sure to be a captivating experience.