Mushroom Music Publishing

THE LAURELS are a four-piece that formed in the suburbs of Sydney’s inner west.

Their sound has been described as a mixture of My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, Sonic Youth, The Scientists and even a hybrid blend of The Beatles.

Their eagerly anticipated debut EP is ‘Mesozoic’. Inspiration for the name comes from evolution and an interval in geological time. During the Mesozoic period, the continents drifted to their current positions, and it was an exceptionally warm period that played an important role in diversification of new animal species. By the end of the era, the basis of modern life was in place.

Such broad and diverse concepts are not foreign to The Laurels. Kate Wilson (Drums) is a bio chemist by day. Connor Hannan (Bass) is in his final stages of a Ph.D in History, soon to be addressed by his band mates as Dr Hannan. Piers Cornelius (Guitar/Vocals) is a keen and budding philosopher and Luke O’Farrell (Guitar/Vocals) is something of a prodigy and incredible cartoonist.

What may also come as a surprise is that though tender in age, each member of The Laurels has been in many other bands and incarnations over the years. Collectively they have played and been in The Dolly Rocker Movement, The Astral Kaleidoscope, The Black Ryder, Silver Moon and The Holy Soul, of which Kate is still a permanent member. It’s fair to say The Laurels are true music lovers and key players in some of Sydney’s best underground bands.

Such a full spectrum of experience, interests and talents pretty much makes them the perfect vehicle for creating luscious, complex and dangerous psychedelic shoe-gaze bliss. It’s a sound they have crafted well and made distinctively their own. It’s also a sound that has caught the attention of music lovers at home and abroad.

This interest has led them to share stages and tours with Tame Impala, Cloud Control, Swervedriver, Low, A Place To Bury Strangers, Jenny & Johnny and Beaches to name but a few. Their breakfast set at the recent Boogie Fest in Victoria saw them win over an ever continuing host of new fans and friends.

Until now The Laurels have mostly been considered a live band. At the end of just about every show, the band has been accosted by fans demanding the opportunity to buy some recordings and just about every review has made a similar request. Well, like many tales in music, the lag has not been due to a lack of enthusiasm or commitment but rather a lack of finances. The old saying ‘‘good things come to those who wait’’ has never be more fitting than right now.