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Tony Cummings fired some questions at Nashville-based independent artist LARA LANDON
While the music industry continues to wobble, even big stars are finding it difficult to keep the engagement diary full. But this isn't the case with Nashville-based independent artist Lara Landon. In 2011 Lara has already been featured on two CDs, is touring heavily and is set to make her feature film debut. She said, "This has been an amazing year of new opportunities and doors opening for me. It's really a dream come true and I'm trying my best to be a good steward of the opportunities I now have to share God's love through my music and through my non-profit work."
The singer, songwriter, pianist has a fascinating background. Born to an Arabian father and a Sicilian mother, opportunity knocked for Lara when at age nine she landed the leading role in the popular musical Annie. Years of theatre followed. Lara studied the music business at Nashville's Belmont University. She told Cross Rhythms. "I loved Belmont and I am glad I went because it gave me a footing in Nashville. But the Music Business classes are so different to actually making connections. They don't tell you how to branch out or what to do in a lunch meeting. It's not practical; it was about looking over contracts. I wouldn't do that anyway because I would ask a lawyer to look at it. I liked Belmont, but the classes didn't really prepare me for the real world."
The real world came in a rush when Lara left Belmont and joined the hundreds of other young hopefuls struggling to get industry attention in an overcrowded music scene. After two years of playing writers rounds, open mic nights and contacting every manager and record label she could think of Lara got signed to Bema Media. She recalled how it came about. "There was a band called Mikeschair that was getting really big around campus. I asked the guys who their manager was and they told me about Jeremy Lee, who manages and is married to Plumb. I called him out of the blue and asked if I could come to his office to pick his brain. I was really nervous and scared meeting a big time manager, but I had the courage to tell him I had a show coming up downtown and asked him to come see me."
Lee and his pregnant wife caught Landon perform at an intimate writers night and were impressed. A few weeks later in that same type of setting, the couple brought record exec Robert Beeson, who was similarly gripped by the singer/songwriter. She was signed to Beeson's company and soon Landon found herself in the studio with legendary producer Michael Omartian (Amy Grant, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston), who began the 'Beloved' recording process. Said Lara, "Michael puts you at ease immediately and felt more like a dad than a producer, often comparing me to his daughter, which made the sessions feel really special since the beginning."
Lara's Omartian-produced 'Beloved' album gained her rave reviews. Lydia Akinola of Christian Manifesto wrote "the infusion of sounds old and new create something spectacular" while Jen Rose in Jesusfreakhideout enthused "the real star of this album is Landon's voice, part soft-spoken songstress, part soulful, soaring passion." A single from 'Beloved', "Closer" was on Billboard's Top 50 AC chart for six months while another track, "For The First Time", made it to the Cross Rhythms playlist.
In 2010 Lara and her sister Laila Mickelwort formed New Reality International, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who are victims of extreme poverty, disease and injustice access free healthcare and vocational training. Just two months prior to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Landon spent a few weeks there assisting in ongoing efforts to bring medical aid to a country in desperate need. Said Lara, "During my previous travels to Haiti, I realised what a wonderful country it has the potential to be. The people are so full of life and beauty. The children there truly stole my heart and when I saw the recent re-devastation of the country, I knew that God had been preparing me to respond through our organization NRI. We are dedicated to helping Haiti recover and rebuild. When the world's attention has faded away we want to still be there making a difference in their lives. I feel very tied to this place now."
Recently Lara, along with other artists like Michael W Smith, contributed her vocal talents to the "Come Together Now" charity single and a various artists album 'Haiti: Unto The Least Of Those', both to raise funds for the suffering of Haiti. Now an independent artist Lara has released the EP 'Love/Majestic'. It was produced by Mitch Dane. Said Lara, "Mitch produced Jars of Clay and lots of other Christian acts whose music I respect. I met him a few years ago and got in touch when it was time to do an album. I really liked his vision for the songs, and just got on with it. We had some great Nashville players on it and beamed out five records in two weeks. I am really happy with it."
But why an EP and not a full album? "I'm not with the label any more, I'm doing my own thing and it's hard to get together all the resources you need for a whole album. I think that people have a short attention span these days, and so if you give them your five best songs, people might appreciate it more than an album with filler songs. Not that I ever write filler songs! I write hundreds, so I always hope that by the time you get down to about 12 they will be good songs."
One of the best tracks on 'Love/Majestic' is "I See God In You". Lara spoke about the song's genesis. "I remember I was singing one time and my friend came up to me, gave me a big hug and said, 'I see God in you'. That was such a compliment, and since then I have always had that phrase in my head and recognize God in so many people, my friends, family or others. So that's what inspired the song."
Another attention-grabbing track is "Shrouded In Mystery" which comes with lashings of electronic effects on the voice. Explained Lara, "The song is really about how I am in hot pursuit of finding out more about Jesus who is a mystery to me. It was not like the mix was a shock for me. I was there with him, sitting in the studio pretty much the whole time. It was collaboration where Mitch would ask what I thought. So we thought it would be cool to do it!"
Lara has also provided the vocals for a worship/electronica album 'New Frontiers' in the DreamLab series. Lara had previously provided some vocals for DreamLab's 'Worship Revolutions' album. Explained 'New Frontiers' producer Paul Buono, "DJ Magellan and Lara had such a great experience doing that track together that when it came time for him to wrok on his project, Magellan's first thought was to ask Lara to be a part of it. She was such a perfect fit for the 'New Frontiers' project. I love the emotionality of her voice and her creative expression. She brought a tremendous amount of energy and determined focus, which allowed us to push each other toward some new territory, hence the project's title. Lara truly believes everything she sings and you can hear that passion in her performances."
Lara is now working on her next full album. She enthused, "It's called 'Overcome' and I have been playing it on the road. I have been getting such a powerful response and I know that is what God wants to release. We were all overcome and I'm excited about that message."
As well as all her recording and touring Lara has also found time to make her feature film debut. She will appear in the upcoming Frontier Boys, which stars multi-platinum country artist Big Kenny (Big & Rich) and Christian music hitmaker Rebecca St James.
Whatever her future in movies, one thing seems certain. Her rich, expressive vocals make her a natural for music success. The New Release Tuesday website recently wrote, "Landon has the talent, maturity and sound to make a big splash in the CCM market as well as the mainstream." It's hard to argue with that.
About Tony Cummings
Tony Cummings is the music editor for Cross Rhythms
"Lara Landon's depth immediately stands out for the serious listener. Avoiding the attention-grabbing tricks of her peers, her worshipful debut is dense and subtle, packed with scriptural truth about God's love with revealing lines like "I've seen the sun rise in your eyes but turned away/No reason why" ("Lift Me Up"). Rich, throaty vocals, on par with Cindy Morgan and Sarah McLachlan, effortlessly soar over the album's quiet balladry... a confident magnetism rarely found in young artists, Landon effectively portrays her own love affair with Christ and calls others to the knowledge they are his beloved. -Andrea Bailey Willits Christianity Today
As 2011 unfolds, Landon will be releasing two new albums, touring heavily and appearing on screen in her feature film debut.
Landon is currently on the road with her New Reality Tour, with stops in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Texas and Washington through March 28th. Landon spent much of 2010 on the road, including the Traveling Troubadours Tour (with Carolina Story and Joy Whitlock), Family Life Radio Tour and 20 dates in 22 days on the iLove Christmas Tour benefiting Save the Youth of America.
On the heels of the current tour is the spring release of the worship/electronica album New Frontiers from Club Dream Lab. Landon collaborated with DJ Magellan, co-writing and providing vocals for the project. The two had teamed up a few years back for DJ Magellans Worship Revolutions album, which was a collection of popular modern worship songs remixed in a dance/ trance/euro style and performed by guest artists including Landon, Tammy Trent, Rachael Lampa, Krissy Nordhoff, B. Reith and others.
As if her music wasnt keeping her busy enough, Landon has embraced her first acting role as Lauren in the upcoming feature film Frontier Boys, which stars multi-platinum country artist Big Kenny (Big & Rich) and Christian music hit maker Rebecca St. James. For more information on the film, visit the official website at http://www.frontierboys.com/.
"This has been an amazing year of new opportunities and doors opening for me," says Landon. "It's really a dream come true and I'm trying my best to be a good steward of the opportunities I now have to share God's love through my music and through my non-profit work." -Breathecast.com March 2011
Singer-songwriter Lara Landon, one of 2009s most promising new artists, is kicking off the new year with one simple goal: to make a difference. Last week, Landon joined Michael W. Smith and dozens of artists at Belmont Universitys Ocean Way Studios in Nashville to record Come Together Now, which will be made available for sale soon with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts in Haiti.
Just two months prior to the devastating earthquake, Landon spent a few weeks in Haiti assisting in ongoing efforts there to bring medical aid to a country in desperate need. NRI is currently in the process of mobilizing several teams to return to Haiti this month to aid in the relief efforts there.
The album has received stellar reviews since its release in September, with additional high marks from Focus on the Familys Plugged In Podcast, ChristianityToday.com, Soul-Audio.com, HigherRockMusic.com, CrossRhythms.co.uk, AlphaOmegaNews.org, ChristianMusicReview.org and many others.
In the final months of 2009, Landon appeared on numerous television programs including JCTVs new concert series 1 Music Village, Lesea Broadcastings Live from Studio B, FamilyNets Mornings, Good Morning Arkansas (ABC affiliate, Little Rock), Live at 9 (CBS affiliate, Memphis), Atlanta Live and the nationally syndicated mainstream morning show Daytime. In addition, shes currently featured in promotional spots for Gospel Music Channel. -Your Music Zone
"The first thing you notice is her amazing vocal range, especially highlighted on the opener, "Shrouded In Mystery." An experimental light rocker, husky low transitions to upper register with delightful ease as the subject matter contemplates the inscrutability of God's intervention throughout history.... Love/Majestic was the general public's first exposure to the contemplative spirit of this talented songwriter. These five songs are a musical companion piece to a time when Lara Landon rediscovered her passion and we are the beneficiaries." -Paul Shultz, The Trades
"Landon has the talent, maturity, and sound to make a big splash in the CCM market as well as the mainstream. Simply put, each song of " Beloved"is an outstanding synthesis of Ms. Landon's rich Sara McLachlan-esque vocals, song writing, and her beyond-her-age spiritual maturity. "Beloved" invites comparison to Cindy Morgan"
-New Release Tuesday
"Landon's " Beloved" introduces a singer to Christian music whose voice can at times sound like Patsy Cline by way of K.D. Lang, and is stylistically reminiscent of Plumb, Tori Amos, and the musical innovation of Imogen Heap...Landon has a fine understanding of dynamics, as well as the subtleties of her own voice. If the music business doesn't eat her alive, Lara Landon has the presence and delivery to become a force of nature." -John DeGroff, Higher Rock Music
"The infusion of sounds old and new create something spectacular. Intrinsically, Beloved is beautiful, Lara Landon shows a song-writing ability beyond almost other debuts. The wisdom, the insight, the depth is all there The title track, Beloved has been haunting me for a while now, and I do believe that Lara Landon has the gift of musicianship and a ministry to serve." -Lydia Akinola, The Christian Manifesto
"The real star of this album is Landon's voice, part soft-spoken songstress, part soulful, soaring passion. She draws from a wide range of influences, sometimes channeling the darker-edged piano pop of Sarah McLachlan, other times bringing to mind the stirring vocals of artists like Leona Lewis...Coming to appreciate Beloved is like getting to know a new, quiet friend in some ways" -Jen Rose, Jesusfreakhideout.com
"beautiful and inspiring. Its almost as though you walked into Laras heart and found an art gallery there. The emotions in these songs range from cheerful to lonely to heartfelt.Beloved is one album that will certainly live up to its name. Given Laras powerful vocals, beautiful, honest lyrics, and melodies which range from breathtaking to haunting, there is absolutely no way she will fly under the radar." -Laura Chambers, Christian Music Review
"Live simply so that others may simply live"
"There is something to be said for keeping at a thing, isn't there?"
~ Frank Sinatra
"Tolerance is a virtue of a man with no conviction"
"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" -Yeshua
"Begin to doubt your doubts and you will find the truth"
"there are many songs in the Bible- about victory, creation, lamentation, battle, but the song of all songs is LOVE"
"Why spend money you don't have on things you don't need to impress people you don't like?"
"You can please all the people some of the time, some people all of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time"
"You never see the hard days in a photo album, but they're what get you from one happy snapshot to the next."
"A myth is a story that explains the unexplainable."
"Not all those who wander are lost"
"The church is a whore, but she's my mother"
"We don't see things as THEY are, We see things as WE are."
"comparison is the thief of joy"
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" -Jeremiah 31:1
"Jesus knows me, this I love" -unknown
"The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
-Charles Dubois
"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come. An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come. " -Victor Hugo
"Apparently there is nothing that can not happen today" -Mark Twain
"Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts"
-Einstein
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God that endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their uses" -Galileo
"In the end, everything will be OK. If its not OK, its not the end."
Buy Now
Lara Landon's debut album, produced by Grammy Award winner Michael Omartian. Co-writes include Plumb and hit maker- Jason Ingram. Beloved was released to critical acclaim and high marks from some of the industry's most trusted sources. Christianity Today notes "Lara Landon's depth immediately stands out for the serious listener.... her worshipful debut is dense and subtle, packed with scriptural truth about God's love...". However, the real mark of success is the artistic integrity and diversity in sound and subject matter that such a young artist was able to bring to her first project. Beloved is full of vulnerability and bravery both lyrically and vocally- a noteworthy and heart rending debut.
12 songs. $13 includes shipping.
Get Beloved, Love/Majestic
and True Christmas
plus a signed postcard from Lara!
Only $25 (includes shipping)
Jars of Clay producer and Grammy Award winner, Mitch Dane, teamed up with Landon on her follow up EP "Love /Majestic". Drawing from her middle eastern heritage and staying true to her penchant for pulling emotionaly dark places of the soul into the light, Love/Majestic reveals an edgier side to an artist who's voice evokes comparisons to Christina Aguilara and Sarah Mclachlin.
5 songs. $8 includes shipping.
Donate
For You Lord_Lara Landon.pdf
Beloved_Lara Landon.pdf
The inspiration behind Landon's 2010 Christmas release "True Christmas" is all in it's title.
A mixture of well known Christmas favorites are combined with worship songs to draw hearts to the "true" reason for the season- The celebration of Jesus birth.
7 Songs. $8 includes shipping.
Closer_Lara Landon.pdf
Lara Landon
Beloved
Lyrics
BELOVED (Lara Landon/Jason Ingram)
When no one wants to know you/wants to claim you/or look deep in your eyes/When those you love turn away/hurt you so bad you can't stand to fight/well I know that darkest hour/that's where I found true love/Jesus lifted me from the dead of night/and He'll never give me up/I'm his beloved and He's mine/nothing can separate- no space- no time/no death- no life- no person-no power/so strong is the love of my heavenly father/I'm His beloved/there are days when I look away/for a moment I stray/but He's always there waiting/there are times I look in His eyes/with tears filling mine/and He reaches to hold me/through the constant pounding on my door/from this age and it's deceit/I will cry to God from my heart of hearts/He is all the strength I need/Chorus/Well I can't make sense of it/but it's my security/nothing can separate the love/the love He has for me/Chorus
BETTER (Lara Landon/Tom Michael-Zod Lounge)
Rest your weary head upon my shoulder/anything it takes to make it better/you have worried enough for a day/and you know I'd never leave you here this way/I think it's getting better/I think that we can make it/and if we try together- it's half as hard/the clouds are finally breakin' up/the sun is finally waking up/shining answers on the questions that we had/I think it's getting better/For the moment we're alone together/what more could we need in all the earth?/everywhere you go please let me follow/even to the darkest fear you know/Chorus/Times get bad and love is hard/but tell me what good thing was easy?/I will pay whatever it may cost to keep you here beside me/Chorus
CLOSER (Lara Landon/Jeff Pardo)
Spent so many years on the verge of giving up/wondering if the steps I took/would ever lead me far enough/but He's helped me to realize/I'm further than I once was/I just keep saying out loud/I'm getting Closer/closer to you Lord/I haven't seen You/but I know I know you more/I keep on walking/still have miles to go/but as I look back on my long and narrow road/I'm getting- Closer/I've been stumbling through the dark/feeling my way around/tryin' to be that light/that I've heard so much about/though I see just dimly/Your light is always leading/I'll follow all the way home/Chorus/Heaven help me!/ya know I need it/the hardest days they move so slowly/be my courage and my comfort/and give me faith to see/give me faith to see/give me faith to see/I'm getting Closer/I said I keep on walking/still have miles to go/but as I look back on my long and narrow road/I'm getting- Closer
COME TO ME NOW (Lara Landon/Michael Omartian)
Have you ever caught a glimpse of me/in the wind that howls through the valley? the setting sun or the wild sea?/Do you feel my love for you/when you feel the rain do you feel me to?/can you hear me?/Do you know those things/are really me calling?/Come to me now, come to me here/I've been waiting for you/And all your luck, every heaven send/every time you were pulled from the edge/I was there/Do you know I'm loving you from afar?/Do you know I save a place in my heart/where you could be?/Do you ever think/I am here calling?/Chorus
FOR THE FIRST TIME (Lara Landon/Zod Lounge)
Today I'm feelin' something exciting/is about to break/What I've been wanting, my/secret longing/is looking me in the face/Now I think I know this God I've heard about/For the first time I know what I've been missing/What it's all about/For the first time, at last, I'm not afraid to love again/For the first time./I can't resist this /and I don't want to/gone long enough on my own/You're getting closer, I'm getting ready/You're drawing me to you/I'm sheltered by Your shadow and living in You light/Chorus/I could get used to this- believing that You like me/I could get used to this- I really think I'd let you love me/I could get used to this- for the first time I see just a glimpse of how you really feel about me/I could get used to this/Chorus
FOR YOU LORD (Lara Landon)
For You Lord- A song/For You Lord- A melody/To touch your heart/Would be my greatest blessing/For you Lord- my heart/My sacrifice of worship/You have given more/So I bow in reverence/King of Heaven- can I sing in Your court?/King of Heaven- can I sing- can I sing/For You Lord?/And in the dark you heal me/Rejoice over me with singing/No, I'm not alone in my suffering/When I lift my voice....../So can I come before your throne?/With a humble gift to offer?/You deserve more Lord/You are my greatest treasure/Chorus
HEART OF MY HEART (Lara Landon)
Dry your eyes/stand up tall/don't you know it's me that took your fall/but if you need to hear/what I've said before/I will tell you once more/you're the, you're the/Heart of My Heart/Heart of My Heart/flesh of my flesh/blood of my blood/made as my own/deepest of deep/place in my soul for you alone/Heart of my Heart/I'll put my trust in you/tell me where to go/to you alone I lift my soul/well you've taken me/from far below/and set me on your wings of hope/and told me,/you're the/Chorus/You were made as my own,/made as my own/part of me is in you/so never fear and never doubt/I made you with my heart/you're the, you're the/Chorus
I BELIEVE (Lara Landon)
Sometimes I must admit I think I'm crazy/for following a man I've never seen and shaping my whole life around some old book/even so, I believe I believe I believe /And I'll be first in line with all my questions,/the ones that haunt me as I lie awake/the why oh why oh why oh why's/even so, I believe I believe I believe/I believe you are with me now/I believe you are proud/That I'm questioning, seeking and believing/I believe you can hear me now/I believe you are proud/that I'm hoping, trusting and believing/And I don't see how God in Flesh appearing/Can save all of mankind from their own sin/I didn't see you come to earth to save me/even so, I believe, I believe, I believe you did/Chorus/And all my searching comes to this/I don't know how it could be true/but beauty tells me that it is/so I believe in you/and I have seen you change my life/though I have never seen your face/only for you I'll be a fool/I believe in you/Chorus
INNOCENCE (Lara Landon)
Finally got my attention so you better say it now/Get me while I'm broken get me while I'm down/Shoes kicked by the bedside it's a cold day out/I had dreams in my sleep I don't know what about/I can't recall any of my dreams./Come to me I've got arms wide open for you to fall in/Call me baby maybe if I was ya know I would start this all over again/Walking through the carport I get bumps on my skin/Sifting through my memories I end up back again, back where I believed In everything/God Help Her!/She¹s just a child that's lost her way/And she don't know where she's going/don't know from where she came/She spend her whole life running tryin' to get back again/back where began where she started/Innocence./All my girls are in a race to the altar and I don't fit in/I would look for love to if I thought I could handle it /Rain beats on my windshield don't' want to deal with this/now I feel for the light switch as I enter in,/my empty apartment./Chorus/so run run run run,/run run run run little girl/so run run run run,/run run run run little girl
LIFT ME UP (Lara Landon/Jason Ingram)
I know too much but not enough/enough to care but not to fear/my hearts too weak to stand and fight/but it's too hardened now to cry/So You cry for the ones you love
/before the words are off of our tongues/and you fight for the ones you love/when we don't have the strength to come/and You die for the one you love/lifting us up from where we were stuck/so lift me up/I've bought the lie so many times/give just enough to get me by/I've seen the sunset in your eyes/but turned away no reason why/Chorus
LET IT GO (Lara Landon/ Tiffany Lee/ Sean Shenkel)
I'm gonna get out/I'm gonna get out /I'm gonna break away/what can I say to you
/I've not said already/I said I'm tired/I said that I'm weak/I said I just can't get/these demons off my back/I'd stay but I just can't/But I'll find a way/Though it feels unbearable/I will let it go/and I want you to know/I don't blame you anymore/I will let it go/I will let it go/Where do I go now?/How do I go on?/I will not look behind/I will not turn to stone/I have made up my mind/Now when I cry I can see clearly what I need to be/the sting of salty tears/I feel them cleansing me/Chorus/I want to see again/want to believe again/I want to find my way home out of here/I want to be alone and find the truth again/and hear myself breathe/Chorus
PRESENCE OF LOVE (Lara Landon/Brian Hitt)
The setting is right/Finally quiet, finally silent tonight/The air is still/and I will hear You, If I just stay here/The moment has come./Turn the lights down as I listen/What would I rather do- than spend this time with You?/When I realize where I am/in the presence of Love, the presence of Love./I feel alive and know that I've/been taken by You, awakened by You./The only thing I know is real/The only thing I want to hear is You/tonight./I'm walking inside/from a long day, a let down/tonight./It's only us now, and I tell you how I feel./You know how to give me rest/from all this craziness./Chorus/How could I doubt-You're with me now?/Chorus
KINDLE is a day long Christian leadership and music experience that challenges women of every generation to discover their calling, prep for ministry and live out The Great Commission.
Mission
Our goal is to create an environment where believers can learn how to mesh faith and action. We do this by encouraging up and coming leaders to nurture and utilize their unique, God-given abilities and as a result, hope to become a catalyst for a group of 21st century women who will settle for nothing less than changing the world in the name of Jesus.
DAY-
You will attend a series of sessions that focus on helping you grow in six key areas that connect to your purpose:
*Calling
*Strength
*Courage
*Creativity
*Spirit
*World
NIGHT-
You'll experience a powerful evening of music and ministry hosted by Morgann McClanahan. While there, you'll get a chance to hear artists share their songs, faith and personal testimonies of how God continues to reveal His purpose in their lives. KINDLE wraps up with a special candlelight and commissioning event.
Email
info_macdaddymusicgroup.com
general manager:
shawn fowler
shawn_thefuelmusic.com
For Booking Inquiries:
Laralandonbooking_gmail.com
For Press Inquiries:
Brian Mayes
Nashville Publicity
Brian_nashvillepublicity.com
