LAURA FRANK’s long-awaited debut album, LIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT, has arrived with impact: a record of intimate and open storytelling, delivered by a powerful voice, this marks a decade’s worth of work and dedication from the songwriter – now ready to be shared.
A creative melting pot of sounds and influences, LIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT reflects a period of growth from Laura; navigating love, loss, finding her own place in an ever-changing world as an artist. The music collected here is driven by a spirit and matured outlook on life and creativity that has made Laura such an endearing and captivating musician for many around the country.
Featuring singles ‘How Do We’, ‘Get What We Deserve’, ‘God Knows, I Know’, ‘Broken Hearted Cowboy’, ‘What Do We Tell The Kids’ and ‘We Won’t Stop Runnin’’, the album is a masterclass in expressions of strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Co-written and created with Nick Morrissey, the album is a project Laura herself describes as being one they both are “really proud that what you’re hearing is purely our voices.”
“Nick and I are inherently old school. We miss the days of putting a record on and being taken somewhere — of an album as a journey, not just a playlist. In a world of singles and short attention spans, making a full-length record felt like a risk. But it was a risk we needed to take, artistically and creatively. These songs deserve to live together.
I make music because I want it to become a soundtrack to someone’s life. You know how you never forget the smell of your grandmother’s house, or the song that was playing the first time you fell in love? I hope there’s something on this record that becomes that for someone. And more than anything, I hope it makes people feel less alone in whatever it is they’re facing. That’s the whole point, really.” LAURA FRANK
The effortless nature of LIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT may stem from the fact that it was recorded in one of Laura’s favourite places: Brooklet Recording, in New South Wales. Described as “the kind of space that lets you switch off from everything else”, the experience Laura embraced in bringing the threads of songs together in making this album was bolstered by the nurtured and supported environment she found herself in.
Produced by Jordan Power and featuring longtime collaborators including Grant Gerathy (John Butler Trio), Mike Mills and so many more, LIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT maintains a gorgeous, organic feel. It can be heard right throughout the album: from opener ‘God Knows, I Know’, through to heartfelt moments on songs including ‘It’s Enough’, ‘Would You Stay’ and ‘Living My Life In The Front Seat’.
The listener is invited to find something they are able to relate to in these stories and in doing so, find comfort, humour and smiles throughout.
“The process was exactly what I love most about making music. Everyone in the room together, live tracking, throwing ideas around, seeing what sticks. Some of what you hear on this album is a full band live take — just us, sitting in a room, playing and figuring it out in real time. That energy is irreplaceable.
Thematically it’s a melting pot — empowerment and vulnerability, trust and uncertainty, love and loss and the environment and everything in between. There are punchy, upbeat rock songs and beautiful, heartfelt ballads. Something for everyone, no matter what you might be going through.” LAURA FRANK
With a sound that evokes the likes of Grace Potter and Brandi Carlile, Laura has developed a strong following off the back of incredible live shows nationwide; shows that have spoken to the core of her heart-led music. Continued industry and support from media and radio alike for Laura’s music, including Triple J Unearthed and a #1 placement on the AIR Charts for ‘God Knows I Know’, has stoked momentum over the past 12 months – generating excitement in a pure and organic fashion.
‘Life In The Front Seat’ is out now
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