The album was recorded over the course of a year, in between touring, sweeping the floors in her house (which Lara seems to like more and more), and hanging out with her husband and two dogs. Colin Lay (recording engineer extroardinaire) recorded, co-mixed, and mastered the album. "We recorded the bed tracks at Retrogram Sound (just outside of Edmonton, Alberta). Then, I bought myself Protools (recording software) and did the rest of the album at home on my trusty (for the most part) computer", Lara laughs.
The lovely and sweet Alexia Melnychuk came in and picked some banjo and did some singing. Kevin Parkinson's sensitive and unique style of percussion can be heard on most of the songs; and Marty Majorowicz enhanced one of the songs, 'Picadilly Square' with his shy and cute trombone playing (a real one - very exciting). Also, on one of her favorite songs, 'Gold Brick', (which also features The Brilliant Gold Choir), Lara's brother Justin and mom Trish, both sang. "It breaks my heart to hear their voices in there", Lara says.
The Great Divine is now available for purchase at Megatunes in Edmonton and Calgary, online at cdbaby.com and will soon be available for download through most major digital distributors.
Since her first solo performance in May of 2005, Lara has been steadily honing her craft. Having played almost 200 shows across Canada in the last year alone, she is developing into a sensitive, articulate performer, whose goal is to better herself on every level. Lara has had the honor of playing various festivals, including Fred Eaglesmith's Southern Ontario Picnic, South Country Fair, North Country Solstice Festival, Night of Artists, Homefest, and The Works. These festivals have included such artists as Rae Spoon, Mary Gauthier, John Wort Hannam, and The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir. She has opened for Gaye Delorme and shared stage and tour van, over the course of a year, with friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Alexia Melnychuk. She has been featured on CBC Radio, CKUA Radio, Breakfast Television, and in Alternative Trends Magazine, to name a few.
“Lara Yule Singh could be the answer to all our problems. Her folk-pop debut, Something In the Still will instantly put a smile on your face and lower your blood pressure…a delightfully quirky recording on par with efforts by Calgary’s Chad VanGaalen and freak-folk star Devendra Banhart.â€
–Sandra Sperounes, The Edmonton Journal
“Five Stars! From the heart.â€
-Something In the Still review by Jennifer on CDBaby.com
SOMETHING IN THE STILL, Lara's debut CD is available for sale at these fine stores in Edmonton, AB:
Blackbyrd Myoozik (10442 82 ave)Listen Records & CD's (10649 124 st)
Megatunes (10355 Whyte Ave)
Mill Woods Music (3-1510C Lakewood Rd W)
AND NOW AVAILABLE AT:
Megatunes (932 17th Ave SW) Calgary, AB
Records to the Rafters (4921 48th St) Red Deer, AB