Most people think half-baked songs, acoustic guitars and dingy cafés whenever those words are uttered, but attach that worn tag to American icons such as EmmyLou Harris, Gillian Welch, Sufjan Stevens and even angst-ridden songster Ryan Adams and you get a clearer picture of where the genius of Lauren Thomson fits in.  

A standout in Auckland's live circuit, Lauren has become a much sought after opener and touring partner for the likes of Flip Grater, Miriam Clancy, and others, leaving a trail of sighing punters behind her from Whangarei to Wanaka.

A top 20 contender in the APRA Silver Scroll Awards with the title track from her EP, Our Love Is Due, this girl has forged a well-respected path for her songs by the toughest critics. Echoing the noir-country tradition of life's well drawn struggles (think Johnny Cash meets Ryan Adams… on a good day), Thomson sends her bruised and weathered voice soaring over a jangling flat-top as she poignantly illustrates borrowed tales of heartache and revenge with her own wit - never afraid to let hope creep up behind. It's delectably dark stuff punctuated with a unique antipodean optimism - no unnecessarily joyful ditties here - but if you're a sucker for melancholy, haunting riffs and an undeniably sweet face then Thomson will quickly draw you in.