Laura Reznek has never liked to talk about herself. If you listen closely to her music, however, you’ll hear murmurs of naked disclosure — fragments of grief, anger, and complicated joy riddled through her melodies. In her new micro EP Leap Year (Birthday Cake Records), Laura wrestles with time during which everything and nothing happens, and the betrayal of boredom in the midst of life-changing loss. Laura layers meticulous arrangements with found sounds, crafting plush sonic textures that occasionally bristle with something darker.
Released as an experimental standalone between two major projects, Laura‘s “Time in the World” has the character of an interlude. Starting life as a self-soothing lullaby in times of anxiety, that original melody developed into an apocalyptic soundscape with elements of trip hop, industrial rock, and electronica. The song speaks to the anxieties of a generation too: it’s released alongside Pippa Johnstone‘s acclaimed six part audio series, Expectant, (listed as one of the best new podcasts of the year by CBC, Apple Podcasts (Canada), and Amazon Music (Canada) which deals with the climate crisis and intergenerational trauma.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
This song came out of a project I was working on last year. I was writing the score for Pippa Johnstone’s incredible podcast ‘Expectant’, and I showed her the skeleton of this ‘lullaby’ I had written myself a couple years back, and thematically it went hand in hand. The podcast centres around climate anxiety and parenthood, and I knew this song had to have a life of sorts within the show. I had initially started it with my friend, collaborator, and producer Shane Stephenson in Vancouver back in 2021 but it fell by the wayside, and then we finished it remotely – from our respective home studios (I’m based in Kent, UK).
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
It’s a different vibe from previous work, but as it was part of a separate project it felt nice to have a bit more freedom and break away slightly from my folk roots. I also loved the idea of a simplified lyric, seeing how far we could build a song by repeating one line over and over again.
What about this single makes you most proud?
I’ve been spending the past few years getting involved with other projects, collaborating outside of my own medium and learning a lot – mainly focussing on composing for stage performance; theatre, dance, but ‘Expectant’ was the first podcast I’d scored and this song feels like a reminder of the excitement I feel when I collaborate with people I like.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Apart from having this song compliment Expectant’s score, I had initially started it as a bit of fun. When I first started working on it I didn’t even think it would exist beyond our little room, but ended up liking it too much not to give it a little chance of life. It’s all about letting off some steam, trying something new, and is sort of serving as a bit of an interlude between my last album Agrimony, and the one that’s currently in the works.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
It’s just something I’ve always done, and the only thing I ever come back to if I leave it alone for a little while. Since I was young there wasn’t really another option – I’ve dabbled in things my whole existence, but this is the only constant. A way of seeing and moving in the world, and a way to connect.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
One of my biggest loves is contemporary dance. I dabbled in dance when I was younger, and if I were to have any regrets (I try not to) it would be that I never persevered. So! I have been working a lot over the years with different choreographers and collectives, but someone who I find absolutely mind-bogglingly inspiring is choreographer Crystal Pite. One can dream!
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I recently got a banjo, as my current favourite song is Loudon Wainwrights ‘Swimming Song’ which I’ve basically had on repeat for the past year. I have too many favourites to count, and it would depend what my mood is on any given day to say! I would say I always have time for Sufjan Stevens and Joni Mitchell – and recents favourites have been King Creosote, Bonny Light Horsemen, Cassandra Jenkins, and Aldous Harding.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
I’m not super into social media, but my platform of choice is Instagram – occasionally I’ll talk about music or my DIY endeavours, but mainly like talking about my 5 goats if anything so you could expect a lot of that.
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Keep an eye out for new things later in the year…!
