'The Great Divine', Lara's sophomore album is a group of simple allegories that developed into delicate, atmospheric avant-folk/pop songs, influenced by M. Night Shyamalan's movie 'The Village', C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, Philip Pullman's Dark Materials books, and the beauty that exists in all of us.

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 extraordinaire) recorded, co-mixed, and mastered the album. "We recorded the bed tracks at Retrogram Sound (George Blondheim's studio - 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 into the studio, picked some banjo and sang. 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.

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, Ishod Ibn Wyza, 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.

“A gem...extra lovely. She paints these pictures with her songs that are so completely, immediately ear-catching. It's like she's a welcoming committee saying come in, come in; which I love...a very inviting record.”
–Luka Symons, host of 'Nightcap' on CKUA Radio Network

Continue for a more personal bio......

In my early twenties I had a profound realization. That I was either going to die by self-abuse, or live for the right reasons. So I started looking. I discovered an author named J. Krishnamurti, and something he said effected me in a huge way-that (in my words) if we are not responding in love, we are responding in fear. This was a starting place for me. I realized how much I chose to be afraid and that I didn't want to live like that anymore.

So I went to truth school (I invite you to ask me specifics about this). And, I got married. All of it was extraordinary and became more extraordinary as I became more honest. Then, I got sick. I stopped playing music. Looking at death was the greatest opportunity of my life. I saw how I had avoided death (the inevitable) for much of my life. I started writing again. The songs came easily.

Though I have been influenced by musicians I admire very much (Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Hank Williams, Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Nina Simone, Tori Amos......the list goes on) my biggest influence has been a practical decision that I want to make music that's motivated by the kindness, goodness, and honesty that lives in all of us.