Lavalu is singer and actress Mariëlle Woltring, born in the US but raised in Eindhoven. From the age of four she played classical piano. Yet she preferred a theater education over the conservatory. That's a good thing, because the lack of formal musical training could well be responsible for her enormous versatility as a keyboardist and singer. Lavalu is also the name of Woltrings' band, in which
… she shapes her songs together with saxophonist Miguel Boelens, cellist Jörg Brinkmann and drummer Yonga Sun (plus a dose of electronic effects). This happens in a special mix of singer / songwriter, pop, drum & bass, trip hop and jazz. It is not without reason that Woltring cites Radiohead, Moloko, Lamb, Björk and Tori Amos as sources of inspiration. But Bach, Beethoven, Satie and Debussy also float through the songs. All those influences make the debut album Hope Or Liquid Courage a special production of a high, international level. The CD is full of beautiful melodies, special polyphonic vocals, fat synth sounds, acoustic strings and an elegant soprano sax. For example, listen to the solid Rockmaniac, based on a composition by Rachmaninov. Lavalu has already performed successfully at festivals such as The Hague Jazz, Noorderslag and Montreux. Hope Or Liquid Courage was already in the Album Top 100 a week after release. (HB) based on a composition by Rachmaninov. Lavalu has already performed successfully at festivals such as The Hague Jazz, Noorderslag and Montreux. Hope Or Liquid Courage was already in the Album Top 100 a week after release. (HB) based on a composition by Rachmaninov. Lavalu has already performed successfully at festivals such as The Hague Jazz, Noorderslag and Montreux. Hope Or Liquid Courage was already in the Album Top 100 a week after release. (HB)more
