LAURA MICHELLE KELLY ACTRESS/SINGER
	The future is bright for Laura Michelle Kelly. Already an established actress, the multi-talented 24 year-old is on the threshold of an exciting new phase in her career with the release of her eagerly anticipated debut album ‘The Storm Inside’ and the debut single ‘There Was A Time’ on May 1st. Recorded in London last summer and released on Angel Records, the forthcoming LP is a heartfelt collection of beautifully diverse material. Produced by the highly respected Marius de Vries - whose past credits include Bjork’s ‘Debut’, Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Want One’ and ‘Want Two’, David Gray’s ‘Life In Slow Motion’ and the groundbreaking Moulin Rouge – the new album features 12 stunning songs that highlight Laura’s tremendous vocal ability and is as assorted as the people behind it. Music has always been at the centre of Laura Michelle Kelly's life. She grew up on the Isle of Wight and instinctively knew her calling. “From eight years old I was drawn to the piano that was left in the farmhouse we moved into and before that my three brothers and I would perform songs that my Dad had written for friends. We just spent all our time dancing, singing and performing in local summer rock concerts.“ Although she received no formal training, Laura is clearly a naturally gifted vocalist. From her days of local theatre through to London’s West End, her combination of talent, innate ability and extensive experience has won her glowing national praise. As a celebrated actress, she has also appeared on Broadway and won the coveted Olivier Award for Best Actress. Laura’s inspirations stem from some of the industry’s most highly celebrated artists. From the pioneering work of female singer /songwriters such as Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, to the originality of Rufus Wainwright and the enduring creativity of U2 and Sting, her eclectic musical interests have undoubtedly influenced her own distinct style. It was only after falling in love with Rufus Wainwright’s critically acclaimed album ‘Want One’ that she knew she’d found the perfect collaborator in Marius de Vries. ”It's a pleasure every now and then to have the opportunity to collaborate with an artist for whom the making of an LP is truly a maiden voyage,” says Marius. “This is Laura Michelle's first collection of songs as a songwriter and an interpretative singer, and it has been a privilege to have watched her dig into the new possibilities and freedoms presented by the studio with a genuine creative energy and remarkable dedication.” The new album contains collaborations from a host of stellar songwriters including Jamie Cullum, Guy Chambers, Pete Vetesse, Felix Howard and – for the first time co-writing with another artist - Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy. There are six original tracks and six interpretations of previously recorded material close to Laura’s heart, including Paul Weller’s achingly romantic ‘You Do Something To Me’, Nick Drake’s ‘Riverman’ and a twisted version of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Losing My Mind’. “Everyone told me that Nick Drake’s ‘Riverman’ was a sacred piece of writing that we shouldn’t touch,” she admits “But I love it so much and I think great songs should keep being sung and reinterpreted. Marius and I came up with a plan to chart out the famous string line in the original and replace it with my vocals. Marius is definitely someone who aspires for something completely new and, between us, I hope we’ve achieved that.” The album also showcases Laura’s ability as a songwriter on ‘There Was A Time’, ‘Butterflies’ and ‘The Storm Inside’ - all warm and intimate pieces of work. Other album highlights include the irresistible ‘Sweet Solution’ - written especially for Laura by Jamie Cullum – and the wonderfully evocative ‘Reach Out For Me’. “It has been an exciting journey to work with such accomplished people in the industry. I feel like I’ve grown in many ways, working with such great writers has changed me and I’ve really enjoyed the process from start to finish.” she comments. "For along time I’ve sang from the heart of another. This album is me singing from my own."