Luan Parle

Infobox musical artist
Name = Luan Parle


Img_capt = Promotional photo from "Free"
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = Wicklow, Ireland
Instrument =
Genre = FolkCountryAcoustic
Occupation = Singer/Songwriter
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Label = Unsigned
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.luanparle.ie/ LuanParle.ie]
Notable_instruments =

Luan Parle is an Irish Singer / Songwriter. Her début album, "Free" was released in Ireland in early 2007. She won the 2007 Meteor award for Best Irish Female in February 07 and completed the double by winning the Tatler "Music Woman of the Year" award in November 07.

HERE & NOW: THE STORY TODAY

In February 2007 young Wicklow woman Luan Parle received the prestigious Meteor award for "Best Irish Female Artist" at Dublin's Point venue following an extensive public vote. in November 2007 she won the Tatler "Music Woman of the Year 2007/8" award

The first single from the album "Free" - "Failed Romanaces" was confirmed at number 10 in the Irish Radio Airplay charts for 2007

In February 08 "Ghost" another track from the album was released as a download only single and it has gone on to become one of the biggest selling singles by an Irish artist in 2008, spending 3 months in the charts and peaking at 10.

The success of the "Ghost" single prompted the reissue of the "Free" album which is currently making major waves in the Irish album charts

She has worked and written in the US, UK and Ireland with legends such as:

Bill Bottrell - Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John etc.

Chris Kimsey - Rolling Stones, INXS, Killing Joke etc.

And Stephen Lironi - Altered Images, Bon Jovi, Hanson, Black Grape, Lloyd Cole etc.

The album "Free" is one which Luan is rightfully proud of and she is widely tipped for International stardom

Her voice , although quite unique, has been likened to Sheryl Crow, Jewel, The Dixie Chicks & a young Stevie Nicks.

Her distinct sound crosses the Rock / Pop / Acoustic / Folk & Country genres. For one so young she is a seasoned songwriter having started the craft as a child

Anyone who has seen Luan perform live is instantly hooked and she is equally comfortable performing solo or with a full band

Luan's Myspace page is one of the fastest growing of any Irish artist with an extensive worldwide fanbase

She features on the 2007 "Hot Press" (30th anniversary) yearbook and has appeared extensively in the Irish mainstram Press, TV, Radio and Fashion Magazines

In May she won the "Most Stylish Female" award at the "Big Buzz Irish Entertainment Industry Awards" in Belfast anfd the album was shortlisted to the final three at the same awards together with Snow Patrol and Duke Special

In July 2007 she played the "Midlands Music Festival" with some of the biggest names in International Country / Folk music

In the same month she appeared as very special guest to the legendary Nanci Griffith on her Irish tour and as guest to Rock legends INXS on their only Irish date

THE EARLY DAYS - HOW IT ALL BEGAN

This section has been copied verbatim from "Myspace"

Growing up in Co. Wicklow with a passion for The Judds and Martina McBride as well as a whole host of more contemporary country-rock and pop artists, Luan's confidence as a singer came from the training her father gave to the children who sang at Sunday Mass at her local church.

With an already distinctive name (derived from a French ancestor who was shipwrecked off the Wexford coast) Luan began to develop her own vocal style early on and, a few months before her seventh birthday, won the first of a string of talent contests. She started playing the guitar around the same time and from then on there was no stopping her. Within three years she was fronting her own band.

Her dauntless enthusiasm and unnerving confidence brought her a handful of gigs at hotels and bars. Before long, Luan had become a welcome fixture on her local music scene and, in spite of her tender years, was already making a name for herself as a professional singer. She took some of numerous opportunities to perform on radio and television including national (Irish) appearances on The Late Late Show, Kenny Live and School Around The Corner.

Her parents were nothing but supportive. “My father spent all his spare time driving me around from contest to concert. He would wait for me for hours and encourage me in the best possible way.”

At this point Luan was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. A Nashville scout, attracted by the profile that thirteen year old Luan had been building up, offered her the opportunity to head off to the U.S. with a full recording contract.

“I couldn't believe what was happening. These people actually wanted to take me to America, to the hub of country music, and record my voice.”

And everyone lived happily after, yeah? Not a bit of it. Luan's parents had other ideas, insisting that she was too young to take such a life-changing risk and that finishing her education must come first.

Luan's parents made a deal that if I went back and finished school, then, if she still wanted to be a professional singer, they promised to support her 100%”

Luan's deal with her parents didn't stop her playing and performing wherever she could, and settling down to start writing her own songs. But she kept her end of the bargain and they kept theirs.

External links

* [http://www.luanparle.ie/ Luan Parle official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/luanparle Luan Parle official MySpace]