Liang Lawrence

Last updated
Liang Lawrence
Born2001/2002
OriginDevon, England
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • ukulele
Years active2020–present
Labels
  • FrtyFive
  • The Other Songs

Liang Lawrence (born 2001/2002) is a singer-songwriter based in East London, having started off in Devon. She was nominated for Rising Star at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards.

Contents

Early life

Lawrence is half-English, half-Chinese [1] [2] and lived in eight different countries growing up due to her father's work. These included stints in the Midlands and London, as well as Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Kuwait and San Francisco. [3] Lawrence was given piano and violin lessons at a young age, but preferred to teach herself ukulele, songwriting and guitar later on. Lawrence graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of Exeter in 2022. [4]

Career

Lawrence made an "impulsive lockdown decision" to self-release her first song "Santa Cruz" in 2020, with production help and support from her sister's husband. [5] She gained an online following uploading videos to TikTok. Her next singles "Turns Out" and "Undercover Martyn" followed in 2022. She was invited to support James Gillespie at his Bristol concert that March. [6]

In August 2023, Lawrence released her debut EP letters to myself. [7] She collaborated with Will Joseph Cook on a track titled "(not) a love song". Lawrence had listened to Cook from a young age, and described the experience of working with him as "insane". [8] She featured on the track "Indefinitely", part of Riley Pearce's album Your Turn Now. [9]

Lawrence's second EP What's Dead and Gone followed the next August, [10] published via The Other Songs. The EP's singles included "Eulogy", "Use Me", [11] "If Only" and "Backseat". Lawrence was contacted by the alt-pop duo Honne, who invited her to join their China tour and feature as a vocalist on their August 2024 single "Say Thar You Will Wait for Me". [12] [13] Lawrence would reunite with the duo for their North America tour. She and Ella Jinks supported Matilda Mann at War Child's Day of the Girl event. [14] Later that year in December, Lawrence released the single "Kiss My Apocalypse". [15] She was nominated for Rising Star at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards. [16] [17]

Artistry

Growing up, Lawrence listened to Eagles and Genesis through her parents, the former being the first artist Lawrence saw live, as well as The Beatles, Mika, and Oasis. As a teenager, Lawrence became interested in indie and alt rock and bonded with a friend over it, discovering the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Phoenix, Bombay Bicycle Club, Cage the Elephant, The Kooks, and The Snuts. [2] Lawrence also cites Dodie Clark as an early songwriting inspiration, [8] and drew upon the aforementioned Gallaghers and the Beatles as well as Blossoms when approaching songwriting professionally. [6]

Lawrence has further named The Japanese House, Joni Mitchell, Beabadoobee, Clairo, Spacey Jane, and Holly Humberstone as sonic and writing influences. Other artists she has praised include Wunderhorse, Flyte, and The Cardigans. [2]

Discography

EPs

Singles

Collaborations

References

  1. Devin, Caitlin (11 September 2024). "Liang Lawrence: "I try to tell stories in a way they haven't been told before"". Ticketmaster Discover. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "INTRODUCING: We caught up with Liang Lawrence ahead of the BBC Introducing Showcase on Feb 1st..." Muso Muso. 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. Childfree, Aaron (7 August 2024). "Interview: Liang Lawrence Combines Masterful Storytelling and Unforgettable Melodies on New EP 'What's Dead and Gone'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. Blandford, Hermione (31 October 2022). "Meet Liang Lawrence: The Exeter Uni grad who's just got a record deal". The Tab. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. Connor, DJ (7 January 2025). "Liang Lawrence's "Kiss My Apocalypse," Plus Sourdough Bread & Colored Pencils [Q&A]". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  6. 1 2 Andrews, Caitlin (29 July 2021). "Singer, Social Media Star, Student: In Conversation With Liang Lawrence". Periphery. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  7. "Feature: Spotlight: Liang Lawrence". Music and Musings. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. 1 2 Fudge, Lucy (6 September 2024). "Sonic Journeys, Sisterhood, and String Instruments: Interview with Liang Lawrence". Karma! Magazine. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  9. "Emerging Folk – Bryan McPherson, Cat Rose Smith, Riley Pearce x Liang Lawrence, Rose Brokenshire". The Wild is Calling Us. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  10. Falkensteiner, Melanie. "EP Review: 'What's Dead and Gone' by Liang Lawrence". Melomaniacs. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  11. "Liang Lawrence - Use Me". When the Horn Blows. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  12. Taylor, Sam (9 August 2024). "HONNE reflect on missing loved ones with their new single 'Say That You Will Wait For Me', featuring Liang Lawrence". Dork. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  13. "Artist on Artist: HONNE X Liang Lawrence". 1883 Magazine. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  14. Shukri, Alex (14 October 2024). "War Child 2024: Day of the Girl". Square One Magazine. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  15. Zinhle, Nthatile (8 December 2024). "Review: Liang Lawrence Romanticizes Chaos and Longs for Everlasting Love with "Kiss My Apocalypse"". The Luna Collective. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  16. Paine, Andre (23 April 2023). "The Ivors 2025: Lola Young, Raye, Ghetts, Charli XCX, Jade, Dua Lipa and Myles Smith among nominees". Music Week. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  17. "Liang Lawrence". Ivors Academy. Retrieved 23 April 2025.