LÁRA is a 21-year-old singer- songwriter, guitarist and singing tutor from Donegal. She has just finished her degree in music at Ulster University, Magee. At the start of 2021, she began writing her own original material and learning to record and produce from home while trying to find her own style and image. She draws some of her influences from some modern folk acts like Maggie Rogers & First Aid Kit.

She has always been involved with music, a few years ago, she was a part of a three-piece band called ‘Evergreen’ which gave her many opportunities and experiences such as supporting acts like Moya Brennan & Clannad, Daniel O’Donnell, Duke Special and appearing on the same lineup as Ryan McMullan & Wild Youth. We also featured on the 2020 series of the Voice UK, receiving a place on team Will.I.Am.

Last year, she recorded tracks with producers such as Matt Curran and Rocky O’Reilly with session musicians such as John McCullough and Liam Bradley and recently, she set up her own live band of incredibly talented young musicians based in Belfast. Last Summer, she was selected as one of five singer/ songwriters to take part in the 21 Artist’s programme that was ran by the Northern Ireland office. She had the opportunity to write and record a song under the mentorship of Declan Legge & Naomi Hamilton (Jealous of the birds) and she was then invited to sing an original at an event in 10 Downing Street to showcase some of the young talent in Northern Ireland. She took part in both Woman’s work festival & Sound of Belfast festival in 2021. Her song ‘Back Down’ was selected as the judges’ choice award for Northern Ireland song of the year as part of Youth Action NI’s Next Big Thing competition.

She released her debut single “Back Down” back in June and is currently working on releasing her first EP.