Editing Laura MacFarlane

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name                = Laura MacFarlane
| image               = Laura MacFarlane Finders St Station 2014.jpg
| image_size          = 
| landscape           = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt                 = 
| caption             = Performing at [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders St Station]], November 2014
| background          = solo_singer
| birth_name          = Laura Sandra MacFarlane
| alias               = 
| birth_date          = <!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year unless the exact date is already WIDELY published, as per [[WP:DOB]] -->
| birth_place         = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| origin              = Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| death_date          = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) -->
| death_place         = 
| genre               = [[Indie rock]]
| occupation          = Musician <br /> [[Audio engineer]] <br /> Fanzine publisher <br /> Teacher
| instrument          = Vocals, guitar, drums, bass guitar, keyboards, trumpet, viola, [[vibraphone]] xylophone
| years_active        = 1988–present
| label               = Patsy
| website         = {{URL|lauramacfarlanemusic.com}} 
| current_members =
| past_members    = 
}}

'''Laura Sandra MacFarlane''' (also credited as '''Lora MacFarlane''') is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and audio engineer. Since 1996 she is the founding mainstay of the Australian [[indie rock]] band, [[ninetynine]]. MacFarlane also performs solo and has been in other bands, including as an early drummer and singer with United States rock group, [[Sleater-Kinney]] (1994–96).

== Biography ==

Laura Sandra MacFarlane is from [[Glasgow]], Scotland. Her parents are George MacFarlane (1936–2006) and Patricia "Patsy" MacFarlane. She has two older siblings and one daughter.<ref name="APRA at the">{{cite web|publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) |title='At the Backdoor' at APRA search engine |url=https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch#axd?q=At%20the%20Backdoor |accessdate=5 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020448/https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch |archivedate=17 November 2015 }} Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g At the Backdoor or at 'Performer:' Laura MacFarlane</ref><ref name="NAA 1">{{cite web | url = http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=30075760 | title = Item details for: PP704/1, MacFarlane G | publisher = [[National Archives of Australia]] | date = 13 March 2008 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Kralevich">{{cite web | url = http://www.sportingpulse.com/get_file.cgi?id=60125 | title = In Memory of... George MacFarlane | author = Kralevich, Bert | editor = Justina Harring | publisher = North Perth Bowling & Recreation Club | work = Sporting Pulse | date = October 2006 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> The MacFarlane family migrated to Perth in October 1978.<ref name="NAA 1"/> George was an accomplished musician, and had played trombone and percussion instruments with British and Australian army bands.<ref name="Kralevich"/>

MacFarlane began her interest in music as a child, playing [[vibraphone]] and trumpet. She went on to receive a music scholarship at [[Perth Modern School]], for vocals and percussion, and later studied music at [[The University of Western Australia]]. MacFarlane began performing in independent bands in Perth from 1988 onwards. She was the main songwriter in the Brautigans from 1989 to 1991,<ref name="Schaefer"/> performing vocals, guitar and vibraphone.<ref name="Gerard">{{cite web | url = http://davidgerard.co.uk/pf/11.5/pf11.5.pdf | title = Perth Bands | author = Gerard, David | page = 3 | work = Party Fears | date = Summer 1990–91 | volume = 11 | issue = 5 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref> She performed in other local bands, including Halcyon Days on drums<!-- Last names not in source --><ref name="Gerard"/> and Louder than God, which had an extensive line-up of ten members, co-founded by [[Iain McIntyre]].<!-- Instrumentation not in source --><ref name="Gerard"/><ref name="Gerard 2">{{cite web | url = http://davidgerard.co.uk/pf/15/pf15.pdf | title = Perth News | author = Gerard, David | page = 1 | work = Party Fears | date = August–September 1991 | issue = 15 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref>

MacFarlane then joined Manic Pizza, on bass guitar and vocals, with Gareth Edwards (Sandro) on guitar and [[Cameron Potts]] on drums.<ref name="Schaefer">{{cite web | url = http://messandnoise.com/features/3609057 | title = Gareth Edwards: Part One | author = Schaefer, René | work = Mess+Noise | date = 12 May 2009| accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref> As a member of Manic Pizza, MacFarlane relocated to Melbourne in the early 1990s.<ref name="Schaefer"/> Edwards later told René Schaefer, of Mess+Noise website, that "Cameron was heavily into the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]] at the time. I was a [[Hüsker Dü]] freak. Laura provided the actual talent."<ref name="Schaefer"/> In 1992, MacFarlane formed [[Sea Haggs]] (later renamed Keckle)<ref name="NLA Sea Haggs">{{Citation | author1=MacFarlane, Lora | author2 = Sea Haggs | author3 = Keckle | title=Jelly | publication-date = 1991 | publisher = Woozy Muzik. [[National Library of Australia]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28035212 | accessdate=5 October 2015 }} Note: This source uses "Lora" MacFarlane.</ref> on guitar, [[viola]], percussion and vocals, with McIntyre and Potts. That group's material was later included on a compilation album, ''Jelly'' (1995).<ref name="NLA Sea Haggs"/>

In 1992, MacFarlane began publishing ''Woozy'' [[fanzine]] with McIntyre. ''Woozy'' was a self-published fanzine, with a [[Do it yourself|DIY]] philosophy, that promoted local Melbourne and Australian bands, as well as international [[underground music|underground]] acts and [[grassroots]] politics. ''Woozy'' produced over 20 publications from 1992 to 2002. In 1996, MacFarlane also co-founded, with McIntyre, ''Choozy'' independent distribution (1996–2002), which distributed music, fanzines and small publications within Australia and overseas.<ref name="McIntyre">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150922030708/http://wemakezines.ning.com/events/i-was-a-zinester-in-the-90s | url = http://wemakezines.ning.com/events/i-was-a-zinester-in-the-90s | title = I Was a Zinester in the '90s | last = McIntyre | first = Iain | authorlink = Iain McIntyre | publisher = Sticky Institute | work = We Make Zines | archivedate = 22 September 2015 | date = 20 February 2010 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="NLA Woozy">{{Citation | author1 = McIntyre, Iain | author2 = Macfarlane, Laura | title=Woozy | publication-date = 1992 | publisher = Woozy (Iain McIntyre, Laura MacFarlane). National Library of Australia | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/30995506 | accessdate = 5 October 2015 }}</ref>
[[File:Laura MacFarlane performing with Ninetynine NSC 2007.jpg|thumb|MacFarlane on keyboards and vocals with [[ninetynine]], [[Northcote, Victoria|Northcote]] Social Club, 2007]]

MacFarlane began playing drums and vocals in 1994 with visiting United States rock group, [[Sleater-Kinney]], and in 1995 she went to [[Olympia, Washington|Olympia]] and [[Seattle]] to tour and record with the band. She is the drummer, co-producer and co-writer on their self-titled debut album, ''[[Sleater-Kinney (album)|Sleater-Kinney]]''.<ref name="AMG Sleater-Kinney">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/sleater-kinney-mw0000023187/credits | title = ''Sleater-Kinney'' – Sleater-Kinney &#124; Credits | publisher = AllMusic | accessdate = 4 October 2015 }} Note: This source uses "Lora" MacFarlane.</ref> She is also lead singer and guitarist on the track "Lora's Song". MacFarlane provided drums, backup vocals and guitar (track 12) on their follow up album, ''[[Call the Doctor]]'' (March 1996).<ref name="CTD Booklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Call the Doctor |others=[[Sleater-Kinney]] |year=1996 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Chainsaw Records]] |location=Portland, Oregon |id=CHSW #13}}</ref>

In 1996, MacFarlane returned to Melbourne and founded an [[indie rock]] band, [[ninetynine]], initially as a solo project, playing all the instruments on the debut album, ''99'' (October 1996).<ref name="AMO 99">{{cite web | url = http://www.amo.org.au/artist7202.html | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20051121130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/44131/20051122-0000/www.amo.org.au/artist7202.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 November 2005 | title = Artists :: Ninetynine | publisher = [[Australian Council for the Arts]] | work = [[Australian Music Online]] | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Her project soon became a band, including Potts (from 1997) and McIntyre (from 2000).<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Oz Music 2">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20030807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist3991.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist3991.html | title = ninetynine | publisher = Oz Music Project | archivedate = 6 August 2003 | accessdate = 7 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> By 2010, ninetynine had released eight albums, and toured the world several times. The band celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of ''Further'' in 2016.<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Trevor">{{cite web | url = http://messandnoise.com/releases/2000773 | title = ''Bande Magnétique'' | author = Trevor | publisher = Junkee Media | work = Mess+Noise | date = 30 July 2010 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> MacFarlane founded her own record label, Patsy,<ref name="AMO 99"/><ref name="Oz Music 2"/> which issued ninetynine material, as well as that by the bands [[Sea Scouts (band)|Sea Scouts]], Fiona Beverage, Boo Who, Baseball, Trixies Undersea Adventure, and Vivian Girls.

MacFarlane has played a variety of instruments on a number of records, including vibraphone, drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals.<ref name="Andrews">{{cite journal | url = http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/ninetynine/180.htm | title = ninetynine – ''180°'' – Review | author = Andrews, Chris | journal = Stylus Magazine | date = 1 September 2003 | accessdate = 7 October 2015 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005935/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/ninetynine/180.htm | archivedate = 5 March 2016 }}</ref> She has worked with other artists, including Lee Memorial (alongside Karl Smith of [[Sodastream (band)|Sodastream]]),<ref name="Lubulwa">{{cite news | url = http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/lee-memorial-nsc-melbourne-10052009/801868 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151007150349/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/lee-memorial-nsc-melbourne-10052009/801868 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 October 2015 | title = Lee Memorial @ NSC, Melbourne | last = Lubulwa | first = Eva | work = FasterLouder | publisher = [[Junkee|Junkee Media]] | date = 13 May 2009 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Bombazine Black, The Wonder,<ref name="Gray">{{cite news | url = http://www.theaureview.com/melbourne/bombazine-black-the-toff-in-town-23-09-10 | title = Bombazine Black – The Toff in Town | last = Gray | first = Michele Davis | work = The Au Review | publisher = Heath Media & the AU review | date = 8 October 2010 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Winterborn, Tarantula,<ref name="Trevor"/> [[Sally Seltmann|New Buffalo]],<ref name="Attlee">{{cite web | url = http://www.ausmusicscrapbook.com/musicnews/archive/2003/2 | title = Music News: February 2003: Thursday 13th | author = Attlee, Mathew | work = Aus Music Scrapbook | date = February 2003 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref> Trixies Undersea Adventure, Boo Who, Popemobile,<ref name="Oz Music">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20030807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist1f63.html | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/band/artist1f63.html | title = Bruna | publisher = Oz Music Project | archivedate = 6 August 2003 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Dragster, [[Paul Dempsey#Other projects|Scared of Horses]], [[Cold Cold Hearts]], Madigan, Disaster Plan, Clag, and Low Talk.

MacFarlane has worked as audio engineer at [[3CR Melbourne]] radio, and on many recordings, including solo work, recent ninetynine releases, Covens Revenge, The Hatchets, Cleber Claux Memorial Singers, Baseball, Love of Diagrams, The Stabs, and [[Jules Sheldon]]. MacFarlane is also a teacher and educator of music, establishing Augment Music Education in 2016. She is based in Melbourne, and still plays as a member of ninetynine, as well as performing solo.<ref name="Linacre">{{cite web | url = http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/7689 | title = Packed book launch in Melbourne | first =  Emma | last = Linacre | publisher = [[Socialist Party (Australia)|Socialist Party]] | date = 23 July 2015 | accessdate = 6 October 2015 }}</ref>

In 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria|Melbourne Covid lockdown]], MacFarlane started the Vivid Recording Project, which was a series of three [[Extended play|EP]]s that featured a specific instrument, and only that instrument, with vocals. The EPs were ''Into the Metalude'' (vibraphone), ''The Narrows'' (guitar) and ''Future Obscura'' (Casio keyboards). Their initial releases were in conjunction with the [[Bandcamp|Bandcamp Friday]]s, held to assist music artists during the pandemic. In 2021, the whole project was released as the album ''ViViD''.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}
{{clear}}

==Discography==
===Ninetynine===
*''The Triantiwontigongolo – Ninetynine EP'' CD 1996 (Woozy)
*''99''  CD 1996 (Patsy/Endearing )
*''767'' CD and LP Album 1998 (Patsy/Endearing/Chapter)
*''Girl Crazy – Woekender'' LP 1998 (Remedial Records)
*''Ersatz'' Split 7" 1999 (Radio One)
*''180'' Degrees CD and LP 2000 (Patsy/ Radio One)
*''Vivian Girls'' Split 7" 2001 (Chapter)
*''Anatomy of Distance'' CD 2002 (Patsy/Stckfigure)
*''The Process''  CD and LP 2002 (Trifekta/Appliances & Cars)
*''Receiving the Sounds of Science Fiction'' CD EP 2003 (Dark Beloved Cloud)
*''World of Space World of Population World of Robots''  CD 2006 (UAR/Stickfigure)
*''Chapter 99 – Compilation''  CD 2006 (Sones)
*''Silo'' EP 2008 (Patsy) 
*''Bande Magnetique'' CD 2010 (Patsy)
*''Woods'' 7" 2016 (Patsy)
*''Further ''7" and CD 2016 (Patsy)

===Laura MacFarlane===
*''Into The Metalude'' EP 2020 (Patsy)
*''The Narrows '' EP 2020 (Patsy)
*''Future Obscura'' EP 2020 (Patsy)
*''ViViD'' Album 2021 (Patsy)

===Sleater-Kinney===
*''[[Sleater-Kinney (album)|Sleater-Kinney]]''  1995 CD LP (VVK /Chainsaw)
*''[[Call the Doctor]]'' 1996 CD LP (Chainsaw)
*''[[Start Together]]''  2014 CD LP (Subpop)

===Other===
*The Brautigans &ndash; ''Walk Along the Waterfront/Homecoming'' 1991 Cassette single
*The Brautigans &ndash; ''Scar-red''  1991 Cassette Album
*Manic Pizza &ndash; ''Deep Pan Delivery''  1991 CassetteAlbum
*The Sea Haggs &ndash; ''Beastie''  1993 Cassette EP
*The Sea Haggs &ndash; ''Jelly''  1995 CD (Woozy)
*Dragster &ndash; ''Dragster'' CD LP 1996 (Little Teddy/Hoppel Di Hoy)
*Popemobile &ndash; ''The Triantiwontigongolo'' CD 1996 (Woozy)
*[[Pip Proud]] &ndash; ''Matildas You Fiend'' LP 1996 (BBAPTC)
*Madigan &ndash; ''Rock Stop'' 1996 CD LP (Moon Puss)
*Cold Cold Hearts &ndash; ''Yer So Sweet (Baby Donut)'' 7" 1996 (Kill Rock Stars)
*Casini &ndash; ''Woozy 20'' Compilation CD 1997 (Woozy)
*Bruna &ndash; ''Lumber''  CD 1998 (Bun)
*Scared of Horses &ndash; ''An Empty Flight'' CD 1998 (Brass Companion)
*Sea Scouts &ndash; ''Beacon of Hope''  1998 (Patsy)
*[[The Cat's Miaow]] &ndash; ''The Long Goodbye'' 10" (Darla Records)
*Boo Who &ndash; ''Tigers Are Better Looking'' 2000 (Patsy)
*Trixie Undersea Adventure &ndash; ''Life Raft'' CD 2001 (Patsy Radio One)
*Small Sips &ndash; ''Morning Ripples'' CD 2006 (Rogue Records)
*Up For Grabs movie soundtrack &ndash; ''Count with Kevin'' 2007 (Up For Grabs)
*Lee Memorial &ndash; ''The Lives of Lee Memorial'' CD 2009 (Dot Dash)
*Tunnel Vision Song Contest &ndash; ''No Tunnel No Way'' Single 2014
*Covens Revenge &ndash; ''Covens Revenge'' CD 2017 (Backyard Charlies)
*Sodastream &ndash; ''Letter From Melbourne'' Single 2020

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.lauramacfarlane.bandcamp.com/ Laura MacFarlane Bandcamp page]
* [http://www.ninetynine99.bandcamp.com/ Ninetynine Bandcamp page]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ninetynine/23558634528/ Ninetynine Facebook page]
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxNDpKswPVxPT6BZombZrRg/ Ninetynine Youtube channel]
* [http://www.reasoninrevolt.net.au/biogs/E000642b.htm Woozy]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150419024809/http://messandnoise.com/news/4641776 "Artist on Artist: Dead River Vs Ninetynine"], archived from [http://www.messandnoise.com/news/4641776/ the original] on 19 April 2015, Mess+Noise, February 2014. Accessed on 6 October 2015.
* [http://lifemusicmedia.com/photo-gallery-lou-barlow-laura-macfarlane-northcote-social-club-17-april-2012/ "Photo Gallery: Lou Barlow + Laura MacFarlane @ Northcote Social Club – 17 April 2012"]

{{Sleater-Kinney}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:MacFarlane, Laura}}
[[Category:Musicians from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Musicians from Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:Scottish emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sleater-Kinney members]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Feminist musicians]]