Liz Larin

Liz Larin (born Mary Elizabeth Larin) is a musician, composer and music producer. Born in Detroit, Larin is also the founder of Bona Dea Music, an independent label focused on electronic pop/rock, world and ambient music; and American City Media, a digital media company specializing in video and interactive publishing.

The Metro Times writes "Although sometimes compared to, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Avril Lavigne, Liz Larin has style all her own."^[1] Columnist Morley Seaver of RockWorld says of Larin, "Her music is in the realm of say, Bonnie Raitt but with an electronic edge and much, much better."^[2]

Background and career

A self-taught guitarist and pianist from the age of ten, by the age of 15 Larin was asked to teach guitar at the local music store. In the store she made connections with musicians of many styles and was soon playing jam sessions across the city. When Liz announced to her parents she was going to join a rock band, her parents objected. Liz left home at age 16, supporting herself by teaching guitar and playing gigs.

After leaving home, Larin found her way to Los Angeles, where along with guitarist and songwriter Michael King, she formed the group, Press. The band later added Danny Cox as drummer/percussionist. The band changed its name to Rebel Heels and signed with Atlantic Records in 1987. Rebel Heels folded after only one album but Atlantic Records retained Larin as a solo artist. Her debut album, Test Your Faith, was released in 1993.

Later, she returned to Detroit and went indie and formed her own record label, Bona Dea Music (cf. Bona Dea, a figure from Roman mythology).^[3] Merry Wicked, her first independent album, was released in 1999. That album was followed by The Story of O-Miz in 2002. The album took advantage of the skills of Robert Tye on guitar, James Simonson and Chuck Bartels on bass guitar, and Todd Glass and Dave Taylor on drums. Vinnie Dombroski of Sponge lent drums and vocals to the track "Pretty Is."^[4]

Currently Larin composes music for film and television splitting her time between Montreal and New Orleans, and releasing music under LusterKraft, Stella 13 and Arcello.

Awards

Detroit Music Awards^[5][6][7][8]

Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Songwriter (2001, 2003, 2004)

Outstanding Rock Vocalist (Rock/Pop) (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Outstanding Acoustic Artist/Group (Acoustic/Folk) (2002)

Outstanding Rock Songwriter (Rock/Pop) (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Vocalist (2003, 2004)

Outstanding Pop Artist/Group (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Outstanding Rock/Pop Instrumentalist (guitar / bass) (2003)

Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording (""The Story of O-Miz, 2003; "Wake Up, Start Dreaming", 2006)

Outstanding Electronic / Dance Writer Producer (2009, 2010)

Outstanding World/Reggae/Ska Instrumentalist (guitar) (2010)

Outstanding Electronic/Dance Artist/Group (2011)

Outstanding World Artist/Group) (2011)

Outstanding World/Reggae/Ska Vocalist (2012)

In 2003, readers of Jam Rag Magazine voted her No. 1 out of 80 Detroit acts, and Jam Rag featured her on the cover as Detroit's Goddess of Rock.

In 2013 AOR Magazine in the UK voted Larin No. 15 of the top 50 women in rock music history.

Discography

• One By One By One (with Rebel Heels), 1988, Atlantic Records. With Michael King- guitar, Danny Cox - drums. Produced by Rupert Hine.
• Test Your Faith, 1993, Atlantic Records. Produced by Liz Larin and Ben Grosse.
• Merry Wicked, 1999, Bona Dea Music. Produced by Liz Larin and Scott Spock.
• The Story of O-Miz, 2002, Bona Dea Music.
• Wake Up, Start Dreaming, 2005, Bona Dea Music.
• Stella 13 - When Soul Becomes Symphony, 2009, Bona Dea Music.
• Blue Circus Life, 2009, Bona Dea Music.
• Luster Kraft - The Transmitter, 2009, Bona Dea Music.
• Hurricane 2014, Bona Dea Music.

References