Laura Jansen

Laura Jansen is a Dutch-American singer-songwriter whose career serves as a bridge between the Los Angeles 'Hotel Café' scene and the Dutch pop mainstream. Born in Breda and educated at Berklee College of Music, her sound identity is defined by a sophisticated blend of piano-based chamber pop and intimate indie-folk.

Her debut album, 'Bells' (2009), achieved massive success in the Netherlands, going platinum and establishing her as a major voice in European alt-pop. Jansen's work is characterized by a high degree of melodic craftsmanship and a lyrical focus on the 'independent girl alone in the world' archetype. Her evolution saw her move from the stripped-back piano arrangements of her early EPs to the more expansive, synth-inflected textures of 'Elba' (2013) and the mature, reflective 'We Saw A Light' (2021). Critically, she is praised for her vocal control and her ability to recontextualize covers, most notably her hit version of Kings of Leon's 'Use Somebody.' She occupies a cultural position as a 'musician's musician,' frequently collaborating with artists like William Fitzsimmons and Armin van Buuren, while maintaining a devoted following among fans of confessional, high-fidelity pop.