First Word's sister label Excursions is back with a brand new artist for 2009. Laura J Martin is pretty unique: a flute wielding, piano playing, mandolin toting singer-songwriter. Not only does she compose and play all the parts of her music, but also produces the songs too.
She is haunted by, and slightly obsessed with; Lalo Schifrin, Japanese folklore, Jethro Tull and Woodie Guthrie, and counts Madlib, Neil Young, Devendra Banhart, Wu Tang Clan and David Bowie among her influences. These disparate elements lead to a fantastically idiosyncratic sound, fusing traditional folk with a more up to date electronic twist.
Doki Doki is an uplifting, driving instrumental track with layers of piano, mandolin, handclaps and percussion topped with the catchiest flute hook you'll hear this year. To complement the 7", First Word's KidK has come correct with a bouncy club rework, featuring his trademark mix of snare-heavy drums and bleepy samples - perfect for the dancefloor.