Biography
Lawrence Arabia is the stage name of James Milne, a singer-songwriter born in Christchurch, New Zealand. Milne began his musical life as a drummer in high school band Dive, before DJing on RDU and writing music criticism. In 2001 he met Jonathan Bree and joined Auckland indie-pop group The Brunettes as second guitarist and later bassist, while simultaneously developing his own project, The Reduction Agents, whose wry, Kinks-influenced compositions hinted at his solo direction.
The Brunettes’ 2005 US tour — supporting The Shins and Rilo Kiley — proved transformative. Having seen that an international career was achievable, Milne left to focus on his solo project. In 2006 he released two albums simultaneously: The Dance Reduction Agents (with The Reduction Agents) and his self-titled Lawrence Arabia debut, the latter earning an APRA Silver Scroll nomination for “The Pool” and contributing “80’s Celebration” to the soundtrack of Taika Waititi’s Eagle vs Shark. Relocating to London with partner Anna Taylor, Milne recorded his second album Chant Darling (2009) between London and Sweden, collaborating with Connan Mockasin and Liam Finn.
Master pop classicist in the vein of Richard Swift
Sam Richards, Uncut Magazine
“Apple Pie Bed”, co-written with The Phoenix Foundation‘s Lukasz Buda, won the 2009 APRA Silver Scroll — New Zealand’s most prestigious songwriting award — and Chant Darling won the inaugural Taite Music Prize in 2010, bringing Milne’s songs to an international audience on Bella Union Records. The Sparrow followed in 2012, refining his chamber-pop approach with a distinctly English sensibility.
Milne’s singular melodic knack makes this a pointed tribute to pre-punk sensibilities
Martin Aston, Mojo Magazine
Absolute Truth (2016), released on Flying Nun Records and recorded in the Hutt Valley with Mike Fabulous, won Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards and was widely praised as his most cohesive statement. In 2018–2019 Milne undertook an ambitious month-by-month release project, issuing twelve singles across a year before compiling them as Singles Club (2019), featuring collaborations with Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins), Heather Mansfield (The Brunettes), Liam Finn, Ryan McPhun, and Van Dyke Parks.
Tasty smorgasbord of new wave spikiness and sun-dappled art-pop
Kieron Tyler, Mojo Magazine
Beyond his solo work, Milne has toured as bassist with American band Okkervil River, composed music for film and theatre including Taika Waititi’s Eagle vs Shark, and written the soundtrack for the comedy podcast Uncle Bertie’s Botanarium (with Jemaine Clement and Duncan Sarkies). He is also a member of supergroup BARB alongside Connan Mockasin, Liam Finn, and Eliza-Jane Barnes. His most recent solo release, “The Developed World” (2022), was described as his only new composition since Singles Club.
Members
- James Milne (vocals / guitar / bass / drums / keyboard, BARB, Fabulous/Arabia, Lawrence Arabia, Okkervil River, Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns, The Brunettes, The Reduction Agents)
Discography
- Lawrence Arabia [CD/Vinyl] (2006, Lil Chief / Honorary Bedouin Records, LCR015 / HEBD002)
- Apollo 13: Mission Control [EP] (2008, Hackman)
- The Beautiful Young Crew [CD Single] (2009, Bella Union)
- Chant Darling [CD] (2009, Honorary Bedouin Records, HEBD003)
- Apple Pie Bed [7″] (2010, Bella Union)
- The Sparrow [CD] (2012, Bella Union)
- Lick Your Wounds / Perfect Specimens [7″] (2012, Honorary Bedouin Records, HBED7001)
- Travelling Shoes [CD Single] (2012, Bella Union, BELLACD357P)
- Absolute Truth [CD] (2016, Flying Nun Records, FN569)
- Singles Club [CD/Digital] (2019, Honorary Bedouin Records, HEBD006)
- The Developed World [Digital Single] (2022, self-released)
Awards
APRA Silver Scroll 2009
- James Milne & Lukasz Buda — Apple Pie Bed
Taite Music Prize 2010
- Lawrence Arabia — Chant Darling
Aotearoa Music Awards 2013
- Best Male Solo Artist — The Sparrow
Aotearoa Music Awards 2016
- Best Alternative Album — Absolute Truth