Jen Cloher

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For her eponymous album, see Jen Cloher (album).

Jen Cloher
April 2014
Background information
Born (1973-10-09) 9 October 1973 (age 50)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
GenresFolk rock
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • production
Years active2001–present
Labels
Websitewww.jencloher.com Edit this at Wikidata

Jen Cloher (born 9 October 1973) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer, currently based in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] Cloher's 2017 self-titled fourth studio album peaked at number 5 on the Australian ARIA Charts. From 2006 to 2010, Cloher recorded and toured with her[a] band Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea and since 2013 has released with Mia Dyson and Liz Stringer music under the name Dyson Stringer Cloher.

Career[edit]

Originally from Adelaide, Cloher moved to Sydney and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Whilst studying, Cloher lived in a share house with several musicians, which is when she bought her first second-hand guitar, and started to write songs. In 1994, Cloher graduated NIDA at the age of 21.[2]

After NIDA, Cloher performed in Andrew Bovell's After Dinner and performed in it at the Edinburgh Festival.[3] Upon returning to Australia, Cloher continued to pursue her music career.[3]

In the late 1990s, Cloher collaborated with Sydney collective Bonepeople on the track "Looking for More".[4]

In 2001, Cloher relocated to Melbourne.[3] Later that year, she released her debut EP titled, Movement Involves Danger, on Regency Records. Cloher then released the EP Permanent Marker via Shiny Records in 2005. The single, "Rain", was played on Triple J.

In 2006, Cloher's debut album Dead Wood Falls was released. It was credited to Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea, a collective of musicians. Its lineup originally included drummer Jen Sholakis, bassist "Lord" Geoffrey Dunbar, guitarist Michael Hubbard, pianist Ross Calia and violinist Andrea Summer. Cloher herself was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Female Artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 2006.

In 2009, Cloher's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Cloher found songwriting a way of expressing herself. This led to the writing and creation of Cloher's second album, Hidden Hands.[5] The album included the single "Eden with My Eve". Calia and Sumner were replaced by Laura Jean and Biddy Connor, respectively; Tiny Ruins guitarist Tom Healy was also added to the line-up. Following a solo tour with Jordie Lane, Cloher took an extended hiatus from music.

In 2012, Cloher re-emerged and signed with Milk! Records, a label created by Cloher's partner Courtney Barnett the same year.[5] Cloher released a duet with former Kid Sam frontman Kieran Ryan, titled "Call If You Need Me". It was included on the EP Baby We Were Born to Die.

Cloher recorded an album at Melbourne's Headgap Studios. Her backing band included lead guitarist Barnett, bassist Bones Sloane and drummer Sholakis. In October 2012, Cloher released "Mount Beauty", the lead single from her then-yet-to-be-titled third studio album. It was released as a limited-edition split seven-inch, with the flipside containing Courtney Barnett's song "History Eraser". To support the album's release, Cloher began a crowdfunding campaign with a target of $15,000, which she exceeded. In Blood Memory was released in May 2013 and was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize.

In August 2013 Cloher collaborated with Mia Dyson and Liz Stringer and formed Dyson Stringer Cloher. The trio released an EP which featured an individual track from each musician. They then took on the road, playing over 40 shows around the country.[6]

In January 2014, Cloher won a Victorian Music Management Award.[7]

In June 2014, Cloher released "Stone Age Brain" featuring Tim Rogers. The B-side of the CD single was a cover of The Loved Ones' "Sad Dark Eyes".[8]

In September 2015, Cloher contributed two tracks for the Milk! Records compilation titled Good for You, released in February 2016. The album featured songs from Cloher, Courtney Barnett, The Finks, Ouch My Face, East Brunswick All Girls Choir and Fraser A. Gorman. The EP was supported with a national tour featuring all six artists.

Later that year, Dead Wood Falls was released on vinyl for the very first time in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. The release was supported by a reunion show of the original line-up of Jen Cloher and The Endless Sea in October 2016.

In August 2017, Cloher released her self-titled album. The album was preceded by the singles "Forgot Myself" and "Regional Echo" and debuted at number 5 on the ARIA charts. The album received five star reviews from The Herald Sun, The Guardian and The Independent and was voted Double J's Album of the Year for 2017. The album was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize.

In December 2017, it was announced that Cloher would be one of the guest judges for Happy Mag's 'Needle in the Hay' vinyl competition.[9]

In 2018, Cloher toured the United States, Europe and Australia.[10]

In 2019, Cloher reunited with Dyson and Stringer. The trio recorded a self-titled album in eight days at The Loft in Chicago in April 2019, which was released in October 2019 and toured nationally.[11]

In March 2023, Cloher released her fifth studio album, I Am the River, the River Is Me.[12]

Personal life[edit]

Cloher is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu descent through her mother.[13] Cloher uses she/her and they/them pronouns and identifies as Takatāpui[14][15] and non-binary.[16]

Cloher was in a relationship with Courtney Barnett from 2012 to 2018.[17][18] Cloher's relationship with Barnett informed much of her 2017 self-titled album.[19] They have sung several songs together, including "Numbers", a song about their relationship and their age difference—Cloher is 14 years older.[20]

Backing band members[edit]

Jen Cloher Band[edit]

Current members

  • Jen Sholakis – drums, backing vocals (2012–present)
  • Robert Wrigley – lead guitar (2018–present)
  • Nathalie Pavlovic – bass, backing vocals (2022–present)
  • Anika Ostendorf – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)

Former members

  • Courtney Barnett – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–2018)
  • Bones Sloane – bass, backing vocals (2012–2018)
  • Ricky Bradbeer – bass, backing vocals (2018–2022)

The Endless Sea[edit]

  • Jen Sholakis – drums (2006–2010, 2016)
  • Michael Hubbard – lead guitar (2006–2010, 2016)
  • "Lord" Geoffrey Dunbar – bass (2006–2010, 2016)
  • Ross Calia – piano (2006–2008, 2016)
  • Andrea Summer – violin, backing vocals (2006–2008, 2016)
  • Laura Jean – piano, backing vocals (2008–2010)
  • Biddy Connor – violin, musical saw, backing vocals (2008–2010)
  • Tom Healy – guitar (2008–2010)

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[21]
Dead Wood Falls
(credited to Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea) 		—
Hidden Hands
(credited to Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea)
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Sandcastle Music (SMCD0001)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 —
In Blood Memory
  • Released: May 2012
  • Label: Milk! (MILK006)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
 —
Jen Cloher
  • Released: August 2017
  • Label: Milk! Records (MILK025)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 5
Dyson, Stringer Cloher
(credited to Dyson, Stringer & Cloher)
  • Released: October 2019
  • Label: Milk! (MILK045)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 —
I Am the River, the River Is Me
  • Released: 3 March 2023[12]
  • Label: Milk! (MILK070)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 30
[22]

Compilations[edit]

Title Details
B Sides and Rarities
  • Released: March 2018
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Extended plays[edit]

Title Details
Movement Involves Danger
  • Released: September 2001
  • Label: Regency Records (48616)
  • Format: CD
Permanent Marker
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Shiny (indelible1)
  • Format: CD, digital download
Limited Edition Tour EP 2009
  • Released: May 2009
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: digital download
Baby We Were Born to Die
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: digital download
Dyson, Stringer & Cloher
(credited to Dyson, Stringer & Cloher)
  • Released: September 2013[23]
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
Live at the Loft and Loews[24]
  • Released: 28 July 2018
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: LP, digital download, streaming
Jen Cloher on Audiotree Live[25]
  • Released: 22 August 2018
  • Label: Audiotree Music
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Singles[edit]

Year Title Album
2005 "Rain" Permanent Marker
2009 "Eden With My Eve"
(credited to Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea) 		Hidden Hands
2012 "Call If You Need Me"
(with Kieran Ryan)[26] 		Baby We Were Born to Die
"Mount Beauty"[27] In Blood Memory
2013 "Toothless Tiger"
"Hold My Hand"[28]
2014 "Stone Age Brain"
(featuring Tim Rogers)[29][8] 		non album single
2015 "Needle in the Hay" Permanent Marker
2017 "Forgot Myself"[30] Jen Cloher
"Regional Echo"[31]
"Strong Woman"[32]
2019 "Falling Clouds"
(as Dyson Stringer Cloher) [33] 		Dyson Stringer Cloher
"Believer"
(as Dyson Stringer Cloher) [11]
2020 "Sensory Memory"
(with Hachiku)[34] 		non album single
2021 "Fairytale in the Supermarket"
(with Hachiku)[35] 		Stars Rock Kill (Rock Stars)
2022 "Mana Takatâpui"[12] I Am the River, the River Is Me
"Being Human"[36]
2023 "My Witch"[37]
"Harakeke"[38]

Awards[edit]

AIR Awards[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2006 herself Most Outstanding New Independent Artist Nominated [39]
2018 herself Best Independent Artist Won [40][41]
Jen Cloher Best Independent Album Nominated
2020 Dyson Stringer Cloher (as Dyson Stringer Cloher) Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP Nominated [42][43]
2023 "Mana Takatāpui" Independent Song of the Year Nominated [44][45]

APRA Awards[edit]

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[46]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 "Forgot Myself" Song of the Year Shortlisted [47]
2024 "Mana Takatāpui" Song of the Year Shortlisted [48]

ARIA Music Awards[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Cloher has been nominated for two awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2006 Dead Wood Falls Best Female Artist Nominated [49]
2023 I Am the River, the River Is Me Best Solo Artist Nominated [50]

Australian Music Prize[edit]

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013[51] In Bloody Memory Australian Music Prize Nominated
2017[52] Jen Cloher Nominated
2023[53] I Am the River, the River Is Me Nominated

Australian Women in Music Awards[edit]

The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018[54] Jen Cloher Music Leadership Award Won

Environmental Music Prize[edit]

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[55]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Being Human" Environmental Music Prize Nominated [56][57]

J Awards[edit]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Jen Cloher Double J Artist of the Year Won [58]
2023 Jen Cloher Double J Artist of the Year Nominated [59]

Music Victoria Awards[edit]

The Music Victoria Awards is an annual awards ceremony celebrating Victorian music. Cloher has won one award form five nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2013 herself Best Female Artist Nominated [60][61]
2014 herself Best Female Artist Nominated
2017 Jen Cloher Best Album Nominated
herself Best Female Artist Won
2020 herself Best Musician Nominated [62][63]
2023 I Am the River, the River Is Me Best Album Nominated [64][65]
herself Best Solo Artist Won

National Live Music Awards[edit]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Jen Cloher Live Guitarist of the Year Nominated [66][67]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Cloher uses she/her and they/them pronouns. This article uses feminine pronouns for consistency.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gillespie, Katherine (9 March 2018). "Jen Cloher's Got Famous the Slow Way". Noisey. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Interview with Jen Cloher". Granzine. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Jen Cloher The Files". ABC. 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Bonepeople feat. Jen Cloher Looking for More". YouTube. 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Jen Cloher, musician". The Weekend Edition. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Dyson, Stringer & Cloher". Milk Records. Retrieved 15 May 2020.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Jen Cloher Wins Victorian Music Management Award ♫ Latest news at". Themusic.com.au. January 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Stone Age Brain". BandCamp. June 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Happy Presents: Needle in the Hay The 7" Singles Edition". Happy Mag. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Get to know Jen Cloher, Courtney Barnett's jealous better half". The Star. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Dyson Stringer Cloher". Milk! Records. Retrieved 15 May 2020.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ a b c "Jen Cloher Announces new album I Am the River, the River Is Me". Circuit Sweet. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  13. ^ Husband, Dale (8 November 2022). "Jen Cloher | NZ Singer, Song Writer". Waatea News: Māori Radio Station. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Jen Cloher". Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Jen Cloher".
  16. ^ Stafford, Andrew (2 March 2023). "'I can be part of the conversation': singer-songwriter Jen Cloher on embracing their Māori heritage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  17. ^ "Listen Music, Death and Memory Jen Cloher and Jo Syme in Conversation Control". Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Jen Cloher Happy wife X-Press". www.xpressmag.com.au. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  19. ^ Salmon, Ben (24 January 2017). "Jen Cloher Doesn't Mince Words". The Stranger. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  20. ^ Vincent, Peter (30 January 2015). "Indie singer Courtney Barnett's reluctant date with global domination". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  21. ^ Peak positions for albums in Australia:
  22. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Dyson, Stringer & Cloher". Apple Music. September 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Live at the Loft and Loews (EP)". Apple Music. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Jen Cloher on Audiotree Live (EP)". Apple Music. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Call If You Need Me - single". Apple Music. May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Mount Beauty - single". Apple Music. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Jen Cloher Hold My Hand (Official Video)". YouTube. November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Stone Age Brain - single". Apple Music. August 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  30. ^ "Jen Cloher - Forgot Myself". YouTube. June 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Jen Cloher - Regional Echo". YouTube. July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Jen Cloher - Strong Woman". YouTube. October 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Falling Clouds- single". Apple Music. July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Hear Hachiku remix Jen Cloher's 'Sensory Memory'". NME. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Listen to Jen Cloher and Hachiku's cover of The Raincoats' 'Fairytale in the Supermarket'". NME. July 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Jen Cloher shares "earnest, basic and raw" new single 'Being Human'". NME. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  37. ^ "Jen Cloher shares new single 'My Witch' with video featuring Georgia Maq, Alice Skye and more". NME. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  38. ^ "REVIEW: JEN CLOHER'S 'I AM THE RIVER, THE RIVER IS ME' IS AN ALBUM OF STARTLING BEAUTY". Back Seat Mafia. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  39. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  40. ^ "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  41. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  42. ^ "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  43. ^ "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  45. ^ "King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards". Music Feeds. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  46. ^ "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  47. ^ "Meet the contenders for the 2018 APRA Song Of The Year". The Industry Observer. January 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  48. ^ "G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year". The Music. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  49. ^ "ARIA Awards Search Results - Jen Cloher". ARIA Awards. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  50. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  51. ^ "Winners & Shortlists". australian music prize. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  52. ^ "Australian Music Prize". AMP. 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  53. ^ Brandle, Lars (28 November 2023). "Troye Sivan Shortlisted for 2023 Australian Music Prize". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  54. ^ "2018 Recipients Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  55. ^ "Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song". The Music Network. May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  56. ^ "Environmental Music Prize 2023 Finalists". Music Feeds. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  57. ^ "Xavier Rudd Wins 2023's Environmental Music Prize". Music Feeds. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  58. ^ "The J Award 2017". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  59. ^ "Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  60. ^ "Previous Nominees". Music Victoria Awards. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  61. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria Awards. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  62. ^ "Industry Awards Winners And Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards Nominees Announced With Public Voting Now Open!". Music Victoria. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  63. ^ "Sampa The Great Walks Off With a Stack of Music Victoria Awards". noise11. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  64. ^ "Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards". Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  65. ^ "All the Winners of the 2023 Music Victoria Awards: Julia Jacklin, Immy Owusu, Cable Ties + More". Music Feeds. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  66. ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". NLMA. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  67. ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". NLMA. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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