Jen Cloher Explained

Jen Cloher
Birth Date:9 October 1973
Birth Place:Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Genre:Folk rock
Years Active:2001–present

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 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

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".

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.[8]

In 2018, Cloher toured the United States, Europe and Australia.[9]

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.[10]

In March 2023, Cloher released her fifth studio album, I Am the River, the River Is Me.[11]

Personal life

Cloher is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu descent through her mother.[12] Cloher uses she/her and they/them pronouns and identifies as Takatāpui[13] [14] and non-binary.[15]

Cloher was in a relationship with Courtney Barnett from 2012 to 2018.[16] [17] Cloher's relationship with Barnett informed much of her 2017 self-titled album.[18] They have sung several songs together, including "Numbers", a song about their relationship and their age difference—Cloher is 14 years older.[19]

Backing band members

Jen Cloher Band

Current members

Former members

The Endless Sea

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[20]
Dead Wood Falls
Hidden Hands
  • 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
  • Released: October 2019
  • Label: Milk! (MILK045)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
I Am the River, the River Is Me
  • Released: 3 March 2023
  • Label: Milk! (MILK070)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
30
[21]

Extended plays

TitleDetails
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
  • Released: September 2013[22]
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
Live at the Loft and Loews[23]
  • Released: 28 July 2018
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: LP, digital download, streaming
Jen Cloher on Audiotree Live[24]
  • Released: 22 August 2018
  • Label: Audiotree Music
  • Format: digital download, streaming

Singles

YearTitleAlbum
2005"Rain"Permanent Marker
2009"Eden With My Eve"
Hidden Hands
2012"Call If You Need Me"
[25]
Baby We Were Born to Die
"Mount Beauty"[26] In Blood Memory
2013"Toothless Tiger"
"Hold My Hand"[27]
2014"Stone Age Brain"
[28] [29]
2015"Needle in the Hay"Permanent Marker
2017"Forgot Myself"[30] Jen Cloher
"Regional Echo"[31]
"Strong Woman"[32]
2019"Falling Clouds"
[33]
Dyson Stringer Cloher
"Believer"
2020"Sensory Memory"
[34]
2021"Fairytale in the Supermarket"
[35]
Stars Rock Kill (Rock Stars)
2022"Mana Takatâpui"I Am the River, the River Is Me
"Being Human"[36]
2023"My Witch"[37]
"Harakeke"[38]
2024"Annabelle"[39]

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.! |-| 2006| herself| Most Outstanding New Independent Artist| | [40] |-| rowspan="2" | 2018| herself| Best Independent Artist| | rowspan="2" | [41] [42] |-| Jen Cloher| Best Independent Album| |-| 2020| Dyson Stringer Cloher | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP| | [43] [44] |-| 2023| "Mana Takatāpui"| Independent Song of the Year| | [45] [46] |-| rowspan="2"| 2024| rowspan="1"| I Am the River, the River Is Me| Independent Album of the Year| | rowspan="2"| [47] |-| Jessia Searle – Jen Cloher - I Am The River, The River Is Me| Independent Publicity Team of the Year|

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".[48]

! |-! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2018 | "Forgot Myself"| Song of the Year| | [49] |-! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2024| rowspan="1"| "Mana Takatāpui"| Song of the Year| | [50]

ARIA Music Awards

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.

! |-| 2006| Dead Wood Falls| Best Female Artist| | [51] |-| 2023| I Am the River, the River Is Me| Best Solo Artist| | [52] |-

Australian Music Prize

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.|-| 2013[53] | In Bloody Memory| rowspan="3"| Australian Music Prize| |-| 2017[54] | Jen Cloher| |-| 2023[55] | I Am the River, the River Is Me| |-

Australian Women in Music Awards

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.

|-| 2018[56] | Jen Cloher| Music Leadership Award |

Environmental Music Prize

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[57] ! |-| 2023| "Being Human"| Environmental Music Prize| | [58] [59] |-

J Awards

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.! |-| 2017| Jen Cloher| Double J Artist of the Year| | [60] |-| 2023| Jen Cloher| Double J Artist of the Year| | [61]

Music Victoria Awards

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

! |-| 2013| herself| Best Female Artist| | rowspan="4"|[62] [63] |-| 2014| herself| Best Female Artist| |-| rowspan="2"| 2017| Jen Cloher| Best Album| |-| herself| Best Female Artist| |-| 2020| herself| Best Musician| | [64] [65] |-|rowspan="2"| 2023| I Am the River, the River Is Me| Best Album| |rowspan="2"|[66] [67] |-| herself| Best Solo Artist|

National Live Music Awards

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.! |-| 2018| Jen Cloher| Live Guitarist of the Year| | [68] [69] |-

Notes and References

  1. News: Jen Cloher's Got Famous the Slow Way. Gillespie. Katherine. 9 March 2018. Noisey. 10 July 2018.
  2. Web site: Interview with Jen Cloher. Granzine. 16 March 2018. 15 May 2020.
  3. Web site: Jen Cloher The Files. ABC. 2017. 15 May 2020.
  4. Web site: Bonepeople feat. Jen Cloher Looking for More. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/Soo-xAKZ-QQ . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. 2013. 15 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Jen Cloher, musician . The Weekend Edition. 17 March 2016. 15 May 2020.
  6. Web site: Dyson, Stringer & Cloher. Milk Records. 15 May 2020.
  7. Web site: Jen Cloher Wins Victorian Music Management Award ♫ Latest news at . Themusic.com.au . January 2014. 11 February 2014.
  8. Web site: Happy Presents: Needle in the Hay The 7" Singles Edition. 15 December 2017. Happy Mag. 26 March 2018.
  9. Web site: Get to know Jen Cloher, Courtney Barnett's jealous better half. The Star. 28 October 2017. 15 May 2020.
  10. Web site: Dyson Stringer Cloher. Milk! Records. 15 May 2020.
  11. Web site: Jen Cloher Announces new album I Am the River, the River Is Me . Circuit Sweet . 9 November 2022 . 11 November 2022.
  12. Web site: Husband . Dale . 2022-11-08 . Jen Cloher NZ Singer, Song Writer . 2022-11-10 . Waatea News: Māori Radio Station . en-NZ.
  13. News: Jen Cloher. en. 17 October 2020.
  14. Web site: Jen Cloher.
  15. News: Stafford . Andrew . 2023-03-02 . 'I can be part of the conversation': singer-songwriter Jen Cloher on embracing their Māori heritage . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-04-23 . 0261-3077.
  16. Web site: Listen Music, Death and Memory Jen Cloher and Jo Syme in Conversation Control. 28 February 2019.
  17. Web site: Jen Cloher Happy wife X-Press. www.xpressmag.com.au. 15 March 2018 . 15 March 2018.
  18. News: Jen Cloher Doesn't Mince Words. Salmon. Ben. 24 January 2017. The Stranger. 10 July 2018.
  19. Vincent. Peter. Indie singer Courtney Barnett's reluctant date with global domination. Sydney Morning Herald. 30 January 2015. 5 February 2016.
  20. Peak positions for albums in Australia:
  21. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 13 March 2023. 10 March 2023.
  22. Web site: Dyson, Stringer & Cloher. Apple Music. September 2013. 15 May 2020.
  23. Web site: Live at the Loft and Loews (EP). Apple Music. 28 July 2018. 15 May 2020.
  24. Web site: Jen Cloher on Audiotree Live (EP). Apple Music. 22 August 2018. 15 May 2020.
  25. Web site: Call If You Need Me - single. Apple Music. May 2012. 15 May 2020.
  26. Web site: Mount Beauty - single. Apple Music. 28 October 2012. 15 May 2020.
  27. Web site: Jen Cloher Hold My Hand (Official Video). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/qYSXpSKvyPs . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. November 2013. 15 May 2020.
  28. Web site: Stone Age Brain - single. Apple Music. August 2014. 15 May 2020.
  29. Web site: Stone Age Brain. BandCamp. June 2014. 15 May 2020.
  30. Web site: Jen Cloher - Forgot Myself. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/cQ7vON1vLoM . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. June 2017. 15 May 2020.
  31. Web site: Jen Cloher - Regional Echo. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/PS5sguuQaB4 . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. July 2017. 15 May 2020.
  32. Web site: Jen Cloher - Strong Woman. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/qQy5cgJQgo0 . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube. October 2017. 15 May 2020.
  33. Web site: Falling Clouds- single. Apple Music. July 2019. 15 May 2020.
  34. Web site: Hear Hachiku remix Jen Cloher's 'Sensory Memory'. NME. 29 July 2020. 11 November 2022.
  35. Web site: Listen to Jen Cloher and Hachiku's cover of The Raincoats' 'Fairytale in the Supermarket'. . NME. July 2021. 11 November 2022.
  36. Web site: Jen Cloher shares "earnest, basic and raw" new single 'Being Human'. NME. 30 November 2022. 2 December 2022.
  37. Web site: Jen Cloher shares new single 'My Witch' with video featuring Georgia Maq, Alice Skye and more. NME. 1 February 2023. 5 February 2023.
  38. Web site: REVIEW: JEN CLOHER'S 'I AM THE RIVER, THE RIVER IS ME' IS AN ALBUM OF STARTLING BEAUTY. Back Seat Mafia. 3 March 2023. 4 March 2023.
  39. Web site: Annabelle . The Autumn Roses. 31 May 2024. 4 June 2024.
  40. Web site: History Wins. Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 18 August 2020. 10 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310102536/https://www.air.org.au/awards/history. dead.
  41. Web site: 2018 AIR Awards Nominees. 17 April 2018 . 20 August 2020.
  42. Web site: History Wins. Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 20 August 2020. 10 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310102536/https://www.air.org.au/awards/history. dead.
  43. Web site: 2020 AIR Awards Nominees. scenestr. 7 July 2020. 8 August 2020.
  44. Web site: That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations. the industry observer. 1 October 2020 . 1 October 2020.
  45. Web site: Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023 . Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. 31 May 2023.
  46. Web site: King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards . Music Feeds. 4 August 2023. 5 August 2023.
  47. Web site: 2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More. The Music. 14 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  48. Web site: APRA History . Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) . 25 April 2022 . 20 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx . dead .
  49. Web site: Meet the contenders for the 2018 APRA Song Of The Year. The Industry Observer. January 2018. 25 April 2022.
  50. Web site: G Flip, Genesis Owusu, RVG & More Shortlisted For 2024 APRA Song Of The Year. The Music. 22 February 2024. 23 February 2024.
  51. Web site: ARIA Awards Search Results - Jen Cloher. ARIA Awards. 15 May 2020.
  52. Web site: Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards. Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. 23 September 2023.
  53. Web site: Winners & Shortlists. australian music prize. 22 August 2020. 29 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729180503/https://www.australianmusicprize.com/winners-shortlists. dead.
  54. Web site: Australian Music Prize. AMP. 2017. 11 March 2018.
  55. Brandle . Lars . 28 November 2023 . Troye Sivan Shortlisted for 2023 Australian Music Prize . . 29 November 2023.
  56. Web site: 2018 Recipients Finalists. women in Music Awards. October 2018. 19 March 2021.
  57. Web site: Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song. The Music Network. May 2022. 22 June 2022.
  58. Web site: Environmental Music Prize 2023 Finalists. Music Feeds. 26 April 2023. 4 May 2023.
  59. Web site: Xavier Rudd Wins 2023's Environmental Music Prize. Music Feeds. 13 June 2023. 13 June 2023.
  60. Web site: The J Award 2017. Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. 15 August 2020.
  61. Web site: Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023.
  62. Web site: Previous Nominees. Music Victoria Awards. 15 May 2020.
  63. Web site: Previous Winners. Music Victoria Awards. 15 May 2020.
  64. Web site: 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 . 9 October 2020.
  65. Web site: Sampa The Great Walks Off With a Stack of Music Victoria Awards. noise11. 10 December 2020. 10 December 2020.
  66. Web site: Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards. Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. 14 September 2023.
  67. Web site: All the Winners of the 2023 Music Victoria Awards: Julia Jacklin, Immy Owusu, Cable Ties + More . Music Feeds. 31 October 2023. 1 November 2023.
  68. Web site: NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend. NLMA. 2 October 2018. 5 September 2020.
  69. Web site: Winners of the 2018 NLMA. NLMA. December 2018. 5 September 2020.