Lawrence Arabia

Lawrence Arabia

Lawrence Arabia is the musical pseudonym of James Milne, a New Zealand artist from Christchurch, born in 1981. His work is associated with indie pop and psychedelic pop, and he also appears in related projects under the names Fabulous/Arabia and BARB.

Early bands and collaborations

Milne briefly plays in the Auckland indie pop group The Brunettes in 2002, and he also works with fellow Brunettes member Ryan McPhun in a side project called The Ruby Suns. He plays bass for both acts on tours in the United States. After returning to New Zealand, he brings together local musicians, including McPhun, to form The Reduction Agents.

The Reduction Agents and early solo work

In 2006, Milne releases The Dance Reduction Agents with The Reduction Agents and also issues a self-titled solo album. Both records receive critical acclaim in New Zealand, though they do not make a major impact outside the country.

Move to the UK and later albums

Milne later moves to East London in Shoreditch and begins writing his second album there. During this period, he tours with Okkervil River and Feist as a bass player. Chant Darling is recorded in Sweden and London and released in 2010. It receives strong reviews from the Guardian and the BBC, and its single “Apple Pie Bed” wins an award in New Zealand. In 2012, he releases The Sparrow on Bella Union. The album is made up of nine indie pop songs and receives favourable reviews from NME and Drowned in Sound.