Jen Cloher

Jen Cloher (born 9 October 1973) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer, currently based in Melbourne, Victoria. 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.

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

In 2001, Cloher relocated to Melbourne. 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.

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

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 2018, Cloher toured the United States, Europe and Australia.

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.

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

Personal life Cloher is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu descent through her mother. Cloher uses she/her and they/them pronouns and identifies as Takatāpui and non-binary.

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

Cloher is a cousin of New Zealand singer, Margaret Urlich who died in 2022.

Backing band members Jen Cloher Band Final line-up Jen Sholakis – drums, backing vocals (2012–2024) Robert Wrigley – lead guitar (2018–2024) Nathalie Pavlovic – bass, backing vocals (2022–2024) Anika Ostendorf – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2022–2024)

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 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 Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions AUS Dead Wood Falls Released: 2006 Label: Shiny (1subjectogravity) Format: CD, digital download — 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

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

Extended plays 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 Released: September 2013 Label: Milk! Records Format: CD, digital download Live at the Loft and Loews Released: 28 July 2018 Label: Milk! Records Format: LP, digital download, streaming Jen Cloher on Audiotree Live Released: 22 August 2018 Label: Audiotree Music Format: digital download, streaming

Singles Year Title Album 2005 "Rain" Permanent Marker 2009 "Eden With My Eve" Hidden Hands 2012 "Call If You Need Me" Baby We Were Born to Die "Mount Beauty" In Blood Memory 2013 "Toothless Tiger" "Hold My Hand" 2014 "Stone Age Brain" 2015 "Needle in the Hay" Permanent Marker 2017 "Forgot Myself" Jen Cloher "Regional Echo" "Strong Woman" 2019 "Falling Clouds" Dyson Stringer Cloher "Believer" 2021 "Fairytale in the Supermarket" Stars Rock Kill (Rock Stars) 2022 "Mana Takatâpui" 2023 "My Witch" "Harakeke" 2024 "Annabelle"

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

herself Best Independent Artist

Jen Cloher Best Independent Album 2020 Dyson Stringer Cloher Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP 2023 "Mana Takatāpui" Independent Song of the Year

Independent Album of the Year

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".

"Forgot Myself" Song of the Year

Song of the Year 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 2023 I Am the River, the River Is Me Best Solo Artist

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 In Bloody Memory

2017 Jen Cloher 2023 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 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. 2023 "Being Human" Environmental Music Prize

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 2023 Jen Cloher Double J Artist of the Year 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

2014 herself Best Female Artist

Jen Cloher Best Album herself Best Female Artist 2020 herself Best Musician

I Am the River, the River Is Me Best Album

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