“Laugh Into the Leaves” by Marla Hansen gradually took shape from her joy in combining voice and strings. Performing her songs live with Anna Eichholz (violin) and Alice Dixon (cello) highlighted the liberating simplicity and beauty of this musical combination. The idea of recording a cover album had been in Hansen’s mind for some time, and the excitement of working with strings live gave the needed impulse for these acoustic re-interpretations of other people’s music.

The EP features four fully acoustic tracks built around plucked viola and warm, supportive string arrangements. Clarinet, upright bass and drums are occasionally added, to give the songs extra depth and energy. In addition to Hansen’s vocals and the virtuosic strings of Anna Eichholz and Alice Dixon, Christian Biegai (Anohni) contributes rich clarinet tones, Miles Perkin (Sophie Hunger) brings buoyant upright bass, and Andi Haberl (The Notwist) adds subtly propelling drums. The recordings were mixed by Simon Goff and mastered by Mike Grinser (Manmade Mastering), the same skilled engineers who worked on Hansen’s album “Salt”.

Reinterpreting well-known songs offered Hansen both freedom and responsibility. While the original melodies and harmonic structures remain intact, each track has been fully reimagined through her own musical instincts. Every song on the EP is a personal favorite – some long cherished, all chosen for their expressive power. With “Laugh Into the Leaves”, Hansen honors the originals while presenting them in an inventive new light.

The EP also marks a creative reset after the intense electro-acoustic productions of “Salt” and “Dust”, as well as a joyful collaboration with close friends and fellow musicians. The enthusiasm of all involved is reflected in the warmth and vitality of the performances, making the EP a deeply personal and inviting listening experience.

The first release from the EP, a cover of Thom Yorke’s “Daily Battles”, will be available on November 28th, 2025. It will be followed by:

“I Inside the Old I Dying” (PJ Harvey) / Release Date: 16.01.2026
“One Tree Hill” (U2) / Release Date: 13.02.2026
“In a Black Out” (Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam) / Release Date: 27.03.2026

Arranged, produced and edited by Marla Hansen

Vocals recorded at Idea Farm in Bonarp, Sweden

Strings and clarinets recorded by Christian Biegai at Hagelberger Studios in Berlin

Bass recorded by Miles Perkin at Miles’ studio in Berlin

Drums recorded in Marla and Andi’s rehearsal room in Berlin

Marla Hansen – viola, voice
Anna Eichholz – violin
Alice Dixon – cello
Miles Perkin – bass
Christian Biegai – clarinet, bass clarinet
Andi Haberl – drums

Mixed by Simon Goff

Mastered by Mike Grinser at Manmade Mastering, Berlin

Cover Art by Nura Qureshi

Download “Laugh Into the Leaves” by Marla Hansen on Bandcamp