Steeped in the dexterities of a songwriter deeply connected to her purpose, Leah Flanagan’s music resonates like sweet moments of peace amidst the chaos of a crowded room.

A life lived in the laid-back tropical climes of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia, Leah brings a refreshing and unique authenticity to her work. You can hear and feel the depth of emotion she invests in her songs and the honest stories that populate them. On stage you’ll also experience some of the tales and inspiration behind Leah’s songs and enlivened by a rich musicality – whether backed by a full band, string quartet or solo with guitar in hand.

Leah Flanagan’s most recent and fourth studio album, Colour by Number, sparkles with pop gems, shimmering like beads of condensation against cold glass on a sultry Darwin evening. A follow up to Flanagan’s 2016 lauded album Saudades, this dreamy collection of deeply personal, narrative driven songs that lean back into the assuredness of Flanagan’s characteristically unhurried, deft vocal delivery.

Produced by Sarah Belkner and recorded by Richard Belkner at Free Energy Device Studios in Sydney, the record is an assured maiden outing into deeply personal terrain for Flanagan as an artist. She is speaking directly, for the first time through her songs, to long-formed thoughts on belonging, identity and self-knowing, to gentrification and change and to carving out her own place amidst the swirling convergence of her multi-faceted heritage. There is a maturity and a knowing in these songs that cannot be feigned. Colour by Number is a direct testament to Leah’s skill in synthesising her rich life experiences and continuing lessons learned with her deep connection to her art, set against Belkner’s playful and confident pop-informed choices. 

An ever devoted creative, Leah’s incredible journey as an artist is woven with a myriad of diverse guest appearances. From Bernstein’s MASS to the Story of Irish music in Australia, working with diverse musicians such as regular collaborator Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil) to John Cale and Sinead O’Connor to most recently contributing to Midnight Oil’s live band as a backing and featured vocalist for their Resist world tour and collaborator on their ARIA Award winning EP The Makarrata Project.

Leah’s status as an Indigenous musician has led to invitations to contribute to essential albums such as Archie Roach’s 25th anniversary reissue of Charcoal Lane, The Mission Songs Project Album and the recently updated version of Buried Country 1.5, The Story of Aboriginal Country Music as well as festival productions, The Black Arm Band and The Spirit of Churaki.

Colour By Number is out now through Flanagan’s Darwin based, Indigenous owned and operated label Small Change Records.

The Australian
“This is an incredibly unique and beautiful album, and one that deserves your attention”. 4 stars

Rhythms Magazine
“A voice so crystalline, effortlessly impassioned and inviting belongs centre stage…i
t’s the sound of someone emerging from the shadows to claim a rightful place in the sun”

Double J
”Colour By Number is a powerful and moving reflection of Leah Flanagan.”