Brenda has been writing songs and playing guitar and mandolin since the 1970’s. She was born and grew up near London (UK), but moved to Australia in 1974, where she lived until 1986, and was passionately involved in the environment and anti-nuclear movements.  Her songs were very influential in a number of campaigns, and several have been covered by other artists, or have appeared in documentary film soundtracks.  In 1988 she represented Australasia at the United Nations sponsored Asia-Pacific Environmental Song Festival in Bangkok, performing her song For the River.

Since meeting her husband, Mark Laurent, in Auckland, they have mostly performed together, touring throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK, recording several albums and appearing many times on radio and TV.  She also plays mandolin with Waiting for Donald, the occasional musical gathering of Robbie Duncan & Chris Price (from Wellington) with herself and Mark (from the Coromandel).

Brenda’s latest solo album, Box of Memories, was released in late October 2011, and she’s been performing intimate concerts around the North Island to promote it.

Photo: Gerard Hudson

“It is rare to experience something real, something close to the heart and from the heart”

Fiona Barnett

House Concert Host

‘Palmerston North

“Brenda has a beautiful voice ... the audience was spellbound”

Fritz Wollner

Mojo Acoustic, Wellington