{{Short description|Australian musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Lo Carmen | image = Lo Carmen recording.jpg | caption = Lo Carmen recording | birth_name = Loene Carmen | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1970}} | birth_place = Adelaide, South Australia, Australia | origin = | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|df=y|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) --> | death_place = | genre = alt country Americana, singer-songwriter, indie rock, alternative folk, indie, folk | occupation = Singer-songwriter, musician, producer, author, actress | instrument = Vocals, guitar, percussion | years_active = 1987–present | website = {{URL|locarmenmusic.com}} }}
'''Loene Carmen''' (born 1970),<ref name="IMDbPro"/> better known by her stage name '''Lo Carmen''', is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, music producer, author and actress<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.locarmenmusic.com|title=Lo Carmen |website=locarmenmusic.com|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> with multiple albums in the indie rock vein.
She records, performs and tours solo or with long time band The Great Beyond, published memoir ''Lovers Dreamers Fighters''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carmen |first1=Lo |title=Lovers Dreamers Fighters |date=2 February 2022 |publisher=Harper Collins Australia |location=Australia |isbn=9781460759981 |pages=368 |url=https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460759981/lovers-dreamers-fighters/ |access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref> and received Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations for Australian films ''The Year My Voice Broke'' and ''Tom White''.
Carmen's eighth solo album, ''Transatlantic Light'' was released in September 2024 on her own label, Chiquita Records, with a limited edition vinyl pressing through Impressed Recordings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lo Carmen Transatlantic Light Vinyl LP |url=https://impressedrecordings.com/products/lo-carmen-transatlantic-light-vinyl-lp?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=d530143cf&pr_rec_pid=11331407151422&pr_ref_pid=11331669819710&pr_seq=uniform|website=ImpressedRecordings.com|date=20 July 2024 |publisher=Impressed Recordings |access-date=16 Oct 2024}}</ref> Rock critic Will Hermes described it as 'a holy-glowing dreamscape of smoke-clouded guitars, loping basslines and tantric drums that channel a history of sound recordings, from delta blues to chiaroscuro surf reveries, haunted pop ballads to modern bloodied valentines'<ref>https://locarmen.substack.com/p/liner-notes</ref> in his liner notes.
==''Lovers Dreamers Fighters'' book== ''Lovers Dreamers Fighters'' was published by HarperCollins in February 2022, "a memoir of coming-of-age on screen and in song that also pays tribute to the iconic Australian women—writers, rebels, activists and fellow musicians—who lit her way".<ref name="Russh">{{cite web |last1=Lucas |first1=Madeleine |title=Lo Carmen on creative success and her new book, 'Lovers Dreamers Fighters' |url=https://www.russh.com/lo-carmen-lovers-dreamers-fighters/ |website=Russh.com |date=20 June 2022 |publisher=Russh |access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref>
Author Madeleine Lucas said in their ''Rushh'' magazine conversation, "At its heart, I felt like Lovers Dreamers Fighters is really a memoir about work. I appreciated that because creative work, like domestic work, is not seen as labour a lot of the time."
Musician Paul Kelly described the book as 'a hard won account of the mess, glory and risk of making art. Lo tells her story by telling the stories of all those who've lit and tended her flame. She knows that worship is at the heart of creation. And she writes like a river.'
Carmen calls it ‘more a cultural history than a memoir … It’s more a kind of love letter to all the musicians and women that have inspired me.’.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/lo-carmen-lovers-dreamers-fighters-reviewed-by-virginia-muzik/|title=Lo Carmen Lovers Dreamers Fighters. Reviewed by Virginia Muzik|last=Muzik|first=Virginia|date=5 April 2022|website=newtownreviewofbooks.com.au|access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref> The book features chapters focussed on heroic police corruption whistleblower Sallie-Anne Huckstepp (who Carmen portrayed in docudrama ''Blue Murder'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCabe |first1=Kathy |title=Lo Carmen Celebrates Brave Whistleblower Sallie Anne Huckstepp|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/blue-murder-lo-carmen-celebrates-brave-whistleblower-sallie-anne-huckstepp/news-story/73bcc3d2c1f724c8e0fa84659fd1291b |website=dailytelegraph.com |date=15 May 2022 |publisher=Daily Telegraph |access-date=18 Oct 2024}}</ref> Suzi Sidewinder, who shared her final months living with AIDS in award winning<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hodson |first1=Bruce |title=Suzi’s Story 1987|url=https://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/suzis-story/notes/ |website=daso.gov.au |date=5 Jan 2017 |publisher=Australian Screen |access-date=18 Oct 2024}}</ref> documentary ''Suzi's Story''<ref>https://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/suzis-story/</ref> to help combat fear and ignorance about the disease, trailblazing artists Wendy Saddington, Robyn Archer, Renee Geyer and Carmen's paternal grandmother, who was an unmarried mother and survivor of the forced adoption policy, as well as stories about pioneering performers Etta James, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Billie Holiday, Little Richard, Leonard Cohen and Kris Kristofferson.
==Early life== Carmen was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and raised amongst its 1970s music and art community, which included Bon Scott and Robyn Archer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/unseen-footage-photographs-of-legendary-acdc-rocker-bon-scott-with-the-mt-lofty-rangers-in-the-adelaide-hills-emerges/story-fni6uo1m-1226787706510|title=Unseen footage, photographs of legendary AC/DC rocker Bon Scott with The Mt Lofty Rangers in the Adelaide Hills emerges|last=Kelton|first=Sam|date=19 December 2013|website=The Advertiser|location=Adelaide|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>
She is the daughter of rock-jazz-blues pianist Peter Head, member of prog rockers Headband and founder of bohemian country music collective The Mount Lofty Rangers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altmedia.net.au/lo-carmen-and-peter-head-the-apple-dont-fall-far-from-the-tree/83676|title=Lo Carmen and Peter Head – The Apple don't fall far from the tree|last=Hadland|first=Nick|date=13 September 2013|website=altmedia.net.au|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> and Mouse, a textile artist and former film and television seamstress. Older brother Josh Beagley is a guitarist, most notably with funk band Swoop<ref>{{cite web|url=https://confection.com.au/about/bio-2-deep-history/|title=Bio 2: Deep History|date=2 August 2011|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> and country funk act Cowboy Simple.<ref>https://almanak.com.au/interview-josh-beagley-its-cowboy-simple/</ref>
She performed her first original song publicly when aged 9, accompanied by her father. She told ''Sunday Life'' in 2022 'I spent a lot of my childhood sleeping, or reading a book, beneath his piano at gigs I insisted on accompanying him to'.<ref name=soul>{{cite web |last1=Doreian |first1=Robyn |title=For musician Lo Carmen, meeting Noah Taylor 'was like meeting a soulmate' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/for-musician-lo-carmen-meeting-noah-taylor-was-like-meeting-a-soulmate-20220505-p5airn.html|website=smh.com.au |date=14 May 2022 |publisher=Sunday Life/Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref>
The family moved to Sydney's red light district King's Cross and Carmen attended a small alternative high school, dropping out after completing Year 10. 'From the time I was 13, I was going to see bands three nights a week. I also worked after school in a pizza bar in Kings Cross. I was very independent but I wasn’t wild.'<ref name=soul/> Carmen also worked as secretary for Vince Lovegrove, who was then the manager of rock band The Divinyls, during school holidays and after leaving school.
Carmen's mother made the wedding dress used as a costume in ''Muriel's Wedding'' as well as the iconic costumes worn by The Divinyls’ lead singer Chrissy Amphlett.<ref name="auto" /> Carmen claims to have attended hundreds of shows by The Divinyls and soul singer Wendy Saddington, who performed in a duo with Carmen's father, Peter Head, from the 1980s until her death in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collapseboard.com/reviews/live-reviews/wendy-saddington-and-peter-head-camelot-lounge-marrickville-sydney-29-04-12/|website=collapseboard.com|title=Live Reviews: Wendy Saddington and Peter Head, Camelot Lounge|location= Marrickville, Sydney|date= 29 April 2012}}</ref> Carmen cites both Amphlett and Saddington, a close family friend, as major influences.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/looking-through-a-window-by-wendy-saddington-australias-first-lady-of-soul|title=Looking through a Window by Wendy Saddington, Australia's First Lady of Soul|last=True|first=Everett|date=24 February 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/the-soul-singer-sydney-forgot-is-celebrated-in-mardi-gras-2022-20220211-p59vo5.html|title=The soul singer Sydney forgot is celebrated in Mardi Gras 2022|last=Carmen|first=Lo|date=17 February 2022|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> .<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.locarmenmusic.com/words-other-things|title=Lo Carmen – Words & Other Things|website=locarmenmusic.com|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>
==Film== Carmen was cast as the "wild and haunted"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/theyearmyvoicebrokepg13hinson_a0c8cf.htm|title=The Year My Voice Broke (PG-13)|last=Hinson|first=Hal|date=12 September 1988|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Freya Olson in John Duigan's 1987 film ''The Year My Voice Broke'' after the director met her in the pizza bar where she worked, aged sixteen. Her performance, and that of her co-stars Noah Taylor and Ben Mendelsohn, was described as "deeply memorable, central characters [that] are played by a trio of fine actors in the formative stages of their careers".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/13/the-year-my-voice-broke-rewatched-coming-of-age-in-the-backwoods|title=The Year My Voice Broke rewatched – coming of age in the backwoods|last=Buckmaster|first=Luke|date=12 February 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> She was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Best Actress award<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.aacta.org/winners-nominees/1980-1989/1987.aspx|title=1987 Winners & Nominees|website=aacta.org|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/02/movies/at-the-movies.html|title=At the Movies|last=Gelder|first=Lawrence Van|date=2 September 1988|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> for her role as Freya, 'arguably one of Australian cinema's most finely developed female characters, evoking the subtle shades of a burgeoning womanliness.'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/where-are-the-epic-womens-coming-of-age-screen-stories-74702|title=Where are the epic women's coming of age screen stories?|first=Suzie|last=Gibson|website=theconversation.com|date=8 June 2017 |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> Mendelsohn calls it 'one of the greatest films I have made'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/dark-lord-drug-dealer-paedophile-its-all-in-a-days-work-for-emmywinning-actor-ben-mendelsohn/news-story/d8cc6243cce95174e5b948fcaa129b79|title=Ben Mendelsohn's new movie role as a paedophile|website=news.com.au|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>
Other notable roles followed including Australian police corruption whistleblower Sallie-Anne Huckstepp in the docudrama ''Blue Murder'' and Christine in Alkinos Tsilimidos' gritty drama ''Tom White'', for which she also received nominations for Australian Film Institute Award for Best Supporting Actress, Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor – Female 2004 and IF Awards for Best Actress 2004.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aacta.org/winners-nominees/2000-2010/2004.aspx|title=2004 Winners & Nominees|website=aacta.org|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref>
In 2011, director Kriv Stenders brought Carmen and Noah Taylor together again in the Australian film ''Red Dog'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/kriv-stenderss-red-dog-is-an-aussie-winner-from-nose-to-tail/story-e6frg8pf-1226107483190|title=Kriv Stenders's Red Dog is an Aussie winner from nose to tail|last=Stratton|first=David|date=6 August 2011|website=The Australian}}</ref> which was described in ''The Australian'' as a "warm-hearted and thoroughly entertaining movie".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/kriv-stenderss-red-dog-is-an-aussie-winner-from-nose-to-tail/story-e6frg8pf-1226107483190|title=Kriv Stenders's Red Dog is an Aussie winner from nose to tail|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="dailytelegraph">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/show-and-tell/news-story/247b3cb0b42ca32984e28ea5de6c0b99 |title=We're for Sydney |work=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=29 April 2018}}</ref> Film reviewing website Cinephelia called their pairing as husband and wife outback pub owners who are the first to find Red Dog, 'a special treat'.<ref>https://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_review.php?reviewid=4316&movieid=4913</ref>
When asked whether she prefers film or music, Carmen explains 'making and working on music is my lifeblood and what I do every day but acting is also second nature to me. They are pretty intrinsically linked in my mind – both require commitment to getting a feeling or a character across, they just use different tools.'<ref name="dailytelegraph"/>
She also told ''Russh''<ref name="Russh"/> 'With film, you have no power, you just try your best to make somebody else's vision come to life. With music, I feel like I have all the power and I can just put out what I love'.
==Music== In 1991, Carmen formed 12-piece country band, The Honky Tonk Angels, with Justine Clarke.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gale |first1=Catherine |title=Acting Up For The Kids |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/673875/acting-up-for-the-kids/|website=theadvocate.com.au |date=6 Nov 2012 |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=17 Oct 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blurb.com/books/2254762-honky-tonk-angels|title=Blurb Books|website=blurb.com|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> The band also featured Noah Taylor, Terry Serio, Monica McMahon (aka Miss Monica), and musical director Peter Head. Guest performers included Robyn Archer and Tex Perkins. They performed in Sydney and Melbourne, appeared live on ''Tonight Live with Steve Vizard'' and disbanded in 1992 without recording.
Garage band The White Trash Mamas,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blurb.com/b/2549728-white-trash-mamas|title=White Trash Mamas|website=blurb.com|date=9 October 2011 |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> emerged out of the ashes in 1993, retaining the core axis of Carmen, Clarke and McMahon. They enjoyed a large live following, but attempts at recording, including an unreleased session with Tony Cohen, were unsuccessful and the band broke up in 1995.
'Torch rock' 8-piece band Automatic Cherry<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.discogs.com/artist/3704143-Automatic-Cherry| title = Automatic Cherry {{!}} Discography | website = Discogs}}</ref> formed in 1995, with McMahon and Clarke as backing singers, who told Zan Rowe in 2018 'I've had a long musical association with Loene'.<ref>{{cite web |title="PJ Harvey was a revelation" Queen of Kids Justine Clarke remembers the 90s|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/music-news/pj-harvey-was-a-revelation-queen-of-kids-justine-clarke-remember/10317170|website=abc.net.au |date=20 September 2018 |publisher=ABC |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref> The band also featured musicians Jim Bowman (ex Ed Kuepper), Jon Schofield (ex Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls), Cathy Green (X), Peter Head and James Cruickshank (Cruel Sea). They recorded one album, ''Slow Burner'', released in 1997 to excellent critical reviews in local press, and disbanded in 1999.
Carmen then formed 'slo-mo disco' duo The Charismatics with Ratcat's Simon Day, where she played bass and sang. They released an EP titled ''Fateful Gaze'' in 1999, with an accompanying music video for the title track.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Charismatics Fateful Gaze|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/30700702-The-Charismatics-Fateful-Gaze |website=discogs.com |publisher=Discogs |access-date=17 Oct 2024}}</ref> Carmen also played guitar in Day's band 51 Monday, along with Nic Dalton and Alison Galloway. They released EP ''The Rorschach Test'' also in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ratcat|url=https://imcmusic.net/artists/ratcat/ |website=imcmusic.net.au |publisher=IMC Music |access-date=17 Oct 2024}}</ref>
In 2000, Carmen formed Slow Hand, an 'obscure country soul covers' band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegirlsare.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/conversational-carmen-loene.html|title=Conversational {{!}} Loene Carmen|first=Steph|last=Phillips|date=14 February 2010|website=The Girls Are...|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> with Monica McMahon, Peter Head, John Gauci, Paul Dunn and Steve Wood. They performed extensively in Sydney and Melbourne, supported Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and recorded an album but the recordings were lost and it was never released.
Carmen began focusing on a career as a solo singer-songwriter in 2001 and Slow Hand disbanded in 2002 after releasing a live album on CD only.
Carmen's bedroom-recorded debut solo album ''Born Funky Born Free'' was released in 2001, with contributions from Simon Day and James Cruickshank.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/born-funky-born-free-mw0002899923|title=Born Funky Born Free – Loene Carmen {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Loene-Carmen-Born-Funky-Born-Free/release/8032566|title=Loene Carmen – Born Funky Born Free|publisher=discogs|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> Reflecting on the album for Talkhouse in 2022<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.talkhouse.com/lo-carmen-is-the-boss-of-her-own-world/|title=Lo Carmen is the Boss of her own World|website=talkhouse.com|date=16 November 2022 |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref> she said 'The album I ended up making was driven by one-string needly guitar parts played on the Ibanez — which possessed a powerful whammy bar — one-string bass riffs, tinny Casio riffs, and odd sound effects and beats from the drum machine, all fed through delays and reverbs, dub style. The album also had tinges of old school country, soul, and blues, and featured freeform lyrical journeys through imaginary worlds populated by loudspeakers, foxy ladies, horoscopes, dark bedrooms, rivers, shadows, fortune-telling machines, instincts, and destinies.'
In 2004, second album, ''Slight Delay'', described as 'a songbook of exquisitely mournful blues elements and intoxicating rock romantics...intimate shimmering confessionals'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atpfestival.com/artist/loenecarmen/|title=Loene Carmen|website=atpfestival.com|date=16 January 2009 |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref> featuring Jed Kurzel and Warren Ellis was released on Reverberation Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/slight-delay-mw0002899731|title=Slight Delay – Loene Carmen |website=AllMusic|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>
''Rock'n'Roll Tears'' was released on Shock Records in 2007, co-written and recorded with Jed Kurzel and Sam Worrad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/rock-n-roll-tour-for-loene-carmen/787084|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024210217/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/rock-n-roll-tour-for-loene-carmen/787084|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2017|title=Rock 'n Roll tour for Loene Carmen|last=Cleghorn|first=Justine|date=23 September 2007|website=fasterlouder.com|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> Tracks "Nashville High" and "Rock n Roll Tears" were featured in the Australian series ''Love My Way''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/lovemyway/music.html|title=Australian Television: Love My Way: Music Credits|website=australiantelevision.net.au|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> It was described as an "impeccably well orchestrated collection of moody, classic rock and roll pieces that highlights Loene's vocal strength and range".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedwarf.com.au/interview/497/loene-carmen-_-no-more-tears|title=Loene Carmen – No More Tears|last=Hitch|first=Gabrielle|date=16 October 2007|website=thedwarf.com|access-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>
Carmen's fourth album ''It Walks Like Love'' was released in December 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/music/23032/Loene-Carmen--It-Walks-Like-Love|title=Loene Carmen – It Walks Like Love Review|date=20 December 2009|website=fasterlouder.com.au|last1=Ryan|first1=Andy|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> The album was produced with Burke Reid and recorded with musicians from teenage punk band The Scare<ref>https://www.webcutsmusic.com/interviews/2009/no-money-no-family-on-tour-with-the-scare/</ref> and long time collaborator Sam Worrad from The Holy Soul on bass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/it-walks-like-love-mw0002899925/credits|title=It Walks Like Love – Loene Carmen |website=AllMusic|access-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> Special guests include Jed Kurzel (Mess Hall) on duet "Oh Apollo!", Peter Head on piano, with Tex Perkins and daughter Holiday Sidewinder also making an appearance on backing vocals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altmedia.net.au/loene-carmen-it-walks-like-love/14293|title=Loene Carmen – it Walks Like Love Review|website=altmedia.net.au|ref=Posted 9 December 2009|last1=Peken|first1=Chris|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref>
A very limited edition CD only EP ''Hard Candy Christmas'' (2010) released under the name Sweet Carmo featured country classics by artists such as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://locarmen.bandcamp.com/album/hard-candy-christmas|title=Hard Candy Christmas, by Sweet Carmo|website=Bandcamp|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002175111/http://locarmen.bandcamp.com/album/hard-candy-christmas|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><nowiki/> who are cited as major influences, alongside Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Etta James.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/red-wine-musicartist-profile-loene-carmen/#.WR8-txPytE4 |title=Red Wine MusicArtist Profile: Loene Carmen | South Sydney Herald |publisher=Southsydneyherald.com.au |date=4 March 2013 |accessdate=29 April 2018}}</ref> It is no longer available online.
After relocating to the US state of Georgia in 2012 while partner Aden Young shot Sundance television series ''Rectify'', Carmen wrote and released ''The Peach State'' (2012), a suite of solo country songs, recorded in Nashville with long time Johnny Cash engineer David Ferguson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/red-wine-musicartist-profile-loene-carmen/|title=Red Wine MusicArtist Profile: Loene Carmen|last=Collis|first=Andrew|date=4 March 2013|website=South Sydney Herald}}</ref> ''No Depression'' called it "...stark country-soul and shimmering blues ...a direct line to the heart that showcases her glorious voice."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/news-loene-carmen-releases-new-ep-the-peach-state|title=Loene Carmen Releases New EP – The Peach State|last=Familton|first=Chris|date=9 November 2012|website=nodepression.com}}</ref> This release also marked the professional name change from Loene Carmen to Lo Carmen.
In 2013, Carmen released the album ''The Apple Don't Fall Far from the Tree'', a collaboration with her father Peter Head. It was described as "an album high on smoky atmosphere and the ghosts of many a raised glass"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://posttowire.com/2013/10/02/album-review-lo-carmen-peter-head-the-apple-dont-fall-far-from-the-tree/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Lo Carmen & Peter Head ~ The Apple Don't Fall Far From The Tree|last=Sounds|first=Doubtful|date=2 October 2013|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> and "an endearing mix of country soul and late night jazz".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://somethingyousaid.com/2013/09/04/album-review-lo-carmen-peter-head/|title=Album Review: Lo Carmen & Peter Head|last=Colwell|first=Jack|date=4 September 2013|website=somethingyousaid.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://posttowire.com/2013/10/02/album-review-lo-carmen-peter-head-the-apple-dont-fall-far-from-the-tree/|title=Lo Carmen & Peter Head ~ The Apple Don't Fall Far From The Tree|last=Familton|first=Chris|date=2 October 2013|website=posttowire.com}}</ref> During the subsequent tour, the duo opened for Kinky Friedman and The Handsome Family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/the-handsome-family-usa-loene-carmen-peter-head/67476?&caller=CAL&noadd=true&skin=291|title=The Handsome Family USA Loene Carmen & Peter Head|date=13 October 2013|website=the basement}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/the-apple-dont-fall-far-from-the-tree-lo-carmen-and-peter-head/story-fn9n8gph-1226713238347|title=The Apple Don't Fall Far From the Tree (Lo Carmen and Peter Head)|last=Shedden|first=Iain|date=7 September 2013|website=The Australian|access-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>
In 2015 she released sixth album ''Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You)'' that features the title track as a single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://somethingyousaid.com/2015/10/03/getting-to-know-lo-carmen-interview-video-premiere/|title=Getting to know Lo Carmen – interview & video premiere!|last=Townsen|first=Bobby|date=3 October 2015|website=Something You Said|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> The album was self-produced and recorded in Sydney over one day by Wade Keighran with musicians Ken Gormly from The Cruel Sea, Cec Condon from The Mess Hall on drums and Sam Worrad on guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://posttowire.com/2015/11/20/album-review-lo-carmen-everyone-you-ever-knew-is-coming-back-to-haunt-you/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Lo Carmen ~ Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You)|last=Sounds|first=Doubtful|date=20 November 2015|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> Global Texan Chronicles called it "shadowy and palpable Lou Reed-esque honky tonk realism with so much rare and raw individuality that it takes you aback at first listen",<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://globaltexanchronicles.com/lo-carmen-track-x-track/|title=Lo Carmen Goes Track x Track Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You)|date=4 November 2015|newspaper=Global Texan Chronicles|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> and described Carmen as "a true storyteller". ''Pan'' magazine described it as "true to all of Carmen's creations, it's distinguished by her ability to summon a decade-defying sound and wind up in a world of her own making.'<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dallas|first1=Emma|title=Hear This – Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You) by Lo Carmen|url=http://panmagazine.net/articles/2015/10/26/read-this-everyone-you-ever-knew-is-coming-back-to-haunt-you-by-lo-carmen|website=Pan Magazine|accessdate=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906090918/http://panmagazine.net/articles/2015/10/26/read-this-everyone-you-ever-knew-is-coming-back-to-haunt-you-by-lo-carmen|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album includes a song written about mysterious Blue Note jazz pianist Jutta Hipp. Aden Young filmed, directed and edited the videoclip for the single on a farm in Griffin, Georgia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.panmagazine.com/articles/2015/10/26/read-this-everyone-you-ever-knew-is-coming-back-to-haunt-you-by-lo-carmen |title=Hear This - Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back to Haunt You) by Lo Carmen — PAN magazine |access-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022164938/http://www.panmagazine.com/articles/2015/10/26/read-this-everyone-you-ever-knew-is-coming-back-to-haunt-you-by-lo-carmen |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
First single "Last Thing I'll Remember" from seventh studio album ''Lovers Dreamers Fighters'' was released on 1 September 2017. ''Glide'' magazine described it as 'gorgeous twangy pedal steel, sensual vocals, haunting guitar and harmonies, and a drumbeat that conveys a quiet loneliness'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://glidemagazine.com/192025/song-premiere-lo-carmen-goes-twangy-country-soul-last-thing-ill-remember/|title=Song Premiere: Lo Carmen Goes For Twangy Country Soul on "Last Thing I'll Remember" – Glide Magazine|date=31 August 2017|website=glidemagazine.com|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> A music video for second single "Sometimes Its Hard" (featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) was released on 26 October 2017. The video was co-directed by ''Get Out'' cinematographer Toby Oliver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WwA2dDU_Ow |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/5WwA2dDU_Ow |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Lo Carmen – Sometimes It's Hard (feat. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy)|last=Lo Carmen|date=26 October 2017|access-date=8 February 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/lo-carmen-sometimes-its-hard-video-premiere-2500322656.html|title=Lo Carmen – "Sometimes It's Hard" (video) (premiere)|date=23 October 2017|website=PopMatters|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> ''Lovers Dreamers Fighters'' was released on 10 November 2017 to generally positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://locarmenmusic.com/press|title=Lo Carmen Reviews|website=locarmenmusic.com|access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref>
Mick Harvey recorded a version of "Nashville High" (co written by Carmen, Sam Worrad and Jed Kurzel) for his 2024 album ''Five Ways to Say Goodbye''. It was singled out as an "album highlight"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Neff |first1=Joseph |title=Graded On A Curve: Mick Harvey Five Ways To Say Goodbye|url=https://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/graded-on-a-curve-mick-harvey-five-ways-to-say-goodbye/ |website=thevinyldistrict.com |date=9 May 2024 |publisher=The Vinyl District |access-date=21 Oct 2024}}</ref> and "the album's most luminous and upbeat song – though still filled with bittersweet yearning".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinfold |first1=Will |title=Mick Harvey Five Ways To Say Goodbye|url=https://spectrumculture.com/2024/05/15/mick-harvey-five-ways-to-say-goodbye-review/ |website=spectrumculture.com |date=15 May 2024 |publisher=Spectrum Culture |access-date=21 Oct 2024}}</ref>
Carmen's eighth album ''Transatlantic Light'', again recorded with Ken Gormly, Sam Worrad and Cec Condon under the banner The Great Beyond, also featured guest appearances from Robyn Hitchcock and Peter Head, and was released in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://posttowire.com/2024/07/26/lo-carmen-releases-new-single-video-and-announces-new-album-transatlantic-light/|title=Lo Carmen Releases New Single Video And Announces New Album Transatlantic Light|website=posttowire.com|date=26 July 2024|access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>
Carmen has toured and opened shows for Kevin Morby,<ref>https://xpressmag.com.au/review-kevin-morby-at-the-rechabite/</ref> Gareth Liddiard (The Drones), Kim Salmon, Eilen Jewell, Magnolia Electric Company, Mess Hall, Paul Kelly, Dirty Three, Renee Geyer and The Secret Sisters in Australia as well as Mick Harvey and Beasts of Bourbon in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freakoutmagazine.it/11-05-2006/news/41337/tour-italiano-per-mick-harvey/|title=Italian tour for Mick Harvey|date=11 May 2006|website=Freak Out Magazine|language=Italian}}</ref> She showcased solo at South by Southwest in 2009 and 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS36059|title=Lo Carmen | SXSW 2016 Event Schedule|website=SXSW Schedule 2016|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/download/2009-03-20/SXSWsupplement.pdf|title=2009 SXSW supplement|date=20 March 2009|website=austinchronicle.com|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/10568/Rock-n-Roll-tour-for-Loene-Carmen|title=Rock'n'roll Tour For Loene Carmen|last=Cleghorn|first=Justine|date=23 September 2007|website=fasterlouder.com.au|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref>
Carmen continues to periodically perform shows and release music with her father, who often also guests on her albums.
Regarded her eclectic touring style, she explained in a 2010 interview with Mess & Noise "I prefer to have a core band that I can play with but I'm not a machine playing all the time so when I need people I just have to hope they are available. Plus, I like the idea of being like Chuck Berry, just picking up bands in every town or for different gigs. And that way the songs sound different each time too".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/3879770|title=Loene Carmen: ?Soft Chaos|last=Block|first=Trevor|date=19 February 2010|website=messandnoise.com}}</ref> She records more than performing live, stating "Making albums is the absolute joy of being a musician for me, especially the joy of recording with other people and the surprises of what they bring."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.livinginthelandofoz.com/howzat-2dec2015.html | title=The Lo Down | publisher=Living in the Land of Oz / Howzat! Archive | accessdate=31 March 2017 }}</ref>
None of Carmen's albums have charted.
==Personal life== Carmen married actor Aden Young in Zebulon, Georgia, in 2014, after a 10-year relationship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/aden-young-star-of-us-series-rectify-on-the-dark-role-that-sometimes-haunts-him/story-e6frfmyi-1227173605824le|title=Aden Young, star of US series Rectify, on the dark role that sometimes haunts him|website=news.com.au}}</ref> They have two sons, Dutch (b. 2007) and Chester (b. 2011).<ref>{{cite news|title=Wedding Bliss For Aden Young|url=http://cached.newslookup.com/cached.php?ref_id=113&siteid=2106&id=5712759&t=1397882018|newspaper=Courier Mail|location=Australia|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> Young directed the music videos for "Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You)", "Nashville High" and edited Carmen's "Mimic the Rain" clip.<ref>{{cite news|title=Keeping It Reel |author=Sargeant, Jack |work= Film Ink|date= February 2010 }}</ref> Carmen co-composed the score for Young's short film ''The Rose of BaZiz'' (2007) and also appeared in it.<ref>{{cite web|title=''The Rose of Ba Ziz'' (2007)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1358878/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|website=IMDb|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref>
Carmen's daughter, pop singer Holiday Sidewinder, was born in 1990, while she was in a relationship with set designer Jeremy Sparks.<ref name="auto">{{cite journal|url=http://www.oystermag.com/holiday-sidewinder-issue-105|journal=Oyster Magazine|title=Holiday Sidewinder|issue=105|access-date=24 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525062240/http://www.oystermag.com/holiday-sidewinder-issue-105|archive-date=25 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/next-generation-in-the-musical-family-tree/2007/11/21/1195321867625.html|title=Next generation in the musical family tree|last=Dunn|first=Emily|date=22 November 2007|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> Sidewinder's godfather is actor Noah Taylor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/30/noah-taylor-and-goddaughter-holiday-sidewinder-special-relationship|title=Noah Taylor and Goddaughter|date=30 March 2014|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
==Other writing== Carmen has written ''Loose Connections'', a weekly newsletter featuring music and culture essays and recommendations, since 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carmen |first1=Lo |title=Loose Connections |url=https://locarmen.substack.com/publish/home |website=substack.com |publisher=Substack}}</ref>
She has published articles in ''Rolling Stone''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carmen |first1=Lo |title=How Bambi Lee Savage Broke Down the Studio Boys' Club and Worked on One of the Nineties' Biggest Albums |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bambi-lee-savage-hansa-u2-achtung-baby-bono-bad-seeds-1234706143/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=7 April 2023}}</ref> and ''The Guardian''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carmen |first1=Lo |title=Acid, blood and police raids: the pioneering drag chaos of Sylvia and the Synthetics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/26/acid-blood-and-police-raids-the-pioneering-drag-chaos-of-sylvia-and-the-synthetics |access-date=23 September 2023 |publisher=The Guardian Australia |date=25 February 2021}}</ref> and essays in ''No Depression'', ''Talkhouse'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carmen |first1=Lo |title=Lo Carmen is the Boss of Her Own World |url=https://www.talkhouse.com/lo-carmen-is-the-boss-of-her-own-world/ |website=Talkhouse.com |publisher=Talkhouse Inc |access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>''The Big Issue'' and ''Neighborhood Paper'';<ref>{{cite web|url=https://neighbourhoodpaper.com/features/seeker-get-yourself-slayed-by-the-female-masters-of-music-lo-carmen-betty-davis/|title=Neighbourhood Paper I Am The Seeker – Get yourself slayed by the female masters of music – Neighbourhood Paper|website=neighbourhoodpaper.com|date=11 January 2018 |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhoodpaper.com/features/dead-ladies-dresses/|title=Neighbourhood Paper Dead Ladies' Dresses – A feeling for what is left behind – Neighbourhood Paper|website=neighbourhoodpaper.com|date=7 June 2017 |access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> and the anthologies ''Meanjin on Rock 'n' Roll: All Yesterday's Parties'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Carmen|first=Loene|date=1 January 2006|title=Down on Devil Gate Drive|url=http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=235359727766479;res=IELLCC|journal=Meanjin|volume=65|issue=3}}</ref> and in ''Your Mother Would be Proud: True Tales of Mayhem and Misadventure'' (edited by Jenny Valentish & Tamara Sheward),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/31908350?selectedversion=NBD44240479|title=Your mother would be proud : true tales of mayhem and misadventure|last1=Valentish|first1=Jenny|last2=Sheward|first2=Tamara|website=National Library of Australia|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> and contributed to two of the ''Women of Letters'' collections (edited by Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire)'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.readings.com.au/review/sincerely-by-michaela-mcguire-and-marieke-hardy|title=Sincerely by Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy by Nina Kenwood|last=Kenwood|first=Nina|date=26 October 2012|website=reading.com.au}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== * ''Born Funky Born Free'' (2002) * ''Slight Delay'' (2004) * ''Rock'n'Roll Tears'' (2007) * ''It Walks Like Love'' (2009) * ''Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back to Haunt You)'' (2015) * ''Lovers Dreamers Fighters'' (2017) * ''Transatlantic Light'' (2022)
===Collaborative albums=== * ''The Apple Don't Fall Far from the Tree'' (2013), with Peter Head
===Singles and EPs=== * ''The Peach State EP'' (2012) * "The Last Thing I'll Remember" (2017) * "Sometimes It's Hard" (featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, 2017) * "Half Girl Half Beast" (featuring The Great Beyond, 2023)
===Other releases=== * ''Slow Burner'' – Automatic Cherry (1996) * ''Fateful Gaze'' – The Charismatics (1998) * ''Leave It at the Door'' – T: Lo (2010; digital release) * ''Hard Candy Christmas'' – Sweet Carmo (2011; digital release/limited edition of 25)
===Guest appearances=== * ''Three Legged Dog'' – Cruel Sea (1994) * ''Gas Food and You'' – The Stepfords (1994) * ''Intoxicated Man'' – Mick Harvey (1995) * ''Pink Elephants'' – Mick Harvey (1997) * ''Stardust Five'' – Stardust Five (2006) * ''Bang!'' – The Wallbangers (2007) * ''Tribute to Rowland S. Howard'' – Various Artists (2007) * ''Devils Elbow'' – Mess Hall (2007) * ''Damn You, Ra'' – The Holy Soul (2009) * ''RocKwiz Duets: With A Little Help From Our Friends Vol. 4'' – Various Artists (2013) * ''Sunnyholt'' – Perry Keyes (2015)
==Selected filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1987 |''The Year My Voice Broke'' |Freya Olson | |- |1993 |''The Nostradamus Kid'' |Meryl | |- |2004 |''Tom White'' |Christine | |- |2007 |''The Rose of Ba Ziz'' |Ba Ziz folk |Short film |- |2011 |''Red Dog'' |Maureen Collins | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1995 |''Blue Murder'' |Sallie-Anne Huckstepp | |- |1997 |''Heartbreak High'' |Sophie | |- |2005 |''Spicks and Specks'' |Self | |- |2009 |''Rockwiz'' |Self | |}
==Music videos== * "My Friends Call Me Foxy" (2002) * "The Things That Matter" (2004) * "Nashville High" (2006) * "Mimic the Rain" (2009) * "The Peach State" (2012) * "Old Hands" (2013) * "Everyone You Ever Knew (Is Coming Back To Haunt You)" (2015) * "Sometimes Its Hard (feat. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy)" (2017) * "I Just Had To Run" (2024) * "Fix Your Heart Or Die" (2024)
==Awards and nominations== * 1987: Australian Film Institute Awards nomination for Best Actress (''The Year My Voice Broke'')<ref name=":0" /> * 2004: Film Critic's Circle nomination for Best Actor – Female (''Tom White'')<ref name="IMDbPro">{{cite web|url=https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0138389/awards?ref_=nm_nav_ov_awards|title=IMDbPro|website=IMDb|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> * 2004: Inside Film Award nomination for Best Actress (''Tom White'')<ref name="IMDbPro"/> * 2004: Australian Film Institute Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress (''Tom White'')<ref name=":1" />
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.locarmenmusic.com}} * {{IMDb name|0138389}} * [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/13/the-year-my-voice-broke-rewatched-coming-of-age-in-the-backwoods The Year My Voice Broke Rewatched – The Guardian review] * [http://somethingyousaid.com/2013/06/24/loene-carmens-peach-state-again/ Loene Carmen's Peach State Again] * [https://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/lo-carmen-lovers-dreamers-fighters-reviewed-by-virginia-muzik/ Lovers Dreamers Fighters book review] * [https://www.locarmenmusic.com/press/lo-carmen-a-lover-a-dreamer-a-fighter-a-mother-an-actor-a-writer/ Lo Carmen feature in Sydney Sentinel] * [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/02/riveting-terrifying-completely-singular-how-chrissy-amphlett-changed-the-game/ Riveting, terrifying, completely singular: how Chrissy Amphlett changed the game by Lo Carmen in The Guardian] * [https://locarmen.substack.com/p/liner-notes/ Lo Carmen Liner Notes for Transatlantic Light]
{{Lo Carmen}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carmen, Loene}} Category:Actresses from Adelaide Category:Australian women singer-songwriters Category:Australian writers Category:Australian film actresses Category:Australian rock singers Category:Australian women rock singers Category:Australian record producers Category:Australian women record producers Category:Australian rock guitarists Category:Australian women guitarists Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Adelaide Category:20th-century Australian women singers Category:20th-century Australian musicians Category:20th-century Australian singer-songwriters Category:1970 births Category:Australian women writers Category:21st-century Australian writers