Some years in the making, The Laurels’ debut album Plains was almost washed away in a flash flood during its final stages of completion. Save for the heroics of producer Liam Judson wading across a raging causeway clad only in his underpants and holding the master tapes high above his head, it may never have seen the light of day. Through years of touring and shows with the likes of The Black Angels, Wooden Shjips, Swervedriver, Low and Tame Impala, The Laurels have developed a solid reputation as one of the country’s best live bands. In 2011 they were nominated as Best Live Music Act in the SMAC Awards (Sydney Music, Arts & Culture Awards), Best New Talent in the AGE EG Awards and made it to #4 in the Best Live Band category of the Mess + Noise Readers Poll.