Marla Hansen writes songs for herself and her viola. A quiet performer, she has been known to tame an entire noisy bar with a single song. She recently purchased a guitar in Berkeley California, and though she does enjoy all those extra strings, she will never give up her viola and it's lovely melancholy nature. She performs in solo shows or with guitarist Sebastian Krueger (Inlets, My Brightest Diamond) and bassist Nate Lithgow (My Brightest Diamond.) Here's what the New York Times has to say about Marla's live performances:

"She plucks the viola in precise patterns – repeated notes, a syncopated chord, a countermelody – as the only accompaniment for her gentle, transparent voice, which has an undercurrent of Celtic melancholy. The songs are sparse, meditative and utterly involving." (October 22, 2007)

Her debut EP, titled 'Wedding Day," is available through Standard Recording. "Wedding Day" includes six orginal songs and features performances from Sufjan Stevens, Sebastian Krueger, Nate Lithgow, Sam Bair, Shara Worden, Rob Moose, Maria Jeffers, Naho Tsutsui and Katy Luo.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Marla migrated to New York via Long Island, and currently lives in Brooklyn. She has degrees in viola from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and Stony Brook University. Marla has also worked with My Brightest Diamond, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Inlets, Denison Witmer, Clare and the Reasons, Oneida, The New Pornographers, Duncan Sheik and even Jay-Z and Kanye West.