Lara Meyerratken may be relatively new to the LA scene, but she is far from an amateur musician. Hailing from Australia, the songstress began her musical career at the ripe age of 17, when she wrote a letter to fellow Australian performer Ben Lee, suggesting the two’s respective bands play some underage shows together (Lee was 15 at the time). He obliged, and a few years later he called Meyerratken and invited her to play in his band. Three weeks later, she was in New York rehearsing. After years of touring with Lee, the ambitious young artist decided it was time for her to do her own thing. She left the band and recorded a solo album under the moniker El May. In January of 2010, Meyerratkan self-released her debut record, El May. The multi-instrumentalist recorded every part herself, including piano, woodwind, percussion, guitar and even vocal harmonies. The result is a masterful folk/pop record with a full, swelling sound.

After spending time in Australia, New York and Nashville, Meyerratkan has lived in Los Angeles for the past three-and-a-half years. El May is playing The Bootleg Theater this Sunday, May 20. $10. 9 pm. 21+. – Katrina Nattress