| After years as a singer/songwriter, Laura Methvin still gets asked that old standby question: What kind of music do you play? As a artist who doesn’t really like putting music into categories, Laura has something of a hard time answering this question. After all, she could hardly be expected to think in terms of musical genres with her background. She studied classical piano for ten years, starting at the age of eight, in a household where, on any given day, you’d be as likely to hear Hank Williams as The Rolling Stones. Then again, you might get in on a family gathering with a capella, shape-note gospel singing. And her longtime addiction to Billie Holiday is no secret, either. With this many wide-ranging influences, Laura has carved out her own unique niche as a singer-songwriter. It’s somewhere in an audio zip code where roots rock, acoustic indie, traditional country, jazz and head-on rock ‘n’ roll hang out together. She’s been compared to artists from Lucinda Williams to Cat Power to Regina Spektor. Her infectious sound is due in no small part to her uncanny knack for writing gritty, hook-laden tunes, delivered in a singular voice that is at once warm and soft, dirty and ethereal. Laura started writing and performing original music in Atlanta, where she was the lead singer of The Cave Babies. Later she launched a solo career that’s seen the release of three successful albums, as well as a best-of collection. In addition to radio airplay in the US and abroad, Laura’s also appeared in projects including a Juliana Hatfield tribute record showcasing singers from around the world, and the soundtrack for the indie film, “Vodka With a Twist.” Her popularity continues to grow more than ever now, as the availability of her songs for digital download on iTunes, MySpace and the like allows her to reach new audiences every day. Touring and living on both coasts, from Atlanta to LA over the course of a few years, Laura eventually settled in Tallahassee, where she’s built a dedicated following of loyal fans. They’re addicted to Laura’s signature sound, especially at her live shows. And it’s easy to see why. She’s a patchwork of her favorite artists, including not only her long-time idols, Lucinda Williams and Johnny Cash, but also the likes of Elliott Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Liz Phair, Wilco, Aimee Mann, Gram Parsons, and Björk. Laura’s galvanized these influences and many more into a seductive sound that spotlights her Midas touch for creating infectious hooks & incisive lyrics, all crafted around her unmistakable voice. Laura’s currently working on her fourth CD of original songs, Stockholm Syndrome. The death of her father in 2006 has heavily influenced the sound of this new collection of songs, which stand up as her most affecting, and unaffected, work to date. |
