June 6, 2008

Too much to say, too little time.  I've got a whirling devil in my mind.

Last night was the first time I sang since I got my voice back from a horrible laryngitis/sinus infection/whatever that I had been fighting for a good two weeks.  It was great to perform, but I feel grumbly and sore this morning.  I'm in a hotel somewhere near King of Prussia, trying to finish the minutes left on my day job (procrastinating, obviously) before I can find a coffee shop to settle into and write short stories and poetry that nobody will ever read.  (working on it)  I am leaning more toward that type of work these days.  I think I'm finally coming to realize that I have always been a writer first and foremost.  Performance is great and I do have moments where I crave the stage, not to mention the people and the stories that I meet and hear on the road, but it's the process of writing that keeps me spiritually fit, and an overall friendlier person. 

I played an open mike feature at Burlap and Bean last night.  It's a great venue and it brought me back to when I was barely 20 years old and singing at the open mike nights in Cambridge, MA.  There was a core group of musicians there that would support one another without the messiness of petty jealousies and/or competitive sidepoking.  I saw a young group of teenagers cheering each other on last night.  Their comraderie was refreshing.  At the same time, it was hard to not feel old.  Playing cover songs is harder when an audience member says, "Who's John Prine?"  

In other news: 

I'll be playing at the Watchung Arts Center again in October.  For those of you that weren't able to get tickets for the last show, I'll be updating the date and time on the website here as soon as I know.  Tickets sell fast, so get them early.

Thanks for all your support.  Maybe I'll see you at Milkboy Coffee tonight!!!

Laura

May 29, 2008

I am so sorry to have to cancel the show tomorrow night at the Wildflower Cafe!  I have been very sick for the past few days and despite all efforts to declog my sinuses, I'm still fighting a nasty sinus infection.  Please still go to the Wildflower Cafe, as you will not be disappointed with Brittany Ann!  She's an amazing singer/songwriter and will be sharing the stage with the great Faith Hahn.

XOXO,

Laura 

April 30, 2008

Hey everybody!  I'll be on the radio this Friday in the NJ/PA area.   You can also listen online.  Details are as follows:

Classic FM airs Fridays 6-10pm EST
Live webcast available via www. z889. org
(Requires Real Player)

Classic FM on Myspace:
www. myspace. com/classic_fm

Check it out if you get a chance.  It was a really great interview with Gene Godfrey.

L

April, 27, 2008

"Lessons Yes/Reasons No"

Every now and then, a well-intentioned person in my life will say "Well...everything happens for a reason," and I want to kick them in the shins and say "You've got to be f***king kidding me!"  I just don't believe this.  I don't believe that my friends lost their daughter for a reason.  I don't believe that my Grandma Anne died of cancer for a reason when I most needed her.  I don't believe Tsunamis are carefully planned out to kill thousands of people for a reason.  I don't believe that....  However, what I do believe is that there are lessons that can be learned from these tragedies if I choose to grow and change and become a better person as a result of them. 

I'm reading a book right now called "Time on Fire" by Evan Handler (www.evanhandler.com).  For those of you that do not know him, he is the actor that married "Charlotte" on "Sex and the City."  His battle with leukemia is documented with rigorous honesty and candid emotion in this book.  (actually...so much so that I almost tossed my cookies reading the chapter on phlebotomy....something about digging for veins always gets me...)  Anyhow, I found myself laughing and crying at the same time when I read the following: "There is a distinct difference between committing oneself to using a crisis for growth and improvement and deciding that those changes are the reason why the crisis occurred....never once have I been glad it (leukemia) happened to me.  Nor have I ever felt that it was something that I needed or something that was as it should have been."

This outlook on my day-to-day confrontations with tragedy helps me to keep things in perspective. I no longer deny myself the tears and grief that I need to experience while surfing the learning curve of change and growth.  Change is hard.  Pain is real.  I am constantly reminded of this when I play shows and hear personal stories of cancer; mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, children dying after a long battle with cancer and/or those that are battling with a seemingly endless amount of treatments and doctors to navigate before seeing an end to their fight, be that survivorship on earth or survivorship in a more undefinable way. 

Yesterday I had the chance to speak to someone who had experienced the loss of two loved ones after their respective battles with this disease.  I knew better than to say something hurtful like "everything happens for a reason."  However, knowing that there is little I can do to ease the pain often makes me feel empty and helpless.  And so I shared the space, hoping to offer encouragement by just being in the room...

To be clear, here is what my mind has been tossing around for the last 24 hours.  There is no reason for cancer.  There is no reason for sickness and rage and death and destruction.  There is no "fun" when I think about chemotherapy, being bald and tasting what I thought most certainly was the death of my soul.  However, I know (and I think Evan does too) that my heart is more open as a result.  I am more able and willing to put my entire self among those that are sick and alone.  I am more capable of experiencing the needs of others during their most harrowing of times.  For this lesson, I will always be grateful.  For this pain and suffering I have experienced, I have found the learning that was most crucial for me to grow in love, embrace fellow human beings and ultimately hone my friendship skills to a place where I can be available to those in pain.

I see life sometimes as a big game of Red Rover...(i.e.: Red rover, red rover, send cancer/depression/etc. over!) ...Ten years ago, my connections to others would have been the weakest link and a target for illness to break through.  What I have learned from my own cancer experience has been how to strengthen my ability to keep a tight grip on those that I love...a tight grip on enjoying life...a tight grip on health, wellness and manifesting love.  In other words, at this point, you'd have to have a pretty huge set of cajones to try and break the line where I stand.  This is what it means to me to live now.  To fight.  To survive...and to be in and of the human race.

My music is simply a byproduct (and always will come second) to all of this. 

Laura

April 12, 2008

God or Chance?

I've been toying around with a website called garageband over the past few months (www.garageband.com).  If you don't know anything about the website, the basic gist of it is that you upload your music and are then reviewed by people all over the world and compared to other songs and other independent musicians.  My song "Your Sympathy (27 Days)" was one of the first songs that I entered into the competition.  It is about my battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, diagnosed 10 years ago.  The significance "27 days" refers to March 27, 1998, the last day of chemotherapy.  I wrote the song from the perspective of March 1st....with only 27 days left.

That being said, I am having trouble calling it only a coincidence that "Your Sympathy (27 Days)" reached #1 on the garageband charts a few weeks ago on March 27th.  I'm also having trouble saying it was completely divine intervention.  I just don't know.  Whether it be God or chance, I have to say that it feels good.  Had I known 10 years ago what I know now, I would never have believed I would ever feel anything close to the emotional, spiritual and/or physical success that I have experienced as of late. 

With something that feels like faith (for today),

Laura

March 10, 2008

This past Saturday was perhaps one of the most memorable concerts ever.  For all of you that I have heard from that ended up at the wrong venue -- and were sent home by an unknown fireman, I really apologize.  For those of you that are reading this from somewhere out of the state of NJ, here is what went down:

I arrived for soundcheck in Chatham, NJ, the home of the Sanctuary Concert Series, at about 6:30 p.m.  On stage at the time was the great Jesse Winchester (www.jessewinchester.com).  I was wide-eyed at the site of him picking away at his acoustic guitar.  When he was finished, I stepped up to the piano and began doing my thing, crooning Red River Valley into the mike and then pounding away at "All that it Seems" and some of my louder material.  About five minutes after I was through, all of the lights in the sanctuary started to flicker and then we were all in total darkness.  Blackout!

With plenty of time to go before the concert started (at 8pm), nobody was in a state of panic.  My husband and I made our way to the Green Room after eating some dinner by candlelight.  The four of us (Jesse and his wife Cindy and me and my husband, Andy) ended up having a great conversation around a solitary candle in the Green Room.  All the while, we were expecting the lights to come on in time for the show.  

Before I knew it, it was ten minutes to 8:00 and Mike D., the sound guy (extraordinairre) came in to tell me it was about time to start.  I walked toward the Sanctuary only to find the entire alter flooded with candles in one of the most divine storyteller atmosphere's that I had ever seen.  There were well over 100 people in the audience, all eager to listen.  The grand piano on stage sat in all its Steinway glory,  hungry to be played.  It was amazing and I'm sure that my words do not give it justice.

I am honestly still floating on the buzz of that night.  And I am so sorry for those of you that made your way all the way out to Chatham only to be turned away from one of the most memorable concerts ever.  Jesse Winchester was amazing.  Truly amazing.  For those of you that have not yet been able to see him in concert, I could not recommend more passionately the need for you to see him if it is ever possible.  There are some people in this world who truly give off a vibe of peace.  Oftentimes it is subtle and easy to miss.  Jesse has this quality to him.  I am so honored to have been able to share the stage.

All this being said, I will have new shows up on the website soon.  NY and PA in March and April.

XOXO,

Laura

February 19, 2008

I've got a new song that is definitely cursed.  I've tried to debut it about a hundred times, and every time I do, something goes horribly wrong.  Sometimes I forget the words.  Sometimes I hit a lot of obvious wrong notes.  And for those of you that were in Boston this past weekend,  a new glitch was born...I began the tune in the wrong key.  I'm thinking the song has a big black cloud over it and perhaps is just not ready to find its audience yet.  I'll keep trying though.  I promise.

I've got a few NYC gigs coming up that I could really use the support for.  If you are anywhere near the area, please consider coming out to the Bitter End or to the Postcrypt in early March.  It would be great to see some familiar faces in the heart of New York.

XOXO,

Laura

February 1, 2008

Just another day in the life...

At about 4:15 p.m. I woke up from a hard core nap (the kind where you have bed lines the size of the grand canyon scattered across your face) to find out that the show I had advertised in Philly for 8:00 pm. was actually scheduled for 6:45 pm.  Outside, the rain was coming down like it was the second coming of something terrible and I was far from ready.  In fact, I was still squinting at the light coming out of my computer screen.  I had three e-mails.  One said, "Laura, are you sure of your set time?"  Another said, "Hey dips***t, get your ass in the car, you're on at 6:45."  And the last one was a note from myself, reminding me to buy new tires for my car. 

In less than five seconds, the adrenaline was pumping and I was throwing my Roland into my carry case and packing up my gear.  My  car sped out of the driveway by 4:30, after I had gotten my directions printed out and thrown as much of a tantrum as there was time for.  (FYI:  This was most certainly my own mistake...as was my original driving time estimate of one hour.)  I hadn't even rounded the corner of my street when I realized exactly why I needed new tires.  The front wheels were negotiating every small puddle as if it was a sheet of ice.  I knew I was in for a fun ride.  And by fun, I mean insane.

The entire ride to PA felt more like a roller coaster than anything else.  I actually started praying, and for those of you that know me, this is a huge thing.  I mean, it isn't that I don't believe in God.  Rather, I have respect for the fact that I simply do not know...and enough fear to make sure I capitalize the "G" when speaking of him/her/it/whatever (does the universe really have a gender?), but when it comes to prayer, it just has never been my style.  However, tonight was a "fox hole moment" and I found myself saying out loud..."Uh...if you're around, God, could you put me in a bubble or something so this car stays on the road?  I don't mind a fender bender, but...you know, don't let me die or anything, 'kay?"  Thankfully, I arrived in one piece...still alive and slightly more spiritually fit than when I woke up in the first place.

That being said, for all of you that may have been on the road between High Bridge and Philly between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m, let this be my public amends.  I was tearing up the highway like a maniac.  Thankfully, I did make it to the venue on time.  Although, if it weren't for the friends that talked me down on the way, I would never have been able to make it there and stay sane at the same time.  (Yes, I know the word "sanity" is debatable).

Regardless of the above, thank you to everybody that came out to listen at Milkboy tonight.  And especially to the amazing Eileen Tipping and her band.  I am constantly amazed at the number of talented musicians there are in this world.  And I am equally as grateful for those of you that come out to listen. 

I had a great time tonight, and probably the most relaxing ride home ever.  Though I suspect that anything would have been peaceful compared to my drive there.  I have definitely learned that showtimes are not to be assumed!! 

I hope to see you all sometime soon.  Until then, drive safely...

XOXO,

Laura

January 26, 2008

Hey everybody,

I just walked in the door after a radio show at WDIY in Bethlehem, PA.  Mona Rodriguez is the dj for an awesome show at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays called "Assorted Women."  For those of you in PA, it's 88.1 FM.  For others out of the area, go to www.wdiy.org.  I was able to snap a few photographs and will get them online as soon as I get them developed.  (Yes, I have a digital camera, but no, I don't know how to use it yet.)

For those of you that have asked, I am doing my best to get the ball rolling on the next CD.  The problem is it costs a lot of money...and my hubby and I are in the process of buying a new music-mobile.  So, money is being rationed out in the most responsible way possible.  I am hoping to get in the studio in the next few months.  You all know that material is not an issue.  I've got enough to fill the next few records...and if my life keeps up being as insane as it has been in the last few weeks, I'll have enough for a lifetime to come.

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend.  I hope to see you at the upcoming show at MILKBOY in ARDMORE, PA (www.milkboycoffee.com) this coming FRIDAY!!!

XOXO,

Laura

There are a bunch of new confirmed shows coming up, including a few in NY in early March (Postcrypt on 3/1 and Bitter End on 3/2). 

January 16, 2008

When you get a chance, go to www.hopebeginsinthedark.com.  My "story" has recently been published as part of an amazing tribute to survivorship, courage, compassion and hope.  The book is free.  To find out more about it, go to the above website.

Other news:  I'll be in New York playing some shows in the next few months.  There is a tentative date in the works at the Postcrypt in early March, so save that night and meet me there.

See ya,

Laura

January 8, 2008

I officially love New York.  After all the times spent in terror trying to read mass transit maps, I feel like I've fallen into a stride.  The musicians here are amazing and the vibe unlike anything you can find on the hiking trails in High Bridge, NJ.  It is a refreshing change to be among the masses for a change instead of brooding in my pseudo-studio.

One of the highlights of the open mike the other night was Jem Warren.  Check him out at www.myspace.com/jemwarren.  I caught a few of his songs at Caffe Vivaldi.  He's worth checking out and has a show tomorrow night (1/9) at the Bitter End!  Great guitar talent and a killer power voice.

For those of you considering going to the Save Dave Benefit at the Stanhope House, this is an event you won't want to miss.  The combination of music, courage, and survivorship cultivates an energy that is unlike most I've ever experienced.  It's a great cause that comes with a guaranteed karmic backlash. 

XOXO,

Laura

January 1, 2008

Well...my husband and I actually made it to midnight this year.  This is the first time in three years that we have been awake when the ball dropped.  It looked a little like this...both of us on the couch with my dog shaking like a leaf in between us.  Some rowdy kids were running around outside with fireworks .  Unless you have a dog, you probably do not know that this is a canine nightmare.  Jimbo ended up puking all over the kitchen.  I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year, though.  Ha ha.  Pretty quiet for most of the night.

In the next few weeks, I'll be puttering around New York City and testing out some of my newer material at open mikes in Manhattan.  For a country girl like me, this is a bigger deal than one would imagine.  I'm looking forward to hearing some newer artists, though.  It's always fun to see what is really out there...not just the prepackaged sounds all over the radio these days. 

Other than that, I've got a bunch of new songs.  I'm rounding the corner toward less somber material, and while I doubt I'll ever write like Jimmy Buffet, it's nice to know that I'm capable of being slightly less self indulgent.  Then again, I am "blogging" about me, me, me, so...things change slowly.

More than ever, I feel like I am truly grateful for my life.  With all of the ups and downs, the gifts and losses, the highs and lows, all of my efforts are beginning to find their positive end.  And over the last few years, I've started to learn how to keep my expectations in line with my priorities.  This alone makes it easier to remember that life, right now, is good.  I truly hope that you all have a blessed new year.

with love,

Laura

December 17, 2007

Ice and Wind

The combination of the two has formed a thick sheet of glass on the sidewalks of all the local streets in my neighborhood.  Poor Jimbo spent a good 1/2 hour trying not to slip and slide as he "marked his territory" around the house.  He's still confused as to why his paws couldn't find the traction he needed to romp around in the white.

So here I am working at my computer, taking way too many breaks, procrastinating like the champ I am.  I'm hoping to be finished with typing these reports so that I can once again attempt finishing the millions of songs I have started and then given up on, usually with the normal cursing at my piano and stomping on my hard wood floors.  I've also got to start Christmas shopping at some point.  It's all online this year for me.  I can't bear the thought of being trapped by the perfume ladies at Macy's.

I'm thinking of buying my husband golf lessons -- for me.  My only reservation is that the last time I tried to play, I threw the club farther than I hit the ball.  Picture this ("Shit! Shit! Shit! I hate this stupid game!")  He got a kick out of it.  I was still ranting two days later.  How can you hit a straight shot and then completely miss the ball about 20 times!!!  Patience is not my virtue.  Andy has a vision of us playing into our old age...like the caddyshack couple.  I see myself a little bit differently in 50 years.  A more cantankerous and wrinkly version of myself, writing songs about the plight of my dentures and the death of my youth.

But I digress, anybody know what the popular gifts are for toddlers this year?  It's hard for me to remember that age, other than the fact that I wanted to grow up to be a flower.  I guess I've never made much sense.

Stay warm...back to work for me. 

XOXO,

L

December 13, 2007

Hi everybody. I've just added some new shows, and for those of you in Jamestown, NY, I'm heading back up there in early May, so mark your calendars!!

So, it's sleeting outside my window right now, and I'm hoping that the weather breaks before my drive to Philly this Saturday.  For those of you that are going to come out to the show, I look forward to seeing you there.  From what I understand, there are going to be a ton of musicians performing as well as other artistic things going on, i.e. people selling jewelry and other crafts.  All of this will be to raise money for a great friend of mine's Film Production Company.  Check them out at www.discreetcharm.net   They do amazing work!

I look forward to seeing you there.

XOXO,

Laura

December 7, 2007

I just got a phone call from Amanda McKean, one of the most amazing 16-year-old cancer survivors that I know.  Apparently the benefit she put together at Rumson-Fair Haven High School the other night raised over $28,000!  It got me thinking about what I was doing at 16 years old...wearing mini-skirts with cotton tights and combat boots -- dwelling in my adolescent drama.  For those of you that know Amanda, give her a huge hug for me.  For those of you that do not, I hope that her ambition and compassionate drive inspire you to do your best to make the world a better place.  Well done, Amanda!  I look forward to sitting down to some coffee sometime soon.

In the meantime, I'll be looking for some venues to play down near Rumson, NJ.  It was wonderful to celebrate life with you all.

XOXO,

Laura

December 2, 2007

Well, the houses on my street are officially Christmas-ified.  I came home from a gig last night, exhausted and barely awake, but the lights on the houses guided me in like airport flares.  I even woke up to snow on my car this morning.  I guess it's time to break out the sleigh bells and spend some money, no?

This year, my husband and I have decided to donate money in the name of our friends and family.  We usually give to www.imtooyoungforthis.org or www.njseeds.org.  So if you are looking for some solid organizations to give some money to, these are highly recommended on our end.

Special thanks to Mojo's in Jamestown, NY  for a really great show on Friday night.  Also, for those of you I got to meet at the Java Lounge yesterday in Nazareth, PA, thanks for such a great evening.  I am sorry I couldn't stay longer, but between driving all day and being up all night, no amount of coffee could have kept me from getting in bed by 8 pm.  Brittney Ann -- you did an amazing job with the benefit.  I look forward to seeing you play live sometime soon.  

I'm hoping to be adding some more shows to my calendar soon.  Java Lounge for sure in April and Boston soon after.

XOXO,

Laura 

November 29, 2007

A special thanks to Sophie B. Hawkins and her amazing band last night, all of whom came together and caused a cosmic shift in the earth's energy last night.  Man, I was floored.  It was such an honor to share the stage.

So, I'm packing up again and headed back to Jamestown, NY tomorrow.  Cross your fingers for me that I don't get lost more than once.  I swear that GPS is in my future.  If nothing else, just to make it easier for the search team to find me.  I can see it all now:

911:  What is your emergency?

ME:  Where am I!!

But I digress...It was a great evening, so thanks so much to Matt Angus and the Stanhope House (especially Mike on sound).  I'm going to try to get back to the area in February for a full night.  So, I hope to see some familiar faces.  And until then, don't forget to request my music at WNTI 91.9 FM!!  www.wnti.org  You can also go there and listen live.  It's a great AAA station that plays the best of what we never seem to hear.

XOXO,

L