Laura Meets Musicians

Rory D’Lasnow is a singer-songwriter from New Jersey. Heralded as a "golden-voiced troubadour" and one of the "32 N.J. bands and artists you need to hear in 2022" by NJ.com, Rory D’Lasnow picked up his late father’s guitar upside-down and backwards at the age of six. Despite never turning his guitar right-side up, Rory’s unique contemplative sound has propelled him on to perform at some of the nation’s most distinguished venues and festivals from Mercury Lounge and Rockwood Music Hall in New York, Hotel Cafe and The Viper Room in Los Angeles, and The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival in his home state of New Jersey. His penchant for evocative and vulnerable storytelling has earned him international radio airplay, opening slots for The Early November, Knuckle Puck, American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze, Actor/Musician Drake Bell, and John Corabi of Mötley Crüe/The Dead Daisies, and has garnered praise from the likes of American Songwriter and Atwood Magazine.  This...

I recently met the canadian singer-songwriter Frances Hope to talk about her latest single "STAY" based on her past trauma in a toxic relationship, and in one of that magic moments that happen when two people connect sharing similar experiences, we couldn't stop talking and confronting each other about this topic. This post is dedicated to all the people that are in, or are healing from, a toxic relationship. We tend to think that only love relationships can be toxic and that the victim is always the woman - this is certainly what happens more often, but any relationship (friendship, or even workship!) can be toxic and hurt in the same way. So, even tho this conversation is written from the perspective of two women (me and Frances), I hope that it can help in some way every person who need to read that we all are vulnerable, that it is normal to feel in a certain way and that it is possible to find the strenght to be free and to heal. But before, let's meet her! Fr...

One of the very cool things that social media can do, if well used, is to make you discover musicians from every part of the world. I'm very happy to welcome on my blog artists coming from all the five continents (yeah, if you know some cool indie musicians from Antarctica let me know lol). Earlier in 2021, Instagram made me meet an awesome pianist from Indonesia, Veronika Wen . She is extremely talented with piano, and suddenly impressed me with her sweet voice and kind personality. She is always super supportive to the indie musicians I feature on my profile and I think she really got the spirit of the Laura Meets Musicians project - a place where it's not just me supporting musicians but also musicians supporting to each other. That's why I'm honoured to introduce her to you all, because she definitely deserves a shoutout!  Veronika Wen isn't just a pianist but also a singer, composer, songwriter and piano teacher. I highly recommend to check her YouTube out, h...

In my wonderful journey interviewing indie musicians from all over the world, I noticed that a lot of female musicians complained about the difficulties of being a woman in the music industry and some of them pointed out the low number of female indie musicians who can break as professional musicians. Those difficulties have different causes , from the sexualization and harassment issues to the struggle to have their music taken seriously and be part of a band, for example. Also the fact that not-so-young women - who still would have a lot to say with their music - are mostly ignored. These issues add up to the general difficulties that every indie musician faces every day, man or woman. Nevertheless, I'm positive that the trend is slowly changing as recently I'm watching several talented women taking their way to success in the indie music scene. Also the increasing number of female independent artists submitting their music to my page gives me hope for the future. I can'...

In Part 1 of my conversation with Scott Martin , a guitarist based in Brooklyn (NYC), we talked about the role that guitar has in his life. One of the things I suddenly noticed about him is his strong and very recognizable style on stage, based on dress style, personality and moves, melted with a professional knowledge of the instrument . I also noticed that his Instagram profile is full of little stuff about guitars so, out of curiousity, I asked him if he could share with us tips&tricks for fellow guitarists. It sounds like he has A LOT to say about this topic, so I managed to make a separate blog post! I had a great time reading his answers even tho I can't play guitar, and I'm sure guitarists will find precious little tricks here!!  Scott, which are 5 "must-to-have" for a guitarist (could be instruments or personal skills)? "I think that you could stand to have a few things as a solid part of your arsenal of gear, sure. I mean, as a pro, I have A LOT o...

Eddie Van Halen said "A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your intrument" and the guitarist Scott Martin understood the assignment well. He is a singer, songwriter and producer hailing from Brooklyn, NYC.  Scott Martin is the guitarist and one of the primary songwriters in Bulletproof Messenger - a successful modern electronic rock group with several millions plays and thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify, as well as national and international touring experience. He has also built up a successful career as a solo artist, with his music being characterized as commercial and melodic indie rock, demonstrably showcasing his love of classic songwriting and arrangement. When I first met him through Instagram, I remember thinking "Wow, guitars are almost a religion for this man!" - but without exaggerating too much, I really think that he brought love for guitars to another ...

Sandra North is a LA based Swedish country/rock singer and songwriter. The artist started pursuing her singing career upon her move to Los Angeles, California in 2015. Being raised in a small town in Sweden, she was struck by country music the second she put her feet in the United States. Her debut single “Try Again”, released in 2019, and her two follow up singles “Same Story ‘Bout a Broken Heart” and “You” in 2020, all made international success on charts around Europe and Scandinavia . During this past year the artist has kept on working closely with producer/songwriter Juan Abella to complete her debut EP, “Long Time Coming”, which finally saw the light of day on August 27th 2021. As a country music lover, what I love most about Sandra North's music is her classical country style with a bit of pop in it, that gives me Little Big Town vibes. She is the perfect example of a determined woman pursuing her passions and dreams in a city where everything is possible. I can...