Laura Meets Musicians

Maria Lane Have you ever felt that push and pull feeling of longing for intimacy in a relationship, suffocated by the pain of betrayal? Maria Lane explores this emotional complexity with a very delicate touch in her new single "Empty Bed, Empty Sheets", out today.  Releasing on Valentine's Day, the song serves as a poignant contrast to traditional love songs. It’s a reflection on the moments when love is absent where it should be most present. At its core, "Empty Bed, Empty Sheets" is a song for anyone who has ever felt unseen or yearned for closeness that seems just out of reach, offering comfort and catharsis to those navigating the complexities of love and loss. "Empty Bed, Empty Sheets" is a deeply personal indie folk track that pairs poignant lyrics with a haunting arrangement of acoustic guitar and cello, creating an intimate and cinematic soundscape.  Maria's harmonies echo her ethereal vocals and wonderfully convey the ocean imaginery, wit...

Mrfy's Law Hailing from Orange County, California, singer and multi-instrumentalist Mrfy's Law (pronounced "Murphy's Law") is an all-round artist. She is not only a talented songwriter, but also a model, musical dancer and actress. Her multifaceted skills allow her full versatility and a very diversified type of voice that have become her signature features. Mrfy's art also includes influences from her Filipino-American heritage, making the Californian songwriter a distinctive and original figure in the indie music scene. With roots deeply embedded in jazz, pop-funk, neo-soul and R&B, her sound is a vibrant blend of genres that resonates with authenticity and passion. Drawing influences from artists like Hiatus Kaiyote, Cleo Sol, Erykah Badu and Daniel Caesar, Mrfy aims to deeply connect with listeners with her introspective lyrics and harmonious melodies.  Mrfy's Law releases her debut album "Sonic Seven" today, a chill and feel-good soun...

Petra Jasmiina (Photo credit: Victor V. Gurbo) The fabled novel "Secret Garden" was one of my favorite books when I was a kid but forget about it, Petra Jasmiina's newest release of the same name has nothing to do with childish memories and sunny gardens!  Get ready to enter a much darker place with her audio-visual storyscape opening a gateway to a hidden garden - a secret oasis filled with lush greens, peculiar creatures and alluring flowers, each more beautiful than the last. But in this garden no bloom or petal is quite as it seems - something dark grows here, as well... "The gate is wide open... walk in if you dare" "Secret Garden" is a great example of Jasmiina’s artistic signatures:   her knack for escapist storytelling in song and on screen, as well as her niche genre, best described by her collaborators as "fairytale pop". The inspiration for the song came from a friend’s retelling of their art therapy session that evo...

Mara Sol Rising folk/rock singer-songwriter Mara Sol guides the listeners in a brave journey through the complexity of human relationships in her sophomore EP "Permanent Recovery" . The California songwriter is eager to connect with the listeners by touching profound chords in their hearts, with the hope to offer a cathartic outlet for those navigating challenging experiences like those narrated in the EP.  After releasing a number of songs focused on love relationships, Mara Sol felt the need to expand her songwriting. She started to explore who we are as humans through the different relationships in our lives. She says: " In this EP I tell personal stories about friendships, sisterhood, and even relationships with parents. They flow in an unique story of past trauma and the coping process that comes with that. Writing these songs was a healing exercise for me, a recovery journey that I am compelled to share with others. I think sharing stories can help us connect wit...

Brian Bacon A creator to his core, Brian Bacon ’s dressed up style of folk rock finds an almost miraculous balance between nostalgia and bold originality. At age 50, Brian left Cleveland, Ohio where he had lived for over 20 years raising daughters and moved into a tiny home in Nashville found on Airbnb to record an album with a producer he met on Instagram, the result was his second album, "Murder of Crows" .  Produced by Nick Bullock and performed by a band of professional studio musicians in Nashville, "Murder of Crows" is a ten-song road trip into a woodsy Midwestern Gothic storybook full of poetic character stories like something you would expect from a rock opera or modern musical. Listening to the whole album you'll have the feeling of being seated in the front row of a Broadway Musical, captured by the storytelling and the engaging rhythm. Its intricate arrangements of vocals, synths, guitars, strings and horns reminds me a lot of 80s pop/rock music that ...

Lyla DiPaul (photo by Chloe Bergman) Lyla DiPaul has only ever had one dream; to sing and play guitar. In 4th grade, when her older brother began to teach her to pick out songs by Taylor Swift and Green Day, Lyla knew she was hooked. Inspired and indulged by the artsy DC suburb of Takoma Park, Maryland where she grew up, Lyla began performing original music at local festivals by the time she was 11 years old.  Although passionate about songwriting, Lyla felt hesitant to pursue a career in music. A mostly self taught musician, Lyla recalls feeling like she wasn’t good enough to make her dream a reality. It wasn’t until entering college at Loyola University New Orleans that she found confidence. " I was scared that I didn’t have enough experience or understanding of music theory to really take the leap. When I arrived at school I was all set to study Environmental science. Very quickly I noticed the number of people around me who were boldly pursuing their dreams ". By her se...

Jeff Petescia (Photo Credit: Kris Khunachak) Jeff Petescia is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and 1/3 of the indie alt folk band Cold Weather Company . Their music is pretty original and distinctive, definitely a one-of-a-kind sound that combines excellent instrumentals with smart songwriting. Since I've met Cold Weather Company back in 2021, I had the opportunity to feature them various times on my page ( Interview on Instagram - YouTube video ). I was amazed to discover that the members of the band have their own solo music journeys too and I'm excited to introduce to you the talent of the guitarist Jeff Petescia today. Saying that Jeff has a great talent with guitar is quite an understatement: he is able to play it upside-down while bouncing a soccer ball on his foot, to say the least. He rocks an impressive personality in fingerpicking complex melodies - his hands seem to have a life on their own!  Jeff pairs this incredible ability with a dreamy and pretty clever songwri...

Drew Kiddoo and the Blackouts Drew Kiddoo And The Blackouts is a honky tonk country band based out of Ithaca , NY. Their unique blend of traditional country western, folk, and early rock and roll has captivated audiences across the region since they formed in 2018. Drew's songwriting is the heart and soul of the band. He writes from personal experience, and his lyrics are infused with love, whiskey, the open road, and that old "crying over an empty glass of booze" style of melancholy. The Blackouts are a misfit collage of local musicians who bring Drew's songs to life with that boot stompin', barn-burnin' energy. The album "Giddyup and Go" will be released on June 14th, in accordance with the release party set for the same date at The Range in Ithaca, next to Cornell University. I had the opportunity to listen to the full lenght album in advance, and I can't wait to share my personal take on it! "Giddyup and Go" is a collection of song...

LuisG With roots in indie rock, pop, emo, folk and a Southern California vibe, LuisG delivers a powerful melodic style, charming story-telling, and relatable lyrics.  Based in Las Cruces, NM, where he lives with his wife, his 2 cats and dog, he has established a name for himself in online spaces and local circles, recording and producing from his own home studio.  His music sounds like a combination of pop, emo, folk, indie rock with a Southern California beach vibe.   He released his debut EP back in 2022 and in the following years he continued to create new music, reaching the pinnacle with his latest album "Second Chances" , released on May 10th, 2024. H e wrote it after a serious health crisis that made him re-evaluate many things about his life. As LuisG states "Second Chances is an album about reflecting and remembering the things that are important in life, and moving into a new chapter.  Some of the very dark and difficult moments I’ve lived in the past year ...

Thompson Newkirk Thompson Newkirk is New York City's southern pop-rock artist. Thompson's music is guitar forward, upbeat, and lyric based. He tells stories about love lost, getting kicked out of Canada, run ins with the law, and not letting the harsh realities of life win over the soul. His main influences stem from groups like Jason Isbell, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dire Straits, and Phish. Almost every one of Thompson's songs start in one place and through twists, rhythm changes and breaks, end somewhere down the road. His high energy and audience participation style makes for a show that you don't want to miss.  Thompson's songwriting journey started when he was in High School - he used to write about tumultuos emotions while now he writes about stories that I have experienced throughout his life. All of his songs are about something specific and tell a specific story, he doesn't really have any party songs or songs that are just for fun. He loves catchy riff...

Mariano Mallia Singer/songwriter Mariano Mallia is a familiar face for those who have followed my blog for awhile. I talked about his inspiring and challenging story when he released his debut single "Don't Change" , after a vocal injury that stopped him from making music for years (you can read here ).  Mariano Mallia, who spent childhood summers visiting family members in Italy, says that it was in Italy that his passion for music was first born.  From those times, Mallia developed a deep appreciation for music, and ultimately decided to devote his life to music. However, the young singer’s pursuit was put to a halt in December of 2018 when he suddenly lost his voice. We talked further about his journey and the challenges he had to face when I interviewed him on YouTube (see here ). Despite the difficulties, Mariano refused to give up on his dream of pursuing music. Since the beginning of 2023, he has consistently released one single each month, putting hard work, musi...

Tony Venuto Tony Venuto, the talented musician who embarked on a solo journey in 2023, following his debut success with "20 Years", has just released his newest album, "City and Sand". This release continues Venuto's distinctive blend of New Wave, Pop, and Indie Rock, celebrated for its innovation and appeal.  Venuto's debut album garnered attention on college radio and Spotify, propelling him toward a  dynamic musical evolution. Now, "City and Sand" elevates his artistry further, with his musical exploration manifesting in a melodic fusion that captivates audiences. The album is about emphasizing love and embracing the power of positivity, even in the darkest of times. It tells stories of hope, love and liberation. "Creating 'City and Sand' was a deeply personal journey", Venuto shared. "This album  represents my growth as an artist and storyteller, showcasing diverse emotions and musical landscapes". This article wil...