Laura Roppé Band includes Laura Roppé with stellar musicians Albert Margolis on hammond organ; Jann Hoff on bass; Jennifer Argenti on violin/fiddle; Alexis Grenier vocalist; Ricky Lewis on lead guitar; and Jeff Burges drums
Influences
Jim Croce, Lucinda Williams, Fleetwood Mac, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Blondie, Janis Joplin, Karen Carpenter, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Lauren Coleman, Love You Moon, and I love Rx Bandits, too but I can't say I'm cool enough to have any reflection of that in my music!
Singer/songwriter Laura Roppé was raised in San Diego, California, avidly listening as a child to Carly Simon and Fleetwood Mac. In early 2008, after years of neglecting her creative side, Laura ran a full marathon. This inspired her to pursue her lifelong goal: singing. Laura immediately joined local San Diego cover band CoolBandLuke and started belting out tunes from Janis Joplin to No Doubt. But soon, she realized, she had her own songs to sing, too. She made a demo of her original songs with her (fabulously talented) cousin Matthew Embree of Rx Bandits, and brought it to Grammy-nominated producer Steve Wetherbee of Golden Tracks Studio in Escondido, California. He absolutely loved Laura's songs and strongly encouraged her to make a full length album. So, she did.
Even before her album was completed, Laura was selected as the Runner Up in the Kenny Chesney's Next Big Star Contest (San Diego). A little while later, Laura's full-length debut album was self-released in the US in late 2008 -- all songs written by Laura. A chance encounter with the producer of San Diego's top rated radio morning show resulted in airplay for "Float Away" on Clear Channel radio, and an avalanche of positive response ensued. This exposure eventually led to a record deal with London-based label, Right Recordings in October 2008.
Support from fans, family and friends became a Godsend for Laura when, in October 2008, Laura was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and immediately underwent seven months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Laura finished her cancer treatments in May 2009, just in time for the release of Laura's album "Girl Like This" and single "Float Away" in the UK.
In August 2009, Laura's song "Float Away" was aired on BBC Radio 2 -- the Wake Up To Wogan Show (the top rated radio show in the UK) -- among many other BBC stations and radio shows (BBC Merseyside, BBC Manchester, BBC Bristol, BBC Wales, etc.). The result: "Float Away" shot up from No. 76 to No. 5 on the Amazon UK chart in just one day! The music video for "Float Away" -- shot on the coast of England by renowned video director Steve Graham (Oasis, Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Lenny Kravitz videos to his credit) -- will be released in November 2009.
In November 2009, the Laura Roppe Band performed her hit "Float Away" at the Los Angeles Music Awards in Hollwood, CA, and she was thrilled to receive an award for Americana Single the Year!
Laura currently is hard at work on her second album, and trying to "wring as much joy and fun" out of every single day as she can.
Thanks for having me as a myspace friend...I really need your help.I'm Nominated for the QC awards and I need your Vote..Please go to www.queencityawards.com enter site click on nomination,scroll down to Country Artist (Male) and please throw me your vote.. Promoted by Missongwriter Promotions
Jeffrey Allen Edwards will be performing with his band at the Eastern Agricultural Fair on October 23rd at 9pm in Florence, Sc, The concert is free with paid general admission to the fair!!!!! Jeffrey needs ALL of his myspace fans to be there!!!!!
Promoted By: Linda of Missongwriter Promotions and Entertainment Oct 17-Anvil Tavern.Murrells Inlet Sc Oct 23-Florence County Fair--Free Concert with regular paid admision to Fair Call the Fair Office at: (888) 665-5173 or (843) 665-5173 E-Mail the Fair Office at ecafair@ecafair.com
Brand new issue of Maverick Magazine - November 2009 available from www.maverick-country.comfeaturing a special 3 page feature on the wonderful Laura Roppe! Also includes features on Miranda Lambert, Kendel Carson, Indigo Girls, Toby Keith, Eric Church, Katy & Hugh Moffatt, Dominic Kirwan, Reba McEntire and many more...
I take back what I said in my P.S. below. Been following the fires in Palos Verdes and the San Gabriels. Have family near both. Also in Melbourne, AU. That's plenty rough enough.
Hi Laura, Thanks for the friendly add. Your songs are great. I really enjoyed Little Daughter. As I listened I said, hey sounds something like the song I wrote for my granddaughters, called Grandfathered (you can find the lyrics in one of my blog postings on my profile page). There is an interesting difference. Most of your song is devoted to teaching, that's what parents do. Most of my song is devoted to the fun I have, that's what grandparents do. It's worth the wait!
Anyways, I really enjoy both your songwriting and your singing. I've written a number of other songs that you might like, besides those found in my profile blogs. Like some of yours, some have a little bite (I've limited my profile to my lighter songs). If you'd like to see some, let me know.
M.J.
P.S. just visited my 3 LA granddaughters and 1 LA grandson this past weekend, then had a meeting in Irvine. Is the weather always like that out there? I wonder if the rough weather we have here makes it easier to write a rough song?
Hey Laura, Can't seem to send any emails right now so this will have to do. So Sorry I missed Wogan playing your song. I will listen again online and message the old geezer to play it more often. Hope everything's going well for you. Look forward to you returning our way again soon. x
I added 3 pics each but lemme know if you want me to add more for you! Also, I couldn't find your name on Eventful so you should sign up so your name comes up in searches!!! Can't wait for the show!!