I am playing live with the fantastic cellist Dave Eggar, Brian Adler on drums and Matt Aronoff, the ever talented Brian Charette on keyboard and still coming back Duke Lee on percussion, the fabulous Ann Klien on electric guitar.
Thanks to all the great musicians that played on the album: Alex Alexander and Keith Golden you guys are the best, the bad ass Ann Klien on lead guitar, my pal and soul sister Sophia Ramos on backing vocals love you girl, The Duke on pecussion, and Doug Petty on Keys.
In the finals for NPR’s “All Songs Considered”, and supported by College Radio Airplay on over 200 stations and 4 continents.“SIREN is a break out record for Laura, her voice live is just startling and she's a damn good guitar player too” says Steve Addabbo, GRAMMY Award® Winning Album Producer. For two years in a row, tracks from SIREN won honorable mentions in The Billboard World Song Contest; "City Child" in 2006, and "Underworld" in 2007........................
I am known to some as "THE SIREN". You know the myth? Well when I wrote "Siren" I wanted to challenge and play with the image of the female temptress. I posed this question: What if the sirens were singing for each other? What if their siren calls had nothing to do with the sailors at all? What if the siren's call was a call of love, siren to siren? I never set out to write a political song, per say, or even a song about being identified as queer. In general I like to explore identity, my own and others through the lens of myth-because I believe that is where it is born. Any identity is limiting in its very nature because it usually tries to fit a complex person into a stereotype. Stereotypes never represent all we truly are. But myths use archetypes, we expect myths to be fictitious and because of that there is actually more room for truth. Myth gives us a playground of exploration for the human experience, for identity, for politics, and for love, which transcends everything we think we know anyway.
I am a native of New York City’s Lower East Side; yep it's true I come from a family of musicians and lefty activists. The Lower East Side was rough in the day—gangs, drugs, burnt-out buildings and radical revolutionaries. A bit different from the chic boutiques you see now. But it was also this amazing melting pot of culture, music, and philosophy. I am grateful for my exposed and uncensored childhood in some ways. It certainly gave me lots to write about. I went to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts for voice, (any alums?) and I sang in the Gospel Choir.
I also performed for six years with Lavender Light The Black and People of all Colors Lesbian and Gay Gospel Choir check out their myspace page I sing the solo on "This is the day Rejoice". I am blessed with this voice so of course I will always be making music and I look forward to more recordings too. I also play harmonium, sing and write kirtan (chanting the name in sanscrit). I am working on new material for my next recording. Thank you, thank you thank you to all the fans and friends around the world for making what I do possible. PEACE........ THE SIREN
Hey Laura, hope all is well. I hope Cheryl told you how much I enjoyed your CD! I hope you have the opportunity to listen to our music. When you do, I would love to know what you think. We will be playing the Cotton Club in July. It would be cool if you ran through. God Bless! JaVonne
Thank you for the friendship, Laura! we like the feeling of your music! all the best for your project and greetings from Italy by Lybra Guitar Orchestra
