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"Another young ’un with skills beyond her years....She’s got an accessible breathless voice, her lyrics are poetic and free of pretense and she’s a natural guitar player." -The Santa Cruz Sentinel, 2007
"Being a teen prodigy in the pop music world can be a curse. In some cases, though, it isn’t all self-defeating hype, such as with 19-year-old folkie Lauren Shera, whose melodic ear is impeccable and demonstrates promising signs of a true talent." -Metro Santa Cruz, 2007
Hailing from a musically-oriented family, Lauren Shera grew up in New York listening to an eclectic range of artists, and was particularly drawn to folk music. After relocating to northern California in '96, her family found their niche in a close-knit community of alternative, homeschooling families that often had gatherings centered around a circle of musicians playing folk songs. The allure of these familial folk sessions inspired Lauren to take up the guitar at the age of 13. Shortly thereafter, she dedicated herself to writing & performing, with her first public performances taking place at various coffee houses and open mics, developing into local, regional, and eventually, National appearances. With original songs and lyrics that weave evocative poetry and storytelling with haunting melodies and intricate finger-picking, all manifesting itself into her distinct stage presence, Lauren has steadily created her own unique path in the world of Contemporary Folk.
To date Lauren has appeared on stage supporting such acts as Greg Brown, Iris DeMent, Jason Mraz, Billy Bragg, Lowen & Navaro, Todd Snider, Kristin Hersh, The Ditty Bops, Joan Osborne, Vashti Bunyan, Abigail Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet, Elvis Perkins, Nanci Griffith, Leo Kottke and Phil Lesh, who said of Lauren, “…Every generation or two a voice comes along that redefines what you thought you knew about music and touches you deep down in your soul...her voice is going to define the next generation of folk music”. Additionally, Lauren has appeared at festivals such as the High Sierra Music Festival, Sausalito Music & Arts Festival, Monterey Music Summit, and South By Southwest. In 2006, Shera was invited to perform at the Bob Dylan tribute concert at New York city’s Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, to benefit the Music For Youth Foundation, where she was accompanied on stage by renowned guitarist Warren Haynes.
In 2007 Lauren released her debut album entitled "In My Bones". Co-Produced by Andy Zenczak, this superbly crafted debut paints a portrait of Lauren’s organic, hands-on upbringing, while paying homage to her diverse musical influences and blending them with the skill and eloquence that has become a hallmark of this accomplished young singer/songwriter. The album was very well-received, including a review by Santa Cruz music journalist Damon Orion of The Good Times, who referred to Lauren as the “Princess of Power”, posing the question: “Lauren Shera – Folk Music’s new royalty?”.
Lauren spent much of 2008 immersed in classes at Chicago's renown Old Town School of Folk Music, where she honed her skills as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, diligently refining her chops on acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo, and ukulele, and drawing inspiration from traditional and Old Timey music, immersing herself completely into the wondrously rich history of folk music. It was there in Chicago that the seeds of her new album were planted. Returning home to California via Nashville, she commenced to compose all of the material that would become "Once I Was A Bird". By far her most intimate and personal treasury of music yet, “Once I Was A Bird” stunningly showcases the evolution of Lauren's musical talents, production quality, and maturity as a songwriter. Staying true to the bare-bones style the songs were written in, Lauren, once again with the help of the brilliant producer Andy Zenczak, arranged the songs using a perfect compliment of musical embellishments. The stellar ensemble of musicians who contributed to the project include some of Lauren's closest friends as well as her two sisters and her father. In addition, two of Lauren’s biggest influences, Kristin Hersh and Abigail Washburn, each lent their phenomenal talents to the record. In typical Lauren Shera fashion, songs such as "Endless Sea", "Once I Was A Bird", and "Red Paint", permeate one’s soul and make their way immediately into the heart. Set to be released in May of this year, "Once I Was A Bird" promises to be an unforgettable and deeply moving listening experience.
Booking: Lauren@laurenshera.com
www.LaurenShera.com
All content on this page copyright Lauren Shera 2009
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