Laura Cheadle has a desire to create music that runs deep and long. When she talks about her childhoodit sounds like she had the perfect environment for nurturing a budding talent. Born into a very musical family, the "funky white girl who's got soul" had little chance of become anything other than the talented singer/songwriter she turned out to be. Laura's dad had a powerful influence on her career as a musician. Laura laughs "I started singing pretty much directly out of the womb ". Cheadle's father is a well known musician in his own right and a phenomenal piano player, among many other things. At age 4, little Laura toured the country with her father, brothers, and mom in a homespun musical choir her dad created and named "The Appreciation Choir". The singing group wrote their own music, sang it and even made a music video that aired on major channels. Laura says "Ever since I got that first taste of touring and performing, I've been HOOKED!"
Cheadle's lyrics ooze raw emotion and soulful honesty. Where does it come from? Laura reveals "My soul and raw emotion come right from my heart. I never perform or write anything that is not 100% me because...well what's the point then? Music comes out of my soul and I love to show everyone my feelings through my music."
Probing further, I ask Cheadle to tell me a "heartbreak story". Laura confesses "Well when I was 15, I fell madly in love for the first time and it was not reciprocated so I used to pine and pine about this person and write songs. But, don't cry for me!! My first heartbreak inspired me to teach myself the guitar and begin writing songs. I always played piano and drums when I was younger, but I really connected with the guitar. My entire first album is pretty much about this heartbreaker. But, hey, I got some great music out of it on the bright side ☺!"
It's obvious when people hear your music that you pour out your soul in your lyrics. Describe what the song-writing process feels like for you? Is it a steady flow or mercurial? Laura shoots back "It's funny you ask this because the entire month of February, I could NOT STOP writing songs. I have a new Album coming out later this year. This is going to be my most meaningful album yet. I like to call it "Funky with a Conscience" I will be performing many songs based on recent events that happened and much more. We have been in the studio working hard and I still can't stop writing songs. There isn't a certain place where I write my music, it just POURS out at random times. My father and I are a dynamic duo. We are great at working together and writing. Just yesterday, I woke up out of a dead sleep and wrote the music and lyrics to a song. Inspiration will just come over you and you have to go with it!"
The family affair that began in Laura's childhood is still going strong and hasn't fizzled out. She loves her band, which consists of her father, James Cheadle along and her twin brothers, Jim and Nick Cheadle. Her drummer is Ben Smith and her Bassist "Phunkle" Tom Vail who owns a professional recording studio, which gives her access to record whenever she's inspired. She loves writing and recording but her favorite aspect of the business definitely is performing live. She raves "I live to perform more than anything else in this world. The audience reactions and the live energy is such a rush."
When you talk with Cheadle you sense her strong positive energy and you know that this girl is hardwired to create music. Her album "Change (It's Alright)" was released in October of 2010 and is her favorite album yet. She began working with charities and many of the songs reflect her work with these Children's Charities. She also included love songs and introspective songs. The album is very organic sounding and so many amazing musicians play on it. Her new LIVE Album entitled "Laura Cheadle: Living On" was recently released and is a compilation of a variety of performances on the East Coast. Laura is super proud of this album and she says "You really get to know my family band and me through this album as you hear my funny antics on stage and the audience's reactions."
Laura Cheadle is destined to churn out timeless music that will linger with her fans for a long time. She her own unique sound and beautiful lyrics. She also has a great sense of humor. I asked her "If you were going to "spotify" your music into a playlist what artists would be played alongside you? Finish this statement for me: "Users who listen to Cheadle also listen to..." She laughed and paused and said "hmmm, hard one..." Then she blurts out "I like to call myself a "Funky Singer-Songwriter" so my music varies. Some of my tunes are bluesy, some more funk, some more jazz, some pop, some rock." Then she smiles and hesitates "but if I had to choose someone I'd say John Mayer and Sade!"
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