Artist Information
Biography
In
live performance, the band turns up the volume and infuses their songs
with an extra jolt of energy. While exuding an undeniable charm, Laura
"has commanding stage presence, fabulous vocals and is a superb
keyboardist" (Riveting Riffs). Jeff (bass) and Johnny (drums) provide
the rhythmic backbone, while Andrew (guitar/keys/vocals) provides
layers of colour. The versatility and musicality of these players is
apparent as they supplement their basic instrumentation with textures
ranging from sing-along gang vocals, to walls of guitar feedback, to
space age synthesizers, and percussion breakdowns. They maintain a
studious approach toward crafting new songs and are constantly tweaking
and improving arrangements of older ones and have "created a
masterpiece and a live show that’s both entertaining and memorable"
(Ronatron).
Laura Smith has grown from its original inception
of a girl and her piano to a collaborative four-piece band of diverse,
accomplished, and experienced musicians. Based out of North Vancouver
and Victoria, BC, the current incarnation of the group includes Laura
Smith, Andrew Braun, Jeff Riedlinger (Sam Bradley) and Johnny Andrews
(Tegan and Sara). They boast years of live experience and numerous
music-related pieces of paper between them.
Since the
self-produced debut, Sea of Stars, in November 2008, they have toured
Western Canada four times, done two CBC Ca …
Artist Information
Biography
In
live performance, the band turns up the volume and infuses their songs
with an extra jolt of energy. While exuding an undeniable charm, Laura
"has commanding stage presence, fabulous vocals and is a superb
keyboardist" (Riveting Riffs). Jeff (bass) and Johnny (drums) provide
the rhythmic backbone, while Andrew (guitar/keys/vocals) provides
layers of colour. The versatility and musicality of these players is
apparent as they supplement their basic instrumentation with textures
ranging from sing-along gang vocals, to walls of guitar feedback, to
space age synthesizers, and percussion breakdowns. They maintain a
studious approach toward crafting new songs and are constantly tweaking
and improving arrangements of older ones and have "created a
masterpiece and a live show that’s both entertaining and memorable"
(Ronatron).
Laura Smith has grown from its original inception
of a girl and her piano to a collaborative four-piece band of diverse,
accomplished, and experienced musicians. Based out of North Vancouver
and Victoria, BC, the current incarnation of the group includes Laura
Smith, Andrew Braun, Jeff Riedlinger (Sam Bradley) and Johnny Andrews
(Tegan and Sara). They boast years of live experience and numerous
music-related pieces of paper between them.
Since the
self-produced debut, Sea of Stars, in November 2008, they have toured
Western Canada four times, done two CBC Canada Live recordings,
showcased at; NXNE, the WCMA’s, Junofest, played Rifflandia twice, the
Vancouver Jazz Festival, Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, the
MMVA artist lounge and had the opportunity to open for bands such as
Immaculate Machine, Dan Mangan, Said the Whale, Mother Mother and
Nicole Atkins.
Sea of Stars has been distributed and is
rotation on CBC radio 1, CKUA in Alberta and various college stations
debuting number 10 on CFUV. Their first single "Can't Stop" has been in
regular rotation on CBC Radio 3.
“…one can only predict that
Laura Smith has an incredible future ahead of her, not only on the
Canadian music scene, but we should also be hearing more from her on
the international stage as well." (Riveting Riffs – Vancouver Plaza
Club Review)
