Laura Cortese is an American singer, songwriter, and fiddler. She was born in San Francisco and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she is currently based. We caught up with Laura on her cross country CD release tour in 2013. She is recording a new album this summer with her band Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards. Listen to a preview track here: http://www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/listen-laura-cortese-dance-cards-california-calling

“Since the release of Cortese’s most recent album, Into the Dark (2013), Cortese hasn’t shied away from heavy subjects. On “Brown Wrinkled Dress” she writes from the point of view of a woman who discovers her husband’s infidelity; on “Village Green” she sings in the voice of a servant who yearns for something more. Both songs echo traditional themes – “Brown Wrinkled Dress” is a murder ballad in the most classic sense – but others have an undeniably modern cadence. You can hear pop in Cortese’s deftly-written hooks and rock ‘n’ roll in the syncopated pulse that propels even her gentlest melodies. Her cover of Laura Veirs’s “Life is Good Blues” perhaps captures this spirit best: when Cortese sings, “Life is good when the band is smokin’ hot,” it’s easy to believe her.”

Learn more about Laura on her website. - www.thisislauracortese.com/

More info & view slideshow at http://www.afaceproject.com/podcasts/ep10-laura/

NOTES:

• [5:55] Laura says that she sings and plays the fiddle
• [6:15] Laura talks about touring for the first time
• [6:50] What it means to be an artist for Laura
• [7:45] Laura talks about sharing music and how she does that
• [8:20] Laura talks about the experiences of getting to new towns and each venue
• [9:20] Laura talks about having an idea of what you’re trying to accomplish
• [9:50] Laura comments on things that are meaningful to her