LAURA JORDEN

Biography

"Music saved me I confess, lost in the dark it helped me find the best, that lay in my heart, so I could find the strength to move on to forgive to accept I found myself, in music". The above quoted lyrics are from "THANKYOU" a track on Laura Jorden's debut album "Welcome 2 Lauraland" and explains how this naturally gifted singer/songwriter survived some of her darkest moments.

Laura Jorden will have 2 releases through Matchbox Recordings - her single "Damage" and her brilliant debut album 'Welcome 2 Lauraland' which will be released on 30 November 2009 via Matchbox Recordings and Universal music operations.

BACKGROUND

Born in Sunderland in the North East of England, Laura's exceptional voice was recognised at a very young age and she was often chosen to be the soloist in her school choir, once appearing with the choir on a Sunday morning religious programme for local TV. After winning her senior school talent competition it was obvious Laura's future lay in music. Her phenomenal vocal abilities eventually brought her to London to pursue a music career, but she was side tracked into the 9 to 5 rat race and decided to put her creative aspirations aside. "I did ok, but I was a denying the deepest part of me, my creative passion and dreams, pretending they didn't really matter, that's no good for anyone, then thankfully at last I saw the light"

(Laura Jorden 2009) Laura eventually quit city life and in January 2006 she joined Middlesex University on a full time degree course and began working with producer friends John Robinson and Dan Spiller in the studio on a couple of tracks. The few songs she recorded in the studio with John and Dan became a thirteen track debut album and by the time Laura graduated with a first class hons degree in television production in July 2009, she had written a screenplay, 2 novels, a large number of poems, directed a short film and knew she could no longer deny her dreams. Not fitting into the typical singer/songwriter box and wanting to keep creative control, rather than begin a prolonged search for a record deal, Laura co-founded Lauraland Productions Ltd, which under its record label Lauraland is releasing her stunning double A side single Damage/ Ruby Slippers from her debut album 'Welcome 2 Lauraland' (released November 2009). Laura has a unique perspective, her empathy allows her to write in many voices and makes every song on the album, diverse but instantly identifiable. "There are landmarks in my album that can connect to your soul and others that move your feet, so Welcome 2 Lauraland everyone, I hope you enjoy your tour!î (Laura Jorden 2009 :)

THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

1. What made you decide to start a career in music , tell us a bit about your life and musical history to date ?

Music is my constant companion, I have music in my head 24/7 and can't sleep without music playing during the night, so it was always my dream, but it stayed just a dream for a long time, writing songs up in my room, the idea that I could actually have a music career seemed a million miles away. Then I moved from my home town of Sunderland in the North East of England to London in 2002 and began to take music seriously as a Profession. I started meeting people in the business but the timing wasn't right and I really wasn't ready. I got a job and did the sensible thing, but as anyone who is denying what matters to them will tell you, that doesn't work for long. So I left work and joined Middlesex Univerisity on a creative writing course which I later changed to a Television Production Degree, I think I wanted to discover what I could achieve. I had met producers John Robinson and Daniel Spiller through my work and started going into the Studio working on a couple of my tracks, I loved being in the studio and those few tracks developed into Welcome 2 Lauraland, my debut album.I graduated in July 09 with a 1st class hons degree Television Production and a completed album. I then had to figure out what to do with it, I'd seen how harsh and endless trying to get a record deal can be, so instead I decided to do this independently with help and support. I co founded Lauraland Productions and signed a distribution deal with Matchbox Recordings, they have been fantastic and I am very lucky to have such experienced and enthusiastic people around me. A major label might have been the easier route as there is so much to learn and it feels a little overwhelming still at times, but I do feel this is the right path at this point in my life and career, but I guess only time, feedback and hopefully some album sales will tell :)

2. Who or what are your influences ?

Musically, I'm like a sponge, so it's the world around me, movies, TV and the many amazing artists out there which influence me. From the personal touch of Karen Carpenter, the smooth velvet voice of Luther Vandross or the perfect harmonies of the Beach Boys, I find magic in it all.

3. What modern artists do you like?

There are so many amazing artists out there, so narrowing them down is hard but here are a few, but in no particualr order. Marron 5 Whitney Houston Beverly Craven Nickleback Boyz II Men Pussy Cat Dolls Jamie Cullum Harry Connick Jr Mariah Carey Adele Ne-yo Amy Winehouse

4. If you could choose to record a song with any other artist/band alive or dead who would it be and why?

Barry Manilow! I grew up with his music and it would be a dream come true, to collaborate with the man who makes the whole world sing. He is a legend.

5. What inspires you to write your music/lyrics ?

Sometimes my songs can come to me and will bug me till I get them on paper or into my voice recorder. Other times, it's a situation in life which can inspire me, be it a kissing couple of the tube, a broken marriage, my own ups and downs they are all in there as well, but it's observing the world around me, all those choices and journey's which are my biggest inspiration when I write.

6. Name your all time fave track by another artist ?

I can't, I have narrowed it down to three and that was tough! Bohenian Rhapsody by Queen, Street Life by Randy Crawford and Songbird by Kenny G. They are my desert island discs.

7. Do you write all of your own songs and what equipment, instruments are you using ?

Yes, but since I don't play any instruments I need a partner for the music. The way I create a song is by singing the fragments into my trusty Dictaphone and that way I get a basic melody, also this usually indicates a style. Then once I have it completed and have typed up the lyrics, I take them into the studio and sing it into the mic, then my producer and I play it back, bounce ideas around and then together we craft the song.

8. What are your ambitions for your music. Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?

I honestly haven't thought about it. Fame and fortune would be cool of course, but my dream is to be included into the soundtrack of other peoples lives. I've always wanted to be the song played when that person is happy or broken, to echo their pain or help them celebrate, as music has done for me over the years. I'm just starting out so it's all exciting and terrifying in equal measure and there is still a lot for me to learn but, ideally in 5 years I would love to have my own band, have made some more records and established myself as an artist and songwriter with a respected varied career. To be able to collaborate with some of my hero's and enjoying the privilege of doing what I love and expressing myself through Lauraland for a living.

9. How would you describe your music and what genre do you think it fits into ? Do your lyrics come first and then your melodies or vice versa ?

It's mainstream but not manufactured. On my record I crossover many genres from Jazz through Pop and Soul to Acoustic, each track for me has it's own heartbeat and spirit, some need a grand and powerful arena such as "Damage" and "Give it", others require a more intimate setting e.g "Ruby Slippers" and "Thank you"!. After the album was finished, I began to worry that it wasn't easily defined in terms of genre but, thankfully the feedback I have received is that people love the variety and are glad Lauraland is so diverse which is a huge relief. As for which comes first, well it changes, sometimes I will get a melody playing around in my head, it was that way with "So Into You", the tune came first then the lyrics. Other times I hear the words in my head first, as though they are being read to me, the opening line of "Taken" came to me like that. There are times where music and lyrics come together almost as though someone in my head is singing it to me, "My Someone" happened this way, it's strange as you feel it comes from another place and has been given to you as a gift.

10. Where is your forthcoming CD being recorded and who is producing it?

My debut album Welcome 2 Lauraland was recorded and produced by John Robinson (Clique Productions, Kilburn) and Daniel Spiller (Shoot the Dog Productions, Tottenham) they are great friends of mine and such fantastic producers to work with, I was very blessed.

11. In the U.K music and food has combined with celebrity rock and pop stars now appearing and cooking on TV food shows. Please can you give us your favourite recipe ?

I'm not much of a chef, although I am known as 'Queen of the Microwave' lol, my favourite dish is Spaghetti Bolognaise, I love Italian :)

12. We have heard your press photos were taken by a friend of Michael Jackson tell us more ?

Yes, Harrison Funk www.harrisonfunk.com he is a genius, some of my fave images over the years I later learned were taken by him. I met Harrison a while back and we kept in touch on line as he is flying all over the world. When I knew I needed publicity shots I asked if he knew anyone, and amazingly, he said he was in London and that he loved my music, so he would do it! It was my first photo shoot and I was so nervous, but Harrison made it such a fun and fantastic experience for me. I'm honoured to have him as a friend and be included into his star studded list of clients. 13. Who did you use for your mastering the sound is incredible ? I know, I was so lucky to get Andy Jackson, www.tubemastering.com who worked with the likes of Pink Floyd! My Producer John Robinson recommended him and his style worked perfectly with the feel and direction of my album "Welcome 2 Lauraland". I feel very blessed to have been able to work with such talented and generous people during the making of this record. -

www.myspace.com/welcome2lauraland