Laura Jane is an internationally renowned vocalist who has worked with some of the biggest names in Pop, Rock, Country and R&B music. In recent years she has worked on stage and in the studio with the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Joe Cocker, Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood and The Black Eyed Peas.
When the Los Angeles based artist is not touring the world or cutting platinum albums with superstars she is making her own music. Previous projects include her 2009 solo debut “To My Planet Boo,” produced by three-time Grammy winner Xavier Dphreppaulezz (aka Fantastic Negrito), and the critically acclaimed 2012 follow-up “Everything Changes.”
When the pandemic drove the world indoors in 2020, Laura Jane took creative advantage of the downtime, writing and recording her long-awaited third album “Weep Willow,” released worldwide to all major streaming services on September 24, 2021.
“Weep Willow” is a deeply personal record which chronicles the artist’s spiritual and emotional survival through the worst year in modern memory. Writing and arranging the songs herself, Laura Jane was joined in the studio only by noted producer Teiji Malkine. The album’s poetic lyrics, lush multi-part vocal harmonies and sophisticated musical arrangement bring to mind the work of the legendary Kate Bush, paired with a very modern electronic production.
Check out the captivating title track video below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Dive playlist, or listen to the entire album on your favorite streaming service. We had the chance to chat with Laura Jane about “Weep Willow.” Read her answers to our 8 questions below. And follow the links at the end of this article to connect with the artist. Get on her socials and follow her on her many musical adventures.
8 Questions with Laura Jane
Where are you from?
I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and raised mostly in Michigan but my family moved around alot, I really don’t have a sense of “roots’ ‘ because we moved so much.
How long have you been making music?
That’s a good question, I have been singing since I was like 5 years old, I would say I was making music, writing songs and things like from the time I was like 10 years old.
Who are the musicians involved in your project?
On this EP – the only people on the project are myself and the producer Teiji Malkine. This is a quarantine album where we were both just creating and writing in our home studios, the production may seem bare and there is or was room for other musicians but we didn’t do that – I think the space on this EP really reflects the mood of 2020 when alot of us artists were home out of work and still creating.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder – these types of folks!
What is your greatest non-musical influence?
God? Goddess? The spirit? Intuition….you know what I am saying?
What inspired you to create this project?
The fear, the loneliness, the stillness and anxiety that 2020 brought for probably all of us.
What are your plans for the future (musically)?
Well I am thinking I would love to do a live album of this EP, since it is so electronic. I am visualizing how to do this and hope to do that in the coming months.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
I am a deep space of gratitude these days to be honest, going through the last year without live music was absolute torture for alot of us, music is so important you know? I believe it is the universal language – so I am just in a deep space of gratitude and I realize no matter what I need to keep on going and just keep pushing!