Interview: Laura Evans

Laura Evans: “I do like to go on long drives and listen to a bunch of music to get inspired.”

The Welsh singer-songwriter reflects on early music memories, career challenges, songwriting inspiration, and empowering recent single ‘What I’m Made Of’

Laura Evans is a Welsh singer and songwriter, known for blending styles from blues, soul and Americana. With over two million Spotify streams and notable radio support, Evans is known for her dynamic live shows, and has completed sold-out tours across the UK and Europe. Her single What I’m Made Of came out in April and offers a glimpse into her upcoming EP, set for release on 2 August 2024 and a prelude to her second studio album. Inspired by her mother’s words of encouragement, it’s a message of empowerment produced by Nick Atkinson and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. We recently caught up with Evans to learn a little more about her process…

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Where are you speaking to me from?

“I’m in Helsinki on a cruise ship. In between all my singing and songwriting I perform as a headliner on about six cruises a year.”

Where did you grow up?

“I grew up in The Valleys of Wales, about 20 miles from Cardiff. It’s beautiful with the rolling hills, but there wasn’t much going on there when I was a kid.”

What is your earliest memory of music?

“Oh, my earliest memory is sitting in the back of a car when I was about three or four. I was going to the beach with my parents and listening to Belinda Carlisle’s album. There was a particular song called Circle In The Sand and I wanted to learn all the lyrics as it was so beautiful.”

Is your family musical?

“My mum and dad are not musical, but my auntie and uncle are very musical. They were singers. They were a pop duo and performed on stages all around Wales, where we lived. I used to follow them around and copy their singing and performing. My first time singing on a stage was at one of their shows when I was only six! It was at that moment I realised that this is what I want to do.”

So how did you get into making music?

“I started writing songs when I was about fourteen and I remember taking them to my music teacher at school and him telling me they were really good. I didn’t play an instrument then so I would write full songs a cappella, with harmonies and everything. I didn’t know if it was ok to write like this but my teacher gave me the green light and made me feel it was ok to write without a guitar or piano. That gave me confidence to keep writing.”

Laura Evans: “I feel like people underestimate women in the music industry.”

How would you describe your musical style?

“I would say it’s country blues with a little retro pop in there. I love a bit of soul music too so people can probably hear that influence in my voice. I’ve spent a lot of time in Nashville writing songs, so I think the root of my songs is based on that storytelling element, which I think sets the tone.”

Do you remember the first song you wrote?

“Yes, I was about thirteen and it was called Holding On. It was about my career and carrying on when it was too hard. I wasn’t scarred by love then, so I just wrote about my journey as a singer. I’m sure I’ve still got the song somewhere!”

What advice would you give to an aspiring songwriter?

“I would say write as much as you can, and get out there and meet other writers… this world is built on comparison, with Instagram and all the social media. As soon as you meet someone in person, all the fears and insecurities go away… So personally, I know I suffer from this, you know, you just spend all day scrolling. You think everyone’s better than you. Stop doing that. Just get in a room with other people and write songs, or be in a room and seeing them play live.”

Do you prefer writing alone or collaborating?

“I do come up with some great ideas on my own, so I do need to be alone to absorb music and ideas, think and come up with ideas and brainstorm. After that, I’ll take half an idea to an instrumentalist, but then saying that I can come to a room with no ideas and nothing and just come up with something. I do like to go on long drives and listen to a bunch of music to get inspired and think, ‘What am I going to do next?’ You know, ‘What do I like?’ Or, ‘What am I feeling this month?’”

What are you enjoying listening to at the moment?

“I’m loving Maggie Rose at the moment. She’s got a brand-new album out called No One Gets Out Alive, and it’s a lesson in songwriting. There are no gimmicks, there’s no fancy production. It’s just amazing songs sung by an amazing singer.”

What has your performing career been like?

“I’ve had such a varied career. I had a record deal when I was like, 18, and then I got dropped, which was hard at the time. Then I went into TV and was on a British kids show called The Basil Brush Show which was fun but meant I wasn’t taken seriously when I went back into music. I would say that since 2020 was really when I broke through and I got on a Spotify playlist and I got BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 2.”

Where do you like to write your songs?

“I’ve been loving being home, I write a lot with my partner Rich. So we just sit in our lounge and we’ve written the most magical songs. Sometimes, when I feel a bit stuck, I’ll make a cup of tea, talk about something else, and then we’ll come back to it when I’m ready. In a studio session you’re paying for your time so there’s pressure to just get on and write the song.”

What can you tell me about your new single?

“My single is the first new release since my debut album and it’s also part of an EP that’s coming out this year, while I work on my studio album. The EP is coming out on 2 August and is called What I’m Made Of. It was inspired by the single of the same name.

“I feel like people underestimate women in the music industry saying, ‘You have to be a certain way.’ So I definitely felt the need to write a song that just put all those thoughts to the floor. The first lyric I started singing was, “I get my kicks when they build me up to tear me down,” because in this industry everyone can say how good you are and then, as soon as you’re doing well, people will be like, ‘Oh, it won’t last.’

“I want people to remember what they’re made of when they hear this song because we’re in this world where we’re all being told that someone is better than us, so you should just home in on your own energy and remember why you started doing this.”

Have you got any other plans for your music?

“Yes, I’m going on tour with my band to promote the EP. We’re starting in Belgium and Netherlands then on to France and Germany. But first I have a big hometown show in September at A Cappella in Cardiff. It’ll be a listening party, really, for my new songs. And there’s no other place I’d rather do it. I love that venue and I love the people and it’s a safe space to share these new songs.”

Who is your dream co-write?

“I’d probably say Lucie Silvas. She’s so talented and I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time. I think we have a similar vibe and that we’d write well together.”

Laura’s new EP What I’m Made Of will be released on 2 August and she will be touring with Walter Trout in October. For all new music and tour dates head to thelauraevans.com

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