Of Laura DiStasi a fellow artist once said, "Her music does what every songwriter wishes their music could do: it hollows you out, then fills you back in. It breaks your heart and builds you a new one. It moves you."
A singer/songwriter by way of Southern New Jersey, Boston, MA, and now Brooklyn, NY, Laura DiStasi's music captures both the vibrancy and isolation of city life. Her lyrics hit close to the bone and are heavy with imagery. She plucks moments from the everyday, holding up promise in one hand and heartbreak in the other. The music feels its way though impressionistic landscapes, exploring the complex depth of relationships and change… nostalgic, yet hopeful… that anything worth lamenting is, once was, or could be beautiful.
Best known as the writer and voice behind the electro-pop collaboration 'Measure', Laura has been performing original compositions as far back as a piano recital at age 8.
While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Laura met and worked with multi-instrumentalist/producer Josh Kaler. The two remained friends through the years, while Josh lived in Charleston playing and recording with his band, Slow Runner, and co-producing with Jay Clifford (Jump Little Children) for their production house, Hello Telescope. Josh pulled Laura in to sing back-up on a track for William Fitzsimmon's 2011 release Gold in the Shadow, which resulted in Laura touring Europe in 2010, performing solo to support William, and then playing keys and singing as a member of his backing band.
Following the tour, Laura asked Josh to produce three songs for a new EP. This 2011 self-titled release clearly defines Laura's sound as a solo artist, separate from the more electronic collaborative sound that characterizes Measure.
It's no surprise that people hear their most intimate thoughts echoed in phrases of Laura's songs. She finds her inspiration delving into moments of her own life and empathizing with those around her. There is beauty and simplicity in our lightest and darkest of moments, feeling the affects of city life, and the changing of seasons - it's in this space that Laura wrote the four tracks on the new EP.
Most often touring up and down East Coast U.S.A. and Canada, Laura eagerly awaits an opportunity to tour the U.S. more extensively and return to Europe. To date, she has shared the stage with artists such as William Fitzsimmons, Nada Surf, Ellis Paul, Fountains of Wayne, Chris Barron, Slow Runner, Tom Brosseau, and Caroline, to name a few.
Beyond the live show, Laura's song "Begin Again" was a John Lennon Songwriting Contest (USA) Finalist and winner of the 100% Music Contest (France). Her music has been prominently placed on television shows, such as “Melrose Place”, NBC's “Mercy”, MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” and "Teen Mom", ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars", as well used in a Public Service Announcement narrated by Morgan Freeman for volunteerism, a cause dear to Laura who recently completed her third marathon to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Releases include Laura's 2005 debut "Winters Never Quit", Measure's 2008 debut "Begin Again", a 2010 3-song pre-release for Measure's highly anticipated LP - due out late fall of 2011, the 2010 Measure holiday single "Auld Lang Syne", and most recently Laura DiStasi's self titled EP - due out August 15, 2011.
Album Credits:
Words and Music by Laura DiStasi
2011 Snow Day Music/Laura DiStasi ASCAP
Produced by Josh Kaler
Recorded and Mixed at Hello Telescope in Charleston, SC by Josh Kaler *
Laura DiStasi - Piano and Vocals
Josh Kaler - Drums, Bass, Percussion, Guitars, Banjo, Glockenspiel, and additional keyed instruments
Mastered by Matthew Azevedo
*Vocals for tracks 2 and 4 recorded by David Little in Brooklyn, NY
*Piano for tracks 1, 2, and 3 recorded by Mike Beck at Secret Society Music in Brooklyn, NY
Cover photo by Shervin Lainez
Album layout and design by Olive Argyle
www.lauradistasi.com
Heartfelt gratitude to all who helped in the making of this EP and all who support this music by purchasing a copy. Thank you.
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