Album Notes

"The vulnerability she brings to her songs does prove compelling. Whether she's sharing her uncertainties about her choices as a person and an artist, grappling with indoctrinated religion or finding comfort in fleeting moments of escape, Shay delivers them with a simmering intensity, her struggle to break through convention and conformity to embrace the totality of who she is and have that be accepted a common and relatable thread. The warmth of her vocals, steeped in raw sensuality and sensitivity, only serves to underscore such uncompromising honesty." -Naila Francis, The Doylestown Intelligencer


At the age of sixteen, a songwriter was born in Laura Shay. If you ask Laura to describe her style, she will tell you that the emotion dictates the song – you’ll find elements of pop, rock, jazz, blues, folk and soul in her songwriting, but the common thread among Laura’s music: raw emotion.

Now, at the age of 24, Laura has two full-length albums under her belt – Stories of My Life, released in 2000, was recorded in a home studio where Laura worked in exchange for recording time. It was a first attempt for this untrained singer/songwriter, and the album was well received by fans – it was a raw glimpse into the life of a teenage old soul.

In 2005, after college and in the midst of graduate school, Laura recorded and released her follow-up album, To a Place. Recorded at Morning Star Studios under the tutelage of Grammy award winning engineer, Glenn Barratt, this self-produced album featured a significantly more polished, structured sound, accented by Laura’s new band members – Dominic Cole [guitars], Michael Litt [drums], and Bob Blinebury [bass]. Although her songwriting had profoundly evolved, Laura’s lyrics remained genuinely observant, brutally honest, and utterly relatable. This new sound attracted a new audience that embraced Laura as a true artist.

Laura spent 2006 promoting her new record, focusing on listening rooms along the East Coast. Sometimes alone and sometimes with her band, now featuring Andy McGowan [bass], Laura is a force to be reckoned with onstage. Hailed for her intense stage presence and dynamic live performances, Laura puts her body and soul into every note – she lets the music play her.

Laura and the band are currently recording her third full-length album at Turtle Studios with the help of co-producer of Jeff Hiatt [The Lowlands]. In the meantime, Laura continues to play local venues, building her fan base one listener at a time.