LAURA CHEADLE WAS NAMED BEST FEMALE SINGER OF 2009 on the Hit Radio Station 93.7 WSTW's Homey Awards!
South Jersey Superwomen
South Jersey Superwomen: The Women Who are Changing the Face of Where We Live
…From the pages of South Jersey Magazine…
No woman has it all. No woman does it all. But the women we’ve dubbed South Jersey Superwomen give their all, all of the time—to their careers, their families and their communities.
On these pages, we celebrate the professional, personal and civic efforts of South Jersey women who make an impact for the better. They’re only human and they may not always succeed, but the impressive examples they set can be described as super, indeed.
Laura Cheadle - Singer/Songwriter
From performing in her father’s choir for Persian Gulf War troops when she was 4, to teaching herself to play guitar at age 16, Cheadle has spent her life surrounded by music. Now the 23-year-old singer/songwriter is planning a national tour to promote her fourth album, Live On, which was released this year. Cheadle, who grew up in Pitman and now lives in Swedesboro, makes time for charity work, playing benefit concerts and performing for patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
LAURA CHEADLE, ON THE ROAD AGAIN
By, Anna Soloway
Laura Cheadle answers the phone with all the enthusiasm of a pizza delivery guy at midnight. That is to say she’s not trying to impress me because, to her, I'm nothing new. After all, Cheadle, a singer-songwriter who appears on Friday, November 20, at the Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse in Newtown Square, has been fielding autograph requests since age four. I quickly learn that she loves Stevie Wonder, drives a Chevy Malibu, and thinks Princeton might just be her favorite spot in New Jersey. Well, as long as she’s got a guitar in hand. She chatted with me from her Swedesboro, NJ, home.
U.S. 1: I think we can learn a lot about you as a musician by what songs you cover. What’s your go-to cover for a bar at last-call?
LC: Oh, man. “Son of a Preacher Man.” I don’t do many covers but I’ll throw them in there. I did it once at a show in Manayunk when everyone was drunk. We wound up with a hundred person dance party.
U.S. 1: And if you were going to open a set with a cover?
LC: “Chain of Fools.” I do a funk version of it. I also do a funk version of “Come Together” by the Beatles.
U.S. 1: How about a song you could never cover?
LC: Stevie Wonder comes to mind. I’m obsessed with him. I don’t know if anyone knows this song, but “You and I” by Stevie Wonder. I’d never cover that.
If these selections are a refreshing change from the celebrity-obsessed pop blips that dominate radio stations today, it’s no coincidence. At 23, Cheadle has racked up an impressive 21 years of experience as a musician. The self-proclaimed “funky soul” singer-songwriter grew up in Pitman, New Jersey, and has managed to keep herself busy playing, recording, and writing music since the moment she could pick up an instrument. Touring began at age four (more on that in a minute) and, with the exception of time off to sit in classrooms at Pitman High and later at Camden County Community College (where she earned her associate’s degree), she hasn’t stopped. “I’ve been touring around with my own songs since high school. I’ve gotten the best music education on tour.”
So who exactly sends their four-year-old out on a national tour? Well, no one; but you could hitch a ride if your dad happened to be promoting a song that required young voices. Cheadle had just finished learning to walk and talk when Desert Storm began. In an effort to honor American troops her father, Jim Cheadle, a professional musician who also owns and operates 9 South, a recording studio in Swedesboro, composed “In a Desert Land.” When the song began to gain popularity he packed up his twin sons, their fifth grade friends, and his young daughter and hit the road. He called the group “The Appreciation Choir” and they toured the country as the song hit radio stations nationwide. Father, daughter, and brothers also all appear in the video, which was put into rotation on VH1 and MTV. (I recommend a glimpse of the video on YouTube, if not for the timely sentiment, for the fantastic hairdos.)
Cheadle doesn’t remember much about those days other than having trouble signing the autographs requested of her. She does, however, remember the lifestyle: “We would move from hotel to hotel and I remember just loving it.”
I ask her, If you had to do something other than perform as a musician, what would it be? “Oh my God. I would love to do improv comedy! I’m a ridiculous person — I got class clown in high school. That’s just how I am. Man, SNL would be the coolest thing! Of course I picked another performing profession,” says Cheadle, who claims she supports herself by performing.
To be fair, performing is what Cheadle knows best. Before she could even be considered a teenager, the band “Sibling” was formed between, you guessed it, Cheadle and her twin brothers. Besides boasting what I happen to think might be the best ever name for a band, they also had the distinction of an 11-year-old drummer. “I was a big fan of the movie “That Thing You Do” so I wanted to learn to play drums. We actually got pretty popular in Pitman,” says Cheadle. “Then, when I was 16, I taught myself to play the guitar.”
She then began to write her own songs and ventured out as a solo artist. Her unique method of playing and her ear for uncommon melodies drew audiences night after night. When the novelty of selling out coffee houses wore off, she recruited her dad and brothers to form a full band. “A lot of bands I know have to rehearse all the time and we just know each other so well. We get how each other plays.” The family is also featured on her debut album, “Falling In,” which was released in 2006. This was quickly followed by two live albums (“Live On” is her newest release) as well as a Christmas offering.
It helps to have a father who is a musician and has a recording studio but the place of family in Cheadle’s life and music runs a bit deeper than convenience. Her father’s influence is especially evident in the theme of her newest work. (Her mom is an elementary school teacher at Walls school in Pitman.) “I just released a song called ‘Change (It’s Alright)’ about the world’s problems. It was inspired by Hurricane Katrina and the idea of all the people out in the world suffering. I’d like to make a difference with this song.” The song, which features rich, delicate vocals, can be heard on both myspace.com/lauracheadle and facebook.com/lauracheadle.
The television interviews viewable on her website (lauracheadle.com) give one a taste of the Laura Cheadle you might encounter at one of her shows; confident, relaxed, and passionate. Cheadle’s next show in the Princeton area is on Friday, November 20 for an all ages appearance at the Burlap & Bean in Newtown Square, but not for lack of trying to get closer, which leads to a discussion of favorite places.
U.S. 1: What’s your favorite place in the world?
LC: I’d have to say anywhere with my guitar. Oh, on a beach with my guitar. Any beach. I love the beach, and I hate cold weather.
U.S. 1: How about your favorite place in New Jersey?
LC: I have to say Princeton! It’s hilarious but it really is. I’m not trying to suck up to U.S. 1, I just really like the town. I played Alchemist & Barrister back in July and it was packed. I’ve been trying to get booked at Triumph for a while. I’ve played the Triumph in New Hope.
U.S.1: You should show up in person and try to get them to talk to you.
LC: I have.
U.S. 1: Well, I’ll publish this part of the conversation in the paper and we’ll see what happens.
LC: Thanks!
U.S.1: What kind of car do you drive?
LC: A 2001 Chevy Malibu.
U.S.1: And what stations are saved on the radio?
LC: 90.1, 88.5 WXPN, 93.7 ('cause they play me all the time) 105.3, and Oldies 98.
Cheadle and her band play regularly at venues spanning from Delaware to New York City. Triumph Brewery, take note: She’s up for the road trip to Princeton and you can be pretty sure she’ll pick a good cover song or two.
Reviews for "Live On"
Jersey Beat Magazine:
South Jersey girl LAURA CHEADLE is fun-kay; well, her music certainly is. With a sharp R&B feel, Laura’s music is positive, be it ballad or uptempo, and highly sensual, with numbers like the opener of “Live On” (lauracheadle.com), “Constantly,” “In the AM,” and “Whatever Moves You.” She whacks the listener on the side of the head with the mutha-funkin’ (her words) “Funk is Dead,” which has a wonderful catch that may have you humming well past listening. The prolific musician, with the help of her family of Cheadles, continually seems to produce memorable melodies, fun lyrics, and with Laura’s natural (i.e., not “studio-produced”) voice, you can dance, rock back and forth, or just smile, but you’re going to have a good time. As any reviewer knows, you listen to a CD perhaps a couple of times to get the feel of it, and then it goes on the shelf. Well this one will be joining the likes of Mary Gatchell (now THAT would be a great double bill), Tamara Hey and Angela Easterling on the regular playlist at this abode.
LAURA CHEADLE - LIVE ON
Getting off to a rousing start with the lively and exciting “Constantly,” this album offers one delightfully snappy, thrilling and spot-on pop-rock song after another. Laura Cheadle’s wonderfully warm, husky and robust full-throated voice belts out the thoughtful lyrics with infectiously hearty aplomb. The arrangements are crisp and tuneful, with the steady drums, equally sturdy basslines, and buzzing guitars keeping the music rich, catchy, funky, and flavorsome throughout. The songs neatly alternate between touching and subdued introspection (the moving “Answer Within Me,” the neatly bumping “In the AM”) and more energetic rock-outs (the smooth-grooving blast “Funk is Dead,” the punchy raver “Whatever Moves You”) with always pleasing and often uplifting results. A very cool and worthwhile album."
Pitman, New Jersey seems like an odd place for a funk, soul, and jazz revivalist to be born. This just happens to be the case for the extremely beautiful and equally talented Laura Cheadle. Her latest album “Live On” has been a two-year labour of love. Produced by and recorded at her Father’s (James Cheadle) studio “Live On” also enlists the help of her brothers Jimmy Lee and Nick as well as many other talented musicians. Laura feels like she’s grown a lot while she was making this album and drew on many experiences, and took time to reflect on life.
In an interview I had with her she said : “Constantly” is about being with someone who can not make up their mind about you and keeps you stringing along. I got so fed up with it and wrote that song. I’m actually really happy it happened though because I feel like "Constantly" turned out to be a great song about craving passion.” Almost all the songs on the album deal with some sort of personal subject matter. My favorite track off the album is the title track. The song is a true life Earworm. Its lyrics really speak to any generation and will have you singing “Life is crazy, live on, live on.”
Laura Cheadle makes singing seem easy. She’s teeming with the sort of soul that other artists can only dream of. And if her studio performance is any indication, she puts on an awesome live show.
Along with singing, Cheadle plays acoustic guitar, but don’t let that fool you into thinking she’s another mellow guitar-toting singer/songwriter. Her style is more soulful and funky, more jazz-influenced than pop. Her album, Live On, opens with “Constantly,” which is fun and catchy and a preview of what’s to come. The songs are mainly pretty upbeat and the lyrics are sweet. “In the AM” proclaims, “I never thought I’d be as happy as I am watching you sleep in the AM.” It is refreshing to hear some songs in which the protagonist gets the guy.
But don’t just listen to the lyrics. The songs are packed with great instrumental breaks and solos. Cheadle loves music and appreciates the tiny details that go into making a song more than just a melody and chords.
In case you have any doubt as to how Cheadle defines herself, she includes “Funk Is Dead.” She sings, “If funk is dead, then so am I.” And her voice shines, although she doesn’t show off. She just lets her voice be what it is, which is smooth and soulful.
She’s backed by incredibly talented musicians, as is showcased by the keyboard and guitar solos in “Funk Is Dead.” And she showcases her pianist in “Something Today.” A whimsical introduction is joined with Cheadle’s breathy voice, showcasing her sweet side.
The album is definitely worth listening to. This is what a girl with a guitar can do.
A white girl who can play funk? [+ Show] Stephen Carradini
Song: Lay Me Down Band: Laura Cheadle Genre: Fun...
Song: Lay Me Down Band: Laura Cheadle Genre: Funk. Album: Falling In Label: Website: www.lauracheadle.com Bottom Line: Pretty white girl singing dirty funk. Heck yes.
So I didn't believe it either when I read about it- how in the world could a white girl play funk? Well, I heard it, and now I'm a believer. Laura Cheadle's voice is husky, soulful, and provocative as she demands her lover to "lay me, lay me, lay me down" over a bed of funky bass lines, organ, and funky guitar lines. It just works. It's a great song because of Cheadle's vocals- but other than her vocals, the song is pretty much a standard funk song. But it's a heck of a lot of fun, and it sounds great- so why knock it?
-Stephen Carradini independentclauses@hotmail.com
Busted Knuckles Babe Of The Week [+ Show] Beau Smith
Laura Cheadle - singer / songwriter
Laura Chea...
Laura Cheadle - singer / songwriter
Laura Cheadle is one of those singers that you have to see live in a club. There are some bands that can fill stadiums and big ol' concert halls, but there ain't nothing like a club date or a coffee house to really appreciate a talent that knows what they're doing. Laura Cheadle is one of those.
When Laura sings there is never a lack of soul and originality. She comes from a musical family, her dad has done videos forVH1 and MTV as well as created the "Appreciation Choir" for the Persian Gulf War Troops in the 90s. Her older twin brothers are also in the band. Laura's voice and music is a nice blend of soul/blues and just enough pop to keep you on your toes. She's got quite a following in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. If ya get the chance to hear her play you'll be glad ya did. Laura's got a nice website to check out more on her and her music. It's at http://www.lauracheadle.com.
Oh, and as you can tell by her photos, she is the Busted Knuckles Babe Of The Week.
Tell em' Beau sent ya.
Delaware Valley's talented lineup updates a John Lennon classic for charity [+ Show] Out and About Magazine
Features a picture of Laura Cheadle in the studio ...
Features a picture of Laura Cheadle in the studio singing with the caption "Singer-songwriter Laura Cheadle contributes vocals to a local remake of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" at Ken-Del Studios in Wilmington." underneath
Author: Michael PollockPrint Delaware Valley's talented lineup updates a John Lennon classic for charity
It's an unusually busy night at Wilmington's Ken-Del Studios, and the press has been invited. Producer Paul Janocha chats with a photographer while speed-walking down the hall on his way to a recording booth. Once inside, he sets up a microphone for the Pitman, N.J.-based singer-songwriter Laura Cheadle, who's preparing to contribute vocals to a version of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," John Lennon's 1971 peace anthem that will be included on an upcoming charity CD benefiting the Salvation Army's annual toy drive. The session, which will host a slate of other local artists, is the reason we're all here.
In the control room, Janocha and fellow producer Mario Padovani begin rolling takes. A drum machine beat pulses through the speakers as Cheadle's soaring voice makes the song's already memorable lines bend and weave to the new rhythm. Janocha stops her several times to adjust levels. In the corridor just outside the room, other local musicians gather while waiting to record their parts. The inevitable Lennon homage soon surfaces.
"Happy Xmas' is such a simple song," says Zack Slostad, bassist in Otispunk, a pop-rock band that can be found in the suburbs of Philadelphia. "It's only four or five chords."
"Two or three melodies," adds Brad McClain, singer and guitarist in the Wilmington band SOULoh.
"And it's very lyrically relevant right now," Slostad points out. Noting the presence of a reporter, or simply wishing not to turn the discussion to politics, he doesn't elaborate.
Cheadle has finished recording and is now listening to playback. Afterward, she joins the rest of us in the corridor, worrying about her performance as she exits the control room. She'll probably feel more comfortable when she records a cover of "Santa Baby" that is also scheduled for inclusion on the CD. The interpretation taps into Cheadle's smoky soul and blues roots, evidenced when she reels off names like Etta James and John Mayer as influences.
Mythica frontwoman and sometimes solo artist Melissa Cox goes next. As she lays down her vocals, veteran songwriter and Realize Records co-founder Paul Lewis arrives. It's not long before he's embroiled in conversation with McClain about a Police tribute album he's finishing, proceeds of which will benefit research for alternative methods of cancer healing.
The tribute album, titled S.O.S., includes renditions of bedrock tunes like "Roxanne" Ken-Del's "Early Christmas"and "Every Breath You Take." Lewis, all colored hair and painted fingernails, was inspired after a close friend was diagnosed with stomach cancer and passed away, all within 47 days.
Steve Ketterer, a baby-faced and extremely polite musician from Newark who recorded earlier in the evening, listens in. He offers to do a cover of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," but alas, the slot's been filled.
Ketterer isn't too upset. He already had a special moment when he recorded his part to "Happy Xmas" a couple of hours before. A version he did in 2003 played on the radio the weekend before Christmas as he drove his grandmother home for the holidays. It was the first time she had heard him sing.
A photographer manages to round everyone up for a group shot in an accompanying room. Once it's over, Paul Janocha stops by the snack table and grabs a sandwich wrap. He tries to eat while greeting the night's guests. "As soon as I have a free minute," he says to me, "I'd love to sit down and talk." With that, he takes a bite, turns, and goes back to work.
Fabric of Family Woven Strong [+ Show] The Newtown Press
Fabric of Family Woven Strong by Shared Passion ...
Fabric of Family Woven Strong by Shared Passion for Music
SWEDESBORO -- This ain't no Partridge Family, this ain't no Brady Bunch, this family ain't fooling around. The Cheadle family of Swedesboro is serious about making music because they are personally responsible for all its aspects; from writing and performing, to recording, producing and distributing the finished product.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of their #1 critic and mother Sue and exposure since infancy to their multi-talented musician dad Jim, the three Cheadle children have grown up to be not only versatile musicians but close knit supportive siblings reared on Jazz and Blues.
The younger sister of 26-year-old identical twin brothers, 20-year-old Laura Cheadle has emerged as the "front woman" of this highly gifted crew.
Laura who describes herself "as a funky white girl who's got soul" credits her dad for exposing them all to the beauty of music from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and John Coltrane.
JIM AND LAURA CHEADLE working together in their South Productions Studio in Swedesboro.
She began singing and playing the piano when she was just five years old and at age 11 learned to play drums under the tutelage of her Dad.
From that point on, Laura and her brothers Nick and Jim began to perform together, calling their first band Sibling.
Four years ago, following a tough teenage break up, Laura chose to put down her drumsticks in favor of the guitar which she quickly taught herself to play. She explains, "The guitar allowed me to become more introspective and provided the perfect outlet for me to express my thoughts and feelings."
Because Laura taught herself to play she has highly unique chord progressions and finger positioning that allow her to create the jazzy unconventional guitar music that complement her smoky sultry voice and make her sound unique.
At 16 Laura released her first acoustic CD and earlier this year released her second full-length CD, "Falling In", this time accompanied by a full band that included Dad Jim on keyboards, guitar, and background vocals, brother Jim on guitar, and brother Nick on keyboards.
To complete the ensemble for the new disc, Laura, who once could only imagine playing with her family, attracted the talents of bassist Dave Sikorski, drummer Bill Grillo, and percussionsist Jim Hirsch. The result is a highly polished full-bodied sound that provides the perfect showcase for her vocal range and evocative lyrics.
With two CDs under her belt and the clever use of internet marketing, Laura has generated a large fan base both locally and internationally. She explains that a lot of her fans are from other parts of the world and as far away as India and Singapore.
"They would never get to hear my music if not for a vehicle like MySpace.com."
However, it is Laura's local fan base from Philadelphia and Delaware that she credits with keeping her dream of being a lifelong musician alive. "People who identify with me keep me going," she said as she recalls the emotion from one recent audience when a listener cried.
In July, Laura's CD release party was held at the prestigious World Cafe Live located at the nationally acclaimed WXPN studio in Philly. And during the same time frame, thanks to her fans, just slightly further south "Wrapped Up in You", a song Laura wrote at 16, won 10 days in a row in WSTW's "Two Song Throw Down", against nationally known bands such as the Fray, Staind and Hello Goodbye.
In fact Laura's large following of listeners prompted this Delaware Station to tap her as the opening act for Summerfest where she opened for The Spin Doctors and Sister Hazel.
While Laura has been approached by many different labels and has not ruled out a record deal, she continues to record under her fathers label, 9 South Productions. She explains that by maintaining her independence she can retain a better grasp on her music. "I don't want to sound like anyone but me."
She fondly recalls working closely with her dad to remix and master her recent CD. "I was almost sad when we were completely finished. I couldn't say c'mon Dad and drag him out to do one last remix."
Situated outside her back door, 9 South Productions is a state-of-the-art sound proof, private recording studio that utilizes the latest digital hardware and software. There the Cheadle's offer a full range of music production services including arranging, mastering, design and duplication, as well as a professional environment to instruct aspiring musicians.
Father Jim who taught Growth and Development of Jazz at Rowan for many years, offers lessons on piano and drums, while Brother Jim teaches guitar and bass.
Brother Nick who according to Laura prefers staying "behind the scenes" to performing will be filming Laura's next music video. In this family the apples truly don't fall far from the tree, as Dad has produced and created videos that have aired on VH1 and MTV.
So what's next for this burgeoning star? Laura recently contributed vocals to a version of "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" John Lennon's 1971 peace anthem, and she will perform a cover of "Santa Baby" both to be included on an upcoming charity CD benefiting the Salvation Army.
Laura will also be performing at the Underground at 40th and Spruce in Philly on Nov. 10, and our very own Swedes Inn on Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. Mark Beltz owner of Swede's Inn is one fan in particular who is excited by the upcoming performance.
Beltz says the date is a natural for her. "Loyal fans and former musical students love to come out and watch Laura and her family perform. It should be a great Thanksgiving homecoming for all of us."
So whether you liked the Partridge Family or not, "C'mon get happy". But don't worry, there is not a lip-syncher in the bunch. The Cheadle's know how to make music.
For more information on Laura Cheadle visit www.lauracheadle.com
Swedes Inn Books Local Pop Funk Star [+ Show] Swedesborowoolwich.com
Swedesboro, November 16th, 2006: You may have seen...
Swedesboro, November 16th, 2006: You may have seen her opening up for the Spin Doctors, or on Vh1's "Save the Music" Benefit Concert. Or perhaps heard her song "Wrapped Up in You" which beat out national bands by listener votes in a recent WSTW Radio Station "Two Song Throwdown". Wherever you may have first heard or seen Laura Cheadle, remember the name, this local Swedesboro resident is destined to make a national impact on the pop funk music scene.
This twenty-year-old artist writes about love, lust, and everything in-between. From beneath her graceful lyrics and sensual sound emerges Laura's soul, which enraptures her listeners as she effortlessly commands their attention. She calls herself a "funky white girl who's got soul." However, Laura sells her self short with this description, as she blends many genres both within and among her songs. Laura creates her own unique style of song-writing by giving rock/pop a soulful twist with a splash of blues.
Laura taught herself to play guitar at age 16, "I was heartbroken at the time, and the guitar was a perfect outlet for me to express my thoughts and ideas. At this age, I became more independent musically, and the guitar allowed me to become more introspective and relay my feelings to the world." What resulted was an entirely unique set of chord progressions, which gives Laura's music it's own, distinct sound.
It wasn't long before Laura exploded into the local coffeehouse scene, then opening up for national acts. Her acoustic sets would pack each and every house that she played. She released her acoustic CD, Maybe One Day in 2003, which was produced and recorded at her father James Cheadle's studio, 9 South Productions.
The Swedes Inn has long been a regional destination for music lovers. The Cafe style setting is a favorite for Blues, Rock and Jazz bands and features an intimate setting for guests to experience the music. The Swedes new menu highlights an American Contemporary cuisine prepared by Chef Brad Smith.
For more info contact Toni Beltz at the Swedes Inn, 1301 Kings Highway, Swedesboro NJ 08085, (856) 467-2052 Laura Cheadle starts at 9:00 PM, seating is limited, and you are encouraged to arrive early.
For more information on Laura Cheadle or the Swedes Inn, please visit:
www.lauracheadle.com
Laura Cheadle: Winner of many awards [+ Show] 93.7 WSTW
Wrapped Up in You [most requested, best funky/sult...
Wrapped Up in You [most requested, best funky/sultry Jersey chick, best MySpace video]
Laura Cheadle has been voted an award for being the most requested, funky/ sultry girl from New Jersey on this major radio station. Laura also got awarded the best MySpace music video.
Laura's song, "Wrapped Up In You" won 10 days in a row in a "Two Song Throw Down" beating national acts such as Staind, The Fray and Hello Goodbye.
The sound of South Jersey [+ Show] Impulse Magazine
LAURA CHEADLE roots: Pitman/Swedesboro sound: Fu...
LAURA CHEADLE roots: Pitman/Swedesboro sound: Funky soul with blues and jazz members: Laura Cheadle, rhythm guitar and vocals; James Cheadle, keyboard; Jimmy Lee Cheadle, lead guitar label: None Web sites: lauracheadle.com; myspace.com/lauracheadle
"I bring the funk and soul back. I don't just sit on my chair with an acoustic guitar," says Laura. It's nice to see a young, female artist who's not singing about lady lumps or manufactured punk subjects. Like she said, Laura's got funk, soul, and a little bit of the blues in the vein of Janis Joplin or Joss Stone and that's a rare commodity in this country, let alone South Jersey. Laura's playing at World Cafe Live on Friday, April 27, and she's up and down the East Coast all the time. "I frequent the Swede's Inn in Swedesboro, too. It's right down the street from me," she said, "and the owners are great."
Laura Cheadle Review [+ Show] Jersey Beat Magazine. Robert Barry Francos
Knowing it's a clich�, judging a book � or in this...
Knowing it's a cliche, judging a book, or in this case an artist, by her "cover" is a pleasant surprise. LAURA CHEADLE is a young white woman with a big guitar, and on her self-released "Falling In" (lauracheadle.com) she shows that she has just a big a voice, with a solid R&B, bluesy, jazzy, soulful sound. She applies her voice well, in a way that would makes the likes of Bill Withers or the Reverend Al Green smile. Very '70s blue eyed soul with sexy inflections, soaring from a blast on one cut to a breathy whisper in another. Now that the cover has been removed, I now think, of course, Laura is playing what is natural to her, and a pleasure to listen. -- Robert Barry Francos/Jersey Beat Magazine
Live NYC Show Review: Laura Cheadle [+ Show] Time Out NY
"Laura Cheadle is a young, jeans-wearing singer & ...
"Laura Cheadle is a young, jeans-wearing singer & multi-instrumentalist who writes songs in the coffeeshop-love-song tradition & renders them in a smooth-funky, B3 kind of way".
How to describe the music of Laura Cheadle? It's probably best understood as a rich stew�or, in the sweltering heat in which I am writing this, a summer salad�the recipe for which goes something like this: two cups of old-school soul; one and a half cups of acoustic singer/songwriter; one cup of classic pop; one tablespoon of rock 'n' roll; jazz and blues to taste. Best served funky.
The 21-year-old songstress grew up in a heavily musical family, which put her in a position to either love music or hate music. Fortunately, she took the former course: "Music is my life and is so natural and medicating to me," she explains. "I need it just the same as I need air to breathe. I can't imagine living without it and I am thrilled to have grown up in such a musical environment." Laura's comments on the making of her current studio album, Falling In, reveal that music is still largely a family affair for this Jersey girl: "The main musicians [on Falling In] are myself on rhythm guitar and vocals, my father James S. Cheadle on keyboards, my brother Jimmy Lee Cheadle on lead guitar, Dave Sikorski on bass, Bill Grillo on drums and Justin Hirsch on percussion." I wrote all of the music originally on my acoustic guitar so it was a blast making this album with a live band."
The songs on Falling In deal with the usual themes of love, lust, infatuation, and separation, but there is no mistaking this for a typical "been there, done that" affair by yet another pretty girl with a guitar. First off, there's Laura's smoky voice, which veers from a sultry, seductive whisper to an electrifying gospel-tinged shout. Then there's her songcraft, based on ringing, textured guitar chords with jazzy chromatics, often employing tempo changes and slightly unorthodox chord sequences. "I taught myself how to play the guitar at age 15 and I don't really have a conventional way of writing or playing," she says with some amusement. "I wrote all of these songs during different times of my life and just developed a style that felt like me." Indeed, that style carries over to her lyrics, which often contain stream-of-consciousness musings related in a strangely poetic manner. For example, "Perfect Design" offers pairings like "I take you in my lips, devourin' every inch/Your charm and your mind, your whole perfect design"�phrases so pure and delicate I hesitate to apply such a stark label as "sexually explicit" to them. "Midst Of Your Mystery" is even more hauntingly down-to-earth: "It was kinda scary when the car said check engine/You just smiled and reassured we'd be just fine / Deep down I wish we woulda got stranded, just to spend another moment with you."
When combined with the musicianship of her band and her father's production, Laura's songs get transformed into intriguing sonic collages. "Bright and Beautiful" combines the funk of a vintage Stevie Wonder track with a summery breeziness reminiscent of Malo's "Suavecito." And that's only part of the story. Laura: "For 'Bright and Beautiful,' we kept my music how it was written on the guitar but randomly decided to put a 'jazz break' in the middle of the song. I LOVE how it turned out." The album's title track starts off like the greatest ballad that Dionne Warwick never recorded, only to jump into a hip-swaying dance groove along the lines of War on happy juice. "Midst Of Your Mystery" marries the ethereal atmosphere of Rachael Yamagata's gentler songs to the down-and-dirty sound of a bluesy bar band, while "Love Map" brings in a country flavor on its swinging choruses. According to Laura, "that was not intentional. My acoustic version of ["Love Map"] does not sound country at all. My brother Jimmy Lee enjoys country music and he was playing that guitar riff on the album."
Two of the selections on Falling In differ so notably from the rest of the album that they deserve special mention. The ominous, minor-keyed "Replaying" is a quietly dramatic pop opus whose sound exists out of place and time, and Laura told me that it strikes a special chord with her: "I wrote 'Replaying' a few years ago and it's about a love that I had to let go of. I enjoy how this song came out because the music matches my emotion at the time. It's one of my favorite tracks on my CD because I was actually crying during the vocal." Equally eerie is the acoustic "Surrounded," whose lyrics are atypically abstract: "Affection takes over my world/All is surrounded by a single girl. Will she wander to an escape?/Cluttered with worries, there's no steps to take." Naturally, Laura can account for the singularity of this particular tune: "I wrote 'Surrounded' after my album was finished and about to be released. I went back in the studio to lay it down just to have it. I then decided to make it a bonus track. Many of my songs are love songs, but I wrote 'Surrounded' completely about life. I woke up with it in my head and wrote it down. It's really about figuring out different parts of your life and trying not to worry about what happens next."
So that's Laura Cheadle as an in-studio recording artist. But Laura Cheadle is more than just an in-studio recording artist; she's a personality. For one thing, she is an eccentric free spirit. Friend her on MySpace and it'll be just a matter of time before she fills your message center with random bulletins informing you of her latest road trip or the last Tower of Power concert she attended. She even poses all sorts of, you guessed it, random questions to her fans and shares photos and drawings in her bulletins and blogs. It's clear that she believes strongly in being connected to her fans, which the internet allows her to do with some semblance of ease. However, it is in person that Laura gets to make the ultimate connection with her funky followers.
Whether you see Laura acoustically or with her live band (also featuring her dad and her bro), she is sure to get wrapped up in a world of her own, letting each song take her and propel her into a realm understandable only by those who truly feel the power of her music. In an acoustic setting, she lets the raw emotion of her songs do the talking. With a full band behind her, she takes control of the stage, shaking and swaying every inch of her dancer's form to every single beat of the music. Either way, she banters freely with the audience, displaying a natural charm and a quirky sense of humor - both hard to resist. And in that moment when she looks out into the crowd and sees you dancing or singing along to her music and she engages your eyes, lingers for a moment, and winks, it is far beyond a mere connection. It is a genuine spiritual exchange. Or at least that's my perspective as a fan. Happily, Laura's perspective as the artist is similar: "Live performances are my favorite! The rush from the crowd is incredible and you get to be so spontaneous with the arrangements of music and performance. I live to perform. Acoustic shows are a great intimate setting where you can tell the crowd where [and] when each song was written. Full band shows are amazing because I get to dance and really stretch out vocally. I also love having that musical connection with all of my bandmates where we don't have to say a single word during a performance, yet we know exactly what each other is thinking."
What's next on the horizon for this rising young star? "I finished my brand new song '10 Weeks of Immortality' and that is up on my MySpace page for a listen. I am working on a new album, which will probably be finished by next year or so. I have been writing like crazy and feel like I just keep growing and growing. I went away on vacation last week and wrote four more songs." She adds, smiling, "It's hard to say how each song will turn out because I am getting inspired more and more every single day."
In the meantime, Falling In is readily available in CD form and on iTunes, and Laura also has a fun(ky) live CD which you can order directly from her. At the time of this writing, there are also some highly entertaining videos on her MySpace profile ("The MySpace Funk" has to be seen to be believed). It is fortunate that Laura Cheadle's music can be accessed so easily in this high-tech digital world, for she is an artist who has it all: the looks, the moves, the charisma, and the TALENT to back it all up.
Or, to put it more simply: Laura Cheadle is bright and beautiful.
For music and more information: www.lauracheadle.com http://www.myspace.com/lauracheadle
6 ABC Featured Laura Cheadle on their "TUNED IN" segment:
Upcoming Shows:
07/30/2010 09:00 PM - Titus Inn 4000 Pottstown Pike
Spring City, Pennsylvania 19475
Cost:FREE
Laura Cheadle and band live at Titus Inn! 9-midnight! www.thetitusinn.com
08/06/2010 09:00 PM - Crash Mansion
199 Bowery (At Spring St)
NYC, New York 10002
Cost:N/A
Laura Cheadle live at Crash Mansion, NYC! Come out for a funky line up of music! 21+
www.crashmansion.com
08/15/2010 01:30 PM - Pride in the Park
Cedar Beach Park
2820 Hamilton Street & Ott Street
Allentown PA 18104
Cost:N/A
Laura Cheadle was asked to perform for Pride in the Park, showing support for Human Rights. She will be performing at 1:30pm
11/05/2010 06:00 PM - Hart Witzen Gallery-- American Foundation For Children with AIDS Benefit
136 East 36th Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
Cost:N/A
Laura Cheadle will be performing for her cause: American Foundation for Children with AIDS at The Hart Witzen Gallery in Charlotte, NC! 6-10pm This event is called, "A Taste in NoDa in Charlotte, NC" AFCA INFO: www.helpchildrenwithaids.orgwww.hartwitzengallery.com/
