Laura Cole

By Alex Hudson
Production legend and veteran songwriter Daniel Lanois has a new solo album coming out in the fall of 2014, but ahead of time, he's releasing a one-off single called "Papineau" that won't be on the record.

The song is a jazzy, stripped-down duet featuring piano chords, acoustic guitar licks and barely-there percussion. Lanois shares lead vocals with guest Laura Cole.

In a statement, Lanois had this to say about the track:

"Papineau" is a song I've had in my head for 15 years. A song designed to be sung as a duet... a father/daughter conversation. I invited Laura Cole to sing the role of the daughter. Laura helped me with a few lyric lines and we recorded the song in three hours. Alex Krispin turned on the camera and captured the studio vocal performance... that's it, a nice spontaneous afternoon and voila! We have "Papineau."

This release is partly an experiment to see about releasing songs as quickly as I finish them, to release something right away at a moment of excitement. If this "Papineau" release works out, I'd love to keep releasing works as they come out of the oven.

The song will be available on iTunes on February 14 through Red Floor Records. Steam it below and also watch the studio clip that Lanois mentioned in his statement.

See Lanois's upcoming tour schedule with Emmylou Harris right here. - Exclaim.ca

Jaunty, bluesy and sepia-toned, the ditty-duet is a debate on the suitor Papineau, with the lively songbird Laura Cole defending her beau as a man with a motorcycle and a colour TV.

According to Lanois, the song had been in his head for 15 years.

There comes a time, all fathers know, when you need to let your precious things go. - The Globe and Mail

Daniel Lanois is promising a new album in the fall, and one-off single "Papineau" (it won't be on the album) will help keep fans patient. It's a lovely sweet tune featuring alternating vocals by Lanois (sounding more resonant than ever) and Laura Cole. "It's a song designed to be sung as a duet....a Father/Daughter conversation", the roots music veteran explains. This is a conversation you definitely want to over-hear. Lanois will soon hit the road with Emmylou Harris, reprising their collaborative masterpiece Wrecking Ball. Dates include Toronto's Massey Hall on April 15.

Kerry Doole - newcanadianmusic.ca

Valentine’s Day is the recognized holiday for lovers everywhere. It can also mark the peak of angst and stress for anxious fathers of smitten daughters. Daniel Lanois captures his version of such a story in “Papineau,” a new song recorded with singer Laura Cole.

Though aptly timed for release with the holiday, the sweetly-sung tune tells a story for all seasons. In the song, daddy’s little girl falls for a bad-news beau. Against her father’s strong reservations, the daughter states the resolve of her heart. An upbeat melody belies the conflict between father and child. “Listen to your daddy,” sings Lanois in the chorus. “No, no, the Papineau’s no good.”

The song’s piano and guitar arrangement was quickly recorded, balancing Lanois’ affinity for Jamaican reggae and Cajun bounce. “‘Papineau’ is a song I’ve had in my head for fifteen years,” says Lanois. “[It’s] a song designed to be sung as a duet.”

“I invited Laura Cole to sing the role of the daughter,” says Lanois. “Laura helped me with a few lyric lines, and we recorded the song in three hours – a nice spontaneous afternoon, and voila! We have ‘Papineau.’”

Lanois is making the song available on Friday, February 14, 2014 via his Red Floor Records website and iTunes.

“This release is partly an experiment to see about releasing songs as quickly as I finish them,” says Lanois, with the idea of offering his art at the initial moment of excitement. “If this ‘Papineau’ release works out, I’d love to keep releasing works as they come out of the oven,” he says.

Alex Krispin filmed the session, resulting in the film clip that can be seen below. - The Big Takeover

As a child growing up in Ancaster, Laura Cole will always remember visits from her "Uncle Danny." He wasn't really an uncle, but an old friend of her father's. When Uncle Danny showed up, it was time for celebration and music.

"Uncle Danny" was Daniel Lanois, one of the most important records producers in the history of popular music, the man behind the sound on albums by U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Robbie Robertson and Willie Nelson, to name but a few.

Lanois, 62, went to high school with Laura's father, Ron Cole, now a respected keyboard player in town. She's always thought of Lanois as part of her extended family. Laura was there in Ottawa when Lanois received his Governor General's Award. She'd sung with Lanois' friends the Hallelujah Train in New Orleans, and visited Emmylou Harris in Nashville with him.

So when Lanois asked Laura to sing a duet with him on a new song he'd written, it seemed quite natural.

"He's been listening to me sing since I was a kid, whether he liked it or not," says Laura, 24.

What Laura didn't know, however, was that Lanois planned to release the song, Papineau, as a special Valentine's Day single, available Friday through download on his website, redfloorrecords.net and iTunes.

"Papineau is a song I've had in my head for 15 years, a song designed to be sung as a duet, a father/daughter conversation," Lanois said in announcing the release. "I invited Laura Cole to sing the role of the daughter, Laura helped me with a few lyric lines and we recorded the song in three hours."

The acoustic song is reminiscent of Lanois' early Acadie-era solo works, with a strong Quebecois influence. The conversation starts with the daughter telling her father about the new man in her life. She's infatuated. The father, to say the least, is skeptical.

Laura flew to Los Angeles for three days of recording at Lanois' home studio during the first week of December last year. It was a bit of a rushed time for the Ancaster singer, because she had to be in Morocco on Dec. 8 to start a two-month gig at a club in Casablanca.

She had signed up to play an after-hours pub in the North African city on a referral from Toronto musician Derek Downham of The Beauties.

"I was singing six nights a week for two months for the locals there," Laura says about her Moroccan experience. "It was a real cool bar in Casablanca, called The Armstrong. Three sets a night, we started at 12:30 (a.m.) and ended at 3:30. I just got back last Monday (Feb. 3)."

"We played crowd pleasers — jazz, blues and really current stuff, Beyoncé, Robin Thicke and Alicia Keys. It was packed every night, 100 to 150 people. Everyone there really appreciated the music, to the point where they would ask for autographs at the end of the night. It was really cool."

Laura was in Morocco when she learned about Lanois' release plans for Papineau.

"I got an email," Laura says. "He mentioned that he wanted to release it. I didn't think that it would ever be released. I was just honoured to be singing a song with him. I just wanted to have a memory like that with Dan. It's just us having fun. It is something that's close to our hearts."

The Lanois session is a big boost for Cole's career, which is still in its early stage. A graduate of Bishop Tonnos High School, Cole started singing in school talent shows and occasionally sat in with her father's band at local pubs. She has also performed at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, the Festival of Friends and the Fieldcote Music Festival in Ancaster.

Cole is now turning her attention to completing her debut album of original songs. She's recording them at the Porcelain Records studio in north Hamilton with producer Steve Bigas, another old friend of Lanois. Laura hopes to have the record completed in April.

"I'm trying to incorporate blues into a slightly edgier feel," she says. "We're classifying it as voodoo rock. Some of the tunes have a Tom Waits vibe, others old Motown. We're hoping it will appeal to a broad spectrum of people."


grockingham@thespec.com

905-526-3331 | @RockatTheSpec - The Hamilton Spectator

Laura Cole has soaked up the musical culture that has surrounded her all her life. Laura knows Daniel Lanois as Uncle Danny, through his friendship with her parents, and he's been listening to her sing since she was a kid. Her unmistakeable talent for expressive, bluesy vocals and her natural comfort with being on stage has her performing regularly in local venues and festivals. Cole won the Galaxie Rising Star Award at the 2013 Burlington Sound of Music Festival.
Cole went to Los Angeles with Lanois to record a demo and get some extra experience and feedback. She muses, "I knew he would be someone who would be a little bit tougher on me."
Her first album of original material, recorded at Porcelain Records, is due for release. Mark McLean (drums), Steve Bigas (guitar), Chris Chiarcos (bass), and Ron Cole (keyboards) backed her up. Describing the music she says, "the style is what we're calling 'voodoo rock,' like a mix between Motown and a Tom Waits vibe. Every song is coming across perfectly, with how the melody and lyrics fit together. It will reach a broad spectrum of people."
Cole and her Dad recuperated together after being injured in a car crash by a drunk driver in 2009. Making music was like therapy. "Nothing makes me feel better than being on stage. My body and soul all connects for me when I'm singing. People ask why I sing barefoot on stage, I tell them it feels like home." - GBR Productions

There's a battle brewing over a favourite winter pastime in Canadian cities and it looks like one side has found its unofficial anthem thanks to Laura Cole, an Ancaster, Ont. musician.

Cole posted her band's song and video last Friday entitled "You Can't Toboggan In The Hammer Any More" and it seems its struck a chord with Canadians unhappy with the ban on tobogganing. The nearly four-minute song, co-written and performed by Cole and Mike McCurlie, is approaching 25,000 hits and has over 300 "likes."

"The first snowfall of winter was a big one/Tons of white stuff deep upon the ground/And that meant everyone would get a snow day/Lots of fun and good times all around," Cole sings as people are shown sliding down a hill. Later Cole takes her wooden sled and walks around downtown Hamilton, Ont. before the sign (and a "Maximum fine of $2000" appearing) is shown. "You can't toboggan in the Hammer any more/You're not supposed to run and play/You can't go make your own fun in the great outdoors/So just give up, stay inside all day," she sings while strumming her ukelele.

The video continues with Cole walking around while singing about her toboggan getting the "cold shoulder" no matter where she goes. Cole eventually ends up in front of the Central Station of the Hamilton Police Department before deciding to ignore the warning and toboggan regardless. "Cause this is Canada! Let us toboggan! We chose to slide downhill!" Cole and her group of friends/backing singers sing. Cole ends the song by asking people to use social media to get authorities to change the signs.

The Greater Toronto Area has seen fresh snowfall the last few weeks — prime conditions for tobogganing. The only problem is that cities have restricted or outlawed tobogganing over fears of lawsuits from residents injured while sliding down public hills.

The city of Hamilton has banned tobogganing sledding in public parks since 2001 and breaking the ban comes with a potential $5,000 fine. Last December, the city of Orangeville, Ont. erected a larger, more prominent "No Tobogganing" sign on Murray's Mountain, the city's lone tobogganing hill, according to The Orangeville Citizen.

"Murray's mountain has never been classified as a toboggan hill, it's never been insured as a toboggan hill, and it's never been maintained as a toboggan hill," Parks and Recreation Director Ed Brennan told the publication. "While we all appreciate fun winter activities, some of them have inherent risks and bring liability issues for municipalities.

The town's Mayor however was surprised by the move and considered removing the sign himself. "Two things are crystal clear," he said in a Facebook post. "We must remain compliant with our insurance policy and Orangeville values Murray's Mountain, and for most of us it is a part of our childhood that shouldn't be 'taken away' by bureaucratic procedures."

While the controversy continues in Orangeville, it appears there won't be a similar decision in Toronto. On Tuesday, The Toronto Sun reported Mayor John Tory wouldn't be outlawing the activity.

"People fall down on the street when they're just walking along," Tory said. "Are we going to ban walking down the street?" - Huffington Post

Listening to a musician like Laura Cole is evidence that our job as writers at Wordkrapht does not suck one bit. The Ontario-based Cole’s genre is described on her Facebook page as “old Jazz and Blues with a new age twist” and that pinpoints her perfectly. This lovely lady is exploding with sassiness and sex appeal. The fellas want to get with her and the ladies wish they had even half of the talent and sass as the one and only Laura Cole.

On her debut full length album, Dirty Cheat, not only does the music present a similar sound of the 60s, but Cole’s vocals have listeners expecting to see a woman who may have been alive in that same decade. That is far from the truth, as Cole is clearly a young lady with an old soul and she incorporates that into her music as she mixes an old school style with her own unique, refreshing sound.

The album starts out with songs like “Sweet Escape” where Cole accentuates sexiness in a song about having a friend with benefits. It’s clear that she’s not looking for something serious and is just looking to have fun in this first track. It’s apparent with the first sound of Cole’s voice that the late Amy Winehouse has a significant influence of her vocals. “Darlin’ SweetHeart” is another catchy tune with that popular double beat that was predominant in many songs back in the day.

“On My Own” is a bass driven track with a fresh, new sound compared to the other songs on Dirty Cheat. Funky distorted riffs from the electric guitar guide Cole throughout the song which helps bring that updated sound as she sings about looking for someone to assist her in getting over her ex, but she realizes she’s on her own.

“Let It Roll” is a sad, emotionally driven song that has Cole exchanging that trademark sass for a more vulnerable side. You feel her pain as she explains how hard it is to let go of the one you loved enough though as Cole sings, “I know that you would never want me back.” “Let It Roll” is an example of how Cole uses the music as a type of therapy to deal with what life throws her way.

The title track brings back that funky guitar sound one last time in this infectious song that carries your body along with the music into a swaying motion to go along with a cool beat. “Dirty Cheat” is a balanced mix of blues and jazz as Cole sings about making sure “that I was someone that you never forgot.” That sexy trait follows her all the way to the end of this album which has the listener begging for an encore (or a cigarette).

Each track on Dirty Cheat has it’s own personality with Cole experimenting with a variety of arrangements and sounds. She has clearly given listeners the gift of song with a ode to music from past decades as well as the addition of her own twist to the music. One thing is certain. You’ll never be bored when listening to a Laura Cole album, which is why it’s only a matter of time before Cole’s fans will be pounding on her door demanding new music. Until then, enjoy the stylings of the super cool debut album, Dirty Cheat. - Word Krapht

Listening to Laura Cole's debut album, "Dirty Cheat," can be like walking onto an old film noir set, one of those black-and-white movies where the guys wear fedoras and the women are bound for heartbreak.

There's an ominous sense that something bad is going to happen, and it's going to happen soon. Yet there's something different about the female characters that inhabit "Dirty Cheat." They know how to stick up for themselves and fight back.

You can hear it in the lyrics Cole has crafted, especially on tracks like "Death Row," which is downright spooky, "Unworthy," with its in-your-face chorus of "You're Unworthy of Me," and the closing title track "Dirty Cheat," where she's physically wrapping the scoundrel around her fingers.

With the help of executive producer Daniel Lanois — an old family friend — and producer Steve Bigas, Cole has intentionally created a bluesy retro sound that hearkens back to an era of vocal powerhouses like Etta James and Dinah Washington.

Her voice is smoky but powerful, wild but in control — dangerously sexy.

"I wanted to have that old sound, that old vibe that does bring you into a black-and-white era, but I wanted it to have new subjects," the 25-year-old Ancaster singer explains. "There are a lot of heartbreak songs out there, but it's a rarity in music that a girl sticks up for herself."

Cole has been turning heads since 220 people showed up in August for the album release at Bigas' Porcelain Studios on Beach Road near Gage. It's the place where Cole recorded "Dirty Cheat" with Bigas on guitar, Chris Chiarcos on bass, Mark McLean on drums and her father, Ron, on keyboards.

A few days later, Cole was the surprise hit at the annual Greenbelt Harvest Picnic attended by some 7,000 music fans at Christie Lake Conservation Area.

"On the way home from the Harvest Picnic, I stopped for gas on Highway 5 and a women who I never met came up to me and said, 'You killed it today, Laura.' That made my day."

On Friday, Cole is performing her first club date since the album's release, headlining a three-act bill at This Ain't Hollywood, 345 James St. N. Her performance, which will start at about midnight, caps off the monthly James Street Art Crawl. She'll also put on a free show to kick off Art Crawl at 6 p.m. on Friday, from the roof of Dr. Disc on Wilson Street.

Cole is currently trying to get her album as much exposure as possible.

"October is a big month for us," Cole says. "We have the show at This Ain't Hollywood, which is going to be amazing, a nice little ladies' night for Art Crawl (also on the bill are local acts Gillian Nicola and the Red Hill Valleys). We're also doing the Paddock Tavern for Indie Week in Toronto on Oct. 16.

"Then we're doing the CMJ Music Marathon at the Rockwood Music Hall (Oct. 22) in New York City. That's where Arcade Fire got one of its big breaks." - The Hamilton Spectator

These songs go to whom are sick of dirty dirty cheaters, liars, tired of wham bam thank you ma’ams, still not understanding it’s not you it’s ME type of peeps! If you are in mood to listen blues/soul sounds with a bit of spiced up rock&roll, ladies and gentlemen let us introduce you Laura Cole Band! They will dry your tears with their lyrics and cheer you up with their sound and enthusiasm. Guaranteed by dearymusic! You are worth more than THAT anyway.

The first time I saw Laura was in Taste of Italy back in June 2014. I randomly stopped by the corner and bumped into a great show. A young blonde beautiful lady was singing love songs. After a couple of songs later, I found myself dancing in the crowd. I dearly loved the way she sang and how she interacted with the audience. I took a couple of photos and then started stalking her Facebook fan page.

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To save you from the troubles of stalking; Laura Cole Band is formed by Laura Cole (vocal, songwriter), Ron Cole (keyboard), Steve Bings (guitar), Chris Chiarcos (bass guitar), Mark McLean (drums). Laura Cole is such a strong singer who started playing music when she was 3. We believe that she has one of the best voices that we have ever heard in the city. When we learned that she was going to play with her band (Laura Cole Band) at the Paddock Tavern, we got really excited and we even got a new digital audio recorder to capture the best sound! On the gig day, we arrived to the venue a little bit early to settle in. We couldn’t have the opportunity to meet with the full band but Laura welcomed us with great warmth and her sweetest smile. We grabbed a couple of great shots then waited for her to rock the stage.

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Laura Cole Band (LCB)took the stage around 10 pm and started the set with “Darling Sweetheart” then continued with “Sweet Escape”, “ Unworthy You”, “ Week There One Day”, “ On My Own”, “ Let It Roll”, “ The Only One”, “ Dirty Cheat” and “Death Row”. It is really hard to tell which song was our favourite but “Dirty Cheat” definitely wreaked our chests out! We felt every single line of the lyrics in our hearts. It was maybe the best song of the performance. We also really enjoyed “Darling Sweetheart” which a high tempo love song will take you to your happy place with your loved one.

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Overall the performance was absolutely great. Laura Cole literally puts her soul on the stage and blows all the songs away! Don’t get us wrong, every band member is amazing and especially Dad Ron Cole –yes, he is Laura’s dad- is an awesome keyboard player. They truthfully enjoy playing with Laura. We really love all of songs of LCB but we think that “Unworthy You” and “Death Row” have big potentials to become hits.

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Laura has a great voice, the band rocks, lyrics are just awesome enough to cheer any broken heart and we know you haven’t planned much for couple of days now so if we were in your shoes we would definitely take this opportunity to see one of their shows. LCB plays in Toronto every month or so and they mostly play in Hamilton which is not very far J We’d definitely recommend to check her music. You can visit her website as well as her Facebook page but before that you may want to take a look at our video! We hope that you would enjoy her music. If you are having a bad day, she will dry your tears with her gifted voice and soulful lyrics.

p.s: Dear deary music followers, we have a surprise for you! Don’t forget to click the second video at the bottom. We have added a new feature now we have interviews with the bands/musicians! Hope you’ll enjoy! - Deary Music

Laura Cole played her very first concert at the age of three, and even her mother was impressed as the talented youngster plunked out a one-handed piano solo.
“I forgot what I was doing, totally,” said Cole. “My mom was teaching me piano and I totally forgot the solo, so I just made it up. It was just something off the top of my head.”
Some 20 years later, Cole has collaborated with different musicians and writers to explore her musical horizons. She’s found her niche with Dirty Cheat, her debut album. The nine-song CD will be launched on Aug. 21 at Porcelain Records in Hamilton. Every song on the album has been gleaned from an experience in Cole’s life, from getting poison ivy to the heartbreak of young love. Family friend and the album’s executive producer Daniel Lanois has described Dirty Cheat as a masterpiece.
“That’s exactly how I feel about it, too,” said Cole. “I am very proud to release it and finally have a product out there.”
From her inauspicious start with the piano solo, music has always played a huge part in Cole’s life, coming as naturally as walking and talking. Cole’s father is Ron Cole, a keyboard player with the popular local band Banned From Heaven, while mom Marlaine is an accomplished pianist.
Born and raised in Ancaster, Cole competed in her first talent show in Grade 6, thrilling her audience with Loudon Wainwright III’s classic Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road.
Cole’s more focused pursuit of a professional music career began in her teens when she occasionally sang with her dad’s band. Her own gigs followed in pubs around the Golden Horseshoe and cameo performances at the Hamilton Music Awards, Festival of Friends and the Music at Fieldcote Sunday night summer series. Los Angeles, Toronto, Louisiana, Morocco and Nashville were also pit-stops on Cole’s musical journey.
In 2009 she began in earnest to write her own songs —a blend of old jazz and blues with a new age twist. Cole said her main musical influences are legendary crooner Etta James and the King of Soul Sam Cooke.
But unlike her two musical idols, the little girl from Ancaster who lost herself in that long-ago piano performance will be content without international stardom.
“As long as I’m heard, that’s all I need,” said Cole. “I don’t have a specific direction, but I am definitely happy doing this. Music has always been my biggest passion. I don’t want anything excessive. I don’t need fame and fortune, I just want to make a living doing what I love.” - Hamilton News

Growing up in a musical family, Laura Cole has had the itch to sing from an early age. Her dad, Ron Cole, has been playing Hamilton stages for years most recently as keyboard player with Banned From Heaven, and mom Marlaine is an accomplished pianist. Long time family friend Daniel Lanois had gone to high school with Cole’s father, and greatly inspired and influenced Cole. It’s no wonder she’s been playing covers in clubs for some time but I first got to meet her backstage at the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic when she was hanging out with the family. This weekend, Laura Cole will be playing the mainstage at Lanois’ Greenbelt Harvest Picnic but the singer is offering a special showcase of her brand new CD, Dirty Cheat, at the studio where it was recorded.

“I had always tried writing but I didn’t write anything of substance until I turned 19,” offers Cole on the long process of making her debut disc. “It took me a long time to have those experiences in my life to write about. As well, singing all of these years, I think my voice has matured and become my own.

“I’ve never had more inspiration than in the last few years travelling with Daniel Lanois,” she adds. “I told Dan about my plans for going to university and he just said that I’d probably learn more travelling with him. He’s been very supportive for me and I appreciate that more than anything. He’s the executive producer of my album and he’s helped a lot. He’s given guidance and his help has been amazing.”

This past Valentine’s Day, Cole made her official debut on a special collaboration with Daniel Lanois. A song he had waiting to be recorded for fifteen years called Papineau seemed perfect as a duet between him and Cole when she was ready. That one recording helped jump–start things for Laura Cole.

“That I’ve gotten to record that song with him, that’s just a bonus,” notes Cole. “That’s the single that brought me into the spotlight. I think it gained me a lot of respect in the Hamilton area and the world. There’s a bunch of things that that song did for me. Just the opportunity to work with Dan, it’s a whole different experience. The people that he’s worked with, they’re all people I look up to so it’s really neat to find out how he worked with them as well.”

With that collaboration introducing Cole to a world of new fans, the singer is now ready to expose her life in song on her new CD. It’s a fun album with great musicianship and production but it’s Cole’s sexy and sultry vocals that sell the songs, although the lyrics are brutally personal for Cole.

“It was one of the biggest things that has happened to me in the last five years of writing songs,” says Cole. “Dirty Cheat is a cool syncopated song and it’s an important song on the record and if you listen to all of the songs, you kind of get the gist of what I went through.

What? This stunning and talented 24 year old was cheated on?

“I guess it happens, but I’m not particularly happy about it, as you might be able to tell with the lyrics,” laughs Cole on her dealing with a relationship that ended in infidelity. “Dan [Lanois] said it’s a brave record. It’s a topic [being cheated on] that happens all the time but not many people touch on. This album has a distinct Hamilton sound to it and I can really feel heart and soul in these songs. The backbone was recorded live off the floor, which people really don’t do these days. Literally, I’m pouring my heart and soul into this.

Cole name checks influences like Sam Cook and Etta James while you can hear influences in namesakes like Nat King Cole or more contemporary comparisons to the likes of Amy Winehouse. Cole offers an album bristling with energy conjuring up a ’60s soul or rhythm and blues affair with a pop flair.

“This is a soulful record, there is some pop to it but it’s got a little more edge,” clarifies Cole. “[Porcelain Records producer, guitarist] Steve knows what he’s doing. It’s been an honour to work with him and come out with this Motown influenced, kind of R&B, and kind of rock record. It’s something that even I have a hard time classifying but maybe it doesn’t need to be classified.

With Bigas on guitar, Ron Cole on keyboards, Chris Chiarcos on bass and Mark McLean on drums, fans have been waiting five years for a record from Laura Cole and it was done rather quickly.

“We recorded it in one day,” laughs Cole. “We did some overdubs and stuff but the backbone of the record was done in one day live off the floor. It made for a real exciting sound.”

Recreating the record as it was recorded, Cole offers a CD release party at Porcelain Records this week to showcase her new music. All grown up now, Cole has a busy weekend ahead of her but it will assuredly be only the start for a very busy year with this stellar recording in her hand.

“They don’t do a lot of shows at Porcelain Records but we wanted people to literally see how we did this,” says Cole. “We’re playing off the floor as we recorded so we’re in the crowd with the audience. We’re hoping to make it really cool and hope to have a lot of special guests – you never know who’s going to be there. After that it’s the Harvest Picnic with Dan and then – who knows? If I can make a living doing what I’m doing then I’m happy. I don’t need fame and fortune to be happy.”

Laura Cole plays this Thursday August 21 at Porcelain Records (171 Beach Road). Doors open at 8pm and tickets are available in advance for $15 with a copy of Cole’s new disc. Click on facebook.com/lauracolemusic - The View