Quick Q and A with Laura Bullock
 by Kathy S-B  ·  3 November 2011

Laura Bullock has been described as a “literate and modern, reflective and relevant.” I can’t think of any better adjectives. Laura is currently working on her third recording. We expect to hear great things from her. To learn more about Laura, visit her website. Here’s a video of Laura singing a lovely version of “I Will” at the UUCM annual Beatles’ benefit.

You’ve been pretty much a regular on the Boston music scene for a half dozen year or so. Is there any other place quite like this in the world?

Well, in my humble and entirely unbiased opinion, no, there really isn’t. Upon further reflection, maybe there is an element of bias in my answer, what with being a native New Englander and all, but I say my bias is well-founded. Growing up in this area, I was raised going to some of the wonderful greater Boston-area folk venues: Circle of Friends (located in the town next door to my hometown of Medway), the Old Vienna, Club Passim, and the like. In other words, I grew up listening in Listening Rooms — places where the music really takes center stage, over the hype and hysteria of merchan­dising and cross-promotion and all the other main­stream craziness that so often serves to distract in larger venues and arenas. And it was small, community-based venues — not unlike the me & thee — that shaped my music: how I write, how I perform, and what I value. And that is . . . well, invaluable.

And yes, that’s totally a kiss up answer :)

I understand that a couple of major influences of yours are Ellis Paul and Shawn Colvin. What have you taken away from each of them that shows up in your music today?

I stole Shawn Colvin’s wallet. Does that count?

Perhaps you mean figuratively, though. Well, I spent my high school and college years catching pretty much every Ellis Paul show I could. I loved his songwriting, but even more so, it was his performances and stage presence that drew me in. I would go see him or Vance Gilbert or Susan Werner and just marvel how at the same time they could command everyone’s attention and own the stage but also make you feel part of an intimate one on one conversation. And Shawn Colvin I have always admired for her lyrics. You can go song by song through “Steady On” and that would be a songwriting class unto itself.

Do you have a favorite topic or theme to write about?

Well, the unofficial answer is that I like to write parodies of pop songs. I’m so grateful for Lady Gaga.

Besides those, I find that some recurring themes in my songwriting are brokenness and redemption. I’m drawn to stories of heartbreak and hardship because, almost like trading old war stories, it’s these themes that often bring people together, allowing people to see themselves in each other. Hard times and painful situations can be so isolating, but when you hear someone else give voice to the things you feel or have felt, it can be very unifying — almost communal. At the same time, I find it so interesting and significant that after what is commonly referred to as a “fall from grace”, that’s often what people find: grace.

Tell us about the new CD that you’re working on. When can we expect to see it?

I’m very excited about this new album. Each song is essentially a character study. With that in mind, I’ve written many of the songs in first person, which is always fun as a writer because you really get to take on the character in your story — to think as he or she thinks, to act as they would act. I’m excited to see how these stories take on a new life in the recording studio.

I’ll be heading into said studio this winter, so I would say the album will be out in early 2012.