Born and raised in Aberdare, Laura Evans is making a name for herself across genres from blues and soul to Americana. Over two million Spotify streams, increasing radio airplay and word of mouth about Evans’ energetic and dynamic live shows have assisted in successful tours of the UK and Europe. New mini-album What I’m Made Of offers a message of empowerment inspired by her mother’s words of encouragement. Colin Palmer caught up with Laura ahead of a UK solo tour.
Back in July, you returned to Aberdare and performed in St Elvan’s Church, at the Caradogfest Gala Concert. How did it feel to be singing again in your home town?
It was so lovely! I haven’t sung in my hometown since I was around 12 years old, so it was lovely to be available to perform – and sing my special song Take Me Back Home, which is inspired by my hometown and my journey since leaving.
The following day you travelled to north Wales and performed with your own band, supporting blues-rockers King King – so two diverse audiences. Do you find it easy to adapt your live performance according to the venue and audience?
It was a very different show with King King, but I do love these type of gigs and I love rocking out with my band. King King are the most amazing band with great fans, it was a packed-out venue and it was a pleasure to warm up the crowd. I think I made a few new fans in north Wales!
You’re receiving considerable radio airplay right now from Planet Rock’s Elles Bailey, and recently appeared live on Cerys Matthews’ Radio 2 blues show. How did that go?
It was a wonderful and almost surreal experience stepping inside the Radio 2 studio for the interview with Cerys. She was so lovely and she made me feel so welcome! It was amazing to talk about all things music and my journey to a fellow Welsh woman in music, live on air. Radio 2 has been a huge support to me as an independent artist and I’m just so grateful to get that recognition from them.
Add to your schedule an upcoming tour with Walter Trout later this year, before you’re on the road again with blues legend Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds in January. Are you broadening your fanbase more towards blues audiences than previously?
Yes, it seems I have landed quite a lot of support gigs with blues legends – I’m flattered that the promoters of these tours think I’m a good fit to warm up the crowd. I definitely pull from a lot of genres when writing songs – blues, rock, soul and even a little country – so it’ll be amazing to sing these songs live to blues fans. I’m really looking forward to playing these big venues to big crowds, it’s very exciting and playing live is my favourite thing.
And finally, tell us about your deep affection for the Acapela venue, ahead of returning there for a headline show…
I was looking for a place to record a live session with my band in Wales and it’s the perfect venue for that. I recorded two songs live there and asked my friend Chris Buck to come along and play guitar, so my band and I went down, jammed, recorded and filmed the session live with very little rehearsal. We really captured some magic that day, it was so fun! Since then I have played some headline shows there. It’s just a great music venue, tucked away in the valleys of Pentyrch.
Laura Evans, Acapela, Cardiff, Fri 6 Sept.
Tickets: £17. Info: here
words COLIN PALMER
