I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
ā”ļø A brief explanation of why I haven’t been posting videos via some thoughts on sustainable creative practices and getting over ourselves to be able to do the things we enjoy, beaming to you from the northernmost German island, Sylt!
I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
It’s that time of year again… and I’ll admit I find it challenging, especially this year with a very fresh, very sad family loss.
At my last livestream I said I’d set something up for the end of December, andĀ this is asmuch to give me something to aim forĀ as it is to welcome you if you’re in need of some hopeful sad songs, friendly chat and community.
The concept of being able to “mend the year” (a lyric from my 2016 songĀ “Paper Thin”) is something I picked up from Siegfried Sassoon’s 1916 anti-war poem “In The Pink”.
“For once his blood ran warm; he had pay to spend.Ā Winter was passing; soon the year would mend.”
I try not to wish my precious moments away, but have often found myself in late November / early December wanting to skip to the end and launch fresh into the New Year. There’s something about turning the proverbial page that appeals so much to me, as arbitrary as the shift from 31st December to 1st January may be.
“Paper Thin” is a song about picking myself up after one of my worst years – 2014. Bereavements, breakups, illnesses…it was one of those years where you can’t believe yet another rubbish thing has happened, and you wonder how much more you can take. And then another rubbish thing happens.
“I’m in the wars – I blame the bad weather A flood of tears, I drift without a shelter Reduce my world to things that I have worked for I lick my wounds and wonder if I can mend the year”
In the song I didn’t want to leave things to nature, as Sassoon’s poem does – how sure does he sound?Ā “Soon the year would mend” –Ā because I like to think I’ve got control over things (haha). Instead, I list the things I know will help me:
“I heal myself with friends and conversation Some time alone, a sober celebration.”
It’s helpful, when I find myself thrust back into those feelings of loss, grief and sadness, to remember these lyrics come from experience. And that the feelings aren’t insignificant, but they do shift and change and feel less BIG with time.
All of which is to say: if you’re feeling less than jolly with Christmas round the corner, I get it. You’re not alone. It helps me to know that I’m not, so thanks for being here.
Jolly or not,Ā you’re welcome at the livestream next Friday. Bring yourself, a tasty drink and a snack and any questions/comments for the live chatĀ (you’re also welcome to stay quiet and just watch).
Warmest wishes and lots of love Laura xxx
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I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
Have you ever wondered what happens when you click “BUY” on an indie artist’s products?
In Tea & Empathy Episode 004, join me as I package up orders from my House Clearance music and merch sale prior to leaving Bristol FOREVER. I talk about upcoming changes, gratitude and more.
I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
Authenticity is a word we hear all the time, especially in relation to how we should present ourselves online. After something big happened recently, I wanted to talk about why I NEVER lie.
I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
“Oh no, not another one!” I hear you cry, as Meta’s Twitter-like new social media platform Threads takes hold. I’ve been having a nice time on there, but wanted to offer this alternative viewpoint that applies to all social media platforms.
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I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
AKA how not everything is for you, and how music criticism is different from bullying. I share a few thoughts on the barrage of abuse Tor aka Billy Nomates received for doing THE JOB SHE WAS HIRED TO DO by Glastonbury Festival / BBC 6 Music on the weekend. She earned that slot!
This is the first in a new series called “Tea & Empathy” – use the comment section to send me any questions you’d like answering, or topics you’d like to suggest for future episodes xo
PS yes, I suppose this first one is “Beer & Empathy” – it was too hot in Paphos for tea!
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I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
Welcome to episode 2 of my Creative Spaces series!
I met Ryan Hamilton online recently after his album release plan went very wrong…and I thought to balance out the industry kerfuffle we should have a deep chat about creativity, music recording and how your space can affect your work. So we did!
We talk about how easy it is to record your own music, which three things Ryan considers essential for recording, where songs come from and the magic word to use in your lyrics to bump up your streaming numbers š¤£.
Ryan also talks about Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, and the story behind “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”…and there’s even a cameo from Justin Hawkins!
I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
In September 2021 I was burned out and feeling super sad – so I decided I had to do something completely different. A one-off surf lesson led to my first outdoor swim…and in October 2022 I found myself in Marseille!
Clevedon Marine Lake Cromhall Quarry (Gloucestershire) Dosthill Quarry (Tamworth) Lake 32 (Cotswold Water Park, Wiltshire) Praia da Rainha, Cascais, Portugal (I also swam in Estorilā¦more on that in a future video)
Vivienne Rickman runs regular wild swimming experiences in Snowdonia – I highly recommend!
In Marseille I swam at:
Calanque de Podestat Calanque de Sormiou Plage du Prado
And I stayed at LāAppartement in Sormiou which is where I met my gorgeous guard dog friend Oknit.
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I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
My new album is OUT NOW – so I thought it was time for a chat about what happens in the weeks after a big success at work, plus what’s next for this channel and for my music-making.
NEXT
I’m proud and very thankful to be a fully fan-funded artist, so if you’d like to stay involved and continue to support the making of new music, writing and videos:
ā¤ļøĀ Get immediate access to my entire digital archive (close to 200 tracks!) plus additional ongoing Member Perks by joiningĀ The Correspondent’s Club on Patreon!
