Laurie Jones is an independent singer-songwriter from Saco, Maine. As a child growing up in Lubec, she began her journey as a songwriter, inspired by the local musicians that she was exposed to in the Canadian Maritimes; Laurie has since developed into an incredibly gifted singer with a dynamic vocal range. Her songs are a touch of Americana and Folk-Rock, often with a Celtic twist. She has written songs her entire adult life, and at 49, has amassed an impressive song catalog. She sings of personal accomplishment and loss, triumphs as well as defeats; she has an optimistic yet realistic outlook on life. We caught up with her as she was preparing to give a performance at Elements Coffee House in Biddeford, Maine.
Photo: Elements staff have prepared for the evening's festivities.
Located in downtown Biddeford, Elements is one of the last remaining venues in Maine that offers local talent a chance to exclusively play their original material. One of the difficulties faced by Maine artists, such as Laurie, is having an opportunity to present original art to listeners. Most all venues that offer entertainment to the public no longer allow musicians to play their material, and instead, they insist on bands and artists playing "covers", or music that listeners recognize.
Laurie's band no longer have a need to practice unless they are working on new material that she has written; her band members have developed the ability to present her material with dynamics, enthusiasm and originality, and they no longer need to work on the material outside of live performances. Due to this, band members often spend time catching up as they set up for the show. Walter, the band's bass player, has traveled from Beal's Island, Maine for the show, 225 miles one way; Arend, guitarist, travels from Hartland, 126 miles away. Doug, drummer, lives locally, as does Laurie, but often the two travel just as far as their band-mates so that they may perform.
Laurie has been traveling and performing with her band for well over a decade. They have traveled throughout Maine and the region, reaching as far as New Brunswick, Canada to the east and Pennsylvania to the west. Laurie has developed strong regional and local followings and has received radio airplay in both the United States and Europe, as well as having her original music published by MTV.
"I have an awesome, supportive band and feel thrilled they even want to play my songs. That is my WIN in this industry" ~Laurie Jones
Laurie's catalog currently comprises five compact discs worth of material. Please click links for song samples from each CD.
After The Crash, 2000; Wide Awake
Better Days, 2003; Coffee Shop
Self Titled, 2006; Wonderful And Cheaper
The Truth About Her, 2015; Paradise
Bridges, 2016; Letter
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All Photos, Copyright Arend Thibodeau unless otherwise noted.