Laura's training as a vocalist is the result of a lifetime of experience. From elementary school choir to performing bands and recording sessions,she has worked in a variety of musical genres and settings.

A verse in Ms. Coffin's Grade 6 choir gave Laura a first taste of solo performing.

“The night before the Mother's Day tea, my mum asked me to check on a bird on the lawn she could see from our window. It turned out to be a hatchling, maybe a robin, that had fallen from its nest or been dropped by a predator. I brought it inside, in a box, and left the tiny, bald creature on a warm towel with food.

“In the morning, it was dead. I cried for it and was so sad that the bird never got a chance. I brought that feeling with me, into the elementary school gym, and it reflected in my voice.

When the light grows dark
And the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky
We look to reincarnation
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why...
-The Rankin Family, “We Rise Again”

“As I sang, I scanned the crowd and saw the women were truly touched by what and how I was singing. I thought, 'Wow – if a singer really feels a song, she can pull everyone else into it.' It was a powerful moment and kept me singing for the rest of my life.”

Laura continued regular involvement in the arts during public school and always put time aside for writing her own lyrics, poems and stories. Upon high school graduation, she involved herself with random recording projects.

“ I worked with a pair of songwriters who were sending their country tunes to Nashville. I would put ridiculous ads in the Georgia Strait about seeking 'fame-ready' musicians in the style of Queen and Iron Maiden – I met a lot of interesting people that way.

“Any way I could be involved in music, I was.”

Open to different vocal styles, Laura fronted a few metal bands in Vancouver, BC.

“The first time I played at the 'Old' Cobalt, I thought I was going to get a bottle thrown at my head. But it was amazing – everyone was totally respectful while I was performing. Off-stage, people were supportive and excited about the music we played.”

In 2007, Laura organized and produced an album of death/black metal she collaborated on “with some of the coolest musicians, audio engineers and visual artists in the Lower Mainland.” The album, True. North. Strong., still sells on iTunes and CDBaby.

Songs written by and featuring Laura have played on Canadian, American and British radio stations. “Earth,” a folk/rock song co-written with guitarist Murray Howes, was a finalist in a nation-wide contest; and Laura continues to write, record and perform with acoustic duets and weekly band bookings at venues and events. She plays harmonica and various percussion instruments.

Laura recently wrote “Run Outta Road” with South Cariboo guitarist Peter Thorne, which inspired a music video by Charles Jones of Huncity Productions.

Email laura@wordsmore.com for bookings and other music-related inquires.