A Quick Chat With Laura Adeline
Laura Adeline has just released her latest single, ‘Curbside’ - a sultry soul-R&B fusion that marks a new chapter for the Boorloo/Perth-born artist as she embraces her move to Naarm/Melbourne. Known for her mesmerizing live performances, Laura’s smooth, rich voice shines in this track, which features lush guitar riffs and electronic beats that beautifully convey themes of longing and introspection. We caught up with Laura to find out more about the track, her influences and more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
Curbside is my favourite song I’ve released so far. It was my way of telling someone how much they meant to me, and immortalising such a strong feeling. Music is a vessel for me and I hope that when I put it into the world, it becomes a vessel for other people too. I hope I can emulate something that someone somewhere wasn’t able to quite put into words themselves.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
When I was seven years old I was dancing around in my cowboy boots to Taylor Swift on the TV. From her I’ve learnt to tell a story, to build a world, to be honest in my writing.
As I’ve grown older and explored new facets of myself, I’ve strayed sonically, and my playlists have filled up with sounds like Kaytranada, Omar Apollo, Anderson Paak, Tyler the Creator, Sampha, and Little Simz. I love a song that has a groove, and now when I bring new songs to my band they know that I’m going to want them to bring that sort of vibe to it.
‘Curbside’ was inspired by the RnB girls that I’ll always & forever adore and aspire to sound like: Mahalia, Jorja Smith, Olivia Dean, Sza, Cleo Sol.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
It’s different every time! Songwriting is the most important part for me, so normally it’s a notes app entry that I take to my piano or guitar. Throughout the process of making a song, I’m focused on just conveying the emotions I’m feeling, and telling the story the same way I would enter it in my journal - honest, unfiltered, unapologetic.
‘Curbside’ had come about when Conor and I had just finished a track and it was about 10 in the morning. Neither of us had anywhere to be so he started messing around with some guitar loops. When I heard the track we ended up using in Curbside I loved it immediately, and everything flowed from there. There was a concept and some rough lyrics in my notes I had been waiting to use, and we had tracked the first verse and chorus an hour later. When songs come to life so quickly and easily like that, it feels like they’re meant to be.
What do you think makes a great song?
A good story! Authenticity, honesty, individuality, and a good mixing engineer.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Always and forever Kaytranda. I’m obsessed with everything he’s ever put out. I’d do anything to even just be a fly on the wall and watch him work, let alone work with him.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I’m a fashion girlie all the way!!! Learning to express myself, experiment and create using clothes the last couple years has allowed me to get to know myself so much more. I’m super passionate about finding unique and individual pieces either from local brands or sourcing them second hand and using them to convey my personality and brand.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
I could write a list of hundreds - the Australian music scene is criminally underrated - but if you haven’t already: Newport, Paint, Rein Mali & Sleepy Soph are the absolute gold that’s coming out of Western Australia, and I think Jewel Owusu & Jarrod Jeremiah are the stars of Naarm/Melbourne.
Winter or summer and why?
It might sound ironic coming from someone who’s just moved to Melbourne, but summer all the way. Nothing makes my problems go away better than sitting under the hot sun at a park with a sandwich and a book.
What else do you have planned for 2024?
I guess you’ll have to find out and see! I’ve spent a lot of time cooking up in the studio the last year with more time booked, so we’ll see what makes the cut. Otherwise, you can catch me at Ringo Bar in Brunswick the 15th on November for a little acoustic set :)
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