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Laura Stevenson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Laura Stevenson
Stevenson singing into a Jeff, with another performer in the background.
Stevenson in 2012
Background information
Birth nameLaura Anne Stevenson
Born (1984-04-25) April 25, 1984 (age 40)
GenresFolk rock, indie rock
OccupationMusician
Websitehttp://www.laurastevenson.net

Laura Anne Stevenson (born April 25, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter from Long Island, New York, and formerly a keyboard player for the musical collective Bomb the Music Industry!

Life and career

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Early life

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Stevenson was raised in Nassau County, New York. Her grandfather, Harry Simeone, was a successful pianist and composer whose works included "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?". His wife, Margaret McCravy, was a singer for the jazz bandleader Benny Goodman. After leaving home for college, Stevenson began both playing guitar and writing songs.[1]

Musical career

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Growing up in Rockville Centre, Stevenson befriended members of the Arrogant Sons of Bitches. After they disbanded in 2005, she was appointed keyboard player for the lead singer Jeff Rosenstock's new project, Bomb the Music Industry!. At this point, she had written a number of songs and was performing solo. While recording and touring with Bomb the Music Industry!, she began to piece together her own band.[2]

Initially, Stevenson's band consisted primarily of members of Bomb the Music Industry!. In summer 2007, Stevenson met Michael Campbell of the Long Island punk band Latterman who began playing bass guitar in her band.[3] Alex Billig was added on trumpet and accordion, and a year later Stevenson began working on her first studio recording.[citation needed]

Asian Man Records released "A Record" on April 13, 2010, on LP and CD. The group spent more than half of that year on tour in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Western Europe in various line-ups with Bomb the Music Industry!, Maps & Atlases, Cults, among others.[4]

The band officially signed to the New Jersey independent label Don Giovanni Records in November 2010,[5] and their second album, Sit Resist, was released on April 26, 2011.[6]

Stevenson's third full-length album, Wheel, was produced and mixed by Kevin S. McMahon at Marcata Recording.[7] It was released on April 23, 2013, on Don Giovanni Records. Pitchfork Media had previously premiered the first single from the album, "Runner".[8] Stevenson toured the U.S. in April and May in support of the album.[9]

On October 30, 2015 Stevenson released her fourth album, Cocksure, on Don Giovanni Records, and the band toured in the United States and Europe in support of the release.[10]

On December 7, 2016, Stevenson released her first live album, recorded at Vera Club and released it via Quote Unquote Records, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Planned Parenthood.[11]

Stevenson's fifth studio album, The Big Freeze, was released on March 29, 2019 and debuted on the Billboard charts at #11 Alternative New Artist Albums, #35 for Heatseekers Albums, and #41 for Current Alternative Albums. Her sixth album, Laura Stevenson, was released on August 6, 2021.

In 2023, Stevenson embarked on an 11-date tour in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Wheel, performed reimagined renditions of the album's tracks. Stevenson was accompanied by an orchestral ensemble on the tour.[12]

Band members

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[when?]

  • Laura Stevenson: guitar/vocals
  • Mike Campbell: bass guitar
  • Alex Billig: accordion/trumpet
  • Peter Naddeo: guitar
  • Samantha Niss: drums

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Title Label Format
2008 A Record Quote Unquote Records (digital), Asian Man Records (2010 vinyl/CD reissue) 12" vinyl LP, CD
2011 Sit Resist Don Giovanni Records 12" vinyl LP, CD
2013 Wheel Don Giovanni Records 12" vinyl LP, CD
2015 Cocksure Don Giovanni Records 12" vinyl LP, CD
2019 The Big Freeze Don Giovanni Records 12" vinyl LP, CD
2021 Laura Stevenson Don Giovanni Records 12" vinyl LP, CD

Jeff and Laura

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Year Title Label Format
2019 "Still Young" Polyvinyl Record Co. (Vinyl) 12" vinyl

Singles, EPs, live releases

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Singles, EPs, live releases

Year Title Label Format
2009 Bomb the Music Industry! / Laura Stevenson and the Cans (split) Quote Unquote Records (digital), Kiss of Death Records (vinyl) 7" vinyl EP
2009 Holy Ghost Mandible Records 7" vinyl EP
2013 Runner Don Giovanni Records 7" vinyl EP
2016 Little Elephant Session Little Elephant 12" vinyl LP (single-sided)
2016 Live at Vera Club Quote Unquote Records Digital

References

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  1. ^ Antonetti, Devon (June 20, 2013). "Laura Stevenson & The Cans - Interview". thedelimagazine.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  2. ^ "Laura Stevenson and the Cans discover life after punk". cleveland.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  3. ^ "--::--::QUOTE UNQUOTE RECORDS::ROCK AND ROLL FOR DONATIONS::--::--". Quoteunquoterecords.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "Interview: Laura Stevenson Talks New Album And Dropping "The Cans"". CMJ. April 25, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  5. ^ Don Giovanni Welcomes Laura Stevenson & The Cans!
  6. ^ Riot Act Media Roster Archived October 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Sculley, Alan (October 3, 2013). "Success breeds new wheels - Boulder Weekly". Boulder Weekly. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  8. ^ ""Runner" by Laura Stevenson Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  9. ^ "Laura Stevenson, Field Mouse, The Droids We're Looking For". Washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Laura Stevenson Announces 'Cocksure' LP With Stormy 'Torch Song'". Spin.com. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Laura Stevenson - Very excited to announce our NEW LIVE... | Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  12. ^ https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/laura-stevenson/laura-stevenson-looks-back-on-10-years-of-wheel
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