Laura Stevenson Interview (1/20/10)

Laura Stevenson and the Cans

Laura Stevenson is an absolute darling and was nice enough to answer some questions for us via email.  This is an artist I am completely passionate about, and the world needs to know.  Her voice makes the earth shake. Interview after the break!

PlusCat: Laura Stevenson and The Cans have three releases, including “Holy Ghost!” a gorgeous, three-song 7-inch, released in 2009 via Mandible Records. (stream for free here.)You also just got off a brief tour.  With so much going on for you in the past months, what has the response been like, and how are you doing?
Laura Stevenson: I’m doing really well, thanks. We’re all really psyched that people have been responding positively to the new songs we’ve been putting out.  It’s kind of a confidence builder as we approach our nextfull-length project.

PC: What significance does the name “Holy Ghost!” have to this album?
LS: Well, it was a response to people thinking that the song “Holy Ghost!” (which remained untitled right until the release of the 7″) had some
sort of religious undertone.  It doesn’t.  When I started writing the song, I just treated it like a traditional americana folk-song, the use of the word “lord” is strictly a stylistic thing and nothing else. Also, I really liked watching Batman when I was little so it sounds like something Robin might say… in church.

PC: Various blogs and websites have raved about your live performance.  Do you have any other tours coming up? Perhaps to the Midwest?
LS: Thanks!  Yeah, I think we’re much better live than recorded because there are a lot of instruments being played, it’s fun to be a part and
we’re all really good friends so I think that shows.  We just played a tour in the Midwest actually, right before Christmas which was
freezing but awesome.  We’re also planning on doing something in March so keep your eyes peeled.

PC: I read somewhere that you are planning to press your first album “Laura Stevenson: A Record” on vinyl.  What’s the word, lady bird?
LS: Yes! It’s really exciting! Asian Man Records is putting it out and we’re adding 3 new recordings.  It’ll be released in April.
PC: Do you have plans for an upcoming full-length, or do you prefer working with short EP’s (i.e. Holy Ghost!)
LS: We’re in the early stages of our next full-length (writing and arranging, etc.) and I’m really, really happy with the work that’s
been done so far.  It’s being pushed back a wee bit because I just had a tragic computer crash in which a lot was erased but there are still
about 10 or 11 songs that have survived.  I’m not sure if it will include any songs from the 7″s yet, if we do include previously released songs, they’ll be reinterpreted and rerecorded for sure.  If all goes according to plan it will be out sometime within the 2010
bracket so, get excited!

PC: Where do you get your inspiration from when writing your songs?  What do you write about?
LS: I’m not really sure- a lot comes from really unexpected places.  I feel like I have so much too write about my life that I haven’t been
able to get to it, which I guess is comforting… I haven’t used it all up yet.  Some songs are about love, a lot are about loss… Holy Ghost! is about my dad, Mouthbreather is about how I was nauseous for 5 years… it’s all a mess and I doubt we’ll ever write a theme album because I don’t really write about the same thing twice… unless it’s love I guess, in which case, I guess we could do a love-themed album but I’m not sure if anyone would want to listen to that.

PC: Anything else we should know about Laura Stevenson and The Cans?
LS: We practice now so… get ready for that!

Thank you to Laura for providing such thoughtful and insightful answers.  Keep an eye on Pluscatmusic.com as we will most definitely provide updates from Laura regarding her new record.

“Laura Stevenson: A Record”
“Split”
“Holy Ghost!”
Official Website

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1. Laura Stevenson and The Cans