Anna Elizabeth Laube is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Her songs have been featured on NPR, BBC Radio, C|Net/Download.com, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, Wisconsin Public Television, and XM/Sirius Satellite Radio. She has performed at numerous festivals including SXSW, The Monterey Blues Festival, Folk Alliance International, the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, and has toured internationally.
Anna has turned heads with her songwriting, having won national honors that led to a collaboration with Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Allman Bros.) on her song “Oh My! (Oh Me Oh Me Oh My).” The lead track from her most recent record, “Already There,” was No. 6 on FolkDJ in Oct. 2015 and in April 2016 her album, “Anna Laube” landed at #6 on the Euro Americana charts.
In this interview, we speak with Anna to discuss music, influences, her new project, and more.
Q&A, links, and the video for her cover of Beyonce’s XO below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I grew up listening to music from the 60’s, mostly rock and pop, but was really drawn to the Indigo Girls when I was a teenager because I loved their harmonies and guitar playing. I got into the neo-folk stuff then…Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams–I guess I was already a feminist but didn’t know it yet.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
It was just a path I sensed I could walk. I had been performing on stage since I was little at piano recitals and band concerts, so it didn’t seem like that much of a stretch. Writing music was a wonderful surprise that came to me through grace and being catalyzed by another songwriter, who was also a heartbreaker.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
Other musicians and people with whom I have meaningful relationships, sometimes in the same person. I have pretty eclectic tastes, and they seem to be evolving which is nice.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
This was the culmination of many years of being the “DIY folksinger” — I finished a lot of songs that were half-finished from a bunch of different sessions through the years. I think my next record will be a lot more rock-influenced. Which is not to say I will never do another folk or Americana record, but hopefully when I do it will be on a new level.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Cryin'” by Roy Orbison
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I’d love to say I’m a vinyl aficionado but honestly I just play whatever comes out of my phone or computer because it’s all about convenience for me. Maybe someday when I have my own home I’ll have a nice hi-fi with a turntable and sick speakers.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I think Bandcamp is pretty spiffy.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
I wish I knew the answer to that one so I could solve it. Thanks for giving me that food for thought.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
I have a small but growing private online community on Patreon which is pretty cool, at http://www.patreon.com/annaelizabethlaube, and I’m also on Instagram which is one of my favorite socials, at http://www.instagram.com/annalaubeloves
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
The new record, “Tree,” came out 9/9/16 and I hope you like it! It will be on Google Play Music and iTunes. Thanks so much for reading, watching, and listening!
