ABOUT THE ARTIST
South African born, Nashville and North Carolina based singer/songwriter Laura Reed has been critically acclaimed for her powerful vocals, soulful sound, vulnerable story telling and passionate stage performance. Winner of the SUMMERFEST 2016 Emerging Artist Series and 2014/2015 NIMA awards for best female RnB vocalist and performer.
Laura released her debut album, “The Awakening” in 2014 to rave reviews. Co-Written with and produced by 2X GRAMMY winner Shannon Sanders (India Arie/ John Legend / Robert Randolph) in Nashville on her own label, FIVE FOOT GIANT RECORDS. Laura is currently touring and working on her next album, which is due to be released late 2017 on the heels of her socially aware single releases for “Don’t Shoot” and “Shero”.
Laura was discovered by Grammy winning producer Paul Worley (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum) at a wedding in Atlanta. At his persistence, Laura decided to make Music City her home. Laura’s relationship with Worley led her to producer and two-time Grammy winner, Shannon Sanders (India.Arie, John Legend, Robert Randolph).
Sanders understood Laura’s vision for her album and they worked together to make that vision a reality. Shannon helped Laura’s diversity shine through on The Awakening. With songs that range from the empowering anthem of “Struggle” to the upbeat pop hit “Wake Up,” listeners are able to get a glimpse into Reed’s limitless influences.
Reed’s music video for “Dragging My Heart” earned a nomination at the Long Island International Film Festival, she has had the honor of performing the National Anthem twice at Madison Square Garden, has opened for India.Arie, Anthony Hamilton, Mali Music, Miguel, Big and Rich, Valerie June, and DALEY, performed alongside and recorded with George Clinton, and has toured with Dumpstaphunk. Reed is a featured artist with Lee Oskar Harmonicas and recently joined Oskar at the 2015 Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Her music has been featured in the films Cold Light of Day (Sigourney Weaver, Henry Cavil), Alicia Key’s indie film, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete (Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks), Chloe and Theo (Dakota Johnson, Mina Sorvino), and on television including VH1’s Hollywood Exes and A&E’s The Big Smo Show. Laura’s song, “Wake Up,” is also currently in rotation on Nashville’s independent radio station, Lightning 100, which led to Sheryl Crow and Debra Messing declaring their support and newfound fandom via Twitter.
Laura has always mixed her passion for music with philanthropy. Laura has worked with charities such as Well For The Journey, a Baltimore based charity for women, LEAD Academy, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, and Duke’s Children Hospital, where Laura’s music was used in art classes for kids recovering from chemo. Laura has participated in the Chinese New Year Benefit in Negirl, Jamaica to raise money for the Westhaven Children’s home. She was also involved with the “Music Saved My Life” program at Woodland Hills Youth Prison in Nashville, TN, where various Nashville songwriters came together to build an in-prison studio, hold songwriting workshops, and give guitar lessons.
Recently, Laura’s music has been incorporated into the curriculum of various schools around the country to encourage students on their journey of self-discovery.
“I’m so honored and proud to have been given the opportunity to be a part of something that can have such a positive effect on so many young lives,” says Laura.
“The whole reason I got into this in the first place is because I wanted to inspire people with my music.” Laura has recently begun an initiative called “The Laura Reed Project,” where she will travel to schools and use her music to spark creative discussion and a purposeful outlook on life.