LISTEN & SHARE: Gemma Laurence - "Watchdog"
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LISTEN & SHARE: Gemma Laurence - "Lavender"
Spotify // SoundCloud // Bandcamp
LISTEN & SHARE: Gemma Laurence - "Adrienne"
Spotify // SoundCloud // Bandcamp |
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"A slice of melodic alt-folk that brings to mind early First Aid Kit or Laura Veirs; there’s even a hint of Stranger in the Alps-era Phoebe Bridgers in here"
– Backseat Mafia
"A soon-to-be classic"
– Jimmy Fallon (on The Tonight Show)
"Up-and-comer artist Gemma Laurence"
– NPR Music
"Inspiring"
– Ones To Watch
"Radiant and impassioned, Gemma Laurence’s heartfelt new single is ready to be your tender, smoldering late-summer folk rock singalong... “Lavender” proves an impressive, powerful, emotionally exhausting folk rocker"
– Atwood Magazine
"'Adrienne' is instantly transportive, inviting you into
Laurence’s yearning reverie as she recalls stolen moments of tender love....
The resulting track feels lived-in and achingly authentic, a work of singular autumnal beauty and a gorgeous return effort from Laurence."
– Under The Radar
"Gemma Laurence established herself from the beginning of her
musical career as a talented artist who writes romantic, poetic lyrics and puts her heart into her work. Her storytelling and vulnerability can easily be compared to Joni Mitchell, Haley Heynderickx, or Adrianne Lenker."
– EARMILK
"With her banjo and soft string arrangements, she builds a shelter within her music, which feels a bit like sitting inside a warm cabin as the rain pours down, sipping hot tea cut with a hint of whiskey, and letting the memories wash over you."
– POPDUST
"Nostalgic, tender, intimate, magical"
– Audiofemme
"Our song of the day"
– Northern Transmissions
"Laurence paints a picture of a past lover with disarming vulnerability and tenderness."
– Americana UK
"Mainer Gemma Laurence goes cottagecore on her intimate new single “Adrienne,” her first new release in two years and the first time she’s addressed her queerness in her music."
– Country Queer
"Heady and atmospheric, her lush acoustic soundscapes blend fingerpicked melodies with grainy field recordings, enveloping listeners in a garden of sounds, smells, and textures."
– She Makes Music
"Bittersweet"
– Indie88 |
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It’s been a whirlwind year for Gemma Laurence. After releasing her single “Adrienne” in October, the Maine-raised, Brooklyn-based DIY artist was met with an overwhelming response. After receiving praise from Under The Radar, EARMILK, Audiofemme, Country Queer, and Northern Transmissions, she sold out venues across NYC, was named an “Up-and-comer” by NPR Music, and had the opportunity to perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Earlier this month, she announced her forthcoming album, Lavender, due out November 4th 2022 on Better Company Records/The Orchard, and with the announcement shared the title track, which was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Folk Fresh Finds, Apple Music’s New In Alternative, and TIDAL’s Folk Rising playlists. “Lavender” received glowing reviews from Ones To Watch, Atwood Magazine, The New Nine, and more. Following this wake, Laurence is now ready to share one of her catchiest songs yet: “Watchdog.”
“Watchdog” hurdles us into the snowy foothills of Vermont to witness the beautiful, fickle, and anxiety-producing beginnings of a new relationship. Painting a picture of woodsmoke lingering in crisp cabin air and the rosy alpenglow dancing off the Green Mountains, Laurence transports her listeners into a scene so picturesque it’s too good to be true. “I think I’d like to learn to trust you a little more,” she sings, “But my watchdog heart is sleeping by the backdoor / With one eye open, waiting for you to go with the next snow.”
On the song, Laurence shares: “I wrote ‘Watchdog’ while holed up in a snowy cabin in the Green Mountains mid-pandemic. I brought my dog Scout, and every day Scout would lie right in front of the door to the cabin so that she’d wake up if I had to leave for any reason. That image really stuck with me – this watchdog sleeping by the backdoor with one eye open waiting for any sign at all that I might leave her. ‘Watchdog’ is fundamentally a song about trust. It’s about that moment when you’re developing feelings for somebody, but simultaneously scanning the horizon for threats, looking for any reason that they might leave.”
Opening with steady-rolling acoustic guitar, the song expands into an alt-country banger with dreamy pedal steel, brushed drums rhythms, and timeless three-part harmonies, all grounded by the alt-country twang of Laurence’s smooth alto. Recorded and produced by Charlie Dahlke (The Brazen Youth) and Gemma Laurence at Ashlawn Recording Company, “Watchdog” features Matt Phillips on pedal steel, Jess Kerber on backing vocals, Charlie Dahlke on backing vocals, Micah Rubin on drums, Will Orchard on bass, lead guitar, and backing vocals, and Laurence on guitar and vocals. It was mastered by Andrew Goldring.
Backseat Mafia premiered the track and called it "a slice of melodic alt-folk that brings to mind early First Aid Kit or Laura Veirs; there’s even a hint of Stranger in the Alps-era Phoebe Bridgers in here, so if you enjoy music in that wheelhouse, you’ll love this."
Stay tuned for a music video coming out to accompany the single in October, and the album out in November. |
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Gemma Laurence - "Watchdog" [Official Single Artwork] |  |
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