Lauren Shera

"Another young 'un with skills beyond her years She's got an accessible breathless voice, her lyrics are poetic andfree of pretense and she's a natural guitar player." -The Santa Cruz Sentinel 

Hailing from a musically-oriented family, Lauren Shera grew up in New York listening to an eclectic range of artists, and was particularly drawn to folk music. After relocating to northern California, her family found their niche in a close-knit community of alternative, homeschooling families that often had gatherings centered around a circle of musicians playing folk songs. The allure of these familial folk sessions inspired Lauren to take up the guitar at the age of 13. Shortly thereafter, she dedicated herself to writing & performing, with her first public performances taking place at various coffee houses and open mics, developing into local, regional, and eventually, National appearances. With original songs and lyrics that weave evocative poetry and storytelling with haunting melodies and intricate finger-picking, all manifesting itself into her distinct stage presence, Lauren has steadily created her own unique path in the world of Contemporary Folk. 

To date Lauren has appeared on stage supporting such acts as Greg Brown, Iris DeMent, Jason Mraz, Billy Bragg, Lowen & N avaro, Todd Snider, Kristin Hersh, The Ditty Bops, Joan Osborne, Vashti Bunyan, Abigail Washburn and The Sparrow Quartet, Elvis Perkins, Nanci Griffith, Leo Kottke and Phil Lesh, who said of Lauren, "...Every generation or two a voice comes along that redefines what you thought you knew about music and touches you deep down in your soul...her voice is going to define the next generation of folk music". In addition to Phil Lesh, other icons from Bob Dylan to Bonnie Raitt to Elvis Costello have also weighed in on the beauty and craft of Lauren's voice & music. Lauren has appeared at festivals such as the High Sierra Music Festival, Sausalito Music & Arts Festival, Monterey Music Summit, and South By Southwest. Lauren Shera was invited to perform at the Bob Dylan tribute concert at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, to benefit the Music For Youth Foundation. At 18 years old, Lauren was the youngest performer on the bill of 21 other Internationally acclaimed Artists. Her stunning rendition of "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" became a show highlight, and was further enhanced whilst accompanied on stage by renowned guitarist Warren Haynes, the man responsible for helping Lauren get her fist guitar. 

Lauren's debut full length album entitled "IN MY BONES", released when she was just 19, pays homage to her diverse musical influences and blending them with the skill and eloquence that has become a hallmark ofthis accomplished young singer/songwriter. Co¬Produced by Andy Zenczak, this superbly crafted debut paints a portrait of Lauren's organic, hands-on upbringing, along with her beautiful & powerful voice and poignant songwriting. The album was very well-received, including a review by Santa Cruz music journalist Damon Orion of The Good Times, who referred to Lauren as the "Princess of Power", posing the question: "Lauren Shera - Folk Music's new royalty?". 

Lauren spent much of 2008 studying at Chicago's renown Old Town School of Folk Music, where she honed her skills as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, diligently refining her chops on acoustic guitar, s-string banjo, and ukulele. Drawing inspiration from Traditional, Appalachian, and Irish Folk, as well as Old Timey music, the seeds & vision of a new album were planted. Returning home to California via Nashville, Lauren commenced to compose all of the material that has become the extraordinary & soon to be released "ONCE I WAS A BIRD". By far her most intimate and personal treasury of music yet, "ONCE I WAS A BIRD" stunningly showcases the evolution of Lauren's musical talents, production quality, and maturity as a songwriter. Staying true to the bare-bones style the songs were written in, Lauren once again teamed up with producer Andy Zenczak, arranging the songs using a perfect compliment oftasteful musical embellishments. The stellar ensemble of musicians who contributed to the recording of "ONCE I WAS A BIRD" include some of Lauren's closest friends as well as her two sisters and her father. In addition, two of Lauren's strongest influences, Kristin Hersh and Abigail Washburn, each lent their phenomenal talents to the record. In typical Lauren Shera fashion, each one of the new songs such as "Endless Sea", "Once I Was A Bird", "Storyteller", "Stealth" and "Red Paint", permeate one's soul and make their way immediately into the heart. Set to be officially released in Fall of 2010, the 12 tracks that make up "ONCE I WAS A BIRD" are destined to become an unforgettable and deeply moving listening experience. 

> OFFICIAL ARTIST WEBSITE