Laura Stevenson first found notoriety as the keyboardist of Bomb The Music Industry!, a band which she joined in 2005. 10 years later in 2015, Laura has released her fourth full-length album Cocksure through Don Giovanni Records. Things having come full circle, Cocksure was produced by Bomb The Music Industry! leader Jeff Rosenstock, who Laura had first met as a teenager.
The first single off Cocksure, “Torch Song,” was premiered by SPIN. Another sign of acceptance from music critics, the music video for “Jellyfish” – the third song on Cocksure – was recently spotlighted on the A.V. Club website. In support of the new album and Laura’s November 21st show at the Marlin Room at Webster Hall, I had the chance to do some Q&A with her back in September; this would explain her “last words for the kids.” As the last show of her national tour – playing alongside Matt Pond PA and Completions — it will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for the Rockville Centre native to play a big show like this in New York City.
In the meantime, Laura can be followed at www.laurastevenson.net or under the Twitter handle @laurastevenson.
What do you wish more people knew about Laura Stevenson?
Laura Stevenson: I love frozen yogurt, but also am lactose-intolerant, and sorbet is bullshit.
How would you describe your new album Cocksure to someone who has your prior albums?
L: Cocksure is definitely less ebb and flow than the other records. It’s more consistent, which makes for a stronger listen in my opinion. I wanted all the songs to really make sense with one another, and I think that they do so, I’m happy.
“Torch Song” from Cocksure was premiered through SPIN. Is that the sort of thing that’s a dream come true? Or are you much more interested in performance and writing than publicity and marketing?
L: I’m psyched they premiered it, but yeah, I try not to concern myself with that stuff. It’ll make you go crazy if you worry so much about whether people will like what you made. Especially critics. It’s nice to just, make something you are proud of and have a good time making it, with people you trust and then…yeah, go on tour and play it for the people who actually love what you make, and then…on to the next thing.
For someone who hasn’t seen you live before, what’s to be expected from your tour-ending show at the Marlin Room inside Webster Hall?
L: Well, it’ll be the last show so we’ll be tight. End of tour it gets so fun to play because everyone is in the best possible shape and it’s just really positive, any anxiety about new songs is gone. It’ll be great.
What happened to The Cans? Or at least, when did you decide that you should just be billed as Laura Stevenson?
L: The original “The Cans” aren’t in the band anymore. We’ve had such a revolving cast over the course of seven years, it was time to phase it out and come up with something new. Every suggestion I’ve had has been veto’ed HARD. I’d like to have a name for it when we play full-band, I’m taking suggestions. As for now, it’s just my stupid name.
Given the musical lineage in your family, were you encouraged to pursue a career in music? [Editor’s Note: Laura’s grandfather Harry Simeone co-wrote “Little Drummer Boy” while her grandmother Margaret McCravy sang with Benny Goodman.]
L: I wasn’t encouraged to pursue a career, no no no. I was encouraged to nurture a musical hobby because I had an aptitude for it. My grandparents were gone by the time I started seriously writing songs, so they couldn’t give me any input on that end. But I know my mom was not psyched. She’s coming around but it’s a slow burn. I think it would take a lot to convince her, I know she’d be impressed if I won a Grammy or was on the cover of Rolling Stone or something. But other than that, it’s hard to be like, “check it out: this blog wrote a good review of my record.”
Was there a particular album or artist that made you want to play music and not just listen to it?
L: I saw Neil Young play live a lot when I was a kid. At the same show he would play with the band and also sit down with just an acoustic guitar, and I remember that having a huge impact on me. Seeing the audience’s response to just him, and having it be as intense as it was when he was with the band. That made me want to do both of those things.
How did you first meet Jeff Rosenstock? Was it through going to ASOB shows?
L: Yeah, I would go to shows all the time around where we grew up on Long Island and watch his band, and I thought he was the coolest person in the world before I even met him. I still think that and we’ve been friends for like, 15 years.
Once this current run dates of tour dates is over, what’s ahead for you?
L: Thanksgiving and then…more touring, I’m sure. I’m writing, I have been since before we even went into the studio for Cocksure, so those songs will eventually get out into the world. Everything is good right now which is cool.
What do you like to do with yourself when you’re not touring or recording?
L: We moved upstate, so now I’m really into hiking and gardening and when the winter comes around, shoveling snow constantly. It’s been nice to get outside, I was kind of cramped in the city, it wasn’t doing me any good.
Finally, Laura, any last words for the kids?
L: Come out and see us in the fall!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
