Uwishunu.com

Laura Cheadle will bring the funk to the World Live Cafe this Friday, December 7, 2007 at 8:00PM. If you are not afraid to let the music move you, then her shows are where you need to be! Laura Cheadle has got the funk.

This 21-year-old artist writes about love, lust, and everything in-between. From beneath her graceful lyrics and sensual sound emerges Laura’s soul, which enraptures her listeners as she effortlessly commands their attention. She calls herself a “funky white girl who’s got soul.” However, Laura sells her self short with this description, as she blends many genres both within and among her songs. Laura creates her own unique style of song-writing by giving rock/pop a soulful twist with a splash of blues. Music is in this girl’s blood.

Laura’s musical style changed from bubblegum pop to soul with a rock/pop influence at age 16, when she first picked up a guitar and taught herself to play. “I was heartbroken at the time, and the guitar was a perfect outlet for me to express my thoughts and ideas. At this age, I became more independent musically, and the guitar allowed me to become more introspective and relay my feelings to the world.” Because Laura taught herself to play, her chord progressions are entirely unique. Her highly original finger positions on the guitar arrive at very unconventional and jazzy chords. She never fails to stop at least a few people in the crowd who are unaccustomed to her finger picking and distinctive way of strumming the guitar. Laura shrugs her shoulders and says, “Because I taught myself to play solely by using my ear and deciding what I thought sounded right, I created an entirely new way of playing that people have told me they’ve never before seen.

It wasn’t long before Laura exploded into the local coffeehouse scene. Her acoustic sets would pack each and every house that she played. She released her acoustic CD, Maybe One Day in 2003, which was produced and recorded at her father James Cheadle’s studio, 9 South Productions…

More after the jump!

In March of 2004, Laura’s music graced the national radio waves, being heard on the well-known Philadelphia station B101. She has also had the honor to perform in front of thousands of people at a VH1 Save the Music Benefit Concert in February of 2004. In March of 2005 and August of 2006, an editor from the South Jersey Weekender wrote a cover page story on Laura with an excellent review. This article raved about Lauras large and ever-growing popularity in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. Recently, Laura Cheadle’s song “Wrapped Up in You” won 10 days in a row by listener votes on the Delaware radio station 93.7 WSTW’s “Two Song Throw Down.” To name a few, Laura’s song beat national acts such as The Fray, Staind and HelloGoodbye. In addition, Laura Cheadle has had the opportunity to perform at The House of Blues in Atlantic City through a contest she won by fan votes. Laura is no stranger to winning competitions through fan votes. This past summer of 2006, Laura Cheadle got the chance to open for The Spin Doctors and Sister Hazel. Laura Cheadle was also recently awarded “Most Requested Song of 2006″ (Wrapped Up In You), “Most Sultry and Funky Jersey chick” and “Best MySpace Video” for Hometown Heroes on the major radio station 93.7 WSTW…

BG: I have got to make a confession right off the bat…The first time I heard you, I was floored! Where did you learn to funk it up like that? Who do you listen to to pick up all that soul?

LC: I love Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Aretha Franklin, John Mayer, Etta James, JAMES BROWN, oh the list goes on!

BG: That’s some heavy hitters on your list. Who is the person that has inspired and encouraged your work?
LC: My father, James S. Cheadle, has influenced me the most in my life. He encouraged me and has been my biggest musical inspiration. My father is one of the most talented musicians I know and I am so lucky to have grown up learning from him.

BG: When did you become interested in music? Was there something in particular that influenced you to choose this path in life?
LC: I pretty much came out of the womb performing music. James J. Cheadle, My father, as stated above, was and still is my biggest influence to write, play and perform music.

BG: Laura, everyone in my family plays one or more instruments. I can’t carry a tune in a basket!! My parents gave me piano lessons. So I I missed something on my way out of the womb. What formal music training have you had?
LC: (laughing) I taught myself how to play the guitar and was taught the drums and piano by my father.

BG: How old were you when did you got started? Which came first…the singer or the musician?
LC: I have been singing since the age of 5. I bought my first drum set when I was 11 years old and had been playing the piano since I was about 5 years old. My first performance was when I was five years old while touring with my father.

BG: Wow! Touring with your dad! That’s a hard act to follow. Tell me about your present band. All of you seem to be having as much fun as the audience.
LC: I am currently sharing the stage with various talented Philadelphia bands. My band is made up of my father on keyboard, my brother on lead guitar, Paul Galonksy who is an INCREDIBLE jazz drummer and Dil McDaniel who is a very funky bass player. The whole band is just so tight and that is such a great feeling.

BG: Who is on your wish list to perform with in the future?
LC: My dream musician to work with is Stevie Wonder. He is my favorite musician/vocalist of all time!

BG: What usually inspires you to write music?
LC: I am inspired by so many different things. People in general are a muse for me. I often wake up with music or lyrics in my head and then the song just flows out of me.

BG: Do you have any advice for future musicians and vocalists?
LC: My advice would be to keep at it and really work on your stage performance.

BG: Do you have any advice for artists thinking of recording their first project?
LC: I would say to get your songs down super tight and bring in the best musicians you know to help you develop those songs. It will be worth it in the long run.

BG: What do you look for in performers for your own music?
LC: Well, since I work with my family, I am so used to that unspoken connection musically that just works so well on stage.

BG: What do you like and/or don’t like about playing before a live crowd?
LC: There is nothing that I do not like. Playing live is the most incredible rush for me. I feel so alive and love giving myself to the audience. I love seeing people in the crowd sing along to the songs I wrote and perform.

BG: How has Philadelphia influenced your music?
LC: I love the energy that Philadelphia has! The city has this magical quality about it and every time I perform, I am welcomed with open arms. That’s what I call Brotherly Love !

BG: How do you unwind after performing on stage?
LC: I unwind by just relaxing and talking to the people who came out to the show. I love meeting new people at shows and talking about music and learning about them as people.

BG: What are your interests when you are not working or in class?
LC: I am very interested in anything that has to do with creativity or the performing arts. I love musicals, acting, dancing and just always being around creative people.

BG: Laura, I have enjoyed talking to you. You are a refreshing change. I know everyone who comes to one of your concerts, or stops by your websites, will be back again and again. I am buying your CD “Falling In” so that I can take the funk with me on the road.
LC: Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see new faces at World Live Cafe on Friday. We are ready to make it a Funky Friday. Thank you uwishunu.

Laura Cheadle
www.myspace.com/lauracheadle
www.lauracheadle.com
www.lauracheadle.com/buy.html to purchase CD