Laura Elizabeth Hughes – For You
ARTIST NAME: Laura Elizabeth Hughes
SONG TITLE: For You (Home)
RELEASE DATE: 2020
GENRE: Folk/Folk-Pop
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Tell us about your history.
Born and raised in Dublin. I’ve been writing my thoughts into song for as long as I can remember.
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Describe yourself as an artist.
I find authenticity and honesty in music to be one of the most important things, and I guess that’s where I try to sit my art down.
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Tell us the genre of your music.
It varies depending on the song, but everything always a firm foot in the door of Folk (even if it ends up somewhere else – that folk base is always there).
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Tell us the story behind your song.
For You (Home) was written for a friend of mine who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders before he looks after himself… by extension, it’s for the people that you’d walk the ends of the earth for…
It is a song for those who feel that their anxieties, depressions, or ‘flaws’ make them less worthy of love and care. It’s a “hey, let me help you carry that weight, you don’t have to do it alone.”
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Tell us the problems you are facing as a musician.
Right now, it’s the canceling of gigs… this pandemic has stolen a lot from artists in the form of human connection. It’s hard to connect with people across virtual platforms, it’s not the same as sitting in a room and playing your experiences with people.
I’ve had a headline show canceled (rescheduled for the 13th of November) but the uncertainty of how long the restrictions on gatherings will go on for is making the lack of human connection difficult.
Also, trying to remain relevant in a time where your main port of call for relevancy (gigs) has been put on hold… that’s going to be a pretty big one now, I guess.
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Discuss the recording and production of the song.
The recording of the song was a tender process, it was important to me that every element that went into the song added to the sonic meaning… I’m like this with every song.
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List the names of blogs, radio, or television stations that have supported you so far.
TV: Virgin Media Ireland
Radio: 2FM, RTE Radio 1, Today FM, BBC Northern Ireland, Red FM, Galway Bay FM, Dublin City FM, 2XM, FM104, Radio Nova, Play Irish radio, WLR FM, Queens Radio Belfast
Blogs: Thelastmixedtape.com, goldenplec.com
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Elaborate on your music career, experience, and future goals.
I started and played three original songs to a jam-packed pub on George’s Street here in Dublin and growing on that tiny set I’ve recorded and released two EPs, two singles, played my own songs the length and breadth of our little island, dates in the UK, I had my first show across the pond last year in New York.
I’ve opened for James Bay, Dermot Kennedy, Billie Marten, Little Hours in the most intimate venues here in Ireland.
Future goals are to play to a broader audience, to play to and reach more people with my songs, to work with people who can help with that expansion, to make music friends and co-workers for life.
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Brief us what inspires you to write, compose, and sing/rap.
My life and the lives of my people, books I’ve read, stories I’ve heard… every one of those things spills very heavily into my writing…
Sometimes I’ll start writing something and realize halfway through it that I’m processing something, that I’m working something that I’m feeling out, working through a feeling.
Other times I’ll ramble-write and just spill my brain onto a page and see what I can stitch together from the chaos.
Human feelings though, that’s what inspires my writing the most.
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Brief us the top-secret behind making a hit song.
If I knew this, I would be doing it 24/7!
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Tell the advice you will give to an upcoming artist.
Don’t over-censor your work, and don’t let your insecurities get in the way of creating.
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Discuss at length your music careers, albums, songs, tours, recognition, or awards you might have received.
My music career and releases I guess are above… the most wonderful recognition I’ve received, two instances, being touted as one of ten acts to see before they’re famous by one of the leading (if not head honcho) music writers in Ireland – Tony Clayton-Lea in our national newspaper… and being playlisted and played several times on the intimately curated John Creedon music show on RTE Radio 1… John Creedon doesn’t play just anybody on his show. The latter was a bucket list tick of mine.
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Tell us how you write your lyrics, compose, sing, and record in the studio.
Writing, as I said, comes in different forms, a ramble-write, and then a sit with the guitar or piano to suss out melody…
Recording always must be in the mood. The room and vibe must sit with the song that’s being recorded. If that means recording vocals at 2 AM, then we record 2 AM vocals.
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Name your favourite artists for collaboration.
Bon Iver is the top of my list always. Novo Amor, Laura Marling, Smyl, Matt Corby, Rhye. The list is never-ending, to be honest!
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Share your press releases and reviews with us.
“Great Irish talent… a young woman who is starting to make waves”
– John Creedon, RTE Radio 1
“…Hughes can easily make a claim for having that little bit extra… Gentle yet steely, formidable yet tender, Laura’s a keeper”
– Tony Clayton Lea, Irish Times
“Such a beautiful voice, beautiful lyrics…the whole package”
– Across The Line, BBC Northern Ireland
“What a beauty. A beautiful hopeful, heartfelt song”
– Fiachna O’Braonain, RTE Radio 1
“…enchanting music that [makes] her stand out from the pack with a beguiling vocal and intricate songs. Hughes is without doubt one to watch.”
– TheLastMixedTape.com
“Laura has that rare ability of tattooing melodies inside your head while cutting your heart to ribbons simultaneously. Joyful, aching music.”
– Ciaran Lavery
Laura Elizabeth Hughes releases an official video of
“For You (Home)” in support of Pieta House
Watch here
A headline show at The Sound House rescheduled to November 13th
Thursday 2nd April 2020: Hopeful and heartfelt, those were the words used to describe the current single for Dublin songwriter Laura Elizabeth Hughes current single “For You (Home)”. Written for the people that carry you, the song showcases a lush balance between soaring power and tenderness, culminating in sweeping piano riffs and Laura’s inimitable vocals.
Alongside the release of “For You (Home)”, Laura is partnering with Pieta House. The charity have recently had to postpone the annual ‘Darkness Into Light’ event due to COVID-19. Over 80% of Pieta House’s funding is through public donations and support. Laura is asking fans, if possible, to make a donation so that they can continue their amazing work in supporting people and communities affected by suicide, self-harm, and bereavement during these uncertain times. You can donate to Pieta House by clicking here.
The video is a visual representation of anxiety’s control over body and mind. Directed by Peadar Gill (Lankum, Talos) it depicts the struggle some find to let people in, even at times when we need them most.
Speaking on the release of the video and Pieta House, Laura says “I wanted to create something beautiful that would also let viewers feel the discomfort of anxiety and depression. I wanted to show the weight, the numbness, the breathlessness, the tension… but also the care that exists in the world to help relieve it. The care to overcome and step out of the dark, out of the sheer greyness, exists.
Pieta House is that light for so many people in Ireland, and to be able to contribute to their presence and ears is a gift. Their annual Darkness Into Light has had to be postponed due to this pandemic, and I couldn’t think of better use for a song that chronicles a journey out into the light. In a weird time where our physical health is being threatened, being in isolation means our mental health is too and is something that needs to be looked after with equal importance.”
Laura’s unique voice has seen her build a fan base from across the globe with over 2.6 million views on YouTube, including R&B star Joss Stone who posted the video to another of Laura’s songs, “The Dark,“ on her own social media.
On stage is where Laura feels most at home and truly connects with people. Her showcase performance at Ireland Music Week, where she was named by the IrishTimes.com in their “10 acts to see before they are famous” feature, was a stand-out moment. In recent years Laura has shared stages of the caliber of Dermot Kennedy, James Bay, Billie Marten, Little Hours, and most recently Cry Monster Cry on their Irish tour which was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laura was also due to play her biggest headline show to date at The Sound House in Dublin this month, with the date now rescheduled to November 13th. Tickets on sale now…
Credits “For You (Home)”:
Dancer: Taylor Graham
Director: Peadar Gill
Producer: Laura Elizabeth Hughes, Peadar Gill
Art Direction: Peadar Gill, Alice Murphy
Makeup: Alice Murphy
About Pieta House:
Pieta provides a range of services nationwide to support people and communities in crisis, including free therapy services and support for those who are at the risk of suicide, engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. Pieta focuses on providing a community-based service delivering therapeutic support within a non-threatening, caring, and compassionate environment. Since 2006, almost 60,000 people have been through the doors in a state of crisis, and with over 80% of funding coming from the public, support is vital to help continue this lifesaving work. For further information on Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie
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Tell us how you will spend a million dollars.
The first thing I’d do is to buy myself a house by the sea and save and try to live off the rest for as long as I could before needing to work again.
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Discuss music promotion and how you are boosting your fan base.
Music promotion is a weird one as a bit of an introvert. I don’t like promoting myself, but it has to be done… Getting in the ears of new people as much as I can with the songs doing their job first, I guess, which really only works with having a brilliant manager!
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Tell us how you manage other activities with your music career.
How do I manage… if you had asked me this last year! I work full time 37 hours a week (shift work too), and I’m undertaking a master’s degree, as well as trying to maintain a music career…
I try to be organized down to a tee with my time, otherwise, I can lose track of myself, and my mind gets overwhelmed… again this is where the genius of a manager comes in! I try to block off certain times where I can have a social life, or relationship time, or study… It’s not always a well-oiled machine, but the road I’m on is never so manic that it can’t be driven.
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State your artist’s name and elaborate on it.
Laura Elizabeth Hughes… elaborate. it’s just my name! It took me a long time to settle on just using my name, but nothing else felt right at the time. Kind of wanted to stick with the honesty of “this, my music, is me.”
