Introducing: Laura Oakes

Liverpool, via Leeds, to London, a new voice of UK country…

YOUR NAME: Laura Oakes
WHAT DO YOU DO/PLAY? British country pop music!

GIVE US THREE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TRACK DOWN, LISTEN TO AND DISCOVER YOUR MUSIC?
Dolly Parton, Cilla Black and Gary Barlow (specifically from the mid 90s era) – because if you ever wanted to know what it would sound like if they were one person… I’ve got you covered!

WHERE DO YOU SOUND BEST – FESTIVAL, CLUB, BEDROOM – OR SOMEWHERE ELSE?
I love playing festivals so I would say there because it’s when I’m the most happy and excited to be on stage!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST…
RECORD? It’s only in the last few years that I’ve owned vinyl – my guitar player bought me an original Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John on vinyl for my birthday a couple of years ago. I think that was my first!
CD? Now this I know straight away as it was my most prized possession as a child and I remember it so vividly. I got ‘Believe’ by Cher for Christmas when I was 8-years-old and I played it till it wore out! I loved it!
DOWNLOAD? Ooo, I don’t know if I remember! I reckon it was probably something by the Dixie Chicks though!

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES RIGHT AND YOU’VE GOT A MANSION AND A SUPERMODEL GIRL/BOYFRIEND, WHAT WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INDULGENCE?
Gibson guitars – lots of them!

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG AND YOU’VE ACRIMONIOUSLY BROKEN UP CITING HUGE MUSICAL DIFFERENCES, WHAT DO YOU FALL BACK ON?
I go and become an archaeologist, which was my first dream career growing up as a child of about 11-years-old!

CITE SOME INTER-BAND MUSICAL DIFFERENCES…
Well my band is made up entirely of boys who where born in the mid to late 80s, so taste in movie is a sore topic. They think Back to the Future is the best film ever made. It is not. 9 to 5 is!

WHO ARE YORKSHIRE’S FINEST IN CULTURE, SPORT AND MUSIC?
Well, I lived in Leeds for six years and it has some of the best galleries and architecture in the UK. The way we get through Yorkshire teabags (the best teabags in the world) at a rehearsal could actually be considered a sport – and in music, Pulp!

NAME YOUR SUPERGROUP – WHO’S PLAYING WHAT AND WHO’S ON VOCALS?
Bonnie Raitt on vocals.
Elton John on piano.
Vince Gill on guitar.
Nathan East is on bass.
And on drums is James Brown’s drummer, Bernard Purdey.

GO SEE THIS FILM: 20 Feet from Stardom.
GO  READ THIS BOOK: Quiet by Susan Cain.
GREAT LOST BAND/ARTIST: David Gates.
WOULDN’T BE SEEN DEAD SUPPORTING: I can’t answer that!
LONDON, LA OR LEEDS? Leeds – it’s one of my favourite places on Earth.

AND FINALLY… AS YOU LEAVE THE STAGE, WHAT ARE YOUR PARTING WORDS? Ooo, I’m not sure, probably some shameless plug like: “You should head over to my website lauroakesmusic.com for details of all the festivals and live shows I’m playing this summer and, while you’re there, remember to like my Facebook page and also follow me on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to check out my Spotify with new music coming soon”… or something like that!

For more info visit: facebook.com/lauraoakesofficial