Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Sawosko.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I began playing piano when I was six, composing at eight, and taught myself how to play guitar when I was in college.
I always had difficulty projecting my voice and was diagnosed with right vocal cord paralysis when I was 20.
The doctor told me I would never sing but to proceed with the surgery to move the paralyzed vocal cord closer to the functioning one in order to create more volume when I spoke.
I had the surgery, taught myself to sing, and went on to release five albums of my original compositions. Songwriting has always been one of my favorite aspects of being a musician.
During college, I was the keyboardist in the band Surrender Dorothy and we had the incredible opportunity of opening for the 1999 Phoenix Lilith Fair. It was an honor being part of such an amazing lineup of women including Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Dido, and Martina McBride.
I graduated Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Broadcasting and music composition.
I remained active in the music community as a solo artist and was a proud member of Chicks With Picks where I was thankful to be chosen for an event as one of the artists to open for Sarah Buxton and Michelle Branch on the main stage. Sarah was instrumental in my decision to move to Nashville when she encouraged me to consider music city.
As much as I loved Arizona, I knew there was a glass ceiling regarding my music career and how far I could go with my songwriting. In 2010 I packed up my car and drove to Nashville, TN. I didn’t know anyone there and I was starting over in every regard, but it was where I needed to be for my music career.
I have definitely become a better singer-songwriter being surrounded by such talent. I released my album, The Songwriters, in 2019 and have received positive accolades for my lyrically driven songs.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The journey as a musician has definitely been memorable, but the road hasn’t always been smooth. Having one paralyzed vocal cord is like running a marathon with one leg, but in all honesty – it has only brought be greater appreciation for being able to sing.
I came out at 23 but was advised to hide my sexuality when I moved to Nashville. I remember being at a co-write on music row and looking down at my rainbow bracelet in panic. I forgot to take it off and didn’t want the other artist I was working with to know I was gay. When she briefly left the room I frantically tugged on my fitted string bracelet until I finally removed it and hid it in my pocket.
Moments like that remind me of the shame I often felt trying to fit within the Nashville music scene.
After a very long journey of finding self-acceptance, this year, I vowed to finally live my authentic life. That honesty has positively affected my songwriting and relationships.
I released my first openly gay song “Biscuits and Gravy” on Valentine’s Day 2022 and was touched by the support I received. I brought my truth into the writing process and the song pretty much wrote itself.
I transformed my pain into humor with lyrics such as “don’t worry it’s not contagious and it ain’t a choice, not a sin to repent, not every Barbie has a Ken.” Although my other songs do not blatantly discuss my sexuality, the whole process of songwriting is easier and freeing when you bring your entire self into the equation.
Being a female in Country music is challenging as well. Beyond the obvious exclusion of women in Country radio, women make up less than a third of the writers at each songwriters round I perform at. Being a queer female in Country music isn’t always easy, but I’m up for the challenge and thankful to other LGBTQ artists who helped pave the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter who is blessed to say I have been composing songs most of my life. In a town where the average song is composed by three musicians, I take pride in the fact that most of my songs have been solo writes. There is a certain satisfaction knowing that every lyric and note you hear is something I created and brought to fruition in the studio.
I am very hands-on with each project and assist in the production of my songs, music videos, website, and merchandise. I couldn’t do it without the incredibly talented people who are accessible in Nashville including sound engineers, videographers, and session musicians.
I am proud of how far I have taken my career, but moving forward I will be seeking further representation which includes a publishing deal. I am confident in what I can bring to the table and pursuing more professional co-writes is definitely on the agenda. All songwriters strive for that #1 single on the radio and although that is one of my goals, I write songs to touch people’s lives. If I can make one person feel a little less alone then I’ve done my job.
I spend Summers in Wisconsin managing a seasonal restaurant and tiki bar my family and I own. It is on a small 5 x 6 mile island where there is an unparalleled sense of community. I acquired my work ethic from my parents and from working at our restaurant where I began as a chopper at the age of ten. I bring that same drive and dedication into my music career. I am proud to say I have two homes and it has enabled me to bring those vastly different life experiences into my songwriting.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I always knew I wanted to be a musician. I think the lack of a plan B is what brought me this far. Growing up I always strived to make my parents proud. I was a happy child and was very close to my older brother Lenny. He was the star athlete and I was not. Although I looked up to my big brother and was a tomboy, music was all I wanted to do. I was very shy growing up and laugh now recalling how I would tell my family members to look away from me when I played them a song on the piano.
I was far from popular but had a few very close friends. We had fun lip singing to Debbie Gibson and Tiffany for our home videos and once the music started I always came out of my shell. I enjoyed summers where the island was my playground with no crime and unlimited access to an ice cream machine at my family’s restaurant. I mention the island in my song “Home” with the lyrics “there’s no stoplights, there’s no crime, three bars to drink on a Friday night. It’s growing old with the people that you know. It ain’t for everyone, but for me, it’s home.”
It was an ideal childhood and I am thankful to my supportive parents who made it all possible and always believed in me.
I attended private Catholic schools until college and God has always been at the forefront of my family’s life. I am thankful for the talent God gave me and I strive to use it to the best of my ability. I describe that devotion in my song “The Songwriters” by proclaiming “when we stand in front of Jesus and He asks us what we did, our pockets will be empty but we’ll say we used our gift. When we play for all the angels and they ask us who are we, we’ll tell them we are the songwriters of Nashville Tennessee.”
I am excited to share new music videos and songs with you! You can find them on my website at www.laurasawosko.com.
Contact Info:
- Email: laurasawoskomusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.laurasawosko.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurasawosko
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LauraSawosko1
Image Credits
Cheryl Stewart Wayne
Michael Reich
Amy DeCaro
