Check Out Laura Gagnon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Gagnon

Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a musical family and my first memory is from a picture in a photo album of me in a Jam space standing on a drum stool playing a stacked piano feeling like this is where I belong!. I went on to take private classes with the The Conservatory Of Music which later changed to the London Conservatory Of Music and worked hard at getting my grade 8 classical voice and piano… definitely bumps in the road but this is what lead me to want to pursue pop music with a solid foundation.

I had a pretty hard school life with being teased and picked on a lot in public school, where I was really into track and did pretty well! earning 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for long distance running. I just felt like I could fly! High school was no different being picked on in the hallways and put into the “outcast” category. What came from that was me creating my own identity and ended up wearing suits to school to improve me self-esteem and really focus on what I loved to do! Music.

A friend of mine in Highschool heard that I could sing and invited me out to my very first studio experience with a producer/rap artist and then the music game REALLY changed for me, I started playing piano on their tracks, classical of course cause I didn’t know how to play pop yet, and also sang on their chorus. This gave me my foundation for song writing.

fast forward to 2011 – The Social Media Take down- I was being featured on A show called “The Late Night Talk Show with Jeff Lesson”. It was a full audience aired on Rogers TV London On, and everything went like clock work! the band was on point, I sang a couple of original tunes and had an excellent interview! everything seemed to be going smoothly… until the next morning… Now this is in the age where internet was NEW and Cyber Bullying wasn’t a thing yet..

I wake up to phone calls… and txts from my friends asking me what the heck is going on with your Facebook? now… I have no idea what their talking about of course… so I went to my Facebook page and couldn’t get on… Now worried.. I drive over to a friends place and they show me my page from their computer… ALL my socials had been taken over by a hacker who replaced my image with a half naked girl and were pretending to be me chatting it up with all my friends saying derogatory things… calling them sluts, homophobic comments etc… they got a hold of my email somehow and sent hate mail to alllll my professional relationships I had built and this went on for 6 MONTHS. There’s more but I’ll keep this part brief.

2011 after all this and feeling completely defeated and drained… I decided to go back to school at Westervelt College in London On, for Executive Administration. During this time I had hesitantly got back into music.. found a band won the chance to play and Canadian Music Week in Toronto, ON then went on to win London Music Awards Pop artist of the year and went on to win that the next year 2012 a well.

After all that my band decided to want to do different things and pursue music of their own. So I started a solo project. I released a single called “Living The Good Life” and “Tears Are Falling”. I’m sure they’re floating around the web somewhere!

I ended up joining a band called “The Mcartney Years” where I played and acted as “Linda Mcartney” from the Wings Era of Paul Mcartney. We toured the states for 3 years and did many showcases in Nashville, Atlantic City and New York City to name a few. The band opened up for “Trooper” and played with Princes Sax player… wow the stories! I think I’ve now been to almost every state ahah. OMG the ROAD stories… now THATS a whole other section ahah.

During this time I had started an all female music showcase called “The Doll House” Showcase celebrating women in music. Some of those Canadian women went on to do some pretty incredible things! We were featured in The London Free Press, Rogers TV, CTV and many other publications. Some artists were even featured at the Country Music Awards held in London, On toured Europe, Canada and States touring with some pretty huge acts.

Since then I’v spent 2 weeks in France singing the Canadian national anthem for a Vimy 100 event called “Maples For Vimy” planting living memorials of honour on all the battle sites including Arras, France. I’ve won the Canadian TV Tailgate Talent show Season 4 and was a featured artist on East Link TV for a week around northern Ontario. I’ve since was part of the lineup that opened for Bif Naked and prior to that Chuck Leavell and Tyler Shaw.

I’ve released 5 singles 3 of which are gaining worldwide airplay – “Darkhorse”, Runaway and In Our Hearts”. Darkhorse has been the favourite. I’ve just recently returned from a trip to Nashville where I participated in an event called “The Extreme Tour” Objective. It’s a faith based Music Showcase featured at “Rocketown”. I was critiqued by industry BIGS such as “Tom Jackson” and “Billy Smiley” and about 7 more others. What a rush! I gained performance and writing experience and had a chance to polish up my show.

This summer, 2024, I’ve performed at Canadian Music, toured the north I’ll be performing at London Pride Festival, Sunset Concert Series in Kincardin, On. I was featured in Women Of London, ON Magazine with a half page feature and now gearing up to set off on tour in the states for a month with the “Extreme Tour”.

It has ben a WHIRRLWIND but I’ve really enjoyed every step of the way. I know I’m still missing ALOT.. But I’ve done a lot..

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This was the big one… Cops… “kids will be kids”

-The Social Media Take down- I was being featured on A show called “The Late Night Talk Show with Jeff Lesson”. It was a full audience aired on Rogers TV London On, and everything went like clock work! the band was on point, I sang a couple of original tunes and had an excellent interview! everything seemed to be going smoothly… until the next morning… Now this is in the age where internet was NEW and Cyber Bullying wasn’t a thing yet..

I wake up to phone calls… and txts from my friends asking me what the heck is going on with your Facebook? now… I have no idea what their talking about of course… so I went to my Facebook page and couldn’t get on… Now worried.. I drive over to a friends place and they show me my page from their computer… ALL my socials had been taken over by a hacker who replaced my image with a half naked girl and were pretending to be me chatting it up with all my friends saying derogatory things… calling them sluts, homophobic comments etc… they got a hold of my email somehow and sent hate mail to alllll my professional relationships I had built and this went on for 6 MONTHS. There’s more but I’ll keep this part brief.

– Being told I’m not industry size.. I’m not a size 2

– I find that the more in-depth I get into the industry the more lonely I get. finding that work life balance has been a bit hard.

– Keeping up with technology has been tough as well! I’m still a paper and pen kinda girl hahah.

– I also find it hard to keep relationships going on the road. From car to venue to playing a show back to car to hotel and sleep… I have no time to say goodnight sometimes.. It’s been hard finding someone who gets this lifestyle.

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As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Canadian Pop Artist who loves to write based off of experience. My main instrument is Vocals with a background in Classical to give me that strong base and allows me to really take my voice up 4 octaves. I’m known for my powerhouse voice and comforting tone. I’m proud that through all the turmoil I’ve persevered and keep rising to the top. I love that I get to write music for those who need it. I’m a healer, an empath and I’m glad I learned early on to Chanel it into music to connect with everyone.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t listen to what the nay sayer say. Be yourself and block out the noise. If you enjoy writing what you’re most passionate about keep going with it. Just BE your most authentic self and always hype the people your most proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://infosolomg.wixsite.com/lauragagnon
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauragagnonmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lauragagnonmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauragagnon/videos
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/laura-gagnon-742575058