Laura Love
Laura Love | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, bassist |
| Known for | Afro-Celtic musical fusion incorporating bluegrass |
| Notable work | You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes (autobiography) |
Laura Love (born 1960) is an American singer-songwriter and bassist recognized for her unique "Afro-Celtic" musical fusion, which incorporates elements of bluegrass.
Personal life
Originally named Laura Jones and born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Love's heritage includes African American, Native American, and Caucasian roots. She endured a difficult upbringing, growing up with a mother diagnosed with schizophrenia and spending time in foster care. Her father, jazz musician Preston Love, performed alongside Count Basie and others, also leading his own band during the 1950s. Wini, her mother, was a vocalist in Preston's jazz ensemble. Additionally, her elder half-brother, Preston Love Jr., is active in Nebraska politics.
Career
At age 16, Love began her musical journey by performing for inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Subsequently, she relocated to Seattle where she became part of the 1980s rock band Boom Boom G.I. as well as the all-female group Venus Envy.
After independently releasing three albums under her label Octoroon Biography, a compilation of her tracks was released by Putumayo World Music in 1995. Her 2003 record Welcome to Pagan Place included the provocative song "I Want You Gone," which critiqued George W. Bush. In 2004, she authored an autobiography titled You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes, which was accompanied by an album sharing the same name.
Discography
- Z Therapy (1990)
- Pangaea (1992)
- Helvetica Bold (1994)
- The Laura Love Collection (1995)
- Jo Miller and Laura Love Sing Bluegrass and Old Time Music (1995)
- Octoroon (1997)
- Shum Ticky (1998)
- Fourteen Days (2000)
- Welcome to Pagan Place (2003)
- You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes (2004)
- NēGrass (2007)
- The Sweeter the Juice (2009)
- She Loved Red (2018)
- Uppity (2021)
Published works
- Love, Laura (2004). You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes. New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN 1-4013-0011-1