Record
label home of the NY/NJ based progressive rock band IZZ, Doone Records
released the 2018 solo album from IZZ vocalist Laura Meade.
The ten track Remedium is very IZZ inspired and follows
the progressive rock sound on the recent IZZ albums as well as the
sound of IZZ guitarist Paul Bremners album The Witness. Laura
is a fan of art-rock and prog-rock and the Remedium album shows
that style to a tee. Lauras unwavering rock vocal style borders
on operatic at times and as the album shows, shes clearly up
for the task at hand on Remedium. Speaking about her songwriting
style on her new CD, Laura tells mwe3.com, Each song unfolds
in its own way and I just follow where it leads
sometimes a
lyric will present itself, other times Ill begin with a melody
and go from there. Ninety nine percent of my songs are written on
the piano, with one exception being Home Movies, which
I wrote on the ukulele. Among the musicians taking part
in Lauras band are IZZ founder John Galgano (bass, keys,
drums) and Randy McStine (electric guitar). John Galgano also
co-wrote many of the tracks here, and the album is further enhanced
by guest spots from IZZ guitarist Paul Bremner, Greg Meade
(guitar), Greg Mimiceli (drums) and Jason Hart (strings).
A modern day prog-rock classic, Remedium CD is superbly packaged
in a digipak case with complete lyric sheet. www.facebook.com
/ www.laurameademusic.com
/ www.izzmusic.com
mwe3.com presents an interview with
LAURA MEADE
mwe3:
Can you tell us where youre from originally and where you live
now and what you like best about it?
Laura Meade: I was born and raised on Long Island, NY and after
moving around the NYC area, John and I have finally settled on Long
Islands beautiful North Fork, which is the eastern most part
of the island. We live near the water, which is something I not only
love but my body and soul crave it. Being able to wake up and see
the water every day is something that is really important to me.
mwe3: What were some of the key events that led up to the release
of Remedium and how would you compare the album with your work
in the band Izz?
Laura Meade: Eleven years ago, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune
disease. The events that followed completely shook my world and the
music that came out of that experience shaped what Remedium
became. The album, from conception to release, was truly an act of
healing for me. Working with IZZ as a singer has always challenged
me vocally, and continues to as we record a new IZZ album and has
expanded my musical palette in profound ways.
mwe3: You wrote most of the music on Remedium. Whats
your songwriting process like and do you write all your songs on piano?
Do you get a lyric idea first or is melody something you usually come
with first?
Laura Meade: This question always gives me pause. I dont
necessarily pay attention to the process while its happening
Each song unfolds in its own way and I just follow where it leads
sometimes a lyric will present itself, other times Ill begin
with a melody and go from there. Ninety nine percent of my songs are
written on the piano, with one exception being Home Movies,
which I wrote on the ukulele.
mwe3: What was the inspiration behind Sunflowers At Chernobyl?
Is that about the nuclear nightmare in Ukraine? The song is kind of
suite of different parts that work great together. Why did you choose
that track for the first single or video? Your piano sounds great
with the two guitars sound. Is that the masterpiece of Remedium?
Laura
Meade: The inspiration came from my time as a horticultural student
some years ago. We were being taught about the concept of phytoremediation:
Phyto = plant; Remedium = restoring balance.
This refers to the technologies that use living plants to render toxic
environmental contaminants, harmless - a technology that was used
after the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. I chose this track as the
first single and video from the album because I feel that this song
is representative of the entire album in many ways. I also feel that
its a really strong track that highlights the collaboration
between my songwriting and Johns arranging. It also includes
a killer guitar solo from Randy McStine. Is it the masterpiece of
Remedium? I think Ill leave that to the listeners!
mwe3: How about Conquer The World. Sounds like
a simple song but theres some great parts to it. Is it an optimistic
song? Are you an optimistic person by nature? The Ukulele sounds great
on the track, I cant say enough good things about John Galgano!
Laura Meade: I think what I really like about this song is
that it does start out rather simply but grows in directions the listener
might not expect. I think at its core, it is an optimistic song, but
much like my own optimism, it waxes and wanes and those feeling are
reflected in the song. I agree with you
I cant say enough
good things about John Galgano either!
mwe3: Is What I See From Here autobiographical?
I think you have a gift to wonderfully express what many of us cant.
Great guitar interplay between Greg Meade and John
Is Greg related?
Laura Meade: Thank you for the compliment! Yes, it is autobiographical
insofar as all my songs are somewhat biographical. I cant help
but write about what is closest to my heart. Greg is my uncle and
godfather and a wonderful guitarist! Im fortunate to be related
to such talent throughout my family tree.
mwe3: Is Never Remember about dreams? What do you
make of dreams? Is the song about not being prepared for whats
coming? Pauls guitar work is excellent too. What is your opinion
about dreams?
Laura
Meade: Thats probably correct
the song is about not
being prepared for whats coming. Im really happy with
what Paul contributed to this song, especially because the style hes
playing is somewhat different from what we are used to hearing with
IZZ. My opinion on dreams could be a whole other interview! I personally
dream in fits and starts so the whys and hows of dreaming are very
interesting to me.
mwe3: Do you like to write instrumental music too? What brought
on The Old Chapel At Dusk? What vibe were you trying to
express on that instrumental track?
Laura Meade: I adore listening to instrumental music but being
a classically trained vocalist, I almost always think in terms of
a vocal melody. I dont necessarily set out to write instrumental
music but sometimes a song presents itself as such. The Old
Chapel At Dusk was the very first piece of music I ever wrote
in college as part of a composition course.
mwe3: Is Dragons another autobiographical song?
Do you sometimes write songs as a form of therapy to face your problems?
Its very symphonic sounding. What else can you tell us about
that track?
Laura Meade: For me, all songwriting is a form of therapy,
a way to exorcise demons
or dragons. (lol) I think the feelings
expressed in the beginning of Dragons are pretty universal
at some point in our lives weve all woken up with a start, in
that cold sweat, our minds racing, unable to shut off the thoughts.
mwe3: Home Movies is one of my favorite tracks
on Remedium. Why do you call it Home Movies? Simple
proves elegant on this track right? Could you do a more electric version
of Home Movies. I hear a symphony in there somewhere!
Laura Meade: There is definitely room to grow in Home
Movies! A Home Movies symphony
that would
be interesting!
mwe3: Your Way is another deep track. Did you write
it about someone specific or is it a general kind of sentiment you
feel? Is Your Way ethereal or stark in your opinion, the
way you want people to hear it?
Laura
Meade: The inspiration for Your Way came from a multitude
of sources. I would say its more stark than ethereal in that
the production of the track is very precise.
mwe3: Every Step is very personal. Who did you
write it for? Its a great showcase for your vocals. I wanted
to know if you studied opera as you can so beautifully hold a note
for a long time. How did you multitrack the vocals on Every
Step? Also Johns keyboards are great and dynamic too.
Nice counterpoint in that track...
Laura Meade: Thank you! As I mentioned before, I studied classical
voice in college and this song allowed me to flex that muscle in its
proper context. This song is very close to my heart and while it is
personal, its not necessarily about one particular person. Johns
keyboards are the cherry on top of this piece.
mwe3: Why do you call the final track Irradiation?
Does the track explain the title and how does Irradiation
fit into the concept of Remediation?
Laura Meade: This song, written by John Galgano, is the perfect
summation of this entire album. What I love about songwriting is that
there are multiple meanings, countless meanings for any one phrase.
And any one person will receive from it what they need or want based
on their experience and where they are coming from in life. Irradiation
fits into the concept of Remediation by bringing it full circle.
mwe3:
What other musical plans do you and IZZ have for 2018? Will there
be another IZZ album at some point?
Laura Meade: Along with touring my album with John and various
other special guests, I will continue writing for my next album. IZZ
is in the studio recording their new album
release date TBD!