A Melbourne musician who originally created modern soul ballads fans of Erykah Badu, Leon Bridges and The Teskey Brothers would devour, Laura Ingram is leaning into her own powerhouse vocals while exploring the grittier tones of southern soul-rock.
This creative switch is evidenced by Laura's newest release, the single 'Not Another Fool'. Released last week, it's Ingram's first release since her late 2020 EP 'Iso-Sessions'.
Mentored by local soul icon Kylie Auldist and tutored by ARIA Award-winning jazz trumpeter Vince Jones, Laura recorded 'Not Another Fool' (a song about standing up for self-respect) with Hopestreet Recordings' Bob Knob.
The track also features The Putbacks' guitarist Tom Martin as well as additional instrumentation from Dan Mougerman (keys), Richard Bradbeer (bass) and Luke Collins (drums).
"My previous releases were neo-soul tingled ballads reminiscent of Erykah Badu and Leon Bridges, but recently I've loved leaning into my southern-soul-rock roots and dirty-guitar-led anthems," Laura says.
"Releasing 'Not Another Fool' has been a personal and professional realisation, and it feels so good to crush the dreams of my exes and expose my powerhouse vocals in this tune.
"This song was born from a breakup, melted down from the wisdom of women gone before me, soldered by conviction and galvanised by my will for something better. The main message is: listen to their actions, not their words; and know you are worthy of love, kindness and respect ALWAYS ❤️🔥!
"I still love writing soul-jazz tunes," she adds, "but I'm really excited to stretch out and play more gritty southern soul and '80s-inspired power ballads."
Who is... I'm Laura Ingram, a southern-soul-pop artist of Naarm/ Melbourne. I'm a songwriter, vocalist, keyboardist, mentor, and hopefully, a well-rounded person.
I sound like... On a good day I sound like Lake Street Dive, Alabama Shakes, and Marcus King.
I cut my teeth training with Vince Jones and playing soul and jazz gigs, and I've supported the likes of Clare Bowditch, Caiti Baker, Kylie Auldist and Allysha Joy. At my core I'm a songwriter who grew up in a pub listening to '80s rock and power ballads.
Our first gig was... At the (now closed) institution The Phoenix Pub in Canberra. Grungy and dirty (where all good music starts), filled with friends every night and where I learnt the power one has when holding a microphone. I was too tipsy and excited to remember if I was any good, but I learnt about confidence and crowd control during those early shows.
In the studio we usually... Record in one take, if we can. I'm trying to bottle lightning and capture that live sound, because that's when I'm at my best: in the moment, feeling alive, praying we are going to pull it off.
If I could tour with anyone... Any of the American retro-soul outfits at the moment: Lake Street Dive, The Dip, Couch, Lawrence, Leon Bridges; but if I'm being honest, it would be John Farnham: the greatest Australian vocalist we have ever had.
Social media is... All in how you use it. On a good day it's an amazing tool to connect to people anywhere in the world and learn to be real in front of a camera.
On a bad day, it's an addictive dopamine machine that can fear monger and pander. Keep your algorithm silly and creative and you can't go too wrong.
My favourite app at the moment is... Brick – to block my social media and phone apps when I need to focus on creating, connecting and being present.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I bombed in front of Robert Glasper. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival holds an open-jam at Jazz Lab and I tried some pretty whacky sh.t.
He said he liked that I tried something different. I could have died. He got up after me and sung a very drunk and out of tune ballad while his band laughed at him, proving his legendary status.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... Gluten-free karaage chicken, iced matcha, Patrice Rushen vinyl and a massage gun. If you please.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... The lockdown thought spirals of 'what if I never perform again?'. Nothing is more terrifying to me than dying without living truthfully and fully, and making music is something vital to my life. That time taught me that I'll never not be an artist.
What celebrity would you love to be spokesperson of the band... William Shatner. I am obsessed with his spoken-word album. To have him voice my ads and speak the song lyrics would be a dream come true. His vocal tone and dry sense of humour are something else.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? I truly believe Australia is The Lucky Country. We have work to do for sure, but overall I've never felt safer, calmer, more happy, more connected to the land, and to the people then here. You know how good you have it when you go overseas.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I am a golden retriever reincarnate. The doggos are my people.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... T.I.N.A's. A non-alcoholic canned beverage made in Melbourne. I'm seven years sober and this is my summer-in-the-park-with-mates drink. Heaven.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Today. Pilates fixed my messed up shoulder and posture and I'm never looking back.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Promoting myself, haha! Can I just make music and everyone else say I'm awesome? This is the most challenging part of making music: pumping up your own tyres on the reg.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? 'Takeshi's Castle' – an '80s Japanese obstacle-course-challenge show. Hilarious and silly. You need to be bold and falsely-confident to even get halfway. It's kind of how I feel most of the time and I'm ok with landing flat on my face.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? This isn't a prank, but I'd use some kind of mental jujitsu to trick them into believing in how amazing they are and to go for their dreams. No one is safe.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Midnight! Drink some water and go to bed. Health is wealth people.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Thelma and Louise. Both of them. Bold, brash, trusting, strong, empowered, a little wild, focused, and at all costs, free.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Russian Doll'. If she makes the same choices, she gets the same results. If she makes different choices, she gets a new chance at a better life, and breaks the negative patterns of her past. That's what we are all here for.
Laura hosts the 'Not Another Fool' single launch at The Bergy Bandroom (Melbourne) on 11 December.
"I'M PLAYING A SHOW! One night only at The Bergy Bandroom to celebrate the single launch of 'Not Another Fool' and I'm actually so happy proud and pumped to play all these new tunes with a FULL BAND!
"Can't believe it's been three years since I've played but the time is right! It's going to be a freakin magical night babes ⚡️."
