Whether you’re a die-hard blues enthusiast or simply a casual listener, Laura Cox’s latest album, Trouble Coming, is bound to resonate with you.
In her fourth studio release, the Anglo-French singer-songwriter showcases her moast relatable adn diverse set of tracks yet, blending elements of vintage blues with modern rock influences.
Exploring New Musical Terrain
While Laura acknowledges her roots in guitar-driven music, this new collection emphasizes the songwriting aspect more than ever before.
“I aimed to expand my musical reach to connect with audiences beyond just musicians,” she shares. “Some tracks even lack guitar solos, which is a first for me. My focus shifted to the rhythms,melodies,and vocals. Now, I can appreciate my music from an outsider’s viewpoint, as if I weren’t the one who created it.”
A Fresh Collaborative Approach
To break new ground, Laura decided to shake things up by collaborating with different artists, marking a notable evolution in her career with Trouble Coming.
“For the first time, I didn’t record with my usual band,” she reveals. “I teamed up with a French duo called No Money Kids,whose sound is reminiscent of The black Keys,blending bluesy rock with a contemporary twist. I recorded some demos at home, and we ended up using several of those original takes.”
“There are even moments where you can here the TV in the background. the best take isn’t always the one captured in a high-end studio; it’s the one that conveys the right emotion.”
Spotlight on the Gibson Les Paul Junior
In the music video for her lead single, No Need To Try Harder, Laura showcases her stunning Gibson Les Paul Junior in a vibrant Maraschino Cherry finish.
“I began playing Juniors back in 2019 and quickly became enamored with them,” she explains.”I discovered this particular model on Reverb, and it turned out to be Billie Joe Armstrong’s signature edition from Green Day.”
“What I love about it is its unique appearance. It features a humbucker pickup that aligns perfectly with my style, and the striking red finish paired with a white scratchplate gives it a Fender-like aesthetic. It’s truly one of a kind.”
Rediscovering the SG
Another standout in Laura’s collection is her Gibson 1961 SG reissue, finished in a unique TV Yellow.
“I adore this color because it strays from the typical red,” she notes. “TV Yellow has a Telecaster vibe to it. The neck is larger than what I usually prefer, but it feels just right. Plus, the stock Burstbucker pickups deliver fantastic sound.”
“I used to favor Les Pauls early in my career, but when Gibson sent me this SG to try, I was hooked and couldn’t part with it. Transitioning from Les Pauls to SGs feels incredibly smooth.”
Mastering the Slide Guitar
As a fan of legendary bands like lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band, it’s no surprise that Laura incorporates a significant amount of slide guitar into her music.
“The key to effective slide playing is finding the right finger and slide size,” she explains. “I’m pleasant using my middle finger, which is uncommon, and I prefer thicker ceramic slides for their resonance.”
“Muting with my index finger is crucial to prevent unwanted string ringing. Exploring different tunings can lead to fresh ideas, which is incredibly motivating when you feel creatively stuck.”
Laura’s Go-To Fuzz Pedal: The SoloDallas Orbiter
“Initially, I discovered SoloDallas thru their connection to AC/DC.They later invited me to try their Orbiter fuzz pedal, and I thought, ‘Why not give it a shot?’”
“I’ve experimented with numerous fuzz pedals, but not all of them mesh well with my setup. Fuzz pedals can be finicky-some only perform at specific gain levels or volumes.The Orbiter, however, truly impressed me.”
