Laura Cox: Navigating the Shift from YouTube Stardom to Studio Success
Laura Cox stumbled into a thriving music career nearly two decades ago when she began sharing her classic rock guitar covers on YouTube, quickly capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.
Today, she stands as a recognized touring and recording artist, boasting three albums to her name. Though, as she candidly shares, the leap from YouTube sensation to crafting her own music in a professional studio proved to be more challenging than she had anticipated, describing the experience as “a nightmare.”
Early Inspirations and YouTube Journey
“I picked up the guitar at around 15,” Laura recalls in an interview wiht Guitarist.”A couple of years later, I became fascinated by YouTubers who were covering classic rock solos. Their passion inspired me to share my own performances and seek feedback.”
While many comments were uplifting and encouraging,she also faced some negativity,including harsh critiques about her appearance. “There were a few comments that felt like harassment, but I learned to separate online opinions from reality,” she reflects.
Transitioning to Professional Recording
In 2014,Laura formed a band,leveraging her YouTube fame to secure a record label and booking agent,which ultimately led to the release of her debut studio album,Hard Blues Shot,in 2017.
“The recording process was overwhelming,” she admits. “My previous experience was limited to playing guitar alone in my room, where I could endlessly re-record untill I was satisfied.”
“In the studio, every moment felt like it was costing money, and I was under immense pressure,” she continues. “We encountered numerous technical issues; equipment malfunctioned,and nothing seemed to go right.”
“After our first studio session, I felt a wave of depression wash over me. The project felt endless, and we were constantly behind schedule, which added to my stress,” she confesses.
Finding Her Groove
Fortunately, as time passed and Laura and her band gained more experience in the studio, the process became more enjoyable. She even embraced self-production for her latest album, Trouble Coming.
“this time, I recorded much of it at home, which felt significantly more cozy and liberating,” she shares.
For more insights from Laura Cox, along with exclusive interviews featuring jeff Tweedy and Brian Robertson, be sure to check out the latest issue of Guitarist available at Magazines direct.
