Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Laws.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
-Had a passion early in life to play violin; would find random household objects to use to play “air violin”
-Classically trained violinist, started at age 10 (17 years’ experience to date)
-Took lessons from Jennifer Deatherage, 5th ranked at World Championship Fiddling Contest (Crocket, TX) and daughter of renown fiddle player and master luthier Math Deatherage
-Began acting on stage at age 6; continued through high school and most of college (21 years’ experience to date)
-Two time consecutive Irene Ryan nominee (college theater acting scholarship award)
-Began guitar performance at age 15 as a way to be able to sing while playing an instrument to provide accompaniment in a solo performance (12 years’ experience to date)
-Learned guitar skills from grandmother, Joy Norris, and guitar teacher, David Thompson
-Performed as lead guitarist/violinist/lead and backup vocalist for multiple bands through the years before forming Joseph Laws and the Weathered Eyes with drummer, producer, and co-founder Cody Morris
-Biggest fan and supporter is grandmother, Deb McLucas, who has given moral and financial support for years; provided the majority of instruments that have been used in performing professionally since the start of career
-Began performing singer-songwriter style at America’s Best Coffee in Arlington, TX in 2005; first original songs were written out of necessity due to a copyright restriction placed on performing songs written by other artists
-I currently hold a repertoire of 28 original songs and a 4+ hour list of cover songs ranging from the 60’s to today
-Currently performing both as a solo artist and the lead singer/guitar player/song writer for a three piece groove rock band called Joseph Laws and the Weathered Eyes
-Multi-instrumentalist with performance experience in violin, guitar, bass, cello, harmonica, and percussion
Happy husband to Baleigh Laws and father of 4 month old daughter Charlotte Jordan Laws
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like most artists, I’m sure, there have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. Performing as a solo artist has its pros and cons. In a technical aspect, it is much easier to perform solo. There is less equipment to set up and less sound checking to do. It is much easier to fit yourself in a corner of a small venue than it is to try and squeeze a whole band in. On the flip side, it’s much more difficult to book shows as a solo artist where the crowd appreciates your original material. Solo artists are perfect for providing background music, and while this can provide benefits in the way of making some money, it lacks in the area of giving one a way to promote their own personal art. When playing bars, for example, people have a tendency to not take you as seriously as they would a full band. I’ve played a venue multiple times as both a solo artist and as a member of a band, and the crowd reception and participation is almost always higher as a band. Where one of the biggest struggles in being a performer comes into play is finding people whose artistic minds and views mesh with yours. I have worked with some awesome musicians in the past, but I am definitely blessed to be working with some truly incredible artists in the Weathered Eyes. Cody (drums) and Dan (bass) totally compliment my sound at an almost psychic level.
Please tell us about Joseph Laws and the Weathered Eyes.
I’ve established myself decently well as a solo artist, but my newest focus is my band, Joseph Laws and the Weathered Eyes. We are a three piece groove/blues rock band. Our sound pulls a lot of influence from alternative, classic rock, and blues music styles, while stealing a lot of dynamic tendencies from classical orchestral style music. What I’m most proud of in this group is our ability to balance the band with day to day life. We have fun and try to gig as much as possible, but not without remembering that we all have families at home that need our time as well. That, combined with our ability to work as a team and take direction from each other, has really made this band a great experience so far.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There’s not a whole lot I would do differently. I’m the kind of person that believes that people learn from mistakes and grow from our choices in life, and that’s how we get to where we are today. However, if I had to pick a couple things, I would definitely say that learning piano would be number one of the list. I think it’s one of the most beautiful and diverse instruments in existence. I took lessons for a couple weeks in high school, and then life happened and I got distracted with something that couldn’t have been that important since I can’t even remember what it was that distracted me. The only other thing that I would have done differently is market myself more at an earlier age. I don’t like to harp about it, but I have a talent that I’ve worked hard on for a long time, and I’m very proud of it. I didn’t believe in myself when I was younger the way that I do now. Confidence is key in a lot of aspects in life, especially when it comes to being a performer. If you don’t believe in yourself, other people will follow suit. I’m happy with where I’ve gotten as an artist, but I feel that if I had ascended to the level of confidence and security in my music that I have now, I would be more successful than I am now.
Pricing:
- Streaming music available at www.soundcloud.com/lawsforthecause
- CD’s available at gigs for $5; gig calendar available at www.facebook.com/lawsforthecause
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soundcloud.com/lawsforthecause
- Email: mr.josephlaws@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lawsforthecause
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