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"LOLLAPALOOZA- MEET LAURA WARSHAUER"

For those of you interested in the chick rock scene, make sure to check out Laura Warshauer (pronounced WAR-shower) at Lollapalooza this weekend. Press Pass LA recently got the chance to speak with her about her big debut at Lolla, and she could not be more excited.

“It’s a huge honor. It’s always been my favorite festival. One year I stood off stage while The Killers played and I wondered if I could make it to the stage someday,” she explains passionately.

While heavily influenced by the female rock of the 90's, Warshauer calls herself a mix of “Jersey girl swag and L.A. spirit…unique and fresh but also familiar.” Originally from New Jersey, Warshauer currently calls the road her home. The next in a long line of great female singer/songwriters, she lets her simple chords and haunting lyrics run the show. She admits to being influenced by Alanis Morissette and Joan Osbourne, because “…in the actual sound of their voices, I could feel what it was they were trying to convey,” she says.

After a promising debut with Pink Chariot Mixtape, Warshauer was awarded the Songwriters Hall of Fame's inaugural Holly Prize for original songwriting – a prize named for none other than rock pioneer Buddy Holly. She then performed on the 2011 PBS tribute to Buddy Holly, a concert that also included Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin.

Another big moment for Warshauer came in 2011 at the wedding of two of her college buddies, William Wales and Kate Middleton. Warshauer lived in the same dorm as William and Kate during her freshman year at St. Andrews College in Scotland. While she has since lost touch with the royal couple, she wrote them a wedding song, called "To Will and Kate, Meet Me at Exit 109", which was featured on E!'s True Hollywood Story: Kate and Pippa Middleton. She remembers them fondly, emphasizing how they were “always genuine and quite normal.”

Since then, Warshauer has been focusing her attention on “bottling lightening” in her songs. She says “these are great songs and they really come to life in front of crowds of people.” The album is really about “…the moments that each song represents…” and she hopes that the audience can relate to these moments. The themes like love lost and found, and losing yourself are common and traditional, but they are universal, and her delivery is what really makes the difference. What is striking about Warshauer’s work is her ability to remain subdued while still conveying powerful emotions.

Warshauer knows this is only the beginning, and she is ready for the new wave of fans she will garner after her performance at Lollapalooza this weekend. She is truly excited about the opportunity to get her songs out on a national stage, and to see where that takes her. When I spoke with her, she was busy taking in the sights of Chicago, admitting a love for the character of that fair city, and deep dish pizza. She was also looking forward to checking out the Red Hot Chili Peppers, after her performance of course. - Press Pass LA


"LOLLAPALOOZA- MEET LAURA WARSHAUER"

For those of you interested in the chick rock scene, make sure to check out Laura Warshauer (pronounced WAR-shower) at Lollapalooza this weekend. Press Pass LA recently got the chance to speak with her about her big debut at Lolla, and she could not be more excited.

“It’s a huge honor. It’s always been my favorite festival. One year I stood off stage while The Killers played and I wondered if I could make it to the stage someday,” she explains passionately.

While heavily influenced by the female rock of the 90's, Warshauer calls herself a mix of “Jersey girl swag and L.A. spirit…unique and fresh but also familiar.” Originally from New Jersey, Warshauer currently calls the road her home. The next in a long line of great female singer/songwriters, she lets her simple chords and haunting lyrics run the show. She admits to being influenced by Alanis Morissette and Joan Osbourne, because “…in the actual sound of their voices, I could feel what it was they were trying to convey,” she says.

After a promising debut with Pink Chariot Mixtape, Warshauer was awarded the Songwriters Hall of Fame's inaugural Holly Prize for original songwriting – a prize named for none other than rock pioneer Buddy Holly. She then performed on the 2011 PBS tribute to Buddy Holly, a concert that also included Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin.

Another big moment for Warshauer came in 2011 at the wedding of two of her college buddies, William Wales and Kate Middleton. Warshauer lived in the same dorm as William and Kate during her freshman year at St. Andrews College in Scotland. While she has since lost touch with the royal couple, she wrote them a wedding song, called "To Will and Kate, Meet Me at Exit 109", which was featured on E!'s True Hollywood Story: Kate and Pippa Middleton. She remembers them fondly, emphasizing how they were “always genuine and quite normal.”

Since then, Warshauer has been focusing her attention on “bottling lightening” in her songs. She says “these are great songs and they really come to life in front of crowds of people.” The album is really about “…the moments that each song represents…” and she hopes that the audience can relate to these moments. The themes like love lost and found, and losing yourself are common and traditional, but they are universal, and her delivery is what really makes the difference. What is striking about Warshauer’s work is her ability to remain subdued while still conveying powerful emotions.

Warshauer knows this is only the beginning, and she is ready for the new wave of fans she will garner after her performance at Lollapalooza this weekend. She is truly excited about the opportunity to get her songs out on a national stage, and to see where that takes her. When I spoke with her, she was busy taking in the sights of Chicago, admitting a love for the character of that fair city, and deep dish pizza. She was also looking forward to checking out the Red Hot Chili Peppers, after her performance of course. - Press Pass LA


"An Interview With Laura Warshauer: Get to Know The Jersey Girl Who Made it Rain at Lollapalooza"

An hour or so before I was scheduled to do an in-person interview with singer-songwriter Laura Warshauer at this year's Lollapalooza, all of the power was cut off in the press area with no warning. This, as to be expected, sent bloggers, photographers, radio stations and publicists into a hysterical panic. Ten minutes later, a rather beefy security guard swept through the tents yelling at us all to evacuate due to a dangerous storm scheduled to hit the area in the next forty-five minutes. Just then, Laura's publicist found me and asked if we could reschedule for a phone interview the following morning but before we ran in opposite directions trying to find the nearest shelter (i.e. covered space with alcohol and snacks) she introduced me to the crystal-eyed singer whose smile didn't leave her face even as she was being told, "For real. You need to move. Everybody out."

And so, the next morning when things were a bit more dry, we spoke about Laura's (what ended up being) festival-stopping performance, the authenticity of the female-fronted angst rock from the '90s and what it's like to have Jay-Z as a fan.



Photo by Tolga Katas

AfterEllen.com: Did you survive the storm?
Laura Warshauer: I survived! It's funny, I opened my eyes this morning and just felt like whoa. I got to Chicago and played yesterday and have just been going going going. Do you know that feeling where your adrenaline level is so high and then suddenly your body is just like, uh-uh, I don't know what you're thinking about. If you keep running at this pace, I will shut down. It's like when you open your eyes at 10 a.m. and you feel like it's the middle of the night. [Laughs]

AE: Oh, I feel you. When I was going to the grounds, I got off my bus, started walking and my legs just felt like, don't even think about it. You won't be standing all day.
LW: My legs felt the same way walking through the mud in combat boots. I was just like, there is so much character happening with these boots right now! [Laughs] They were caked with mud and I was just like, here I am, a rough Jersey girl, I'll be able to live up to that image. [Laughs] It was amazing, though. We ended up being the best slot because of all the rain and everything. Right after my set, I was in the press area and someone was asking me, "What was the most memorable thing about the festival for you?" and right then a security guard came in and told us we had to evacuate so I was like, "Well apparently I just shut it down!"

AE: That's right! So which of your songs do you think was the one summoning the rain?
LW: It would definitely have to be the finale. We were doing this Irish drinking song. It's like Dublin meets Asbury Park, New Jersey and it's called "Somebody for Me." It's kind of this rousing, raucous, corner bar in Dublin kind of song. It starts, [sings] "Everybody, got somebody. I just want, somebody for me. Everybody needs somebody. I just want somebody for me." And then the band explodes and then we bring it back down again. And the whole crowd was singing. There was a call and response. And we ended it by walking out to the speakers in front of the stage to connect more with the crowd. At the end we had a moment when the band stopped and we went into acapella, "Everybody got somebody."

AE: That's awesome.
LW: That was such a cool moment. My band just left their instruments and walked up to the mic with me and we all sang acapella and ended it that way. And the last line I sang by myself. There was so much energy from the crowd and it just brought it to another level to have my band around me. It just felt like community and rock 'n roll. I felt like people really got it.

AE: I'm glad everybody was so receptive. Obviously you gave it to them and they gave it back. That's got to be an amazing feeling.
LW: It's really cool because everything either comes together or it doesn't. It's like a very simple thing in your mind when you're in a recording studio. We get crazy ideas constantly and some of them seem like really good ideas, whether it's musically or style-wise. Like I'll get inspired by electronica beats and be like, I want to get up on stage with those kind of beats. And then what happens is, you take the stage and just immediately put your feet back on the ground and are like, "Oh, I get it." Those faces that are looking at me right now? They just want to feel something right now. They just want to feel like there's something real and genuine happening and that level of authenticity and having to understand what that tightrope is for myself as a person and as an artist and be able to deliver that. I'm always kind of like, nervous. Not that I always get overly nervous before shows but you can definitely work yourself up especially coming into something like Lol - afterellen.com


"An Interview With Laura Warshauer: Get to Know The Jersey Girl Who Made it Rain at Lollapalooza"

An hour or so before I was scheduled to do an in-person interview with singer-songwriter Laura Warshauer at this year's Lollapalooza, all of the power was cut off in the press area with no warning. This, as to be expected, sent bloggers, photographers, radio stations and publicists into a hysterical panic. Ten minutes later, a rather beefy security guard swept through the tents yelling at us all to evacuate due to a dangerous storm scheduled to hit the area in the next forty-five minutes. Just then, Laura's publicist found me and asked if we could reschedule for a phone interview the following morning but before we ran in opposite directions trying to find the nearest shelter (i.e. covered space with alcohol and snacks) she introduced me to the crystal-eyed singer whose smile didn't leave her face even as she was being told, "For real. You need to move. Everybody out."

And so, the next morning when things were a bit more dry, we spoke about Laura's (what ended up being) festival-stopping performance, the authenticity of the female-fronted angst rock from the '90s and what it's like to have Jay-Z as a fan.



Photo by Tolga Katas

AfterEllen.com: Did you survive the storm?
Laura Warshauer: I survived! It's funny, I opened my eyes this morning and just felt like whoa. I got to Chicago and played yesterday and have just been going going going. Do you know that feeling where your adrenaline level is so high and then suddenly your body is just like, uh-uh, I don't know what you're thinking about. If you keep running at this pace, I will shut down. It's like when you open your eyes at 10 a.m. and you feel like it's the middle of the night. [Laughs]

AE: Oh, I feel you. When I was going to the grounds, I got off my bus, started walking and my legs just felt like, don't even think about it. You won't be standing all day.
LW: My legs felt the same way walking through the mud in combat boots. I was just like, there is so much character happening with these boots right now! [Laughs] They were caked with mud and I was just like, here I am, a rough Jersey girl, I'll be able to live up to that image. [Laughs] It was amazing, though. We ended up being the best slot because of all the rain and everything. Right after my set, I was in the press area and someone was asking me, "What was the most memorable thing about the festival for you?" and right then a security guard came in and told us we had to evacuate so I was like, "Well apparently I just shut it down!"

AE: That's right! So which of your songs do you think was the one summoning the rain?
LW: It would definitely have to be the finale. We were doing this Irish drinking song. It's like Dublin meets Asbury Park, New Jersey and it's called "Somebody for Me." It's kind of this rousing, raucous, corner bar in Dublin kind of song. It starts, [sings] "Everybody, got somebody. I just want, somebody for me. Everybody needs somebody. I just want somebody for me." And then the band explodes and then we bring it back down again. And the whole crowd was singing. There was a call and response. And we ended it by walking out to the speakers in front of the stage to connect more with the crowd. At the end we had a moment when the band stopped and we went into acapella, "Everybody got somebody."

AE: That's awesome.
LW: That was such a cool moment. My band just left their instruments and walked up to the mic with me and we all sang acapella and ended it that way. And the last line I sang by myself. There was so much energy from the crowd and it just brought it to another level to have my band around me. It just felt like community and rock 'n roll. I felt like people really got it.

AE: I'm glad everybody was so receptive. Obviously you gave it to them and they gave it back. That's got to be an amazing feeling.
LW: It's really cool because everything either comes together or it doesn't. It's like a very simple thing in your mind when you're in a recording studio. We get crazy ideas constantly and some of them seem like really good ideas, whether it's musically or style-wise. Like I'll get inspired by electronica beats and be like, I want to get up on stage with those kind of beats. And then what happens is, you take the stage and just immediately put your feet back on the ground and are like, "Oh, I get it." Those faces that are looking at me right now? They just want to feel something right now. They just want to feel like there's something real and genuine happening and that level of authenticity and having to understand what that tightrope is for myself as a person and as an artist and be able to deliver that. I'm always kind of like, nervous. Not that I always get overly nervous before shows but you can definitely work yourself up especially coming into something like Lol - afterellen.com


"Laura Warshauer Wows With "Running from the Grave""

Don't put anything past this pop star… Laura Warshauer is hitting the radio waves in Nashville with her electric song "Running From The Grave" and recently pulled off a solo impromptu road trip from LA to Music City at the drop of a text message to meet up with radio managers.

And just when you thought you knew this Jersey Girl, you find out she has hidden super powers about to be revealed by her new Pulp Fiction inspired Quentin Tarantino-esque Sexy Super Hero alter ego Gigi Rowe. Her new look screams "Megastar" and that's just where she's headed. Editor Nicole Hanratty was lucky enough to catch Gigi Rowe and her new look at The Hotel Cafe last night in support of Anna Rose who shattered the venue. While she wasn't wearing it last night, rumor has it Gigi Rowe may be seen sporting a beret. Gigi has definitely hijacked Laura's driver's license so watch out drivers, Gigi Rowe is on the road!

Check out "Running From The Grave" and all of the vocal punch this power house brings to the airwaves. Laura Warshauer played last summer's Lollapalooza in the rain, toured with Sunset Sessions and opened for Bob Schneider.

Laura Warshauer AKA Gigi Rowe is a launching star and we're half wondering if there might be one affixed to her belt that shoots out entrancing energy because we are without question under this rock star's spell.

The "Running From The Grave" music video is expected out soon! Here's a clip from CBS where Laura Warshauer performed acoustic live on air in front of the main stage at Lolla: - Life of a Rockstar


"Laura Warshauer Wows With "Running from the Grave""

Don't put anything past this pop star… Laura Warshauer is hitting the radio waves in Nashville with her electric song "Running From The Grave" and recently pulled off a solo impromptu road trip from LA to Music City at the drop of a text message to meet up with radio managers.

And just when you thought you knew this Jersey Girl, you find out she has hidden super powers about to be revealed by her new Pulp Fiction inspired Quentin Tarantino-esque Sexy Super Hero alter ego Gigi Rowe. Her new look screams "Megastar" and that's just where she's headed. Editor Nicole Hanratty was lucky enough to catch Gigi Rowe and her new look at The Hotel Cafe last night in support of Anna Rose who shattered the venue. While she wasn't wearing it last night, rumor has it Gigi Rowe may be seen sporting a beret. Gigi has definitely hijacked Laura's driver's license so watch out drivers, Gigi Rowe is on the road!

Check out "Running From The Grave" and all of the vocal punch this power house brings to the airwaves. Laura Warshauer played last summer's Lollapalooza in the rain, toured with Sunset Sessions and opened for Bob Schneider.

Laura Warshauer AKA Gigi Rowe is a launching star and we're half wondering if there might be one affixed to her belt that shoots out entrancing energy because we are without question under this rock star's spell.

The "Running From The Grave" music video is expected out soon! Here's a clip from CBS where Laura Warshauer performed acoustic live on air in front of the main stage at Lolla: - Life of a Rockstar


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

The scene was a Grammy after-party in LA. Jay-Z, recalling seeing Gigi Rowe perform a few months earlier, looked a young Gigi squarely in the eye and said, "You are fantastically talented." If there’s anything to inspire a budding artist to greater heights, it would be those words, uttered from a modern-day icon. One would be amazed at the powerhouse voice and indomitable spirit that is the essence of Gigi Rowe both on stage and off. Gigi has that rare quality very few artists’ possess: She makes every person in the audience feel as if she is singing only to them. Her performance, whether on stage or in the studio, has a magnetism that people naturally gravitate to, which is why in 2010 Gigi was chosen by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Songmasters to be the recipient of the first ever (Buddy) Holly Prize. The prestigious award is presented to one young singer-songwriter and performer per year who exhibits "true, great, and original" qualities. In 2012, Gigi completed two national tours; She opened for Bob Schneider, and participated in the first-ever Sunset Sessions tour with Duncan Sheik, Alpha Rev and Courrier. In addition, she performed on the BMI stage at Lollapalooza in August 2012, and is currently in the studio in LA with hit songwriter/producer PJ Bianco. Her first single, “Wishing Well”, had a twelve week Triple A Radio chart run in 2011, and her current single "Running from the Grave" is spinning on Triple A Radio, and has received substantial airplay in Nashville. Gigi just completed a radio tour, including performances at the KFOG Playspace in San Francisco, and KINK’s Bing Lounge in Portland. She was interviewed for a feature in Vanity Fair related to her song "To Will and Kate, Meet Me at Exit 109", detailing her time spent with Prince William and Kate Middleton as students at the University of St. Andrews, and she was interviewed for two royal biographies to be released summer/fall 2013. She has had a song placement/performance on E! True Hollywood and songs licensed to the USA and Style Networks. Gigi is currently writing/recording a song with Mark Batson (Eminem, Dave Matthews Band) and is collaborating on a song with leading LA DJ’s Sex Panther. She has worked with powerhouse producers/musicians Marshall Altman, Bleu, Thom Panunzio, Roy Bittan of the E Street Band, Kenny Aronoff, Paul Pesco, Rob Whited and Bobby Lee Parker. GIgi performed at the All About Music (music supervisor) event in Nashville this past June, and she is gearing up for her forthcoming EP “Introducing Gigi Rowe” release that will include a multi-formatted radio campaign and tour.