Music: Lauri Andrick

LAURI ANDRICK LAURI ANDRICK

Former DRK WTR frontwoman charting singer-songwriter course on forthcoming solo EP

"T ruthfully, I really wanted to return to my roots," local singer Lauri Andrick explains when discussing why she made the decision to exit DRK WTR, one of Evansville's most promising new bands. "It was really fun, but I felt like I was compromising how I would traditionally write my own music." During the year she spent with the popular 90's-influenced act, Andrick proved to be a force of nature on stage, belting out her big vocals with abandon. But her more authentic, quieter side was being increasingly suppressed; it felt disingenuous to continue pushing forward with DRK WTR, especially as plans were being made to take things to the next level after the release of the band's debut EP. So Andrick amicably parted ways and started plotting a solo recording that would reflect the singersongwriter inside her - songs in the vein of Elliott Smith, Laura Marling and Phoebe Bridgers.

Andrick's first order of business was to contact Steve Tyner at Black Cat Recording who previously worked with DRK WTR; he readily agreed to help the newly-unfettered singer realize her true musical passion. In fact, Tyner noted that he wanted to take on more of a producer role this time around. "We've been talking about the EP - about how to put it together, the vibe, the atmosphere," Andrick says. "We're going for a more experimental vibe - and Steve will help me write some of the atmospheric parts." The plan is to record four or five tracks, including "Skinned Knees," a dark acoustic number that addresses familial trauma. Interestingly, though Andrick is left-handed, she learned to play guitar in reverse, becoming quite adept at fingerpicking with her right hand yet struggling with basic strumming. As a result, her songwriting is built around the plucking of strings, often making use of alternate tuning. Despite her revealed influences she's truly got a style all her own.

But what local music lovers will surely most look forward to on the forthcoming EP is her vocals - stripped to the bone with the proposed atmospheric production, allowing the singer's incredible tone to shine. She growled with the best of them on stage with DRK WTR, but this solo venture will present a softer side that should open Andrick up to a whole new fanbase. Though she needs to come up with a name for the project first - and fast. Andrick isn't convinced her given name will resonate so she's considering a host of possibilities to christen her solo act, including a past nickname. Stay tuned and also look out for Andrick's inclusion on a local band's upcoming EP.

For more info, follow Lauri Andrick on Facebook.

PHOTO CREDIT: MICAH POWERS

WE'RE GOING FOR A MORE EXPERIMENTAL VIBE - AND STEVE WILL HELP ME WRITE SOME OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PARTS.