CARDIFF LIVES Blues singer Laura Evans talks Hollywood, new music and Basil Brush

LAURA EVANS The Welsh-rooted, Nashville-loving, soul-fuelled singer on her UK Number One, her Hollywood film acting past, and the release of her new music

Cardiff was where she got her first big break as a youngster when she was chosen to train at Cardiff Bay-based drama group The Workshop, and Laura still loves the city she spent years of her childhood in. The Welsh singer – whose new single, Solo, will be released in late October – is part of the new wave of British countryblues and soul music singersongwriters. Her EP’s debut title track Running Back to You went straight to Number One in the UK iTunes Blues chart, but she only chased her music passion after realising her Hollywood acting career wasn’t for her. I love Cardiff… I’m from the valleys originally so I travel home every month, and I always visit Cardiff. I have so many amazing Cardiff memories… When I was about 11, I auditioned to train at the junior ITV drama workshop in the city, and then trained there every week for two years it was when I rst had opportunities to act in lms and commercials.

I had the pleasure of performing at Cardiff City Hall… I became aliated with the Kidney Wales Foundation in 2015 and I performed at several of their

“I was a film actress and went to work in Hollywood”

events in Cardiff,including their Christmas concert at Cardiff City Hall. It was such a beautiful venue and it was amazing to perform alongside some great Welsh patrons, such as Sian Lloyd and Max Boyce.

I’m so excited to share my new work… Running Back to You is my ve-track EP. I wrote most of the songs last year when I spent some time in Nashville, and I recorded it just before lockdown. I’m super proud of these songs and how they turned out. It was important for me to show all my country and blues influences as well as tell some stories.

I would have loved to tour this year… but unfortunately, due to all the restrictions, I can’t, so I’ll be planning a tour for next summer and I’ll denitely be playing a home showin Cardiff

My biggest musical inspirations are… Lucie Silvas, India Arie, Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton.

I was a film actress and went to work in Hollywood… [She appeared alongside Rob Schneider, Lindsay Lohan, MichelleRodriguez and Adrien rody in satirical lm InAPPropriate Comedy.] Before that, I’d been working in an off-licence and doing promotional work leafleting on the streets, so when the opportunity of Hollywood came up, I trusted my feelings and left the UK.

By then, I was travelling regularly to Nashville to sing and record… Nashville felt magical. Los Angeles is for actors, but Nashville is for songbirds. Singers and songwriters gravitate to Nashville because it’s kinder and because it is the focal point of music. I knew in my heart it was where I belonged. There is a small-town community feel to ‘Music City’ that reminded me of the Welsh valleys. I also knew that I wanted to belong to a community of like-minded and inspiring people that would make music with me.

My proudest career moment was… when I was invited to perform at the famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Playing an originalsong to an American audience alongside some Nashville hit songwriters in such an iconic place was just amazing it was pinch me’ stuff. Something people may not know about me is… I worked on children’s television with puppet fox Basil Brush and played the role of an American ditsy blonde character called Madison. Best four years ever.

I’m obsessed with… Mocha Frappuccinos from Starbucks, and Diptique scented candles.

My desert island items would be… A record player with lots of records to play, and meditation books by Louise Hay.

The most sentimental item I own is… My late Nana’s vintage gold locket.

My favourite parts of Cardiff are… Cardiff ay, ales illennium Centre, the Morgan Quarter and The Royal Arcade for quirky its shopping.

And the best Cardiff view… Has to be from the top of the Park Plaza hotel. n

www.thelauraevans.com