Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Sawosko. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been my sixth album. I have learned so much as a singer-songwriter in Nashville and have put every aspect of myself into this album. It will be my first official album release with the assistance of Olivia Management and a Publicist.
This year I have been composing the songs and recording them in a Nashville studio. This album encompasses love, loss and all the in between. My Father recently passed away and it was an emotional journey channeling such loss through music, but such an honor. In my song “I Want to do This Right” the hook explores grief through my lyrics “I’m selfish wasn’t ready for goodbye. They say there’s no wrong way to grieve but for you, I want to do this right.”
I never want to shy away from difficult topics because it is an important aspect of the human condition. My new album also includes much needed humor with descriptive yet tongue in cheek lyrics. I gladly reminisced about my time at Arizona State University in my song College Days. I jokingly recall how “I wore my favorite blue jeans that barely covered my parts. The only sports I played was beer pong and darts.”
I look forward to sharing my album in 2024. You can sign up for future updates and announcements on my website at www.laurasawosko.com 
Laura, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a singer songwriter in Nashville Tennessee. Composing lyrics is my favorite aspect of songwriting. I moved to Nashville in 2010 and have been finding my place in music city. The more I sought counsel about being a staff writer, the more I was encouraged to be the artist. With the ever changing landscape of the music industry due to online streaming platforms such as Spotify, songwriters like myself are left scrambling for a source of dependable income. A fraction of a penny per stream doesn’t add up to much or cover the costly living expenses in Nashville. Touring is the best option for an artist and that is what I am planning to do in preparation for my new album release. I am a storyteller who performs on both guitar and piano and love sharing more about my songs in person at shows.
When I first moved to Nashville I had to take the hospitality route like most struggling artists do. Since Covid and the limited shifts for servers at that time, I started teaching piano again. My favorite is teaching beginner students and being a piano instructor has been such a blessing and source of inspiration. The enthusiasm about music from my students has ignited my own passion for music. They remind me what a gift music is beyond any accolades and there is no room to be jaded in any capacity. My new album reflects this love for music and Music City through my song Rhinestones For Pearls. It is my love song to Nashville which acknowledges the changes from small town to big city and I fondly recall “you welcomed me in like I was one of your own.”
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I was born with one functioning vocal cord which is like running a one legged race when it comes to singing. But I can honestly say it has only taught me appreciation for what I do have and for what I have been able to achieve in my music career. The Doctor who performed the surgery to move the paralyzed vocal cord in closer to the functioning one in order to create more sound, told me I would never sing.
Almost 6 albums later and a lifetime of performing and touring, I can testify that what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. With enough determination and a little help from my trusty guitar capo to change the key to fit my vocal range, anything is possible.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I believe the life of a songwriter is greatly misunderstood. Too many people view being a musician as a hobby rather than a job or career. They rarely take it seriously and are unaware of what being a musician entails. Most artists begin studying their craft as a young child only to have to waitress and find side jobs to supplement their income. It is an endless task of creating, learning how to be your own sound engineer, manager, booking agent, website designer and roadie. There is great expense for instruments, equipment and studio time with little to no income coming in until you are one of the lucky few to break through the music machine of top 20 Country. Most musicians on lower Broadway do not get paid by the house and rely solely on tips to make a living. Musicians of all levels do not get the credit they deserve.
Being a female in the Country music industry is another story. Radio airplay for female artists is almost non existent and so is the pay compared to our male counterpart. When I perform at writer’s rounds, it is usually 15 males to every one female. It is one more hurdle to jump through in order to be heard and appreciated. My main focus is loving what I do and I believe the rest will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurasawosko.com
- Instagram: @laurasawosko
- Facebook: Laurasawosko1
Image Credits
Cheryl Stewart