Laura Cortese – Folk Roots Radio at Folk North

Laura Cortese gave up a life in California to attend the famed Berklee College of Music, before deciding to stay in Boston and immerse herself in the city’s vibrant roots scene as a side player. Returning to front her own band, Laura came together with the Dance Cards as an all girl band, featuring four string players – two fiddles (Laura Cortese and Jenna Moynihan), with Valerie Thompson on cello and Natalie Bohrn from Manitoba on standup bass. All of the band members share vocals. Their debut album as a four piece, “California Calling”, features 11 songs, most written by Laura Cortese but with arrangements that reflect the full band’s influences and exploring rhythms and sonic textures that take their music way beyond what you’d typically expect from a folk roots stringband. An inspirational songwriter, and engaging interview, Laura Cortese sat down with Folk Roots Radio at the Folk Music Canada export showcase Folk North to chat about her music and high energy live show. For more information about Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, visit thisislauracortese.com. Photo: Natalie Champa-Jennings. Music: Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards “The Low Hum”, “Stockholm” and “California Calling” from “California Calling” (2017, Compass Records).