For episode 12 of Steel, we meet Laurel Premo, an incredible folk musician from Traverse City, Michigan.
Laurel’s 2021 album, Golden Loam, is a collection of deep, dark folk tunes played on solo electric guitar and lap steel, and the sound is completely her own. The record is spare, brooding, rhythmically deep, and completely captivating.
When I learned Laurel was coming to New York, I jumped at the chance to meet her and talk about her musical life. In this episode, we discuss Laurel’s musical roots in Northern Michigan, where she played fiddle in Finnish Barn dances; how she picked up the lap steel and adapted it to her style of music; her immersion in Scandinavian folk traditions; how chanting is at the heart of her musical practice; and lots more.
This podcast is mixed by Armen Bazarian and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine.
www.fretboardjournal.com
Photo: Harpe Star