The air of late summer carries a hint of nostalgia and anticipation, much like the music of Laraw, an artist who’s quickly become synonymous with raw emotion and vibrant energy. In an exclusive interview, we delved deep into her world, uncovering the layers of a musician dedicated to authenticity and emotional expression.
As autumn leaves begin to turn, Laraw embraces the shift with a love for the fall, finding beauty in its warmth and transition. Her recent weekend, a dreamlike whirl of performances, encapsulated this change perfectly. She describes her experience as “like a dream come true,” a sentiment that reverberates through her music.
On Friday, she captivated her audience at URSA with a full-band performance, then shifted gears to an intimate acoustic set at a local coffee shop. Laraw finds beauty in this duality, saying, “It’s a more vulnerable, intimate performance, which I enjoy.” Her acoustic renditions provide a new lens through which to experience her music, stripping down to the core of her artistry. “It’s almost like a new song,” she remarks, appreciating the quiet moments just as much as the high-energy ones.
The weekend marked a milestone for Laraw, as she performed her new single for the first time under Bravo, her new label. The song, born out of a “weird moment in life,” holds a special place in her heart. “It’s always nice when you do a project, and it probably comes out, and you like sing it live,” she says, reflecting on the beauty of sharing her creation with the world.
Laraw’s upcoming music is a journal of her life over the past two years, a period she spent crafting demos and pouring her experiences into her songs. She explains, “I feel like my music is my only way to express what I’m going through.” Her lyrics, intensely personal and unfiltered, serve as a direct channel of her thoughts and feelings. She doesn’t shy away from the intensity of her emotions, stating, “I’m pretty direct. I feel like I hold back so much. In real life I’m pretty quiet. So when it comes to art or my music, I’m just like, ‘Take it.'”
Performing these personal stories is not just a reliving of past experiences for Laraw, but a form of closure. “I lived that moment. I’m done with it. And now I’m able to sing about it and feel free,” she shares.
Laraw’s journey into music was unconventional. Initially drawn to creating soundtracks for video games, she found herself veering towards songwriting and performing. This path led her from one song to a record deal and then another, gradually shaping her into the artist she is today. After taking a year off to reflect, she now feels her upcoming songs are “more me and more calculated” into what she wants to express as an artist.
When asked about her artistic identity, Laraw describes herself as vulnerable and raw. “The key of success in general is just being yourself,” she asserts. Her aim is not to chase glamour but to be as authentic as possible, leaving a piece of herself in her music.
Growing up, bands like Paramore and artists like Julia Jacklin and Alvvays deeply influenced her. A multi-instrumentalist, Laraw humbly claims to play “everything horribly,” yet it all makes sense in her music. Her linguistic prowess extends to four languages, thanks to her diverse heritage, enabling her to connect with a broader audience.
As the year progresses, Laraw plans to inundate her fans with shows and singles, leading up to a potential album release in 2024. Her journey, marked by vulnerability, authenticity, and a deep connection with her audience, promises to bring more vibrant and heartfelt music to the world.
Watch the full interview below:
