Description of Laura Veirs' Music:
alt.country, folk-rock
Comparisons:
Laura Veirs writes very introspective, literate, almost mythical songs that call to mind artists ranging from Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen, Rufus Wainwright and fellow Portlanders the Decemberists.
Recommended CDs by Laura Veirs:
Year of Meteors (Nonesuch, 2005) 
The Triumphs and Travails of Orphan Mae (independent, 2001)
Saltbreakers (Nonesuch, 2007)
The Triumphs and Travails of Orphan Mae (independent, 2001)
Saltbreakers (Nonesuch, 2007)
Laura Veirs and Saltbreakers are:
Laura Veirs–vocals, guitars
Karl Blau–bass, guitar, vocals
Steve Moore–keyboards
Tucker Martine–drums
Laura Veirs Biography:
Laura Veirs was born in 1973 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She didn't get involved with music until college, where she studied geology and the Mandarin language. She joined an all-girl punk band, before eventually developing an admiration for folk and country music.
In a recent interview, she explained that when she first learned how to play guitar, she learned the country blues.
She didn't, however, release her self-titled, self-released debut until 1999. She then teamed up with producer and drummer Tucker Martine, eventually working on a full-band effort (including an appearance by Bill Frisell) in 2003 called Troubled by the Fire.
Soon after, she signed with Nonesuch Records and has since released a handful of records, including 2007's Saltbreakers—recorded in part at Johnny Cash's Tennessee cabin. Her music has also been adapted and recorded by Cognac, France's Young Rapture Choir for their self-titled album.
