Locality: Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Crayon Color: green bolt—the result of mixing ocean blue and yellow ray.
The Story: The young Lauriana Mae was full of talent, and upon hearing Lauriana sing, her mother placed the young starlet in the hands of the church choir. They cultivated her hummingbird croon until she was able to attend performing arts high school, majoring in voice.
In 2009, Lauriana got her first taste of industry life as a contestant on Diddy’s Starmaker, a competition to win a spot on Bad Boy Records; after placing fourth, Lauriana took the extra time off the show to go to the drawing board to form her musical style. With her favorite artists being Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Billie Holiday, Lauriana set out to create a distinct sound with her vocals and songwriting abilities. Meeting producer Kwamè was fate, for he showed her options; after playing her a Ruth Brown song (check out one of her vintage vids here), a light bulb went off. Lauriana realized that she wanted to keep the essence of what made jazz a great genre and kick it up a notch with a contemporary twist.
It was announced that Lauriana would make her mark on the Atlantic Records imprint in October 2011. Assembling members from her church for her band “The Pains,” the curly-bobbed songstress started work on her debut. Three tracks have made it to the Love Mae EP, released last December: “Money Mae,” “Like A Drum (Beat It),” and “Love.” The tragic “Suicide Bomb” and “My Guy,” along with the inspiring "Shine" and “Bring Me Back My Car,” have produced internet and radio buzz. Needless to say, the word is spreading fast. But it’s not a quiet storm as much as it is a big, big bang.
Coloring Outside the Lines Because: Lauriana has this Marilyn Monroe, flapper, 20’s/50's, “I hang out with gangsters,” poker-faced persona that captures you and brings you in! It’s the best of what was, right back in your face—a proverbial history lesson. Everything about her performance stance is loud, except her entrance. Flashy and funky, jazzy and fresh, she lets the music do the talking.
Think: infused symphony; the solemn, vulnerable, innocence of jazz, juxtaposed with the bright, bold, in-your-face persona of jazz; Andrews Sisters, clanging cymbals; prohibition; a surprise party; Big Bang Theory, Tallulah--Bugsy Malone.Propers: Sean Jamar; Lauriana Mae Official; Singers Room (& *2)
