Laura Stevenson is a 28-year-old singer-songwriter born and raised on Long Island into a family of musicians. Her grandparents were Harry Simeone, the composer and choral arranger responsible for works such as “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and Margaret McCrae, a singer from the South who recorded and toured with Benny “King of Swing” Goodman. But Stevenson has a voice and sound all her own–think former Song of the Day artist Thao & the Get Down Stay Down or a less intense, sweeter-voiced Sharon Van Etten, and her newest album really allows her to show it off.
Wheel is Stevenson’s third album with her band, The Cans. After two solid records they’ve really honed their scrappy, largehearted indie pop sound by steering away from the lo-fi approach. Credit is certainly due to Kevin McMahon, a producer who’s worked with Frightened Rabbit and Real Estate in the past.
“Runner” is an exciting three-and-half minute slice of indie-pop heaven with a kitchen-sink mentality. The chiming guitars, swooping strings, and Stevenson’s elevated voice all work together to create a shimmering pop song.
You can catch Laura Stevenson at the Mohawk on Wednesday May 1, 2013.
