Laura Viers’ charismatic music an antidote for turbulent times

Friday, August 23, 7:30 p.m. Orcas Center

— from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center —

A prolific songwriter for nearly twenty years, Laura Veirs has forged a career as a musical storyteller exploring themes of romantic intoxication, vignettes of daily life, and social commentary. Veirs’ vocal prowess has been celebrated by noted artists such as k.d lang and Neko Case, with whom she shared top billing on the acclaimed album case/lang/veirs.

Laura Veirs proves the depth of her musical skill on her tenth solo album, The Lookout, produced by Grammy nominee Tucker Martine. Veirs’ melodies and vocals rapidly weave up and down her wide vocal range sounding nearly angelic, while wrapping the listener in comforting aural warmth. Her latest album is influenced – but not overwhelmed by – our current chaotic times and makes a strong case for self-protection as well as the protection of others.

“The Lookout is about the need to pay attention to the fleeting beauty of life and to not be complacent; it’s about the importance of looking out for each other,” says Veirs. “I’m addressing what’s happening around me with the chaos of post-election America, the racial divides in our country, and a personal reckoning with the realities of mid-life: I have friends who’ve died; I struggle with how to balance life as an artist with parenting young children.”

With familial ties to the San Juans, Viers has been visiting the area for over two decades, and recorded her first album in 1999 with former Orcas Center Executive Director Jim Bredouw. Most recently she was a featured artist in the 2019 Orcas Island Lit Fest, discussing her children’s book, Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten, a winner of the Pacific Northwest Book Award.

Experience Laura Veirs’ unique blend of folk-pop music live Friday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. on Orcas Center’s main stage. Tickets range from $15-$47, and are available online at www.OrcasCenter.org.