My music taste is somewhat ridiculous. I grew up going to a bluegrass festival every year, my dad is a blues pianist, and my mom plays classical piano for fun. I’m not terribly picky; I like what makes me feel good. I rarely listen to something just for the quality of singing or instrumentation. When I heard Lawrence the Band for the first time, the hair on my arms stood up; I freaked out. I loved the sound, but the talent was just as phenomenal.
Lawrence is a brothersister duo, plus six. They are self-defined as “soulpop,” and I see why. Their upbeat songs and lyrics have a pop feel to them, but the instrumentation — the riffs, the beats, and the phrasing — screams soul. Their new album, “Living Room,” is a culmination of all of these wonderful qualities. Gracie Lawrence is a powerhouse on vocals, and Clyde Lawrence’s smooth, raspy notes complement her perfectly. The rest of the band brings the total membership to eight, and each instrumentalist piece perfectly blends to complement Clyde and Gracie’s lead vocals. Living Room made #2 on the iTunes R&B chart after its release, as well as having features on Spotify and NPR.
I had never heard of the band until I was listening to my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. Gracie Lawrence’s voice pulled me out of my homework trance. It isn’t just that she has a good voice. She can perform. You don’t need to watch her to know that she is grooving and that she knows what she is doing with her voice. Watching her, of course, is a treat itself. Her energy is electric, and at the young age of 21, her style and movements are hip in contrast to her voice beyond her years. Clyde is no less talented. His piano riffs reminded me of my dad’s, the highest compliment in my book. They are jazzy, original, and surprising. His voice is very John Mayer-esc, and he uses it masterfully in harmony with Gracie’s.
Their lyrics go from poignant, to uplifting, to fun and new. They are new pop singers with old souls, and they have the talent to pull it off. Their music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and much more, and they are performing in Charlottesville on Mar. 13 at The Southern Cafe.
