LISTEN.

Laurel is currently performing exclusively with the project, Red Tail Ring: a young-gun roots duo based in Kalamazoo, MI. Visit  www.redtailring.com

To learn of Laurel's journey, collaborations, and discography, read below.

Biography

Laurel Premo shares a music full of life that draws from Appalachian, Scandinavian, Folk and Blues roots. From haunting old ballads to feverish instrumental compositions, her music is made for all ears. Laurel plays a variety of instruments, including claw hammer banjo, guitar, violin, cittern and voice, with an emphasis on rhythm and a connection to traditional folk dance.Laurel has two solo albums, Stung by the Nettle (2009) and Innertwine (2008), and has supported many other artists on recording projects. 

"In a time where MySpace is lowering the standard and expectations of what an artist should be, Laurel shows that taking the time to develop talent, songwriting, musicianship, and a message is still the most important thing in being a real artist!"
    -PJ Olsson, CBS Records Recording Artist  

In 2007 Laurel's composition "River Run High" reached the quarter finals in the International Songwriting Competition, in a pool of 14,000 entries.

Past performance venues include:

Porcupine Mountain Music Festival   Ontanagon, MI
Bell's Brewery   Kalamazoo, MI
The Blind Pig   Ann Arbor, MI
Sidewalk Cafe   Brooklyn, NY
The White Crow   Saginaw, MI
Folk on State   Madison, WI

Laurel's current musical endeavors have brought her all around the country and even to Denmark. Red Tail Ring is the musical brainchild of Laurel Premo and Michael Beauchamp. The collaboration blends traditional appalachian songs with new compositions, and runs the gamut from boot-stomping to heart-rending. They've created three recordings so far. Find out more at redtailring.com

Education

Having graduated with a BFA from the Performing Arts Technology Dept. of the University of Michigan School of Music, Laurel now works as an entrepreneur with digital audio in composition and recording, and artistic trades including with screenprinting, fibers, animation, metalworking, digital video, and graphic design.

Many alternative music educations have helped shaped Laurel's wide interests, including the following:

In fall 2008, Laurel attended the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki, Finland. Living in the finnish culture, she studied language, dance, and traditional music, with an emphasis on Scandinavian fiddling.

Laurel began her musical career at age 7 with the folk and traditional group White Water, and performed about 70 concerts each year, including venues such as The Ark in Ann Arbor Michigan, and the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland.

2001- Youth Scholarship for promising young folk musicians, Swananoa Gathering, Asheville, NC
2005- Gaelic College of Celtic Arts, fiddle stepdancing and bodhran
2001 through 2008- member of Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and Marquette Symphony Orchestra

Discography

Solo - Stung by the Nettle, 2009, Innertwine, 2008
Red Tail Ring - I. Middlewest Chant, 2011, II. Mountain              Shout, 2011, August Roads E.P., 2009
Orpheum Bell - Pearls, 2009
White Water - 6 albums, 1995-2005
Pj Olsson - American Scream, 2007
Anna Ash and the Family Tree - Hello Friend from Bird Above, 2008, My Oh My, 2009
Charlene Kaye - Things I Will Need In The Past, 2008