Elle: U-32 grad returns as rock singer-songwriter
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Laura Carpenter, a 2002 U-32 graduate, is now the rock singer-songwriter Elle, will perform tonight at The Black Door in Montpelier. Submitted photo |
Toolbox
By ART EDELSTEIN Arts Correspondent - Published: July 17, 2009
Laura Carpenter, a 2002 U-32 graduate, will be returning to Vermont from Los Angeles today for a CD release party at The Black Door in Montpelier for her first album, "The Best." These days Carpenter is known as Elle.
Elle has recorded a fine first album of pop/rock songs in Los Angeles with studio musicians who include her brother Will on electric guitar and bass. She also performs on acoustic guitar.
Elle's voice has some of the qualities that one might find in albums by women such as Jewel and Mariah Carey. Her voice is not as strong perhaps but there is sparkle and sincerity, even if it lacks a lot of tonal variety.
This young artist, a graduate of American University with a bachelor's degree in musical theater, has spent the past three years in Los Angeles. Among her many pursuits she has been writing songs, performing, acting and occasionally baking to make ends meet.
Carpenter spent her youth in Vermont singing and was a member of Northern Harmony, Larry Gordon's teen choir that performed throughout Europe.
"The Best" contains 11 songs and Carpenter wrote or co-wrote all but two of them. Lyrically these songs occupy the space many young writers fill as they explore relationships, emotional space, and the people around them. The band on this CD is exceptionally tight; the music alternately rocks or lays down a solid underpinning for the softer songs. The opener, "Psycho," is a rocker that kicks off the album with intense guitar parts.
Carpenter writes: What's that you say, what's that you say/ You're going down 'cause I don't need this/ I never have my say when you're around/ When you're around you make me nervous/ My stomach is churning; learning to change feels strange/ This is not my style/ You're better than what you do/ You're better than what you say/ If I can find a way to never see you it's not okay/ You're better than what you do/ You're better than what you say/ So why am I always the psycho in this case? / Psycho/ I know I'm not your psycho …
Other songs contain less angst but this is not a program of bubble gum music by a vacuous pop siren. There is thought and emotion in the lyrics.
Throughout the album Elle sings backup and harmony parts as well as the lead vocal.
Carpenter will be joined for her CD release party by Los Angeles-based guitarist Billy Scheifer and local musicians P.J. Davidian on drums and Rob Morse on bass. The release party begins at 9:30.
For more information contact the Black Door at 223-7070.