My first singles—On the Street Where You Live and The Trolley Song—come out this month, and I couldn’t be more excited. Releasing music has been a longtime goal of mine, and I’m finally taking the leap for two reasons: having a streaming presence helps when I’m reaching out to venues, and it also gives me a snapshot of my journey. The next time I record, I’ll be able to look back and hear how I’ve grown as an artist.

I wouldn’t be here without my voice teacher, Olivia Van Goor. After months of virtual lessons, I flew to her hometown of Detroit to finally meet in person and record these tracks. While I was there, she introduced me to the city’s jazz scene—I went to her gigs, sat in on jam sessions, performed at my own show, and met so many inspiring musicians. For the session itself, I worked with Mike Harrison (piano) and Matt Ryan (bass). Their artistry shaped these songs in such a beautiful way. Matt also mixed and mastered both tracks, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

The first release, On the Street Where You Live, is a song I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. It comes from My Fair Lady, a show close to my heart, since I played Eliza Doolittle in Kickapoo High School’s production almost 20 years ago. I didn’t sing this particular number in the show, but it’s always been one of my favorites, and I still think it’s one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

The second track, The Trolley Song, has been a favorite since childhood as well. Judy Garland’s performance in Meet Me in St. Louis left such an impression on me, and I’ve always loved jazz arrangements of this tune, especially Stacey Kent’s. During the recording session, Mike wove in a dreamy motif for the chorus that made the arrangement distinctly ours. It feels like a daydream you never want to leave.

I chose these songs as a reflection of where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Musical theatre gave me my start, and jazz has opened up a whole new world of storytelling. These recordings feel like the perfect meeting point of both. On the Street Where You Live comes out Friday, September 5, followed by The Trolley Song on September 19. Both are available now for presave. I’d love for you to be the first to hear them.

Presave On The Street Where You Live

Presave The Trolley Song

—Laura