Laura Reed Drops Inspirational Anthem “Better Days”

South African-born, Nashville and NC-based singer-songwriter Laura Reed brings the fire on her rousing new track “Better Days. The song is about pushing forward during hard times and not becoming disheartened by life’s many setbacks because things will eventually get better. Reed reflects on the rough periods in her life when she was a struggling artist playing to empty rooms and busking for quarters—and how those bleak days failed to diminish her passion or break her spirit. Instead, they toughened her resolve. Reed’s inclusion of her own personal struggles underscores the song’s strong inspirational theme.

The talented multi-instrumentalist serves up a gutbucket harmonica riff on this dynamic country-tinged anthem. And her powerful vocals are packed with grit and soul. The track has a great mellow section that builds to a triumphant crescendo with Reed belting out a soul-stirring, “Hold on!!”

“Better Days” was produced by Reed and her longtime collaborator producer/singer-songwriter Shannon Sanders, a two-time Grammy winner. It was released on the Nashville-based label Blue Rose Music. The song also has a terrific lyric video, which was directed by Tim Duggan of 5Folds Creative.

Reed has definitely been seeing better days of late. Her music career has been steadily on the rise over the past several years. Her solo debut album The Awakening (2014) was met with high praise from both music critics and fans. And she has made a name for herself as an electrifying live performer who never fails to raise the roof when she hits the stage.

She was named Best R&B Solo Female Artist at the Nashville Industry Music Awards (NIMA) in 2014 and 2015; and she also won the award for Best Live R&B/Soul Performer at NIMA 2015. And Reed’s music video for her song “Dragging My Heart” garnered her a nomination at the Long Island International Film Festival.

Reed’s music has been featured in the films Chloe and Theo (Dakota Johnson, Mira Sorvino); The Cold Light of Day (Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, Henry Cavill); and the Alicia Keys-produced indie film The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Anthony Mackie).

Also, Reed’s uplifting retro soul/pop song “Wake Up” received heavy rotation on Nashville’s independent radio station, Lightening 100, which gained her famous fans such as Sheryl Crow and Debra Messing. And she had the honor of performing the National Anthem twice at Madison Square Garden.

During her music career, Reed's had the opportunity to work with people like George Clinton, Jewel, Robert Randolph, Killer Mike and Karl Denson. And she appeared on both albums by funk supergroup The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown. Additionally, Reed has shared the stage with acclaimed soul artists such as India.Arie, Miguel, and Anthony Hamilton. And she was the featured artist in a promo for harping legend Lee Oksar’s harmonica line.

Visit Reed’s website for new music releases, concert dates and info on other projects she's involved in.



"Better Days" at Amazon

Related blog entry: Laura Reed: Soulful Songbird Spreads Her Wings