Rachel Laven

Years of travelling seems to have taught Rachel Laven the benefits of packing light. Riding along in her tour van, it’s easy to notice that she is efficient and unencumbered by the many thankless articles that tie plenty of people down. In her company she keeps her guitar (an Aubade Acoustic, handmade by luthier Michael Armand out of LeCompte, Louisiana), a garden basket of healthy road snacks, a light bag of well chosen outfits and of course, her grandmother’s heirloom Luccheses. It is this efficiency, further reflected in the mindfulness Laven puts into her writing that helps her songs come across as so relatable. Focusing on topics that stem from a watchful, warm perspective, the delivery of her observations has a clean way of driving themes straight to the heart of a matter. She is able to sing her truths without weighing them down with unnecessary words or flowery nuances. This economical ability to perform complex humanity in a clear headed way is what sets her apart as an artist. Laven is an earnest observer. American Roots Music has a long tradition of proficient storytellers breathing life into the characters of their songs. In listening to Laven’s ballads you can hear the quality of her watchful eye surveying a scene, piecing together the most relevant colors and textures of a personality and giving easy shape to the characters that she describes. The title song on her most recent album Love and Lucchese’s is a paramount example of this ability. As a listener you get the opportunity to slip your own feet into the hallmark boots, gifted to Laven by her immigrant grandmother. You get to feel the familial connection and the love and pride of accepting such a gift. Within her lyrics, you also get to see how she writes in the passage of time as a playful character in its own right, harboring a secret smile for those who know how to listen.