We sat down with celebrated medicine woman, musician, and speaker LAOR, who released her uplifting new track ‘I Feel The Light’ on July 24th, 2024. With over 20 years of experience in sound healing, LAOR offers a musical sanctuary that provides solace and peace. Renowned for her soul-stirring performances at international festivals and with over 4 million global streams, her music deeply resonates with those seeking spiritual restoration. ‘I Feel The Light’ combines her unique healing artistry with soft folky strings, stirring shakers, and a soothing melody, guiding listeners to a place of inner peace and renewal.
Stream ‘I Feel The Light’ while reading our interview with LAOR below.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
That’s my way to process and express the path of life. Arts have always been the way the human being is connected to that which is beyond as well as to the human experience of life.
How did your journey into healing with music begin?
In the beginning of my 20’s I embarked on a journey into the universe of ceremonies, plant medicine and long travels and I discovered healing with sound and my voice. This journey has changed my life and revealed inside of me a whole new world of music and understanding about the human heart and its ability to heal and expand through singing and expression.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Space, gratitude, breath and the absolute freedom which I give myself to feel whatever is in my heart and to allow it to be expressed.
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
I am not a very techy person. I have my guitars (classic, acoustic, guitarlele) , piano and percussion and I sometimes sit to record with Logic, RME Sound card and Dynaudio monitors in my home studio. I mainly create and do most of my recordings in studios with sound my producers and sound people to support my creation.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
My technique is really allowing myself to be, to express freely my voice and sounds, to find freedom in the moment through breath, prayer and vocal expressions which often lead to a special tune or song to land. The majority of my songs and music are channeled by me rather than written with an intention. I would say I am a song catcher more than a songwriter 🙂 Then I take the song that was channeled and change or rewrite some of the lyrics.
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
When I record in the studio, I would often play the song raw on my guitar and then flow into developing arrangements with my producer. I love bringing live instruments to enhance the feeling of the song and sometimes decorate it with an electronic touch of some synths or special sounds in the background to create layers that would bring the sound to a wide frequency and sensations. I often look for an original sound that brings my music in a special way to the listener.
What’s on your current favourite playlist?
I made a recent playlist for my listeners with many pieces of music that I love from all genres. It’s called Laor com Amor and you can find there lots of magic like Nick Mulvey, Blick Bassy, Be Svendsen, The classical pianist Maria João Pires, the amazing Israeli musician Eviatar Banai, and many more.
Any emerging artists on your radar?
I am not very familiar with new artists. I love many incredible artists like Jacob Collier, Nick Mulvey, Munir Hossen, Ibrahim Maalouf, AWARÈ (Which are quite new and amazing), And beautiful singers like Aurora, Ry X, Buika and so many more… I am a lover of so much music 🙂
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
With my audience I feel we enter a space of love making through our own voice and hearts, through deep musical prayers and the alchemy of the moment. I am a great believer in the power of a big group to create something truly magical and one of a kind.
What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
My altar with my Pegasus and little crystal deer.
Any side projects you’re working on?
My next side project is the forest sessions which will be a few beautiful ceremonial songs played by me and my musicians in a magical location in the forest with a big circle of friends and singers as a choir of love and peace. We will record it and video the project and release it to YouTube for the world to enjoy my music and ceremonial vibes which bring so much hope, joy and healing.
How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
I have always walked my path, knowing that I can only create the music that is authentically passing through me so I guess the more the years pass, the more I allow this music to flow naturally without interruptions thus refining my craft in this natural way.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
I am currently working on my next album. I feel the light was the first single released and I believe next year the full creation will come to life. In September and October, two more singles are coming to the world. Stay tuned.
Famous last words?
Live, love, give thanks and follow your heart. Don’t be afraid of anyone and don’t waste your time on trying to be someone else. Play with kids as much as possible, move your body and don’t believe everything you think. So good to give, So good to receive. Love is all we SING.
Follow LAOR:
Spotify – Soundcloud – Facebook – Youtube – Instagram
