Daze of Laur is the new moniker of LA-based artist Laura Esgro. Born and raised in Topanga Canyon to Los Angeles natives, the history and spirit of folk and rock legends who roamed those same mountains influenced her ear and heart from an early age. Long family road trips through California and the American Southwest as a young teenager first sparked a fire for songwriting, spent absorbing the infinite mystery and beauty of the natural world and listening to the likes of Ennio Morricone, Anita Carter, Dr. John, and Hope Sandoval. A natural love of folklore, mythology, and magic further shaped her sound. “Outlaw in the Sky” is her first release with this project.
Esgro’s new single, “Outlaw in the Sky,” has an ethereal atmosphere. The surreal vocals drop like snowflakes on a still night while the arrangement acts like a thunderstorm over the horizon. The lyrics contain vivid imagery that evokes the storytelling of classic Western artists. Despite the clear influence classic country tracks had on Esgro, her music is far from complacent and never looks at the past. Rather, the whimsical vocals and chaotically stunning arrangement look to the future of the genre. The psychedelic undertones add a unique flavor to the folk-leaning storytelling, while jangly drums add rock textures. “Outlaw in the Sky” separates Esgro from the busy folk scene with poetic songwriting and mesmerizing musicianship.
“I wrote ‘Outlaw in the Sky’ in the sky, gazing out of the window on a long plane ride and letting my imagination ride wild. I’ve always been fascinated by the Old American West. There’s this juxtaposition of harsh reality with a totally mythological ethos, all against a backdrop of dazzling natural beauty,” explains Esgro. “With the song, I was hoping to capture the ethereal surrealism of a fairy tale or folk legend combined with the grit of a cinematic Western sound. I recorded and co-produced it with Tyler Fogerty (Hearty Har, John Fogerty) at his beautiful analog studio in Topanga called Treasureland. Funny enough, I had never heard the classic ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ when I first wrote the song almost five years ago. I was self-conscious that the concept would be too similar, so I was considering scrapping the idea, but Tyler convinced me it was worth saving. I’m glad he did because now it feels like both an homage to the country classic and all the greats who have covered it and something entirely its own.”
