Laur Joamets Joins Laura Reed in New Project, “Lore”
For those that like to keep up with the doings of guitar player Laur “Little Joe” Joamets—the Estonian ax slinger who set houses on fire behind Sturgill Simpson from 2015 to 2017—he’s formed a new project with Nashville-based and noted blues singer Laura Reed called “Lore.”
Forged earlier this year and playing their first few shows right before the pandemic hit, the duo has just released a new song called “Surrender” that Laura Reed co-wrote with Shannon Sanders. This is the first taste of a new album coming from the duo produced by a power duo of Dave Schools and Vance Powell.
The band formed when Laur recorded an instrumental album in 2019, and brought it to Vance Powell for mastering. Believing Joamets could benefit with working with a vocalist, Laur ended up pairing with Laura Reed off of a Facebook post, and the duo immediately hit it off as a vocal/guitar power duo.
Laura Reed was born in South Africa, but was raised in the United States where she started performing and collaborating early, including with George Clinton and PFunk. Reed has toured extensively as a vocalist with a wide array of artists from places like New Orleans and Asheville while also putting together a solo career.
Laur Joamets came to the United States after he was introduced to Sturgill Simpson by producer Dave Cobb, who knew of Joamets through Rival Sons drummer Michael Miley, who is married to a woman from Estonia. Laur played some of Sturgill’s most memorable performances, including on Saturday Night Live, and on the Grammy Awards before leaving the band in 2017. Most Recently Joamets has been playing guitar for long-time roots rock band Drivin’ & Cryin’.
October 22, 2020 @ 9:52 am
This guy made my jaw hit the floor first time saw him with Sturgill and every time since. I’ve heard most of the non- Sturgill playing available from him that is out there. Nothing compares to how good he was during the Sturgill period. He has said he really had to change up when he played with Sturgill because of the material and style. It fit him and let him shine.
October 24, 2020 @ 4:48 am
I agree but I also think it’s also only fair to put it in context what album and artist he was playing behind on those tours. MMSCM and HTM contain some special songs for a Tele player; all written by incredibly talented Tele player in Simpson.
It’s very interesting no other country, red dirt, alt, etc. acts picked him up. I’m certainly not disagreeing with you. Maybe we will see Sturgill go back to that style picking and sliding one day himself.
October 22, 2020 @ 11:54 am
I saw him with Sturgill but had no idea who he was. Still didn’t know until this article. Turns out I probably saw him with Drivin’ & Cryin’ too at Summerfest. I dig this song and will have to learn to pay more attention!
October 22, 2020 @ 2:56 pm
That was really cool. I had never heard of Reed, but she has a great set of pipes. I got some Winehouse vibes early in that one.
Laur’s guitar was superb too. I’m a sucker for slide though. It usually always sounds good to me.
Nothing on Justin Wells’ new album really spoke to me, guitar wise. I didn’t look to see what tracks Laur actually played on, but I was expecting more. This was a breath of fresh air though, will definitely check out the full album when it comes out, so keep us informed!
October 22, 2020 @ 4:35 pm
I love it ,her voice reminds me a bit of Maria McKee of Lone Justice and this song shows just what a truly versatile player Laurs is ,thanks for another great discovery Trigger!
October 22, 2020 @ 5:35 pm
Thank God that Drivin and Cryin gig just wasn’t showcasing his talent. Look forward to more blues.
October 22, 2020 @ 6:09 pm
I kind of dig this but do not love this vocal style. It always sounds so forced.
October 23, 2020 @ 5:14 am
That’s a template for what I’m guessing is going to be a good live band. I think they will rock hard.