Laura Michelle Kelly Femalefirst Exclusive

The future looks brilliant for Laura Michelle Kelly. The 24 year-old, already an established actress, is about to embark on an exciting new stage in her career with the release of her debut album ‘The Storm Inside’ Laura’s career began treading the boards of London’s West End stage, starring in the likes of Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia and Beauty and the Beast. Music has always been a major part of Laura’s life. From as young as eight years old, she and three brothers would perform songs their Dad had written for friends. In fact they spent all their spare time singing, dancing and performing in local summer rock concerts. Although she received no formal training, Laura’s natural ability to sing has won her glowing national praise. As a celebrated actress, she has appeared on Broadway and won the coveted Olivier Award for Best Actress.The new album contains six original tracks and six interpretations of previously recorded material close to Laura’s heart, including Paul Weller’s ‘You Do Something To Me’, Nick Drake’s ‘Riverman’ and a twisted version of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Losing My Mind’. Laura shines as an outstanding songwriter with ‘There Was A Time’, ‘Butterflies’ and ‘The Storm Inside. Other album highlights include ‘Sweet Solution’ - which was written especially for Laura by Jamie Cullum - and the wonderfully evocative ‘Reach Out For Me’.Her first single ‘There Was A Time’ was released on May 1st.

She talks to Liz Frost:

You started out as an actress on the west end stage. How did that come about?

I’ve was interested in music from as early as I can remember really, since I was about six, that was my first memory of performing. My dad wrote a song and he got me and my brother, Paul who’s older than me, to sing along and do all the actions and the noises. I come from a really creative family, we grew up on a farm and had free reign of the land, so we could have our own little adventures and make our own music and entertain ourselves.

One day I saw an advertisement in The Stage and went for an open audition. My younger brother, Nathaniel had already been in a West End show, he was 12 when he got the lead role in Oliver. I was 16 when I got the part of dustpan and brush in Beauty and the Beast. I feel like we’ve been really lucky and had people pushing us and supporting us.

So you must have been quite ongoing when you were young?

Actually I was a little bit shy in some ways, so my music was a way to release emotions I wouldn’t otherwise have released. In some ways I’m still shy, but on the outside I’m always singing and dancing and encouraging people to have fun.

Performing in a West End show at such a young age must have been quite daunting for you?

At the time I felt older than I feel now. I think when you’re younger you think you can do anything, but when you get older you’re not quite so confident. When I was 12/13 I would perform for people from London who came to the Isle of White. I’d sing Madonna’s ‘Just Like a Prayer’ and the B52s ‘Love Shack’. I’ve grown up doing modern stuff and listening to my Dad’s LPs. All I knew was that I loved performing!

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?

I didn’t have in mind a role as such. I always loved music, but I never thought it would be possible for me to do something like this for a job. I found a book once that I’d written in when I was six about what I wanted to be when I was grown up. I’d written that I wanted to be a nurse and have 8 children! I realise now, I probably wouldn’t have had the right temperament to be a nurse. I’m too emotional!

If you could change one thing about yourself now, what would it be?

It seems that the things that I don’t like about me can also be my strengths. Like I cry at the slightest thing or get really overexcited at the slightest thing, which I always thought of as a flaw, but a friend of mine always says it’s a gift because it’s what I’m meant to be as a living. So although it has its downsides, it does make my job easier! Apart from that I’d like to have more time and I’d like to be a little bit more organised!

If you weren’t a singer/actress what would you be?

I’d definitely do something creative. Like a Sculptor or a Producer. Something that ‘creates’. I live the day daydreaming about different things and just want to be creative all the time. The only problem is I can’t switch off and relax, I’m always wanting to create, because that’s what I really love doing. It does stop you living in the real world though, you do have to stop sometimes, it’s important to take a break.

This was your first time at song-writing. Did you find that you wrote best when you were broken-hearted?

Any inspiration can inspire you. I don’t think you need to be broken hearted to write well. Some of my best inspiration comes from being completely in love. I think the good thing about my performance is that I’m used to playing other people, because if I feel like I can empathise with a feeling, that helps me to write well.

Do you write from personal experience, for example ‘There was a time’ seems like quite an emotional song... is that about something that happened to you?

Yeah, that’s kind of a personal thing. That’s about realising that I’ve messed up. A lot of time people go through their life thinking they do everything right. But when I started this album I was thinking about starting a new chapter, realising when you’ve hurt someone’s feelings or that maybe you didn’t treat that person right or you made a wrong decision about someone. It’s about realising you’ve messed up and re-evaluating your life.

You sound like quite a spiritual person?

Yes, I’m afraid I am! I believe in God, I believe there’s a way for us all to live the right way. There’s a saying. "Start every day brand new" which gives me a lot of comfort, because you can make mistakes, but you can start afresh the next day.

Apart from the songs you wrote on your album, there’s an assortment of ones written by other artists. What inspired you to choose those songs?

They’re all songs that I feel connected to.. "You do something to me" is a song I heard a lot when I was growing up. With "Somewhere Only We Know", it was because I kept hearing it driving around and thinking ‘Wow, that would sound amazing with violins on it!’ so I included a version of it on my album.

Who or what inspires you the most?

There are so many people that inspire me. Actually, music in general really inspires me. The Electric Light Orchestra has really inspired me. I remember growing up listening to my dad’s LP. I listen to it now and I’m amazed how much it’s influenced my music. I love Annie Lennox and Sting and the Police. I used to listen to Sting’s "When we dance" before I went on stage. It would really get me in the right frame of mind to go on stage and perform. Sometimes when I feel down I realise it’s because I haven’t listened to music for a while.

Is there somebody special in your life at the moment?

I’ve been married to a lovely bloke called Nick for 5 years. We met when I was in Beauty and the Beast. He was a fork or a knife sometimes! He’s now a Director. He’s a bit older than me, but I’m not telling how old he is! He’ll have to tell you that himself! We met when I was sixteen, so he’s my first, and only love!

What’s the highlight of your career so far?

Meeting the queen! I’ve met her 4 times and it’s amazing! To even just be in the same room as her was amazing. Meeting Sting was also a highlight. Although I was too shy to tell him I listened to his song before going on stage! I was quite starstruck.

Have you had any ‘crazy fan’ experiences?

I’ve got to be honest, I’ve only had amazing fans experiences. I met up with them on the day of the release, and they really make a huge difference. I think they really top up your positivity. It’s a mutual thing though, I love them too!

You’re incredibly talented, but you must have at one time done something a little bit daft...so what’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done? Come on, make us feel better!!

I often meet people and say the wrong thing. I met Robbie Williams a couple of months ago and all I could say was "Hello". I still get really starstruck when I meet anyone famous!

What were you like at school. Were you in the ‘in-crowd’ or were you quite shy?

I have to say I was a nerd! I wasn’t in the ‘in-crowd’. I’m still friends with a few of the girls I knew at school, but I never really felt like I fitted in. A lot of people who have made it in this industry admit to being a bit of a nerd at school so I guess it isn’t all that bad.

What was it like working with established song-writers such as Jamie Cullum and Guy Chambers?

Jamie Cullum is a real sweetie. We bumped into each other quite a lot when recording and he’s really lovely. Guy Chambers is great too, he’s so laid back but when he gets a song idea that he loves he gets really excited by it. I’ve worked with some really great people.

Can you describe to me your average day?

I have to say, it’s the complete opposite to what I used to have. When I was on stage, I used to be on the go all the time rehearsing and stuff, but now I’m answering emails and going out to meet people for coffee and chats, it’s lovely! I like answering questions like this because it helps me find out more about who I am.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I love the fact that I get to work with such talented musicians. In this industry it’s all about the help and support you have around you, so in that respect I’m really lucky

If you could have one super-power what would it be and why?

The power to heal. I think everyone deserves to be happy, so I’d be able to help them!!