Biography
A Boston-rooted progressive folk quartet called Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards pushes against conventional expectations for acoustic groups by folding R&B grooves, dance rhythms, and modern pop textures into its sound. Violinist, singer, and songwriter Laura Cortese established the project after issuing several folk and singer-songwriter recordings and serving as a supporting musician for Pete Seeger, Band of Horses, and Uncle Earl. The ensemble’s first release, California Calling in 2017, centered on tight instrumental conversations and layered vocal harmonies, whereas the follow-up, Bitter Better from 2020, pursued a bolder palette through expanded keyboard work and subtle electronic touches.
Cortese, originally from San Francisco, relocated to Boston to enroll at the Berklee College of Music and remained in the region, performing as a sidewoman within the local roots community. Her initial album, Hush, appeared on Jar Productions in 2004 and highlighted her fiddling within a collection of Celtic folk material. Two years later she issued the self-released Even the Lost Creek, a more streamlined set of contemporary folk-pop, followed in 2007 by the live recording Blow the Candle Out. Acoustic Project arrived in 2010, continuing her fusion of folk and pop elements, and her fourth studio effort, Into the Dark, came out in 2013. All in Always appeared in 2016, after which Cortese formed Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards with Jenna Moynihan on fiddle, Valerie Thompson on cello, and Natalie Bohrn on bass. The group made its recorded debut with California Calling on Compass Records in 2017; Sam Kassirer, known for his work with Josh Ritter and Lake Street Dive, produced and engineered the sessions. The resulting textured folk-rock album featured an array of keyboards, including synthesizers, earned strong critical notices, and drew streaming attention for the track “The Low Hum.”
Cortese & the Dance Cards returned to Kassirer for their second album, Bitter Better, released in 2020. Shaped lyrically by the conclusion of a long-term relationship, the record built upon the keyboard foundation of the debut by incorporating electronic layers throughout many songs.
Cortese, originally from San Francisco, relocated to Boston to enroll at the Berklee College of Music and remained in the region, performing as a sidewoman within the local roots community. Her initial album, Hush, appeared on Jar Productions in 2004 and highlighted her fiddling within a collection of Celtic folk material. Two years later she issued the self-released Even the Lost Creek, a more streamlined set of contemporary folk-pop, followed in 2007 by the live recording Blow the Candle Out. Acoustic Project arrived in 2010, continuing her fusion of folk and pop elements, and her fourth studio effort, Into the Dark, came out in 2013. All in Always appeared in 2016, after which Cortese formed Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards with Jenna Moynihan on fiddle, Valerie Thompson on cello, and Natalie Bohrn on bass. The group made its recorded debut with California Calling on Compass Records in 2017; Sam Kassirer, known for his work with Josh Ritter and Lake Street Dive, produced and engineered the sessions. The resulting textured folk-rock album featured an array of keyboards, including synthesizers, earned strong critical notices, and drew streaming attention for the track “The Low Hum.”
Cortese & the Dance Cards returned to Kassirer for their second album, Bitter Better, released in 2020. Shaped lyrically by the conclusion of a long-term relationship, the record built upon the keyboard foundation of the debut by incorporating electronic layers throughout many songs.
Albums
Singles
