ACCLAIMED IRISH SOUL SONGSTRESS LAURA IZIBOR RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM; LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD IN STORES AND ONLINE TODAY; IZIBOR HITS THE ROAD WITH MAXWELL TOMORROW; VH1 NAMES LAURA “YOU OUGHTA KNOW” ARTIST
Atlantic recording artist Laura Izibor releases her much anticipated debut album, Let The Truth Be Told, today. The album, which features the hit single, “From My Heart To Yours,” is already shaping up as a breakthrough hit for the Dublin-based singer. The song is currently ascending the airplay charts at multi-format radio outlets nationwide, including Urban Mainstream and Urban AC, where it has just bulleted into the Top 10.
The companion video clip for “From My Heart To Yours” is now in major rotation at VH1, VH1 Soul, and BETJ. Furthermore, VH1 has named Laura one of their prestigious “You Oughta Know” artists, and – marking a first for a new artist – both Rhapsody, which named Laura a “Ones to Watch” artist, and VH1’s THE LEAK jointly shared the streaming premier for Let The Truth Be Told. In addition, Laura’s forthcoming single, “Don’t Stay,” will be single of week on iTunes beginning today.
In other great news, Laura will hit the road alongside Maxwell beginning tomorrow, June 17th at the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, MI. The tour culminates with a coveted slot on the main stage of the Essence Festival on July 4th in New Orleans, LA. (See below for full listing of dates). Laura, a tireless performer, recently finished up a U.S. tour supporting India.Arie, and has shared the stage with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Al Green, John Legend, James Brown, Angie Stone, and Atlantic labelmate Estelle.
Izibor has drawn tremendous praise in a wide range of national and international publications, including Rolling Stone, which featured her among its “Artists To Watch.” Billboard wrote, “Let The Truth Be Told…is personal, real, honest, strong and biblical.” Ebony declared Laura to be the “Soul of Ireland,” noting that her music “brings to mind the echo of older, soulful songstresses like Aretha Franklin,” while Essence hailed Laura “Best New Artist.”
In the UK, The Guardian singled out Izibor’s melodic and lyrical gifts, pointing out that Let The Truth Be Told is “full of the kind of catchy tunes that usually mean a record label has spent a mint on expensive writers and producers – but the writing is all her own work… Her lyrics are more intelligent than your average 21-year-old’s – more sophisticated young woman than gobby teen.” Vibe also waxed effusive, naming Laura one of its “Next: Artists On The Verge,” and praising Let The Truth Be Told as “a marvel – (Izibor’s) killer voice slicing through a passel of breezy R&B.”
Izibor – who is currently featured as Steve Madden Music’s “Artist Spotlight” – has already had her songs included in an array of films and television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, The Nanny Diaries, Step Up 2: The Streets, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married, Seven Pounds, and MTV’s The Hills. Laura will make her national TV debut performing as part of CBS Saturday Early Show’s “Second Cup Café” series on June 20th (check local listings).
Born and raised in Dublin, Izibor became enthralled with the sounds of classic soul and R&B at an early age. By 15, she had honed her vocal talent to such a high level that she won Ireland’s prestigious RTÉ 2fm Song Contest. It wasn’t long before Laura began working on what would ultimately become “LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD,” recording her self-penned songs in such cities as New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dublin. From the sassy “Shine” to the deeply personal “If Tonight Is My Last,” Let The Truth Be Told is rich with authenticity and passion, its songs revealing Izibor’s uniquely heartfelt take on life and love.
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LAURA IZIBOR ON TOUR WITH MAXWELL
June 17 Grand Rapids, MI DeVos Performance Hall
June 19 Hammond, IN The Venue
June 20 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
June 23 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
June 24 Vancouver, CAN The Centre
June 26 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
June 29 Phoenix, AZ Dodge
July 1 Austin, TX Bass
July 2 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
July 4 New Orleans, LA Mainstage at Essence Festival
(Superdome)