By Cecelia Otis
If you’ve been looking for an all-girl power band, look no further than Laura Cheadle + The Girls. This all-LBGTQIA+ band promotes love, advocacy, and an authentic sound, which culminates in a powerful performance experience that feels personal and intimate to each individual. I had the opportunity to interview Laura and learn more about her band and music before she performs as part of the 2025 Scranton Fringe Festival. In the interview, I asked her about her music journey, the inspiration behind her authentic sound, and how advocacy is an important topic in her work. This is my “7 Questions with Laura Cheadle” interview, and I hope you learn something about her and her band. Maybe you’ll even gain a new artist to listen to!
- Over the past year, you’ve been steadily releasing music and currently have 3 tracks out on many music platforms. What interested you in the music industry? How did you get started?
- I grew up in music with a musician father, so I saw how much of an incredible life it was to be a touring musician. When I started writing songs after my first heartbreak, I was hooked on the feeling of writing and creating. I performed for years with my entire family band, but recently launched my all LGBTQ+ girl band, ‘Laura Cheadle + The Girls’. I love how the music industry is always something new and fun. I love meeting new people while touring and creating.
- On your website, you state that your music has a more authentic sound, stripping away the theatrics of typical pop music. What made you want to push for a more real and powerful sound? How important is it to your music/sound?
- I love the sound of organic instruments and just the feeling of playing live music. I have a very soulful voice that I blend many genres into so I live for that rush on stage where it’s me and the audience and a microphone.
- Your band and music have won numerous awards, including “Best Indie Jazz/Blues Band” at the Tri-State Indie Music Awards. What did this award mean to you?
- Yes, these were honors to win with my solo career! I thank every single person who has followed my journey and evolved with me! I love that every day and every year is another opportunity to perform and put music out there.
- With your newest album, Mannequin, amassing millions of streams and being named the Musician of the Decade for your work and style, your solo career has started to explode. How has this affected you and your music?
- I am so honored by the listens. I was so heartbroken when I wrote ‘Mannequin’ and it was literally such a beautiful vehicle to heal with. I have been nonstop with different projects since then, but I am most excited about my all-girl band. We currently have 3 singles out under ‘Laura Cheadle + The Girls’ with our first full album coming soon!!
- Your band is an all-LBGTQIA+ girl band advocating for women and love everywhere. You also perform alongside your own partner, Michelle Cheadle. What does using your voice and influence to advocate for others mean to you? How do you think it affects the community around you?
- We need advocacy more than ever! Laura Cheadle + The Girls has been my most passionate project yet, and I have my wife, Michelle, by my side, which is so incredible. We toured all summer nonstop around the country advocating for women and the LGBTQ+ community through joyful music. We are here to show our love story as a married couple by also letting everyone know they’re exactly who they’re supposed to be. We have met so many incredible people on the road, and we’re so excited to perform at Scranton Fringe Fest on October 1 at The Bog!
- You have opened for and shared the stage with many big names in the industry, some of which being The Jonas Brothers, Sister Hazel, and John Oates (Hall and Oates). What were those experiences like? Any fond or favorite memories from that time?
- Absolutely! Having the chance to open for/tour with bigger names has only helped me get my message out there further. It’s always a rush to meet a new crowd, and they’ve all opened me/us with open arms.
- For anyone who has never seen or heard your music before, what can you tell them about your music? What can people expect to see or hear at your show?
- You are going to hear some serious girl power! I’m bringing the all-girl band, and we will get you dancing and encouraging you to be your authentic self! You’ll get to see my dynamic with my wife and the rest of the band! You can hear our music on Spotify or everywhere you get your music under Laura Cheadle + The Girls! I’m also on TikTok under that name, or join me on Instagram @lauracheadlemusic.
Laura Cheadle + The Girls will be performing at the Scranton Fringe Festival on October 1st, 2025, at 7 p.m., at The Bog.
Tickets are on sale now via our website- just click here, and enjoy some great music! Tickets will also be for sale at the door of The Bog the night of.
