Meet Laura Benitez

We were lucky to catch up with Laura Benitez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has been something I’ve struggled with my whole life. Growing up as mixed race – White and Puerto Rican – in the 80’s and 90’s was an isolating experience, and I was constantly asked “What are you?” as if I were an alien! I think the feeling of being othered and being an outsider kept me from pursuing my dream of being a musician and songwriter for a lot of years. Especially in my chosen genre of Americana/Country music, where most of best known artists are straight white males.

For me, the turning point came when I was going through a very bad divorce. Before the divorce I was afraid to share my music, afraid to make connections with other musicians, afraid to try to book gigs and move the project forward because I was convinced I wasn’t good enough. Going though that difficult time, I was so hurt and angry that I temporarily I forgot to be afraid. The stories I had to tell in that time were so raw and important to me that I HAD to share them – it wasn’t even a question anymore. By the time anger and pain faded and the fear returned (as it still does sometimes), I already had a band and a record and was booking gigs, so it was easier then to keep it going. I still wrestle with all of these feelings, but I can also look back and see my accomplishments, and that helps to keep me going.

I also find that seeking out community helps combat my feelings of otherness. I actively seek to connect and book shows with other women, people of color and queer folks in my genre. I also like to follow non-profits that are doing great things in the space, like Equal Access, Girls Rock Camp, Black Banjo Reclamation – it helps me feel less alone in the struggle. We can be the representation we want to see in the world and help to support each other in a very difficult business.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
For the past 10 years I have been the bandleader and creative force behind the band Laura Benitez and the Heartache. Laura Benitez and the Heartache is a classic country band with shades of rock and bluegrass, inspired by artists like Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, and Emmylou Harris. As a songwriter, I’m known for tackling difficult subjects and telling intensely personal stories in my music.

We released our 4th studio album, California Centuries, in 2022, and in 2023 we played at the Mill Valley Music Festival, Healdsburg Concerts in the Plaza, and Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, as well as opening for Pacos and the Rooftops, Taylor Rae and Dale Hollow. We’re currently hard at work on new music and lining up performance dates for the summer. If you would like to hear our music or come see us live, please follow us on social media!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Bravery – Putting yourself out there artistically is HARD. It’s not just hard to come up with ideas, to make connections with other musicians and find your artistic voice – it’s really, really hard to present your work to the public and say, “Hey, I think this is good, give it a listen!” It’s hard for anyone to do that – hard on your ego, hard on your stamina, and if you’re a member of a marginalized group, it can be re-traumatizing. To over and over again say, “My voice matters and my stories matter and deserve to be heard” is harder than I ever imagined it would be. What keeps me going is that I’m not really promoting myself personally, I’m promoting my work. I don’t always believe in myself, but I’ve always believed in the songs. The songs have made me brave – knowing that there are people out there who need to hear those stories, who will be helped by those stories.

2. Authenticity – Create work that you love, that matters to you, that you believe in. Don’t try to make work that you think people will like, create work that YOU like, and the audience will come. When you create work that reflects your authentic self in that moment, that authenticity will come through to your audience. Don’t be afraid to be yourself in all your wildness and weirdness.

3. Community – The friendships and connections that I have built with other musicians making the kind of music I make have been absolutely invaluable. We support each other on shows and tours, share information about bookers and venues, and build each other up around creative projects. Find the people who are as passionate as you are, whose work you admire, and reach out to them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, mentorship, advice, or collaboration, but be sure to offer help and support in return. Artists survive and thrive in community, so find yours.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
When I was younger and trying to build a life for myself in the arts, I was always told that I had to focus on one thing and try to be the absolute best at it. That idea never sat right with me for several reasons. First of all, my temperament wasn’t suited to that kind of narrow focus. As a creative person I’m stimulated by lots of different activities – music, sure, but also writing, dance, sewing, knitting, gardening and cooking to name a few. I’m easily bored, and I need new and different projects to hold my attention. I didn’t have the focus to sit in a rehearsal room and play piano for 8 hours, or sing scales for six hours a day. I needed something different, but for a long time I saw this as a personal failing, I felt that if I really “had what it takes” to be an artist I would be able to focus that way. As I’ve gotten older, I understand that my expansive focus is just as valid a way to be as being hyper focused. My ability to shine in multiple areas, to explore different sides of myself and follow my bliss in any one moment is a feature, not a bug. I think it’s what keeps me humble and human, learning and growing and able to see life from multiple points of view.

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Image Credits
Emily Sevin Ryan Shiver Michelle Solomon

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