About Laura
Laura Joy Gold has been writing songs since she was 11 years old. She grew up in Concord, Massachusetts with her NY Jewish, leftie parents, a younger sister, and an older brother.
Influenced by singer-songwriters of the ’60s and ’70s, her songs are thoughtful and melodic. Laura’s biggest musical influence was her older brother, Daniel, who was six years older than her. Unfortunately, Daniel was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia at 21 and took his life at age 30. Laura still sings many of his songs.
Laura’s day job has been as a social worker, working in child protection first and then with elderly.
She moved from the East Coast to California in 2015 and found a community of songwriter and performers to play with.
Laura lives in Santa Monica with her wife of 40 years, a puppy, and her two adult children who live nearby.
About Daniel
Daniel Gold had a great sense of humor and was my sensitive, intelligent brother. He was 6 years older than me and in many ways was my paternal figure as a child. He would read his own stories to my sister Lisa and I at night before he tightly tucked us in. We performed as The Three Stooges for my parents, under his tutelage. Daniel provided me with comfort and was my confidant.
I admit I was initially jealous when Daniel took up the guitar when I was 9 years old. I had been playing since I was 7 and in a matter of weeks (it seemed) he had surpassed my playing. The good news is that when Daniel started writing songs, so did I, age 11. Daniel’s songs were so great, and I play them to this day. We were both serious songwriters and I wish I’d been able to understand his lyrics as a real call for help as he was slipping into the throes of mental illness.
To my everlasting shame and regret, I was unable to be there for Daniel on an emotional level throughout his psychosis, paranoia and depression. My song “I Didn’t Let My Heart Break” is about that struggle.
When I was 24 I got into therapy and told my therapist that I was ready to deal with the anger, anxiety and sadness that overwhelmed me whenever I thought about Daniel. I said to my therapist that “I didn’t know how I could ever really be happy knowing how unhappy Daniel was.” Less than 3 weeks later, Daniel killed himself. He was 30 years old
