Laura Baron to Release New Album Beauty in the Broken on October 19

Award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Baron is set to release her latest album, Beauty in the Broken, on October 19. Known for her ability to craft deeply emotional and evocative music, Laura’s new work is a heartfelt exploration of vulnerability, healing, and the hidden beauty within life’s most difficult moments. The album offers a mix of contemporary folk, indie acoustic, and jazz, woven together with Laura’s signature warm and introspective style.

Beauty in the Broken features eight new songs, including a re-imagined version of the classic “Dream a Little Dream.” With this collection, Laura creates a musical landscape that feels like a conversation with an old friend, where each song uncovers another layer of the human experience, from struggles with mental health and addiction to the hopeful optimism found in moments of joy. The title track itself is a poetic meditation on finding light in imperfections, a message that resonates throughout the album.

In celebration of this release, Laura Baron and her band, the Laura Baron Quartet, will perform at an album release show on Saturday, October 19, at 7:00 PM at The Writers Center, located at 4508 Walsh St in Bethesda, MD. After the show, fans will have the opportunity to meet Laura and the band, adding a personal touch to what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

Ahead of the album’s release, we had the opportunity to sit down with Laura to discuss the creative process behind Beauty in the Broken, the evolution of her music, and her journey as an artist. Catch the interview below!

1. Can you describe the moment you first conceived the idea for the title track, “Beauty In The Broken”?What emotions or thoughts were you experiencing that day, and how did that conversation with Dave influence the song’s direction?

My musician friend Dave’s question —“If I were on the outside looking in, what would I see?”—awakened something within me, a part that witnesses my own ups and downs. The title Beauty in the Broken helped me envision a scenario where, underneath the pain there was something beautiful shining through. This sparked an emotional journey, leading me to explore how hope can be found within a painful experience.

I started to think about a jewel—how it’s through the cracks that the light is able to shine through. There’s something deeply significant and hopeful about facing our wounds and allowing the light to flow through the places where we are broken.



2. As you reflect on your musical journey leading up to this album, in what ways do you feel your songwriting has matured? Are there specific techniques or themes you now explore that you might not have considered earlier in your career?


A significant part of my writing has always been about searching—within myself and in the natural world—for inspiration. As I’ve continued to write more songs over the years, I’ve noticed my approach to expressing the poetry in my lyrics has become more refined. My earlier songs were simpler, with familiar rhyme schemes and word choices. Over time, I’ve experimented with different imagery and phrasing to create something fresher, more sophisticated and original.

My focus on mental health is relatively new, but it feels like a natural intersection between my ability to explore deep topics and express the poetry of my lyrics in an accessible way. I aim to keep it authentic—conversational, but never corny—so that the message resonates while maintaining emotional depth.

3. Creating an album often comes with its share of obstacles. What specific challenges did you encounter while writing or recording Beauty In The Broken, and how did those experiences shape the final product?


One of the biggest challenges in making an album is ensuring the songs you invest your time, energy, and money into are truly worth it. For this album, I carefully selected eight songs, each one chosen carefully. While I wouldn’t call it an obstacle, there were a few songs that didn’t make the cut. My producer, Marco Delmar, was instrumental in helping me be honest about what belonged on the album.

A perfect example is when I played him a bluesy song I was working on. He listened and casually mentioned that it could work towards the end of the album. I immediately knew that wasn’t the right fit! So, on a whim, I played him another song I’d been working on—one I thought wasn’t a big deal. To my surprise, he looked at me and said, “That’s amazing.” That song ended up becoming the title track!


4. Looking back at the recording sessions, can you share a particular moment that stands out to you—whether it was a breakthrough in capturing a song’s essence or an unexpected event that brought your team closer together?


One of my favorite moments during the recording process was when I worked on my track “One-Way Ticket.” I had a big vocal part coming up—an improvisational section at the end, known as the “ride-out.” That night, I was feeling a bit pressed for time since I had a dinner party to attend, and I wanted get behind the mic and lay out my vocal. My producer was meticulously layering the background vocals for me to sing over, and while it was coming together beautifully, it was taking a while.

I was feeling energized, but also impatient, wanting to get in there and sing. I felt the energy building as I waited. Finally, I stepped into the booth, sang through it once to warm up and then went for it a second time.

This time, I felt an intense surge of emotion and raw energy, almost unlike anything I’d experienced before while recording.

As I finished, my producer simply said, “We’re done here.” In that moment, I knew something special had happened.



5. In the context of your music, how do you personally define beauty? What life experiences have shaped that definition, and how do you weave that understanding into your songs?


To me, beauty in music is anything that stirs emotion—whether it makes someone want to cry, sing, dance, take action, or make a difference. Beauty, for me, is about creating an experience through my music that connects with people on a deeper level, sometimes even helping them feel something they didn’t know was there.

In my own life, music has always been the place I turn to when I need to process emotions or tap into something beneath the surface. Whether I’m writing in a journal with music playing or simply having a good cry, music is my constant companion and emotional outlet. I strive to weave that sense of emotional discovery and connection into every song I write.

6. Vulnerability is a key theme in your album. How do you navigate the balance between being open and protecting your own emotional well-being when writing and performing such personal material?


Great question. I’ve found that I have a strong sense of how safe, intimate, or receptive an audience is, and I rely on that instinct to navigate how much of myself I share. When I notice people really with me—through their body language or facial expressions—it helps me gauge how deeply to open up, or if I should at all in that moment.

I always balance my performances and recordings by mixing in lighter, edgy, fun, jazzy grooves. It’s important for me to not keep everything too sensitive; I need that balance. As an artist, it’s crucial to read the crowd and ride the energy. We all need to enjoy some feel-good moments and upbeat grooves before venturing into deeper, more emotional material.

But once I sense the audience is relaxed and there’s a warmth in the room, that’s when I feel ready to open up and share a powerful message or a deeply emotional song. It’s about creating a space where both the audience and I feel safe enough to connect on a deeper level.


7. Can you pinpoint specific life events or personal struggles that directly influenced the lyrics of Beauty In The Broken? How did these experiences inform the stories you wanted to tell through your music


I have been deeply inspired by a national movement called #StopStigmaTogether, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders. As I learned more about these efforts, I felt a strong desire to add my voice to the conversation. One of the tracks from my new album, Heal Out Loud—now a music video—expresses the importance of reaching out and communicating. True healing happens when we speak up and someone genuinely listens.

I’ve been fortunate to always have people in my life who truly listen, and that has shaped the way I approach both my life and my music. This song, and the album as a whole, is a reflection ofthat belief—that healing and connection start with open, honest communication.

8. When performing your songs live, how do you connect with your audience on an emotional level? Are there particular moments in your performances where you feel that connection is strongest?
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My audience and I are able to go through many rhythms and emotions together through moods and grooves, jazzy or folky or bluesy, with world and pop influences. At its best my show blends many elements we share during my performance.

9. What do you hope listeners take away from Beauty In The Broken? Are there specific emotions or reflections you hope to evoke as they engage with your music?

The emotions I hope to evoke through my music range from introspection to empowerment. I want listeners to feel moved, whether they’re reflecting on their own journey or simply enjoying the music. Ultimately, my hope is that people feel uplifted and inspired or able to kick back for a jazzy moment and that Beauty in the Broken becomes a musical space they enjoy returning to again and again.

10. As you look to the future, how do you envision your music evolving from here? Are there new themes or styles you’re interested in exploring in your next projects?

I am excited to explore new vibes, genres, and rhythms that push me beyond my usual boundaries. I’d love to experiment with more modern pop influences or emerging sounds that challenge me creatively. Collaboration is also something I’m eager to continue, especially with talented writers who can bring fresh perspectives to our music. My goal is to find something that feels both fresh and authentic, allowing my music to evolve in unexpected ways.

SHOW DETAILS

LAURA BARON QUARTET

ALBUM RELEASE

SAT. OCT 19, 7:00 PM

THE WRITERS CENTER 4508 WALSH ST, BETHESDA, MD

MEET & GREET W/ BAND AFTER THE SHOW

http://www.laurabaronmusic.com/