In the imagination of Colorado Springs-born indie folk musician Laura Veirs, a smile is more than an expression, and tears are more than salty liquid.
When this Seattle resident, raised by a college physics professor, turns a phrase, tears become galaxies, and smiles are elements from the periodic table.
We caught up with Veirs, 32, who is touring with her band, the Tortured Souls, in support of their new CD, “Year of Meteors,” to talk about her music.
Q: What’s with the science metaphors in your lyrics?
A: There is a fantastic element to some of my words. Instead of saying “I went swimming at the lake and the sun was bright,” I’ll say, “lake swimming … enter the sun, marching like a matador, flashing her velvet yellow suit, throwing a red cape on the sky.” I love the natural world (and) find it incredibly beautiful and incredibly harsh at the same time. I like to use those images in songs.
Q: You toured with Sufjan Stevens, another artist who needed a few albums to really grab people’s attention. How do you reconcile the buzz factor, or lack thereof, in your own career?
A: It’s actually been a slow, steady climb. It was frustrating at times when I couldn’t find an American label to release my albums. But then I got onto Nonesuch, which is a great label. It’s not like anything is exploding now, but things are going well. And it’s nice to have that steady (career) incline instead of blowing up and freaking out.
I don’t like to get too external about all of this stuff. Music to me is very personal and inward. I don’t want it to become something that’s driving me for fame or money because that becomes hollow. I don’t read music magazines, and I try to have a life that’s rich in meaning.
Q: Colorado Springs: Thumbs up or thumbs down?
A: That’s tough. I guess it’s a small thumbs up in the center of a big thumbs down. There’s a pocket of people there who are amazing, progressive thinkers. I grew up with those people and had a great upbringing.
Then there’s this outer swirl of fundamentalist Christians and military culture and sprawl – this unfettered growth that’s spilling out on to the plains. I love the natural scenery of Colorado. Seattle has huge trees and water, but I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Colorado because I spent my formative years there.
Laura Veirs headlines Bender’s Tavern on Wednesday.
Staff writer Elana Ashanti Jefferson can be reached at 303-820-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com.
