Following up her 2017 release, I Wish I Were a Sparrow, multi-instrumentalist Laura Baird returns with Under Blue, an intimate depiction of grief tied to the mourning of her father. The album is anchored by folk guitar and banjo, as well as Baird’s strong lyricism and serene harmonies. Under Blue showcases Baird’s most authentic self as both a musician and creator, painting naturalistic images of her childhood and adult life to explore themes of change, relational depth, and finding peace. Under Blue is as much an ode to her father as it is to herself, while serving as an homage to nature, which fuels her creative process. Baird’s writing for this solo project began in 2012, during the recording of Sparrow, and continued after 2018 when she returned to her childhood home in southern New Jersey, near the Delaware River.
“My father died and I went to help my mom out and keep her company. I was focused on her, but then the pandemic came and I started writing more again. I sat with these songs for a long time,” Baird said of the timeline of Under Blue and its early onset. Baird shares the value of sitting and processing ideas with her sister and trusted collaborator, Meg Baird, with whom she performs as The Baird Sisters.
“Taking your time, letting things go, and letting something bloom before you go into the next thing is something I learned from Meg.” For the arrangement, Meg suggested that Laura add more instruments to the intro of her opening track, “Days of Blue” to set the tone of the LP. “I told her I would put my banjo sprinkles in there, I had fun with that.” During her mother’s first listen, Baird recounts that she swayed with a soft smile only a moment after she put headphones on. She added that Meg told her she’ll be listening to this whenever she is feeling homesick.
Meg was one of a few trusted voices to hear Laura’s early recordings. “My sister always influences me. We influence each other. I don’t try to emulate the people I play with, like guitarist Glenn Jones, but they are in my corner,” Baird says of her most treasured influences. Despite the talent surrounding her, Baird relies on her own musical instincts, as well as the natural world that shaped her childhood and adulthood.
Under Blue is not only a confessional of Baird’s exploration of family, environment, and selfhood. It presents a nuanced pairing of melancholy and joyful rediscovery.
