Laurelanne Davis walks into the Starbucks where we agreed to meet for this interview, and she's a study in contrasts. She carries herself alternately like a regular person, grabbing her afternoon caffeine fix and a pop star incognito. Dressed in ripped jeans and a vintage Duran Duran t-shirt, she looks effortlessly cool, like she just rolled out of bed or off a music video set.
She orders a chai latte at the counter, then turns around, spots me, and waves with a warm, knowing smile. When she sits down at the table, she leans in and says with a conspiratorial grin, "I couldn't survive without tea." Her presence is captivating, almost alluring - but she's also approachable, the kind of person who could be any music fan chatting about their favourite bands or a dedicated teacher swapping tips on perfecting harmonies.
It’s clear from the start that Laurelanne doesn't just exist in one world - she embodies several.
Laurelanne, thanks for sitting down with us. You've had such a fascinating journey—from high school chorus teacher to vocal coach for some serious talent to running a pop culture website that's been called the “Cosmopolitan of music sites.” What inspired this multifaceted career?
“First off, thank you for having me! My life has been…eclectic, to say the least. I started as this kid obsessed with music, standing in front of my mirror, singing into a hairbrush. Music was my world, but I also loved pop culture - the drama, the glamour, the way it makes everything feel larger than life.”
“After getting my degree in voice and performance, teaching chorus in high school felt like the "safe" choice. But it didn't take long for me to realise that the system wasn't designed for creative freedom. I wanted to inspire students, to pull them out of their comfort zones, but there were so many rules and restrictions. I wasn't a great fit for the box they wanted me in, so I decided to build my own box.”
That's a big leap. Did you ever have doubts about leaving a steady teaching job to go out on your own?
“I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a few sleepless nights. But when I left, I realised I was stepping into something I was meant to do. Coaching lets me tailor my approach to each student, and honestly, watching someone hit a note they thought was impossible? That's better than any paycheck.”
You've helped some of your students make it to the middle and high rounds of shows like American Idol and The Voice. What's the secret sauce behind your success as a coach?
“It's about more than just teaching someone how to sing well. Anyone can learn the mechanics of breathing and pitch to a degree. What makes a performer stand out is their connection to the music and their audience. I help my students dig into the emotional core of a song, figure out what makes their voice unique, and then amplify that. Plus, I'm honest with them. If something's not working, I tell them. Sometimes, with a bit of sarcasm to lighten the blow, but they always know I've got their back.”
I've read some of your reviews, and it seems to be a common theme among parents that you become a mentor and confidante to their teens, especially their daughters. Why do you think that is?
“Yeah, I've noticed that too, and honestly, it's something I take a lot of pride in. Young women today are sent so many mixed signals—it's exhausting just to watch, let alone live through it. They're navigating relationships, friendships, and social media and then trying to break into performing arts on top of that. It’s a lot.”
“On one hand, pop music is ruled by powerful, talented women right now, and that's inspiring. But on the other hand, those same women are constantly being critiqued, judged, and put under a microscope. It sends this message to young girls that no matter how good you are, it's never enough. That can crush their confidence.”
“When I work with my students, it's not just about teaching them to sing - it's about showing them how to own their voice, literally and figuratively. I want them to feel strong when stepping onto a stage or any room. And if they open up to me about struggles outside of music - well, I try to help boost their confidence there too. Whether its pep talks about crush drama or advice about handling nerves before an audition, I want them to know they have someone in their corner.”
You were born in New York but have lived most of your life in Atlanta. You've gone back and forth between the two cities on vacations and holidays. Has that affected your outlook on music?
“Yes. New York radio was like this magical portal to music the rest of the country hadn't caught onto yet. Stations like Z100 and WKTU always introduced me to tracks that felt so fresh and ahead of the curve. I remember being a kid, coming back to Atlanta, and amazing my friends with tales of new songs by artists like Lisa Lisa. I was their personal DJ before Spotify existed.”
“And then there was my uncle - he worked in the music business as a tour manager for some pretty major acts. Thanks to him, I got comp tickets to concerts for legends like Prince, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Paula Abdul, The Cure, and others. Some were in New York, others in Atlanta. It was like getting the best of both worlds: the gritty, electric energy of New York shows and Atlanta venues' warm, soulful vibe. That exposure to cutting-edge pop and hip-hop radio and incredible live performances shaped me in ways I'm still discovering. It's why I'm so passionate about connecting people to music - it's like giving them a little piece of that magic.”
Before diving into your pop culture website, I want to touch on your pop music and radio background. You used to work as a DJ on Top 40 radio?
“I did! That was such a wild time in my life. There's something very cool about spinning the songs that are defining the moment. Top 40 music is this weird, irresistible blend of the edgy, safe, heartfelt, and sexy. I loved it. But being on the mic as a DJ taught me so much about performance. You have a few seconds to grab someone's attention and make them feel something. That skill translates directly into vocal coaching.”
Speaking of contrasts, you live at this intersection of the more rigid, technical world of vocal coaching and the sometimes provocative, glamorous world of pop culture. How do you balance those two sides of your life?
“It's like walking a tightrope in heels! In coaching, I'm this meticulous, almost nerdy technician working on vowel shapes and vocal registers. But pop culture is messy and sexy and a little outrageous. I thrive in both worlds because they feed different parts of me. Singing is about control - controlling your voice, breath, and emotions. Pop culture is about letting loose. But at the end of the day, they both come down to connection, whether connecting with a note or an audience.”
Let's talk about your website. It's been described as the "Cosmopolitan of music sites," which is quite the comparison. What inspired you to start it?
“Honestly? I just wanted a space where I could fangirl over music while also diving into the culture around it. There are so many stories in pop music - why a song hits, how an artist evolves, what their fashion says about them. I wanted to write about all of it but in a way that felt fun, not pretentious. It's a mix of music reviews, lifestyle pieces, and the occasional spicy take.”
“I guess you could say it's the kind of website I wish existed when I was younger, paging through music magazines or scrolling the internet for any nugget of music gossip I could find.”
A less pretentious Rolling Stone, maybe?
“A less pretentious Rolling Stone but playful like a women's fashion magazine. Yes.”
Your site isn't shy about tackling controversial or provocative topics. Does that ever clash with your more traditional work as a vocal coach?
“Sometimes. I mean, I’ve definitely raised an eyebrow or two at articles on the site like ‘The Sexiest Pop Songs of 2023’. But that's the thing about pop culture - it's not for everyone, and that's okay. My students and their families know that when I'm coaching, it's all about their goals and their growth. The website is where I let my sassier, more unfiltered side out to play. And I might add that many of my students are paying for lessons now in hopes of one day being immersed in this world.”
How do you stay grounded with so much on your plate?
“My students. They remind me why I started this whole journey in the first place. And my family - oh, they don't let me get too full of myself. I’m reviewing a Beyoncé album one minute, and the next, I'm peeling garlic for Sunday dinner. It's the perfect reset.”
Tell us about a career-low and how you came back from it.
“Oh, I have a story for you. Against my better judgment, I took a job teaching chorus in a very rural part of Georgia. Picture it: a small town where they'd had the same chorus teacher for decades, and she'd just retired. There were a lot of "this is not how we've always done it" vibes, which, let's just say, didn't mesh well with my big city edge.”
“Parents were a little too involved - like, "Why are we singing a pop arrangement and not Amazing Grace for the spring concert?" kind of involved. I may have pushed back a little harder than I should have - that was the New York girl in me - and I never really fit into their small-town vibe. Let's be real, I'm a big-city girl with a Sicilian flair who looks like she could have walked off the set of The Sopranos. I stuck out like a sore thumb.”
“Then, in the middle of all this, my dad passed away. He'd always been so supportive of me and losing him was devastating. I had to take extended leave to deal with everything, and when I came back, it was pretty clear that neither of us - me or the school - felt it was the right fit anymore. We called it a "mutual decision," but it was a gentle nudge to move on.”
“Looking back, that was the moment I knew I couldn't keep trying to force myself into spaces that didn't align with who I was. It finally convinced me to go out on my own, and honestly, I'm so grateful for it. Sometimes, a career-low is just the universe giving you a little shove toward something better.”
How about a career high?
“Oh, there have been so many moments I'm proud of. Watching my students move on to amazing careers or nail big auditions never gets old. And then there was that time I spent several days working with a certain hip-hop performer at this super-posh Atlanta studio. Let's just say you haven't lived until you've coached vocal harmonies in a room with velvet walls, a swimming pool, and a champagne fridge. Those moments are surreal.”
“But if I'm being honest, I have to give a lot of props to my husband. He's my rock, my sounding board, and - let's face it - the best damn marketer I've ever met. Whenever I’ve doubted myself, he's been pushing me to take risks and dream bigger. And he knows how to ensure the world knows what I'm doing. A lot of my success wouldn't have happened without his support.”
Last question: What advice would you give to someone chasing a dream, whether it's in music, pop culture, or any other field?
“Be brave enough to start. Even if it's messy or you're not ready, don't be discouraged with missteps. And don’t let anyone box you in. You can be safe, you can be confident, you can be anything you want - as long as you're true to yourself. Oh, and don't forget to breathe. Literally and figuratively.”
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Laurelanne.
“Thank you! Let's hope this inspires someone to belt out a killer note - or at least dance around their room with a hairbrush.”
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