“Get in the Mood” Bio

“Get in the Mood” Bio

Laura Tsaggaris (sah-GAIR-iss) is a singer, guitarist and songwriter.

Laura’s story begins in Pennsylvania where she grew up in the Pittsburgh area. College and a tennis scholarship brought her to Williamsburg, VA. She left that historic city with a love for another: Washington, DC. Touring across the country while calling the nation’s capital home laid the groundwork for her to grow into the influential musician she is today. She works to give back to her adopted hometown through the musical talents that have taken her far and wide.

Laura’s 50+ songs and 6 records span the genres of folk, Americana, alt-country, blues, rock and pop.

Discography

EP - 2001

proof – 2004 (LP, produced by Ian Schreier)

Keep Talking – 2009 (LP, produced by Ian Schreier)

EVERYMAN – 2013 (LP, produced by Jamie Candiloro)

Live At The Atlas – 2016 (LP, produced by Jamie Candiloro)

“Message In A Bottle” – 2020 (Single, cover, produced by Tim Lyons)

“Lead Me” – 2020 (Single, produced by Tim Lyons) 

“Get in the Mood” - 2021 (LP, produced by Tim Lyons)

“Get in the Mood” is Laura’s contribution to the holiday music canon. The indie rocker puts a mix of classic rock, acoustic, and funky spins on twelve Christmas classics like Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” But the star of the album may be Tsaggaris’ eponymously named original track, “Get in the Mood.” Recorded in her home studio with longtime friend and producer Tim Lyons, “Get in the Mood” affirms Tsaggaris’ “local legend” status (The Vinyl District, 2011).

“Like most artists, my musical path hasn’t been a straight one,” she says.”Truthfully, straight has never been my thing. But I’ve got something to say through my music and I’m happiest when singing and playing. So I’ve done self-funded tours where I couch surfed and slept in cheap motels. I’ve made ends meet by singing nursery rhymes with a children’s play group. And, I’ve kept my art, my kids, and my integrity central in my life.

For the last several years, I've focused on teaching music to the next generation and playing small community shows. Writing new music has always been cogitating in my soul and luckily the muse has never fully left me. But I’ve focused most of my energy on being a great parent. Now my kids are a bit older, life is looking different, and I’m back and more excited than ever to share what I’ve been working on.”

A sought after teacher and performer, Laura continues to carve her own path. Currently writing songs for TV, film, and her next independent release, Laura is grateful to the DC Arts Commission for its continued support of her work as a DC-based singer-songwriter. “DC has given me so much over the past 25 years,” she says. “I’m excited to give back — through my community shows and, most of all, with the ‘Get in the Mood’ series. It feels good to be adding to other people’s experience of this city I call home.”

As more and more shows are now being held in person, she’s excited to get back to performing live at larger venues. “The pandemic had most of us longing for connection. For me, that’s often found through live music. I really dug a quiet Christmas with my family during ‘COVID times,’ but I’m always ready to ‘Get in the Mood’ and party together at a real show.”