Waxing lyrical about rest stops!

Feb 17 2006 By Andy Coleman, Birmingham Mail

BRITAIN'S much maligned motorway service stations have an unexpected champion - American singer/ songwriter Laura Veirs.

The quirky songwriter and her band like to make a 'Best Of' list for their website at the conclusion of their tours and the 2005 'Best Rest Stop' award went to an M6 service station between Birmingham and Manchester.

"British people may complain about them but your rest stops are so much better than those in the US," claims Laura who plays Birmingham Glee Club on Sunday.

"In America you're likely to get just a McDonald's and a dingy bathroom. In England you have shops selling organic fruit, a nice rest area and a place to eat."

Laura is currently touring without her band, The Tortured Souls.

"It's purely a financial decision; I need to make money and travelling with the band is very expensive," says Seattle-based Laura. "Most of my new songs work really well when performed solo and it's a good challenge for me as an artist not to rely on a band."

Laura won't get lonely, however, as she is good pals with support act Pure Horsehair.

"They're a couple of friends of mine from New York and we've been looking forward to linking up again," she says.

* Laura Veirs plays the Glee Club, Arcadian Centre, Birmingham on Sunday, February 19. Tickets from 0870 241 5093.