Laura Goldhamer and the Silvernail most frequently performs as a trio of musicians using banjo, guitar, some drums (Tyler Ludwick), keys (Griff Snyder), voice and video projections of stop-frame animations that Laura creates and that illustrate her song lyrics. "The Silvernail" has been composed of: Macon Terry (upright bass), Matt Case (pedal steel), Griff Snyder (aka Gryph, piano), Stelth Ulvang (accordion), Tyler Ludwick (guitar, banjo, drums), and Paul DeHaven (percussion)
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Laura Goldhamer (banjo, guitar and vocal) is now living back in her birthplace of Denver, performing, touring and booking arts events. After graduating from Wesleyan University with degrees in music and religion, Laura moved around for the better part of a year before settling into Denver, and opening and running a DIY art space called Brooks Center Arts: Underground Tea House, which was open for two years. The space was closed in the spring of 2009, and Goldhamer has since focused more whole-heartedly on her own musical projects and travels (including playing in bands called Dovekins, New Denver Orchestra, and Harpoontang).
At Wesleyan University, Goldhamer participated in various musical ensembles, including conglomerations of the talented Joaquin Cotler (keys), Owen Roberts (of "Boy Crisis", drums), Greg Donahue (of "Andy Friedman and the other Failures", bass), and Caley Monahon-Ward (of "Extra Life", fiddle), as well as Cassye Dunkhase (of "New Denver Orchestra" and "Orelia String Quartet", cello), Chris McDonald (of "PdL" and "Mirror Boyz", computer knobs and levers), Daniela Gesundheit (of "Snowblink"), George Blake (flute), and with Ashraf Rijal (of "Galaklang Noise Party", clap stomp composition on "No Ability")
Q: One might ask, why only one "M" in Goldhamer? Why not Laura GoldhamMer?
A: At the risk of confusing my family with just any old Goldhammer family, my grandfather took one M away.
A2: A small elven man offered to turn straw into gold for me if I gave him my first born "M". I was desperate, needed the gold, BAD, couldn't guess his name and so that is how I came to be Laura Goldhamer.
