Conversations with Lauren Case

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Case.

Hi Lauren , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I don’t remember when exactly I found my love for singing or when I first messed around on a guitar or the piano because I was very young. I’m pretty sure one way or another I would’ve wound up here, but I got here when I did thanks to my dad. An ardent lover of music, he had it scattered all over my Arizona home growing up. From the upright YAMAHA piano we still own, to my child-sized keyboard programed with “Old Macdonald Had a Farm”, “The House of the Rising Sun” and “Fur Elise”, ensuring I have broad taste. I had the two most loving and supportive parents a person could ask for, and music has been the most fluently spoken language between my dad and I. It’s how I prefer to bond with most people, honestly. I lost my mom to Lyme disease at age 11 and I often fantasize about sharing this whole music part of my life with her. My stepmom is quite literally my biggest fan though, so the universe had my back. I’ve been writing songs since about age 12 and made my live performing debut singing one half of the second verse of “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele for my middle school student body. I remember feeling like I was vibrating the entire rest of the day. Around that time, I also began earning my producing stripes on the one and only, GarageBand. Making songs on this software, whether it be an original or an acoustic mashup of “L$D” by A$AP Rocky and “All the Time” by Jeremih (crazy pull for a 14-year-old Mormon), I learned quickly that I loved every aspect of constructing a song. And yes, I was Mormon until about age 16 and eventually completely cut ties with the church. This has made for quite a well of inspiration in the writing department. I’ve been performing around Arizona for many years having the best nights of my life, as performing is my drug of choice. Now as of the last two years, I’ve been living in Los Angeles babyyy! We’re not in Gilbert, AZ anymore, Toto!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Hah. I am my biggest struggle. I have been extremely privileged in terms of family and friend support, a network of musicians and other creatives at my disposal, and eventually I even found myself a fiancé who produces music for a living. From a young age it became evident to me, especially thanks to the encouragement from my people, that I just might have what it takes to go far with a career in music if it was what I wanted. However, I’ve struggled quite a bit off and on with self-doubt, inertia, and was eventually diagnosed with OCD a few years back. Today I’m what my therapist calls, an “OCD Conqueror” and have been taking things one day at a time. I’ve not been in this content of a place with my artistic endeavors in a very long time. It feels really good. If you see me start to go M.I.A., there’s about a 99% chance It will be attributed to the very same thing that generates my best ideas: my brain!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I’m not pouring lattes and being the most charismatic host I can possibly be at the cafe I work at, I do a number of things artistically. I recently hit my stride with content creation, something I thought would probably always feel like a chore as an indie artist. I thought I had to follow a rulebook for success that demanded I posted unrealistically often, participate in trends I didn’t care about and put on an unnatural persona I associated with other indie artists online. I decided a little while ago, I’m gonna start posting whatever the fuck I want, whenever I want, and talk to that camera in a way that gets my audience as close to talking to me in real life as possible. I’ve also stopped archiving posts that don’t do well, and stopped filtering for family and people whose opinions I placed too much value in. And guess what! My creations started reaching more people than ever, which freaking rocks! Authenticity…who knew. The most successful of the content have been my impression videos. I’ve always had pretty decent control over my voice, but only recently have I decided to really hone in on my impersonations and share them with the internet, some of which include characters from “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Office”, sound effects from “Minecraft” and several female singers. The best part is that some of the videos have gained attention from the actors I impersonated!

I’m sort of finding my most honest voice and authentic sound at the moment but one thing I feel like I’ve been known for and will continue to be known for is the smooth tone of my voice. Additionally, the quirky, playful and slightly dark flavor of my lyricism. From a cannibal-themed love song I wrote, “Don’t you lecture me ’bout Lector, it’s delectable foreplay” to give you a taste. I’m very proud of my lyrics. I melt inside whenever somebody acknowledges a lyric of mine they enjoyed. It’s electrifying to feel like I articulated my feelings well.

I’m particularly proud of the DIY music video I made for my track, “All the Way”. It took days to edit and most importantly I had a blast making it. I did it entirely alone, which was my choice as I really enjoy working alone. I need to feel comfortable to let all of me out. I felt cracked-out high during the entire process. Couldn’t eat or sleep. That’s the stuff.

What sets me apart is likely something I myself would struggle to put into words or fully recognize from my inside perspective…perhaps the less conventional chords I tend to gravitate towards, and the blend of jazz, funk, and psychedelic sounds, all popified by catchy melodies and used in a classic pop song structure. Perhaps also the fact that I came from such sheltered beginnings and now feel like in many ways, I’m still coming of age at 27 and exploring sexuality, gender expression, and total freedom with burning curiosity and excitement. I sometimes feel like an awkward, naive freak barely passing as self-assured… “normal”. I think a unique perspective lies in these truths of my experience. My songs are my truthiest truth. OH and…I’m gonna be the first star to make having acid reflux, a personality trait.

Any big plans?
No plans. Plans get me in trouble. One day at a time is my recipe for my self-defined success.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurencase__/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurencase__
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BBZ8MJZqJrHdKeza7H42r?si=sYKrRli6QnK6g21NH8OB0w