Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Anderson
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I remember always having many loves. My family emigrated from the Philippines and set down roots in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. These loves placed me across the city. I danced ballet for seven years at Westwood’s Dance Studio No. 1. Afterwards, I became committed to acting on screen and stage for over ten years—training at Gary Spatz’s The Playground in Century City, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in West Hollywood, and collaborating on student films at institutions like the University of Southern California, University of California – Los Angeles, American Film Institute, and New York Film Academy.
Despite my preoccupations, I found myself learning the chords to every Taylor Swift song and constantly sifting through music festival lineups, counting down the days until I could attend my first Insomniac event. Electronic music has been my heart and safe haven for many years now. PLUR Angels, a nonprofit organization committed to health and safety at music, art, and public festivals, served as my introduction to engaging with this community through service. When pandemic lockdowns started, I sought after this familial feeling by interning at Understated LA—a record label and events team focused on everything coming out of the local, thriving, underground dance music scene. These experiences laid the foundation for all professional music business opportunities to come—positions across label management and distribution with leading teams like LabelWorx, Create Music Group, Black Book Records, and more.
I value both the experiential and theoretical aspects of passion. “Why do I enjoy doing what I do? How does this make me feel? Why does it make me feel this way?” I have learned that a lot of my interest is rooted in what occurs for the performer, as well as between performer and audience.
I went down the psychology route for my undergraduate degree at the University of California – Riverside and assisted in research at Dr. Elizabeth Davis’ Emotion Regulation Lab. With some wild chance of luck, I was able to study abroad at the University of Copenhagen and meet with their Center for Phenomenological Psychology and Aesthetics. This set my life on a stronger course as I grew even more curious about arts-based experiences and was welcomed warmly by the Copenhagen music community (tusind tak, kunenistas). Currently, I am completing a graduate degree in expressive therapies at Lesley University, where I plan to continue research at the intersection of art and healing. My interests question the impact of performance art on human capacity for emotion, looking at expression, perception, and individual/community transformation.
Bringing all of this together, I founded RENDER MUSIC INTL in 2024—a small business that integrates the emotional and theoretical underpinnings of performance into the strategic mechanics of label management. My research into emotion, perception, and transformation directly informs my approach to music marketing, audience engagement, and global community-building.
2025 will see the launch of RENDER MUSIC PANELS, collaborating with events teams, artists, academic researchers, and nonprofit organizations to bring emotional expression through art and mental health awareness to the forefront of discourse in several sectors. I am constantly learning that, whether local or global, boutique or major, the intersections of shared lived experience inform and empower us all as individuals and the community at large.
I thought my loves would place me across the city, but really, these loves have placed me across the world—proving that the intersections of research, performance, and business create limitless possibilities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Learning how to say ‘no’ was my largest challenge and creeps up to this day. I found it so natural to become excited about a project, anticipate its impact, and want to contribute in whichever ways humanly possible. Though, over time, I came to understand the differences between ‘quality’ and ‘quantity,’ ‘need’ versus ‘desire,’ and the interplays of energy and prioritization. My workload, though still varied, now leans on the side of realism (for the sake of my sanity hahaha).
Making the jump from corporate to freelance was also quite daunting. I had been working under established companies since late high school, and growing up in a traditional Asian-American household had instilled particular professional expectations. Doing so gradually, such as taking on one’s first clients while still under the corporate structure, helped ease my concerns.
I have heard time and time again that pursuing one path may be better than pursuing multiple. But for me, it’s never been about choosing one over the other—it’s about discovering how they inform each other. My experiences in research, performance, and business don’t exist in silos; they shape a more holistic, innovative approach to everything I do. Whether it’s applying psychological theories to marketing or using performance techniques to enhance branding, these intersections create unexpected yet highly effective strategies. You won’t know until you try!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
RENDER MUSIC INTL offers management and consulting services to record labels of all sizes. From general operations to music distribution and release promotion, I work with teams at varying capacities to suit individual needs. The business has shaped a sense of ‘dual mastery’—corporate practices to help inform that of boutique; European strategies to be applied to that of North American. It goes back to the interdisciplinary approach of utilizing ideas one otherwise wouldn’t expect to use in order to achieve a certain vision. Beyond the technical components, this applies to culture as well. “How are culture and community shaped in foreign territories in comparison to local? How might this inform one’s approach to music business?”
As RENDER grows, services will take on an emotion-centered approach. This includes an emphasis on meaning-making, message delivery and audience reception, and targeted marketing.
– How does your music make your audience feel, and is that feeling aligned with your vision?
– Does your audience resonate with your message, or is something getting lost in translation?
– What deeper narratives could be highlighted in your branding and marketing to strengthen engagement?
– How can your label build a long-term, engaged community rather than just momentary traction?
RENDER MUSIC PANELS is a new project coming to a handful of cities in 2025 that will bridge scientific research with creative communities. These events will explore how artistic expression impacts emotional well-being, audience perception, and collective experience—bringing together artists, researchers, and industry professionals to redefine the relationship between music and human emotion. More details on this soon!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I wouldn’t be the person/entrepreneur/academic I am without the following special people:
Andrew Conde, VP, Thrive Music – A treasured boss, mentor, and friend in music business who took a chance by bringing me on for my very first internship.
Darlene Hall, Head of Distribution, Create Music Group – A kickass director who believed in my ability to thrive at Create Music Group and continues to do so beyond.
Paulette Varelas, Artist Manager & Show Director, MLennial – An incredible mentor and friend, where mutual support has meant everything throughout the gains and the losses.
Manny Lateulade, Sincerely, Manolo – A like-minded spirit, just as crazed and with just as bright of a fire burning inside to share this journey with.
Dominic Kerley, VP, LabelWorx – For providing an opportunity to help growing artists and labels transcending borders.
Simon Kessler, CEO, Maison Arts – For believing in my ability to contribute to a genre-defying mission and introducing me to a world beyond my own.
Dr. Angelle Cook & Dr. Laura Wood, Lesley University – Professors, mentors, and colleagues whose support and collaboration fuel my curiosity.
And, of course, all my friends and colleagues at the University of Oxford and Stanford University who continue to inspire the “impossible.” Their work reminds me that every discipline—whether scientific, artistic, or philosophical—can contribute to a greater understanding of human experience.
Each of these individuals has reinforced my belief that true innovation comes from collaboration—across disciplines, industries, and global communities. I wouldn’t be here without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rendermusicintl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rendermusicintl/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-ashley-anderson
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/xrenanderson/
Image Credits
Helen Perez
Cora Rafe
