Today we’d like to introduce you to Laney Lynx.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am an artist, vocalist and songwriter. My given name is Melanie Donnelly (Laney Lynx came later) and life started in Rhode Island where I began singing wherever I could – around the house, local talent shows and competitions and even in national competitions through NYC to Tennessee from age four through high school. My dad, a USPS letter carrier and my mother trying on multiple jobs throughout my childhood were always as supportive of me and my younger brother as they could be. They were not musical at all but really, truly believed in me.
I entered Berklee College of Music in Boston on early admission at 17 and spent my four years there really developing my craft. I didn’t have any specific goals or even really understood what types of job opportunities were open to me as a vocalist when I entered college, all I knew was, “I just want to sing.” Throughout my schooling, I fell in love with songwriting, being a studio vocalist and fell deeper in love with live performance. In my sophomore year at Berklee upon turning 18, I flew out to Hollywood for a run with American Idol and it was through that experience I knew I wanted to be an artist- thus the birth of my pop project Laney Lynx.
After college, I moved to New York City and it was there that I transformed and discovered myself both as a person, professional, and as an artist. In NYC, it was a difficult, yet rewarding city to ‘become’ in.
Today I have toured the world from Malaysia through Rome, around Europe and back from NY to LA as a live performing vocalist, sharing stages with One Republic, Zedd, Bebe Rexha, John Mayer, Marren Morris and more. Live performing has given me a life I couldn’t have ever imagined back when I was 17 and saying, “I just want to sing,” and I know my journey is still really just beginning.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Upon moving to the city and being caught up in the rat race of simply trying to survive, I took on multiple jobs alongside pursuing my artist and music career. One of the quirkiest jobs I had in the city was as a singing waitress at Ellen’s Stardust Diner (home of the singing waitstaff) in Times Square. The balance between the passion/goals and pure survival was mentally and physically draining. I would take the subway into Times Square from Bushwick, Brooklyn at rush hour in the morning, work a full shift of singing and serving up diner food with a smile to tourists, subway to the Upper East Side, Long Island City or wherever the sessions may be and head back to Bushwick ready to start the journey all over again the next day. I learned a lot about work, drive and pursuing passion during this time.
As an artist, the struggle was as much of an internal battle as it had been external. Immersing myself into the pop music scene, in studios and at venues made me at times, confident, and other times riddled with imposter syndrome or self-doubt. I don’t think those feelings ever really go away but learning to navigate them has helped so much. Talking through these feelings with other artists and songwriter friends has taught me I’m not alone and that we all encounter these feelings sometimes.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
The music I release as Laney Lynx is optimistic yet vulnerable pop- typically conversational with bittersweet sentiments, lush harmonies, and blissful nostalgia.
My most recent release called “New Memories” was written, produced and recorded remotely and entirely over Zoom with L.A. based writers and producer Katie Tucker and Moises Zulaica. It was written 40 days into quarantine and fronts a retro-pop sway longing to connect with friends virtually until the day we see each other in person again. This song has shown me just how bright the future of music can be even during such an unpredictable time for our industry.
Alongside creating and releasing music for my Laney Lynx pop project, I specialize in both studio and live vocal performance as well as songwriting and toplining for artists and sync in multiple genres. For vocal performance, I understand the nuances involved in studio vs. live and going into a session or onto a stage, I bring that value with me alongside quality and authenticity. I’m proud to say I bring warmth and positivity to a room! I genuinely love what I do and want to achieve the best possible outcome for whatever project we’re working on. In relocating out of NYC with the plan of making Los Angeles home once the post-pandemic timing is right, I’ve been more excited for collaborations, remote recordings and virtual writing sessions than ever before!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
This year due to the bans of large gatherings, I along with most other live performers have lost the majority of live performance work. It has been a hard hit but I’m so thankful for the support from my community of musicians, songwriters, industry professionals, my mentors, friends and family who have supported me through this time.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.laneylynx.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lynxstagrams
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laneylynxmusic
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/laney_lynx
Image Credit:
Anna Ling, Briscoe Vision, BC Productions, Anna Azarov, Jonah Graves
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