Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Waller.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Music has always been apart of my life! I grew up in piano classes and in the school choir. I was always very shy and quiet about my voice and my love for music. I didn’t start singing publicly until I was about 17 or 18. My senior year of high school, I played a lot of shows with my dad (he’s a hobbyist singer and guitar player). Getting to share the stage and a love of music with him was and has been an incredibly special experience for me. It was through these performances that I realized how badly I wanted to write and share my own stories through music.
My first EP started out just as a gift, I hadn’t really planned on trying to market it or really thinking beyond finishing it just as a gift. The more I explored music and songwriting, the more I (and everyone around me) realized that I had a real passion for it. From there, I started playing more and more shows. I’ve worked hard to build my live performance and be comfortable on a stage. I’ve had the opportunity to open for Wilson Philips, Anna Nalick, Flock of Seagulls, Missing Persons, and so many other iconic bands! I’ve also spent the last few years honing in on my writing style, my lyrics, my “vibe,” and just really figuring out who I am and what I can offer to the music world and to others.
In the last few years, I’ve released 2 EPs, a holiday cover, and a number of singles. I’m really proud of the music and work that I’ve been putting out most recently like my songs “Night Stalker” and “Best Coast.” Best Coast has been my most recent release and it’s very different than anything I’ve put out before. It’s been very freeing and fun to explore a new side of my music with this song!
Great, 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?
Truthfully, as much as I would like an easy path, I wouldn’t have learned anything along the way if it that had been the case. There are constant struggles as an independent artist in the music industry and a huge challenge has been just learning the ins and outs of the industry! There’s so much more that goes into being an artist beyond “just writing music.” There’s learning how to distribute the music, getting shows, nailing your live show, networking, looking at copyrights and contracts, building your own website, constantly staying on social media trying to engage with and build your fanbase, keeping your voice healthy, and there is so much more beyond that!
You also have to consider all the emotional stress and labor that comes with being an artist. Learning how to open up in my lyrics, learning how to take harsh criticism, accepting that you can’t please everyone–these are all hard challenges to work through, but it’s all an important learning experience. As an artist, I’m still paying my dues and I’m constantly learning. This is all before you throw a global pandemic into the mix! This pandemic has greatly impacted so many musicians so that’s been a huge challenge (as it has for everyone) figuring out how to move forward during this time. Through all of these challenges, I have been so lucky to have an incredible support system surrounding me, working with me, and believing in me.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a Los Angeles-based artist, songwriter, musician, and performer. My sound bridges the divide between 1980s darkwave and modern electro-textured indie pop. My aesthetic also encompasses the confessional and poetic intimacy of the singer-songwriter idiom and the thrilling satisfaction of modern pop. To date, I have released multiple singles, two EPs, and garnered press accolades from New Music Express, Young Hollywood, A&R Worldwide, Music Existence, Coming Up Magazine, The Spotlight, All Access Music, and Broadway World, among other outlets! Select performance highlights from my resume include performing on RTE, Ireland’s National Television, at the International Rose of Tralee Festival, and appearances at the iconic Viper Room and the esteemed tastemaking club The Hotel Café.
Most importantly, I believe I am a storyteller. I aim to truly connect to my audience or listeners. I want to always have either honest writing or a captivating story in my lyrics and production! I fell in love with music because of the way it made me feel. Hearing your struggles and doubts written out in a song can be so impactful because it makes you feel seen. I want to give that connection and visibility to my audience.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion! I think my best lyrics come from my passion and drive. If I have writer’s block, I think those are moments where I’m lacking passion. If I’m able to step away and come back truly excited to write, the song will just pour out of me. It’s what makes me excited everyday to write or perform. It keeps me focused on my goals and the future. The more passionate I am about something, the more I want to put into it. There are so many qualities and factors that I can list that can lead to success. Success comes from a multitude of ever-changing factors. I could say one week that time is the most important (or patience or ambition or discipline), but I think any qualities I list always are connected back to that original passion. I think the more passionate you are about something the more time you’ll want to put into it, the more patience you’ll have for yourself and your art, and the more ambitious you will be. It’s such an important quality to me because I don’t want to be an incredibly “successful” musician if I’ve lost my passion for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lwallermusic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lwallermusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwallermusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1dfsoRdxexXO4hVr8XY6Y8
Image Credit:
KC Morse – A&R Worldwide
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