Lauren Ann- Lauren Ann, 18 year old singer based in Ireland. Find my music on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon music!
Interview conducted on March 2, 2022
By Dan Locke
What is your upbringing?
I was brought up in a small village outside of Newry, Northern Ireland. I come from a very large family who have always supported me in my career decisions.
How did you discover music?
My parents loved music and there was always music playing in my house. I come from a very musical family, so it was in my nature to pursue it.
How did you start to write music?
When I was younger, I loved and wrote poetry. I’ve always loved The Arts and when the pandemic first hit, I finally could take a break from my schoolwork and started writing.
Why did you put your law career on hold?
I got the grades to get into Law, but I decided to defer entry for a year to take a gap year so I could focus on music because it’s genuinely what makes me happy.
You could have become a copyright lawyer?
I suppose I could’ve been a copyright lawyer, but I was gaining attention through music quite fast, and I didn’t feel like I could’ve given all my time to study law.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I got my first guitar for Christmas. It was a pink acoustic guitar from a toy store, but I suppose everyone needs to start somewhere. Unfortunately, I don’t still have it! It was a quite a while ago and I’m not sure where it is.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
My guitar of choice right now is my black Fender Jazzmaster.
Describe your music.
My music has a lot of grunge influences but it’s not as heavy. I love a lot of different genres, so my music is almost like an amalgamation of indie and grunge.
What was your first performance at like?
My first performance was main stage at Stendhal Festival, it was kind of nerve-racking, but I loved every minute of it and I’m glad I did it.
What makes a good songwriter?
I think a good songwriter is always improving and developing their skills. Using new experiences to write about.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first released original song was called ‘Don’t take it out on me’ and I recorded it and released it myself on garage-band.
What is the process of writing your music?
I always write the melody first. Lyrics usually come second unless I have a really catchy phrase I want to use.
Tell me about “Blatant”, which gets released on March 2nd via Faction Records?
I wrote blatant quite a while ago. It’s inspired by a breakup. Essentially, it’s about a blunt end to a relationship that you cared about. It’s about being let down by someone you didn’t think (or rather didn’t want to believe) could hurt you. It’s about being left out in the cold, yet you still care for them even though they don’t care for you anymore.
What is your favourite track on your album?
I’m not so sure, my favourite tracks always change. Right now, it’s Blatant, which is convenient!
Digital vs. vinyl?
I prefer vinyl over digital. I was gifted a turntable for Christmas, and since then I’ve started my own vinyl collection.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
A song from the past that I’m listening to right now is Lost Weekend by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. It reminds me of driving through Dublin with my family when I was younger listening to my dad’s music on his ipod.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music?
I think covid-19 definitely took its toll on the music industry, but I don’t think it’s killed the live music scene totally. I think for a while everything was sort of in limbo, but places and venues are starting to open up again which is nice to see.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
During my self-quarantine, I wrote a lot of songs and listened to a lot of music and watched a lot of movies!
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I couldn’t do music, I think I would’ve studied law. But I always wanted to teach art as well. So, I would’ve been either a lawyer or a teacher.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is sitting out in my garden. It looks out onto fields and mountains and it’s so pretty and peaceful, plus I plant flowers all the time so it can be really lovely in the summertime.
