Meet Lauren Black | Singer and Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Black and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up just outside the DC area, in Rockville, Maryland surrounded by all types of music. At the age of 5 I started piano lessons, by 10 I was playing the Clarinet, by 12 I was taking voice lessons, and by 17 I was playing guitar. My parents raised me on their favorite bands and musicians which varied from Steeley Dan to Van Halen to Devo to Cher to Charlie Parker to Rachmaninoff. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I really pursued songwriting. I think my full immersion into music of all genres and practices completely influenced the way I think about and write music today as I pull inspiration from all of it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For my art, as cliche as it sounds, I always write from the heart. I don’t care about what kind of music will sell. There’s already an over saturation of the same sound anyway, so in a way, I think writing how I feel and writing what I think sounds good sets me apart from some. Sometimes I’m faced with opposition. For example, I put a bagpipe solo on my most recent album. Does everyone like the bagpipes? No. Are people unsure of what to think of the bagpipe intermission on the album? Yes. Did it turn some people off? Maybe, but in the end I don’t care. It’s how I wanted to express myself and the album. How many indie artists do you know that have the bagpipes on their album?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For me the Denver DIY music scene has been so welcoming. I had a friend visit pretty recently and we went to a house show where a few local bands played. We met some really nice folks and had a really nice time. If you’re itching to check out the scene, I highly recommend a checking out a local show Seventh Circle or D3.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have always been intentional with crediting my past music teachers. From the ones I had pursuing my bachelors of music in college, to the ones I had in high school, middle school, even elementary school. They have been super important in shaping who I am as a musician. I also want to credit my bandmates and past collaborators. They’ve been incredibly helpful in my musical journey.

Website: https://lulagoonband.com/en-usd/

Instagram: Instagram.com/lulagoonband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lulagoonband

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulagoonband/

Youtube: youtube.com/lulagoon

Image Credits
Photos taken by Chloe Barkley