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

Hi Lauren, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My entry into music and performing was very unique compared to most! I had just picked up learning the banjo and a few months later lock-down happened. This afforded me quite a bit of extra time on my hands! I start practicing hours a day, then something magical happened. A guy who I didn’t really know, posted on Facebook that he was hosting an “outdoor, social-distance open bluegrass pick”. I remember turning to my husband and saying, “I am not nearly good enough to go to a pick but if I don’t get out of the house, I am going to go crazy!”. As an extravert to the core, the lock was really hard for me.

That day changed my life. I met a ton of professional musicians who didn’t have any gigs because of covid and I got, essentially, a master class in bluegrass from them. I began going to these out-door, socially distance picks 4-5 days a week for about a year. Fast forward to January 2021 and I had unintentionally formed my first band and played my first professional gig.

A huge part of my success was due to the music scene desaturating because of the pandemic. I am eternally grateful for that year and the exposure it afforded me!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am proud to call myself an entertainer! I found my creative expression and my impact in this world through the lens of music. The uniqueness that my band brings, is that we are an old-time, bluegrass band that is often recreating the music of the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead is my ultimate favorite band and has impacted my upbringing. The fact that I get to make music with my friends and continue the legacy of the Dead in my own unique way is so cool. I never dreamed I wanted to do this, it just organically happened, and I cannot wait to see where this amazing journey takes me!

 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What a fun question! I would first take them skiing/snowboarding at one of our amazing mountains. Then I would take them to see some live, local music – our music scene here is out of this world! I would love for them to experience some place like Cervantes or the Mission where hopefully an amazing band like Leftover Salmon or the String Cheese Incident is performing. And you can’t experience Colorado without going to one of our amazing breweries. I would likely take them to New Terrain in Golden, CO and hope they can experience some amazing drinks and more music! The Golden bluegrass scene is top notch! I would hope someone like Big Hooray Bluegrass or Scott Slay and the Rail would be playing.

There are so many amazing places in CO – I could keep them busy months exploring all our restaurants, breweries, activities, and music venues.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to all of the local bluegrass musicians in Colorado. Particularly, folks from the Boulder Bluegrass Pickers group. They are the ones that took me under their wing and showed me the way. As a female in a male-dominated industry, these guys made me feel so welcomed and comfortable. I cannot express my gratitude enough! Specifically, I’d love to recognize Jack Laub, Travis Lawson, Tom Buswell, Clay Bedell, Zach Hudson, Dan Buller, and Charlie White. Additionally, there have been a few transformational female musicians that have been my mentors and my rock in this crazy music world; Jen Kiskin, Maya Fabrikant, Monica Carroll, and Brandy Ray.

From the bottom of my heart, you all have changed my life in the most magical way!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elle_michelles_grateful_holler/

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

Image Credits
Lily Sitero Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.