Somewhere between Alt-Country, Pop and Singer/songwriter, emerging artist Lauryn Macfarlane’ is paving her own path in today’s music industry. As a rising Canadian artist and songwriter, Lauryn has garnered attention across Eastern Canada. Her honest and vulnerable songwriting style and personality are what draw audiences in and leave them wanting more.
After opening and sharing bills with various acts including Aysanabee, Chantel Kreviazuk, Donovan Woods, and Kathleen Edwards, Lauryn has found a presence and aura on stage that commands attention. “Despite her small stature, her voice and lyrics are bigger than the stage itself.” (Amira Benjamin- The Fulcrum) The energy is raw, visceral and intimate.
In the fall of 2019, Lauryn decided to make the move to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where she worked alongside producer/engineer Sam Woywitka on her first couple of singles. In the summer of 2022, Lauryn had the opportunity to go to LA and work with Montreal born producer Jason Kellner. “Dive” came out of that trip.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”
Always! I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember. My family tells me stories of me yelling at everyone at Christmas to sit down and watch me sing, lol. Performing has always been something I’ve been drawn towards. I do remember my first real concert was Shania Twain. I was in grade 2, and I think that’s where the big dream really started, and where I really pictured myself doing that.
What is your favourite song to perform?
Cover Me Up- Jason Isbell. This is my favourite song to sing. At home, just practicing or performing. Such a dynamic and beautiful song.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I really try and be kind to myself when I have writer’s block. It can be really scary and feel like your career is going to be over in a second, but it’s inevitable. Every song I write won’t be a good one, but if I keep writing through all the bad stuff, one day something clicks and you get a good one. Just keep writing! Nobody has to hear the bad stuff.
What is the best advice you have been given?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great advice from people I really look up to in this industry, and the overall best piece of advice I’ve been given is to not stop. So many talented people don’t make it in this industry strictly because they walked away from it. If you are driven enough and push through the dark years of no money and questioning all your life choices, It’s going to happen.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I just want to reach people. I want my songs to be heard, and I want people to feel them. I want my music to mean something, and I want to leave my mark on this world. My ultimate goal is to tour with my own music and also write for others! I love writing in all kinds of styles and would love to hear other musicians singing the songs I wrote.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can carry 13 wine glasses at once! I am a busser for one of my side jobs, and although I will probably never need these skills, I’m DAMN good at it.
Do you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other stuffed animal sitting on your bed at home?
I do! His name is Bunny. He is a white rabbit with a little bit of pink on his paws and ears and I don’t know what I would do if something happened to him lol.
If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
French! Since moving to Montreal, I really want to nail the French. I have a lot of French friends and I want to be able to speak to them in their native language, as they are always speaking to me in their second language! Currently, on day 100 of my Duolingo streak, so we are killing it.
Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?
I wear this copper bracelet on my left arm. My Grandpa made one for him and one for my Grandma. My cousin wears my Grandpas and I wear my Grandmas. I never take it off!!
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to relax. Not every little decision is a make or break. Don’t spend so much time planning everything out to be so perfect that you never put things out. And that “nobody is thinking about you as much as you think people are thinking about you.” (A good Schitts Creek Quote)
My new song, “Dive,” was written right as I was falling madly in love.
I had been in love before, but this one was something different.
The immediate kind where it almost didn’t seem real.
As someone with a history of being the one to walk away from relationships, I wanted to give this person my absolute everything. At the same time, I was scared of how perfect it was.
Scared that somehow I would mess it up.
I knew that by fully committing and not falling into my old habits, I was allowing myself to be vulnerable enough to have my heart broken, but that’s something worth having if it means I truly get to love.
Normally, when I write, I work alone. It’s just me and the song until I have it to a point where I feel it’s strong enough to show someone. This was the first time a producer has given me an instrumental to write to with free reign on melody and lyrics.
When Jason Kellner showed me the bones of the instrumental, I knew I wanted to create something fun yet vulnerable about really allowing yourself to “Dive” into a relationship with your full heart, even though you know you could very well be crushed by the wave.
This is a new way of collaborating for me and something I am definitely open to doing again in the future. Working on this song was also very liberating in the sense that I wasn’t tied down to an instrument when writing. I moved around my apartment a lot, dancing and strutting about for inspiration. It helped me visualize what performing it live would sound/look like. I am VERY excited for future shows where I get to step out in front of the guitar!
You can listen to “Dive” via your preferred streaming service below.
Thank you for taking the time to listen,
Lauryn Macfarlane
