Washington D.C. based singer-songwriter Lauren Calve is stopping in Cleveland at Beachland Tavern on Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Columbus at Natalie’s Grandview on Thursday, Oct. 17 as supporting artist for Scotland songwriter John Douglas of Trashcan Sinatras for the Lost In North America Tour Part One.
Before the tour kicks off, Calve spoke to OOTB about her Wammie Music Awards Country/Americana award-winning debut album (Shift), performing live, recording in Nashville, challenges through her 10 years as a musician, collaboration hopes, an Ohio connection, and new music in the works.
Watch Video For “Subtle Alchemy”
Listen To “Everything At The Same Time”
https://open.spotify.com/track
What song on Shift means the most to you and why that song?
“Subtle Alchemy” means the most to me because it best captures the process of writing the songs for Shift. Almost all of the songs were written at my dining room table during the long periods of quarantine in 2021. I wrote “Subtle Alchemy” during one of those stretches, the lyrics for which attempted to unveil the deeper, spiritual layers of my simple observations from where I was sitting. I think that sums up one of the themes of Shift: the search for meaning in the mundane, everyday moments.
What’s your favorite part of being in the studio?
My favorite part of being in the studio is hearing songs that were written and performed solo come alive with the full band after the first several takes. I love the process of arranging and recording with a full band, especially the band that my producer Dex Green put together for Shift. I basically recorded with Sheryl Crow’s band, and the experience was nothing short of electrifying.
What’s your favorite part of performing live?
I’ve mostly been performing solo these days, an experience that is quite intimate. It has allowed me to stretch out more and talk about the stories behind the songs. That’s become my favorite part about performing solo. It’s made me realize that storytelling is a craft in and of itself.
What genres have you explored and which genre is your preference, and how do you connect with that genre the most?
In Shift, I tried to get away from the overt roots rock genre of my past recordings. There’s still a “rootsy” quality to the songs, but they occupy a non-specific sonic territory that I like a lot. As a result, I feel like I’m exploring a more authentic sound, and I’m looking forward to connecting with that more.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a musician and how have you overcome that or does it still hamper you?
My biggest challenge as a musician is finding balance in the natural ebbs and flows of this job. I’ve been building my career for over ten years now, so I’ve experienced my shares of highs and lows. I grew up playing sports–I played Division 1 field hockey in college–where success was very cause-and-effect.
Success in music has been very different for me. For me, it requires balancing expectations and a relentless belief in yourself to get through those highs and lows. Obviously, easier said than done, especially for us brooding musicians!
You collaborated with many wonderful seasoned musicians for Shift. Who are some musicians or fellow singer-songwriters you’d like to collab with?
I love this question because one of my recent revelations has been that collaboration results in the best art. Up until this point, I thought there was more merit in doing everything yourself. Now, I’m really trying to lean into collaboration and co-writing. I’d love to co-write with Madi Diaz. She’s one of my favorite songwriters; her voice and writing style are so distinctive and original. I definitely aspire to be as effortlessly myself as she is in her songwriting.
Following your current tour dates, what are some of your immediate and long term goals and plans?
After this set of tour dates, I’m planning to put the finishing touches on a bunch of new songs I’ve been working on. Then, I plan to get back in the studio and record the next record! I’m hoping to have new music ready to release in about a year.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’m so excited to play in Columbus and Cleveland for the first time! My mom went to the Miami University of Ohio and my parents lived in Dayton for a time. I’m looking forward to connecting with music fans and experiencing these cities as a performer for once!
Listen to Shift album
Follow Lauren Calve
https://m.facebook.com/laurencalvemusic1
https://www.instagram.com/laurencalve/
https://m.youtube.com/channel/
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