Irish newcomer Lauren Wallace has released her debut EP, Salt Stained Lungs. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Speaking about the EP's focus track, People Who Love People, the 17-year-old Dubliner says, "It’s probably my favourite song off my debut EP, and is definitely one of the first songs that made me feel like a 'proper’ musician.
"Thankfully, a few weeks out from release, it still feels like the most authentic song I’ve ever written and I’m so head over heels in love with it. I still have the first draft of it saved on my phone from last July from when I was writing it with my cousin at like one in the morning and we were trying so hard not to wake anyone up downstairs.
"I love looking back on it sometimes just to see how far it’s come in such a short time. It’s got layers upon layers of beautiful production (and lyrics that I’m actually proud of) so I hope you’re able to enjoy listening to it even a little bit as much as I do."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I love to read; I go through at least one book a week. My favourite place to be is in the sea, preferably on a surfboard. My favourite meal of all time is a spice bag, a mint choc chip ice cream, and an original Red Bull.
How would you describe your music?
My music tends to be quite metaphor heavy, and I try to make sure the songs sound honest and real and have also been liking using lots of conversational language and tone recently. One thing I adore is a good middle eight with the full shebang of live strings and drums and all that good stuff.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’ve always found that the music I listen to is completely different to the music I write. Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Wunderhorse and Wallows, but if I had to choose one person who inspires my music it would be Ellur. Her songs are so well written and jarringly honest and her voice is out of this world. I also heard Hands by Keo for the first time today and I can tell it’s gonna be one of my favourite songs in a few more listens.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Take That when I was about eight or nine years old. I went with my mum and was completely in awe of the band and how emotionally evocative live music could be, having never really previously experienced it. My first few gigs definitely helped grow my love for music and encouraged me to get up and practice when I didn’t feel like it.
What was the first record you ever bought?
My first record was Tom Waits - The Early Years Vol. 2. It was a gift from my dad and I still listen to it today. When I first started out writing songs, I listened to it a lot while trying to figure out how to structure them. It’s like my secret songwriting weapon.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I can never choose one song so Ide say that my favourite song right now is either Teal by Wunderhorse, Why Is It Light Out? by the Killians, or I Love You by Fontaines D.C.
Favourite lyric of all time?
This is probably the hardest question I’ve ever had to answer but: "I had a backbone made of glass and then it broke" - from Let It Happen by Gracie Abrams.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would have to be God Help Me Now by Ellur.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I’m on TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music and Souncloud
Alan Corr
