LAUREN SANDERSON

On May 14th, alternative pop artist Lauren Sanderson dropped her new single “Queen Bee”. This single is a fun and adventurous tune that has come just in time for the summer. Accompanying the single is a music video from Sanderson featuring Sevahna de Leon. The video has already racked up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube, and rightfully so.

This is Sanderson’s second single as a newly independent artist, after previously being signed to Epic Records. Earlier in her discography, you can find some unique bangers off of her previous works such as Don’t Panic! and Midwest Kids Can Make It Big. Both of these records have put her on the map and have earned her hundreds of thousands of listeners. She is an artist to watch and definitely on the rise to stardom.

Last week Lauren announced she will be heading out on tour starting July 23 and hitting cities like LA, Chicago, Nashville, and others!

We were able to ask Lauren some questions about what she’s been doing during the pandemic, the silver lining to the pandemic, and what she’s looking forward to the most in the future!

Interview by Dena Shaeffer Photos by Daniel Poplawsky

Life’s too short to not live on your own terms.

Melodic Magazine: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about you? Lauren: Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a Capricorn and I have a pitbull named Angel. I like music and tennis and fashion and traveling and my girlfriend! I just cut all my hair off, therapy is my favorite activity as of lately.

Melodic Magazine: You started recording music in your bedroom in Indiana. Today, you’re touring and playing the largest festivals in the nation. Was there a catalyst/ turning point behind this? Lauren: My Spaces EP hitting the iTunes charts. Moving to LA and signing to a label obviously catapulted me out in the open! Going through label struggles and getting out of my deal, to now being empowered being independent. The turning points don’t stop. Life’s funny that way.

Melodic Magazine: This pandemic has left most of us with lots of downtime. What have you been doing to keep busy? Any new music or artists you’ve been listening to? Lauren: Weirdly enough ive been playing lots of tennis. It’s kind of my escape at this point, I just wish I had more partners. I’ve also been learning guitar since I’ve always wanted to incorporate that into my live shows! As well as playing other instruments like piano and drums.

I’ve been listening to Tyler [the Creator]’s new album, Dominic Fike, Willow Smith, girl in red, beabadoobee. Excited for the new Lorde & Clairo albums, too.

Melodic Magazine: “Queen Bee” just recently got released, how would you say COVID-19 affected the music making process/release of this single? Lauren: If anything I just wanna get back in the swing of things. Releasing music, touring, album, EPs and not have to worry about damn covid for any of it.

Melodic Magazine: How would you say the pandemic affected your mental health? Lauren: Well, I started therapy 2 weeks ago if that says anything. Lots to work through on this end.

SIMILAR ARTISTS: FLETCHER, Charlotte Lawrence, Pink LISTEN: “Queen Bee”, “The Only One”, “To The People I Hurt”

Lauren Sanderson, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an independent artist and rising voice in alternative pop music. The Indiana native has continued to make waves in the music industry following her 2020 debut full-length album Midwest Kids Can Make It Big. Her raspy voice, storytelling lyrics, and genre blending style that blends hip-hop, pop, and R&B have put her on tours with artists like FINNEAS and Chase Atlantic. Lauren Sanderson is only at the beginning of what is sure to be a superstar career, you’ll want to be along for the ride.

Melodic Magazine: Has there been any silver linings to this pandemic in terms of your music career? Lauren: Life’s too short to not live on your own terms. Release what you want, when you want, how you want. I’m coming back to my passion and trying to worry less about how I’m perceived.

Melodic Magazine: What are you looking forward to doing next? Lauren: I look forward to releasing my next body of work which will come out by fall. I’m still perfecting it and finishing it up, but as soon as it’s done im sending that shit! Be ready!

Melodic Magazine: What are you most proud of and what do you hope your listeners take away from listening to your new music? Lauren: I’m proud of being able to experiment and not worry about staying in one particular box or “sound”. I want people to listen to my music and be whoever they wanna be. Maybe my lyrics or energy will be the thing that inspires them to do that.