Catch Of The Week: Lauren King
Meet Lauren King from Smithfield, RI
Lauren King is musically wise beyond her 23 years. Her music has a sophistication and poise that make it seem like she’s been at it a very long time. And actually, she has. This talented singer/songwriter has been paying her dues and earning them too, since high school.
Lauren’s passion for music came early. By the age of nine, she was playing guitar and taking voice lessons. She enrolled in the music program at Stonehill College, and all along the way played wherever and whenever she could.
Last week Lauren was awarded the Album of the Year Award at Rhode Island’s MOTIF Awards, for her latest collection, The Wolf Is Back. The album features some songs inspired in the early days of the pandemic, when King found solace in nature walks and hikes near her home.
There’s grace, lightness and definitely some edge found in the music of Lauren King. Like the waves on her beloved shores of Rhode Island, some roll in gently, and some storm in, taking your breath away.
King Sings
Lauren’s latest release is a song about a woman looking back on a life where her relationships didn’t turn out as she’d expected. She meets her younger self in a bar and longs for a time when she was innocent and in love.
Take a listen to “Isn’t It Nice?”
Take a look at the video for “Isn’t It Nice” shot around Rhode Island, including The Pub at Matunuck, RI and the Ocean Mist
Learn About Lauren
- Grew up in: Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Now lives in: Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Current single, and or EP or Album: My latest release, “Isn’t It Nice?” is currently available for streaming, from my album: The Wolf is Back
- What led you to music: My sister and I would march around the living room, Sound of Music playing on TV. We’d be Maria all day long. When we started taking lessons, I became lucky enough to become close with the teachers who became my family. They really supported me and saw something I never really saw in myself. So I started writing my own music, and only when I felt inspired to write for the sake of making someone happier. I continued to progress, as well as the support from my hometown–especially Matunuck, Rhode Island. Ever since then it’s been a growing process and quite the adventure. Following what makes me happy while also healing the listener is what I strive for through my time writing and singing.
- How old when you started: 9 years old
- Instruments played: Voice, Guitar, and piano
- How would you describe your sound: Singer-Songwriter and Folk Blues Country
- Who inspires you: James Taylor, Elle King, Brandi Carlile
- Awards/accolades: Plymouth’s “America’s Hometown” Thanksgiving Day Performer, 3 Time nominee for Motif Magazine’s Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Country Artist, and winner of Best Album for The Wolf is Back.
- Dream duet partner: Jimmy Buffett, Dolly Parton, or Brandi Carlile
- All- time favorite country songs: Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver or A Pirate Looks at Forty by Jimmy Buffett
- First country concert: Taylor Swift!
- What songs do you like now on Country 1025: Like a Lady by Lady A, Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) by Elle King and Miranda Lambert
- If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: Emotionally Focused Therapist
- Day Job: I’ve been playing on a professional level since I was 16 years old.
- Proud moment: You start to ride out the usual pre-show nerves pretty well. However, the highest pressure I had was for my sister’s wedding this past July. As her maid of honor, I decided to write a song about her love story. Based in both Rhode Island and California, there were so many beautiful things to explore lyrically between them; in fact, the night my dad told us he was going to propose, I started writing “Cinderella.” The ceremony was beautiful and everything ran smoothly. As we sat down for the toasts section of the evening however, that’s when the real nerves set in–nerves I’ve never felt before. What if I mess up the words? I asked myself. What if my guitar makes that God awful popping sound in the speaker? Everything was noisy in my brain until it was my turn. I took a look at this big family, my awesome new brother, and my shining sister. Everything went quiet. In that silence I realized that we were all a part of this love story, and this song was a dedication to how they met and the adventures to come.
- Crazy thing that happened in your career: Being in the music world, one thing is for certain: you wear many hats. One of the hats I wore not too long ago was in preparation for the music video of my latest single: “Isn’t It Nice?” It was shot in the middle of the afternoon right behind one of the most famous beach bars in Rhode Island: The Ocean Mist. I had a long flowy dress, was dancing in the water, and letting my inner wild woman out–all while vacationers and summertime beach dwellers were enjoying their bloody marys. Here I am, embarrassed as all heck, when I noticed a little girl pointing at me, smiling, and dancing behind my director. Recording in that area, where I grew up playing gigs, really made everything come full circle. And I need to thank our actress: Sissy O’Hara, and my team: Jay and Kristen Capaldi.
- Other things you like to do: Spending time with my two puppies: Thelma and Louise, reading (The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a hardcore favorite of mine), visit Beavertail Lighthouse
- Fun Facts: I went to California for just one night to see my sister and attend The Sound of Music showing at the Hollywood Bowl (totally worth it)! My air fryer is my current best friend. My dog Thelma, a Shih Tzu, likes to jump into my parents’ pool (which makes me go bay-watch style to get her)
- Mantra: “Follow your destiny and the world will conspire to get you there.”
Lauren Live
- Bryant University: Fall Concert- Sept 25
Connect With King
Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
*Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing: carolyn.kruse@bbgi.com
