An Interview With The Very Promising and Talented Singer-Songwriter LAUREN CARNAHAN!

A rising start from Oklahoma, there’s nothing small-town about Lauren Carnahan, or her story. After being adopted at birth and surviving heart surgery at 4, she received a standing ovation at her hometown church for her very first performance – “Tomorrow” from Annie, a movie that she connected with on multiple levels. In 2014, Lauren was named “Teenage Artist of the Year” by Indie Music Channel.

Today, Lauren is a quickly growing start with multiple shows and tours in several states already under her belt. She is recognized by her powerful voice and ability to perform numerous hits, including her own. She released her EP “Unbreakable” to an enthusiastic hometown crowd in January, 2016. She performed her hit “Life of the Party” on tour throughout 2015, which is the featured single on her new EP. Her sound is a mature pop with impressive harmonies and electronic infusion with her voice flawlessly meshing with her track and bringing the songs to life in authentic ways.

Most recently, Lauren released a brand new single called “Catch 22.”

Follow Lauren Carnahan here:

Website: http://www.laurencarnahan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurencarnahanmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurencarnahann

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurencarnahan/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Laurensingsnoh8

Learn more about Lauren in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are well into the fall of 2016, what are some words you would use to describe this year? What have been some of the highlights for you and your music? What are you most excited about for 2017?

This year I have learned a lot about myself. I turned 20 in May, entering me into the biggest transitional period of my life where I’ve really gotten a feel for who I am and the kind of people I want to surround myself with. I’m happier, more confident, and all in all having more fun! The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I can’t please everyone so I might as well be myself and embrace my weird. I’m so excited to enter this new realm of music. It’s only going to get bigger and better from here!

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

I’ve wanted to be a musician from the time I said my first word. I started out in musical theatre. I loved being around so many like-minded individuals and playing with different characters. My earliest performance was at my Church when I was about four years old. I sang the song “Tomorrow” from my favorite musical, “Annie”. From then on I was addicted.

Let’s talk about your brand new single, “Catch 22.” What was the inspiration for this collection? What does it feel like to finally be releasing it into the world? How is it different or similar to anything else you’ve released before?

All of my music is inspired from my day-to-day life. I not only take from my own personal romances, but also from what my friends are feeling and even what I see on my favorite TV shows. It’s important to me that my music is relatable. I’m so excited to be releasing Catch 22 because I think it’s right where I want to be musically. It’s catchy and makes you want to dance but tell off your ex all at the same time. It’s perfectly describes the time in a relationship when you know the end is coming all the way to the point where you realize you’re a boss and you don’t need anyone to take care of you.

How has touring been going for you this fall? What were some favorite venues or crowds? What do you think makes a perfect show for you? Can you recall your favorite show to attend?

Since I’ve been working on my new music, I haven’t been touring as much. I think touring might be my favorite part of being a musician. It’s the time you finally get to see how everyone feels about your music. My absolute favorite moment at a show is when the crowd sings back my lyrics. There’s one show that has always stuck out to me. It was in Virginia and it happened to be when I was going through kind of a tough time. I was sitting backstage after the show talking to some girls and we got into a pretty deep conversation and it was in that moment that I realized how much it meant to me that there are people out there that not only fall in love with music but with the people that make it and they’re willing to dedicate their time to it because they eat, sleep, and breathe it just as much as the artist does. I actually started crying. It was a really cool moment.

Who are some of your favorite artists and what bands continue to inspire you and your music? Who would you love to work with in the future?

I literally love everything. Pop music is definitely what I listen to the most but I love R&B and EDM. My music taste ranges from Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift all the way to Pink Floyd and The Beatles. I also love love love Frank Sinatra. If he were still here I’d love to collaborate with him. Just a few artists I’d love to work with include: Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Big Sean and Imogen Heap.

When you aren’t performing, working in the studio, what do you like to do for fun? How do you unwind from it all? 

Well at this point anyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with coffee. If there were a healthy way to get it in my arm like an I.V., believe me I’d do it. You can more than likely find me at the local coffee shop in town. In the evenings I like to hang out with my best friend. And by best friend I mean Jimmy Fallon. The Tonight Show is my favorite show. It would be my dream to go on the show and play a game with Jimmy.

Like I said, we’re best friends. He just doesn’t know it yet. And when Jimmy’s busy I usually just Facetime my friends that actually know I exist and take Buzzfeed quizzes with them or I binge watch How I Met Your Mother on Netflix for the 700^th time.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs? Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I just want my listeners to think of me as their kooky older sister or their best friend that they could talk to about anything. I think the most challenging time for a young person is when you’re in your teenage years. It’s stressful and I think sometimes people forget that balancing 7 classes of homework, extracurricular activities, a part time job, and trying to get rid of your acne so the boy that sits next to you in History will notice you is actually harder than rocket science. I just want my listeners to know that I’ve been there and I get it. Homework won’t last forever, that part time job will turn into a career you love, and the boy in History class has nothing on the love of your life that’ll come along one day. IT GETS BETTER.