Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Burton.
Hi Lauren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Lola Tried started as a solo project without a name. I grew up playing in Austin, playing my first shows at places like Red Seven and Red Eyed Fly. When I started writing songs for this project, it was originally a solo project without any intention of doing anything serious. I met my now best friend Ray Garza, who helped me put a band together, and Lola Tried was born. We started playing more and more shows and gaining traction and eventually decided to take it on the road. We did 3 national tours before the pandemic hit. We released an EP in 2022 and made some lineup changes, and eventually added two new members–Austin Norman and Gianni Sarimento, and that’s where we are today!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think honestly, any band that endured 2020 isn’t going to say it was a smooth road. It was tough. I found myself wanting to quit so many times along the way. The pandemic put live music on pause, and as a result, so many of our friends, fellow bands, and venues just couldn’t make it work. When things finally started picking back up, I found myself back at square one. The scene felt unfamiliar and intimidating to me, and I still grieve the pre-pandemic joy we had on the road. Being in a band post-pandemic is strange and weird, but we’re doing it, and I’m just grateful that I get to create and play in the spaces we do today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a musician, I don’t really specialize in anything. I started writing songs as a way to release my feelings as a teenager, as a way for me to grapple with the world. I’m self taught and I’m proud of it. The question “what sets them apart” is an interesting one, as I don’t think any musician really comes in with the intention of being set apart, but rather they want to express something deep inside of them that is clawing to get out. Everything I do and play has been influenced by those before me.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Insecurity. The more insecure I am, the more I want to work to improve. My insecurity centers me and allows me to truly be grateful for any small wins we might have. Knowing that we’re in a scene with so many amazing musicians, and that someone took the time to listen to MY BAND, 4 dorks just making music, is such a joy.
Pricing:
- what
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lolatried
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lolatried
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/lolatried
Image Credits
All photos by Ima Leupp
