Kat Harlton
Lauryn Macfarlane’s celestial take on indie pop is as captivating as it is stunningly harmonious. As a rising Canadian artist and songwriter, Lauryn has garnered attention across Eastern Canada, through a rigorous show schedule and an unwillingness to waver from her roots.
We had the opportunity to chat with Lauryn about the inspiration behind her latest single “Friendly”, what she hopes fans take away from the track, and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new single “Friendly”?
Lauryn: “Friendly” was written at a time in my life where everything felt like it was falling apart. I have always used songwriting as a form of therapy, and because of that, I found myself writing a lot of sad songs. I wanted to have a song in my set that would switch up the energy, for myself and my audience. I tried to channel the times in my life where I have felt my most confident and in control, and worked off of that feeling.
Kat: What do you hope fans take away from the track?
Lauryn: I hope that fans walk away from “Friendly” with a feeling of confidence and remember that there is no shame in asking for what you want. And a reminder that sometimes being honest and upfront is the quickest way to achieve that.
Kat: You’ve been working alongside producer/engineer Sam Woywitka (Luca Fogale, Half Moon Run) and musicians Isaac Symonds (Half Moon Run), Mishka Stein (Patrick Watson), and Robbie Kuster (Patrick Watson) on your debut EP. What have you learned from working with them?
Lauryn: Getting to work alongside these musicians was very validating for me. Although “Friendly” is a song that screams confidence… I have a really hard time with self-worth and have had issues with believing in myself in the past. Getting positive feedback from these musicians and seeing them get excited about the songs really meant a lot to me. They have all been a part of so many projects I’ve admired for years and I am so thankful to have been able to work with them on bringing my art to life!
Kat: How have you been staying connected during Covid-19? Has it affected your creative process at all?
Lauryn: It has been really really hard. I have always been introverted, and spending time alone has never been an issue for me. But I do think the pandemic has heightened that for me almost to an unhealthy level. I find I need to push myself to talk to people and remind myself to get out of my own head. At times, it has also felt impossible to write. Generally, my songs are about life experience, and when I’m not out living a life, it’s hard to become inspired. I try my best to tap into old feelings or dig into my imagination, but it has definitely been a challenge.
Kat: What’s next?
Lauryn: More music! It has been a very confusing year, and with all of the changes to the music industry, planning the next release is like planning your next move in this weird chess game. As of now, the plan is to keep releasing new music every few months and growing my audience, so hopefully when shows come back I can start my life long goal of touring with my original tunes!
For more on Lauryn Macfarlane visit: https://laurynmacfarlane.com