Lauren Sanderson
{{short description|American singer and songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Lauren Sanderson
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Lauren Sanderson - Rock im Park 2023 01.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Sanderson performing in 2023
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name = Lauren Sanderson
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|01|13}}
| birth_place = Fort Wayne, Indiana
| origin = Los Angeles, California
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- Songwriter
}}
| instrument =
| years_active = 2016–present
| alias =
| label = Epic, Young Forever
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|www.laurensanderson.com/}}
| module =
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}}
Lauren Sanderson (born January 13, 1996) is an American singer and songwriter originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana currently based in Los Angeles.{{cite magazine |last1=Daw |first1=Stephen |title=Lauren Sanderson Talks 'Raw' EP 'Don't Panic' & Transitioning from Motivational Speaking to Singing |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8472056/lauren-sanderson-dont-panic-interview |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=August 24, 2018}}{{cite tweet |user=LaurenSanderson |number=952420130205483008 |date=January 13, 2018 |title=today is my birthday and there's nowhere else i'd rather be. }}{{cite tweet |user=LaurenSanderson |number=290297817027723265 |date=January 12, 2013 |title=my birthdays in like two hours this is so dumb I don't wanna be 17 }} Her music blends influences from pop, R&B, and hip hop, and through it she aims to empower her fans and be "the voice for people who may not be able to speak".{{cite web |last1=Polo |first1=Maxamillion |title=Lauren Sanderson – "Hotel Room" (Live) {{pipe}} All Eyes On |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/lauren-sanderson-hotel-room-live-all-eyes |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=October 15, 2019}}{{cite web |title=How I Went From Motivational Speaker to Signed Artist |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a19809649/lauren-sanderson-how-i-made-it/ |website=Cosmopolitan |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=April 16, 2018}}
Early life
Sanderson grew up an only child of divorced parents.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Logan |title=INTERVIEW: Lauren Sanderson talks small town upbringing and defying the odds |url=https://substreammagazine.com/2020/09/interview-lauren-sanderson-2020/ |website=Substream Magazine |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=September 4, 2020}} By 2014, she had built an online presence as a YouTube personality, for which she was recognized as "Most Influential Up & Comer" at the Indiana Social Media Summit six months after graduating high school. At the time she was receiving over a million views a day on her social media.{{cite press release |last1=Eenigenburg |first1=Joe |last2=Fritsch |first2=Michael |date=January 2, 2015 |title=Lauren Sanderson Named "Most INfluential Up & Comer" at Indiana Social Media Summit |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/lauren_sanderson_named_most_influential_up_comer_at_indiana_social_media_summit/prweb12420611.htm |location=Fort Wayne, IN |publisher=Cision PRWeb |access-date=September 6, 2020}} In 2015, she presented a TEDx Talk titled "For God's Sake, Just Love Them" about coming out as lesbian and how parents can foster a relationship of mutual respect with their children. As she continued giving motivational speeches at local schools and amassing an online following, she began channeling the stress of maintaining her positive outlook into writing raps and poems.{{cite web |last1=Herwees |first1=Tasbeeh |title=Lauren Sanderson: The Former Motivational Speaker That Became a Self-Made Star |url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2018/5/29/lauren-sanderson-former-motivational-speaker-became-self-made-star |website=Out |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=May 29, 2018}} Originally influenced by artists like Mac Miller, Logic, and Tyler, the Creator, she would search for similar beats on YouTube and sing over them on cassettes played in her car stereo.{{cite web |last1=Niesel |first1=Jeff |title=Band of the Week: Lauren Sanderson |url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/band-of-the-week-lauren-sanderson/Content?oid=21389465 |website=Cleveland Scene |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=August 1, 2018}}
Career
=2016–2017: ''Center of Expression'' and ''Spaces''=
Sanderson gained early attention as a musician via her YouTube and SoundCloud channels, including a cover of Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved."{{cite web |last1=Monger |first1=James |title=Artist Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lauren-sanderson-mn0003549674/biography |website=Allmusic |accessdate=September 30, 2020}} In June 2016, Sanderson released her debut EP Center of Expression and was subsequently hailed an "artist to watch" by Young Hollywood{{cite web |last1=Taormina |first1=Brittany |title=Artist to Watch: Lauren Sanderson |url=https://younghollywood.com/scene/artist-to-watch-lauren-sanderson.html |website=Young Hollywood |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=October 29, 2016}}
Like her first, in 2017 Sanderson released her second EP Spaces independently, which reached No. 1 on the iTunes R&B albums chart and No. 24 on Billboard Heatseekers chart.{{cite web |last1=Phenicie |first1=Courtney |title=Lauren Sanderson Making Waves |url=https://cincymusic.com/blog/2018/10/lauren-sanderson-making-waves |website=Cincy Music |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=October 30, 2018}}{{cite magazine |title=Lauren Sanderson Chart History – Heatseekers Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lauren-sanderson/chart-history/tln/ |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 6, 2020}} The success of the EP garnered the attention of Epic Records, with whom Sanderson signed a record deal and moved to Los Angeles. Sanderson promoted the release with an 18 city self-booked tour.{{cite web |last1=Welding |first1=Alan |title=Lauren Sanderson Announces Summer U.S. Trust the Universe Tour |url=https://pittsburghmusicmagazine.net/2018/06/05/lauren-sanderson-announces-summer-u-s-trust-the-universe-tour/ |website=Pittsburgh Music Magazine |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=June 5, 2018}}
=2018: Epic Records and ''Dont Panic!''=
Sanderson re-released her song "Written in the Stars" (previously included on her Spaces EP) produced by FKi 1st and Earl Saga in March 2018 with the addition of Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock, and used the single release to publicly announce her signing with Epic Records.{{cite web |last1=Fresh |first1=Mikey |title=Premiere: Lauren Sanderson and PnB Rock Find Their Way In "Written In The Stars" (Video) |url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/03/lauren-sanderson-pnb-rock-written-in-the-stars-video |website=Vibe |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=March 27, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Edwin |title=Lauren Sanderson Grabs PnB Rock for "Written in the Stars" Video |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/03/lauren-sanderson-pnb-rock-written-in-the-stars-remix |website=Complex |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=March 1, 2018}}
In August 2018, Sanderson released her debut major-label six-track EP Dont Panic! on Epic Records, which reached No. 2 on the iTunes R&B charts as well as No. 48 on the main chart.{{cite press release |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Lauren Sanderson Releases New EP DONT PANIC |url=https://www.epicrecords.com/lauren-sanderson-releases-new-ep-dont-panic/ |location=Los Angeles, CA |publisher=Epic Records |access-date=September 6, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Baylie |title='Don't Panic' is a Near-Perfect EP |url=http://bytebsu.com/2018/08/31/dont-panic-is-a-near-perfect-ep/ |website=Byte |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=August 31, 2018}} The title, which is also tattooed on her neck, was self-reassurance about overcoming the pressures of the music industry.{{cite web |last1=Adamakos |first1=Tess |title=Exclusive: Lauren Sanderson Talks Newest EP "DON'T PANIC" with Inked |url=https://www.inkedmag.com/original-news/lauren-sanderson-talks-dont-panic-ep |website=Inked |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=December 18, 2018}} To promote the release, Sanderson performed at LA Pride in West Hollywood, an LA Sparks halftime show for their Pride Night, and the BET Experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center.{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Lauren Sanderson on Why Snoop Dogg is her Biggest Inspiration |url=https://www.laweekly.com/lauren-sanderson-on-why-snoop-dogg-is-her-biggest-inspiration/ |website=LA Weekly |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=June 21, 2018}}
In December, Sanderson was featured as part of Vevo's DSCVR Artist to Watch series and performed at their SXSW Vevo House showcase in March 2019.{{cite magazine |last1=Kress |first1=Bryan |title=Lauren Sanderson, Hex Top Second Week of Vevo DSCVR 2019 Artists To Watch Series: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8487715/lauren-sanderson-hex-vevo-dscvr-2019-artists-to-watch |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=December 3, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Heath |first1=Larry |title=SXSW Interview: Lauren Sanderson on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/sxsw-interview-lauren-sanderson-on-the-importance-of-vulnerability-and-2019-release-plans/ |website=The AU Review |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=March 19, 2019}}
=2019–present: ''Hasta La Vista'' and ''Midwest Kids Can Make It Big''=
Sanderson would eventually leave Epic Records, self-releasing a 3-song EP Hasta La Vista in June 2019 which she used to announce her independence on Twitter, and later signed a one-album deal with executive Chris Anokute and his label Young Forever.{{cite tweet |user=laurensanderson |number=1139745706007097344 |date=June 14, 2019 |title=and after 2 years, here's a big middle finger to anyone who's ever tried to slow me down. no more being tied down, molded, boxed in, or silenced. i am lauren sanderson and as of now, i am officially an INDEPENDENT ARTIST again. it's us forever. HASTA LA VISTA OUT NOW.}} That same month, Sanderson began supporting Chase Atlantic on their Phases Tour.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Jimmy |title=Ones To Watch and The Noise Present: Chase Atlantic's 'Phases North American Tour' [ANNOUNCEMENT] |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/ones-to-watch-and-the-noise-present-chase |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=April 8, 2019}}
On September 24, 2019, Sanderson released her first single "Hotel Room" from her forthcoming debut album, which premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show on Apple Music, followed by a music video on September 27.{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Precious |title=Lauren Sanderson Shows a Softer Side in Her "Hotel Room" |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/lauren-sanderson-shows-a-softer-side-in-her-hotel |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=September 24, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Hannah |title='Upset' – Lauren Sanderson {{pipe}} Review |url=https://www.unheardgems.com/post/upset-lauren-sanderson-review |website=Unheard Gems |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=November 9, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Mamo |first1=Heran |title=Lauren Sanderson Has a Steamy, Playful 'Hotel Room' Hook-Up: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8531584/lauren-sanderson-hotel-room-video |publisher=Billboard |accessdate=March 27, 2020 |date=September 27, 2019}} She joined Finneas on his Blood Harmony tour and released two additional singles, "Upset" and "To the People I Hurt," in late 2019 before ultimately releasing her album Midwest Kids Can Make It Big in January 2020.{{cite web |title=Lauren Sanderson Continues to Inspire on New Single, "Upset" |url=https://trendandchaos.com/lauren-sanderson-upset/ |website=Trend & Chaos |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=November 14, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Polo |first1=Maxamillion |title=Lauren Sanderson's "To The People I Hurt" Is a Raw Moment of Introspection |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/lauren-sandersons-to-the-people-i-hurt-is-a-raw |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=December 17, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Polo |first1=Maxamillion |title=Lauren Sanderson Proves 'Midwest Kids Can Make It Big' |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/lauren-sanderson-midwest-kids-can-make-it-big |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=January 14, 2020}} Sanderson had announced tour dates beginning in March to promote the release, though they were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Logan |title=Lauren Sanderson is "Frustrated" in new single |url=https://substreammagazine.com/2020/08/lauren-sanderson-frustrated-single/ |website=Substream Magazine |accessdate=September 6, 2020 |date=August 13, 2020}}
In August, Sanderson announced a deluxe version of her debut album and released her new single "Frustrated", whose music video premiered on Ones To Watch, and announced her rescheduled tour dates beginning in April 2021.{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Precious |title=Lauren Sanderson Accepts the Love She Deserves in "Frustrated" [Premiere] |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/lauren-sanderson-accepts-the-love-she-deserves-in |website=Ones To Watch |accessdate=September 7, 2020 |date=August 13, 2020}} The track received accolades from Alt Press who included it in their "40 Artists You Need to Hear in September" list, as well as Billboard who named it one of their "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week".{{cite web |last1=Quiles |first1=Alyssa |title=40 New Artists You Need to Hear in September |url=https://www.altpress.com/features/best-new-songs-august-2020/ |website=Alt Press |accessdate=September 7, 2020 |date=August 31, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last1=Ginsberg |first1=Gab |last2=Lipshutz |first2=Jason |title=10 Cool New Pop Songs To Get You Through The Week: Sufjan Stevens, Alaina Castillo, Partner & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9435435/new-pop-songs-playlist-august-17 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 7, 2020 |date=August 17, 2020}} The deluxe version was released on August 21, featuring 7 previously unreleased tracks.{{cite web |last1=Russell |first1=Erica |title=Lauren Sanderson Reveals How 'Quarantine Feelings' Inspired Her New Deluxe Album (Interview) |url=https://popcrush.com/lauren-sanderson-frustrated-interview/ |website=Popcrush |accessdate=September 7, 2020 |date=August 21, 2020}} Sanderson plans to return to being independent in 2021.
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |
| scope="row"| Midwest Kids Can Make It Big
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|---|
| scope="row"| Death of a Fantasy
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=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Album details |
| scope="row"| Center of Expression
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Spaces
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| scope="row"| Dont Panic!
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| scope="row"| Hasta La Vista
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=Singles=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://laurensanderson.com Official website]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovw21jOQSpo For God's Sake, Just Love Them {{pipe}} Lauren Sanderson {{pipe}} TEDxFortWayne]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanderson, Lauren}}
Category:Musicians from Fort Wayne, Indiana