Q&A: Lauren Presley Faces Her Fears in Fresh Track “Trade Secrets”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY STARLY LOU RIGGS ☆
Photo By Sean McGee
IT’S NO SECRET THAT - Lauren Presley’s latest release, “Trade Secrets,” is a heavy-hitter. Raw, biting, and utterly catchy, the Nashville-based alt-pop up and comer is showing her grit with powerhouse vocals and vulnerable lyrics.
With origins in Redwater, Texas, Presley moved to Nashville with music in mind. Since then, she’s been putting out pop hits with a darker sensibility, exploring sound and coming into her own. With previous tracks like “People Leave” drawing in an audience with its melodic openness, “Trade Secrets” steps in as an anthemic outcry searching for a hand to hold.
Luna caught up with Lauren Presley to chat about fear, vulnerability, and stepping into happiness.
Photo By Sean McGee
LUNA: This single “Trade Secrets” is a little bit playful, while some of your other tracks have a deeper, darker air to them. Still, it’s very emotionally intense, speaking to hardships and also hopefulness in relationships. Can you speak a little to what inspired this song?
LAUREN PRESLEY: I had written and talked about a lot of really hard and heavy things during my EP. I’m glad I did because it was so healing, but I think I needed a lighter song as a “breather.” Also, I’m married to someone I’m very in love with, so I was like, “Maybe this is a good time to write about that!”
LUNA: It seems this track is about the fear of losing someone, while also coming into something new and exciting. What is something you’re afraid of, or something you’re excited for?
PRESLEY: I’m afraid of breaking down all my thick walls to let someone in, and then getting hurt or not being chosen. Something I’m excited for right now in my life and relationship is doing more traveling with my husband, and taking the time to enjoy life because that's really what it’s about.
LUNA: How does it feel to have your vulnerabilities out in the world? What is your creative process like? Can you walk us through the process, from writing to producing?
PRESLEY: It’s scary for sure. Putting yourself and your insecurities on a pedestal for the world is not for the weak! My usual process is I have a writing session with some people that are in my inner circle as far as writers and producers—usually me, a producer and another writer or two—and a lot of the time I'll come in with an idea of what I want to say and we talk through it and start putting it into a song. I’ll usually track demo vocals right after and sit with the song for a while to figure out if it’s something I would want to release or not. If so, I’ll go back in the studio and track final vocals—usually I end up keeping some of my demo vocals—and work with the producer on any changes to the production.
LUNA: When I hear Nashville, it’s hard not to think of country or folk music, but you’re really rising as an alt-pop star with a fresh sound. What spurred your move to the iconic city of Nashville?
PRESLEY: When I first moved to Nashville at 13, I actually wanted to do country music, so that inspired that decision. But since then, the non-country music scene has really grown a lot, so I’ve met a lot of people in the pop community here!
LUNA: What’s on the horizon? What can we expect next?
PRESLEY: I have some more rock-heavy songs in process right now, and another pop-rock sad song that I really love. Lots of new music! I have really been wanting to do a collab with another artist, so I'm working on that as well.
LUNA: What’s one “trade secret” you can share with us?
PRESLEY: Hmm, I may or may not have a darker song coming out on Halloween!
