LAUREN FIELD: ENGLAND'S NEW SENSATION
" I like the cozy clubs best. But then again, variety is the spice of life." said Lauren.
Q:
If you were not a singer, a composer, a musician and lyricist, what would
you be doing today?
A: I rather liked the idea of being
a barrister, marching around a courtroom being terribly dramatic. But I
think I probably just wanted to play the part. Acting again. About fifteen
years ago, I went through a rough time, work was thin on the ground and I
was fed up of being poor and watching my peers become successful in their
chosen careers. So I went for a drive to think. And I decided to give it
all up and get a proper job. I reasoned that I was an intelligent person
who could do any number of other things. At which point I had to pull over
because I was sobbing uncontrollably. Then I knew I would just have to get
on with it because I could never give it up.
Q: What did you do with the very first song you wrote?
A:
I recorded it with the band I had at the time.
We were called Duchess. Two girl singers and heavy rock guitars. Very
eighties, big hair, lots of reverb!
Q: Did you want to keep it for yourself or sell it?
A: No, I was very precious in those
days and wanted to keep it for myself. Now I love it if someone else wants
to cover a song.
Q: Which comes to life first, the music or the lyrics? Are you a
much better poet than composer, or a singer?
A:
For me it varies. Usually a great idea for
a theme or a hook helps to get the ball rolling. Then I find that melody
and lyrics come simultaneously for a while. After the main structure of
the song is formulated, I then have to graft a bit to fine tune the
lyrics. One thing I would say, though, is if it comes easily and I can
write it quickly it's generally good. If I toil over it, it usually
doesn't turn out so well.
Q: Did you write your "masterpiece" or not yet?
A:
I am really proud of every song on "Modern
Woman". Are they masterpieces? I don't know - it's very subjective. I just
hope to continue to be excited by the work I am doing and keep raising it
to another level.
Q: What are the 3 most important qualities of a successful singer?
A:
A strong technique, a great feel, and a
heartfelt delivery.
Q: And for a good composer?
A:
Having something worth saying, a sense metre
and the ability to hear melodies in your head.
Q: And the 3 most important strengths of a performer?
A:
Stamina, projection and connection.
Lauren: "Oh goodness yes! On my way up I have played every toilet in the universe."
Q: Do you
have pets?
A: A giant white lopp eared rabbit called Fidget and two goldfish
called Fish and Chips or Swimmer and Diver or possibly Stinky and Bum
(my daughter's choice) or Starsky and Hutch - we change their names to
relive the boredom. I am allergic to fur, so no animals in the house.
Hurrah!
Q: What was the most delightful gift you have ever received?
A: Okay, I know I should say "my babies" or something equally
meaningful but actually it was a suede and leather coat my sister bought
for my birthday a couple of years ago. Wow, it was fantastic. Beautiful,
soft and reversible. Shallow? Moi?
Q: And the best gift you gave?
A: This is hard. I have bought people plenty of nice and unusual
presents over the years, but the best gift is to give of yourself. A few
months ago a friend of mine lost her ten year old son to Cancer. She
asked me to sing at his funeral which I did. It was one of the hardest
things I have ever had to do but I really felt I was able to give
something meaningful to help them on that day and I felt honoured to
have been asked to contribute.
Q: What are your best qualities as an artist?
A: I really can put over a song and touch an audience. So they
tell me.
Q: And as a woman?
A: Ask my husband.
Actually, perhaps not. Ask my best girlfriend or my mum.
Q: Have
you ever had any unpleasant experience on stage with producers, singers,
peers?
A: No, I usually have a great relationship with my peers.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Socialising with friends. Dinner parties - throwing them and
going to them. Chatter, chatter and more chatter.
Q: Who are the most difficult people in show business?
A: I don't know. I have heard tales of notoriously difficult
people. So and so throws a strop because she hasn't got a dozen white
napkins and a fluffy kitten in her dressing room! But I have not
encountered them.
Q: Do you go for big productions, elaborate stages or intimate cozy
ambiences?
A: I like the cozy clubs best. But then again, variety is the
spice of life.
Q: Have you ever performed in very small and obscure places?
A: Oh goodness yes! On my way up I have played every toilet in
the universe. The smells still linger in my nostrils! Broom cupboards
for dressing rooms, sticking to carpets laced with alcohol and cigarette
butts, postage stamp stages and rowdy audiences. Those were the days my
friend, I thought they'd never end. Hmm there's a song in there
somewhere.
Q: Why did you do it?
A: Desperation.
Bills to be paid.
Q: Any
advice to all those aspiring and struggling talented artists who need a
break?
A: Have faith, keep going, follow your instincts. If you want
something badly enough you'll find a way of getting it.
Q: What they should do when they are rejected?
A: Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.
Hmm there's a song in there somewhere.
This is the Lauren Field I know. A world-class songwriter-composer-singer. A woman larger than life with a heart bigger than the universe we live in...and a talent brighter than all the lights of New York City. Lauren Field is a "cosmic musical treasure". Acquire a copy of her CD. You will treasure it for years to come. "MODERN WOMAN" CD RATING: 5 stars out of five. One of the 10 best CDs of the year.
Maximillien de Lafayette.
End of the article.