A Memphis-born singer/songwriter with a penchant for catchy hooks, harmonies and edgy pop rhythms, Nashville-based artist Lauren Strange cites influences from PJ Harvey and Liz Phair to the Pixies while simultaneously utilizing her skills she cultivated as a longtime student of classical music.
After being named the Grand-Prize Winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest, Strange relocated from her hometown of Memphis to Nashville, TN in 2011. Once in Music City, Strange cut her teeth as a background singer, making a name for herself as one of the most sought-after young vocalists in Nashville, where she has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Paul McCartney, Passion Pit, and Little Anthony & The Imperials.
Strange’s previous EP “Say Yes” was released in 2014; in 2015 she toured internationally with Jennie Vee (Courtney Love, Eagles of Death Metal) and in 2016 she issued her cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.” Strange’s adeptness at songwriting and an unparalleled ear for harmonies caught the ear of producer and experienced songwriter Tony Smith (SLEEPER/AGENT), who took Strange under his wing to record the entirety of her 2017 EP “Salt” at his home studio in East Nashville with a cast of talented musicians including Lincoln Parish (Cage the Elephant).
Strange and Smith returned to the studio in 2018 to record her latest EP “SHAKE,” which broaches a new, heavier sonic territory for Strange and explores darker lyrical themes than those found in her previous works. Strange’s versatility shines through her independent releases and illustrates her truly unique ability to genre-meld while maintaining a cohesive and relatable artistic vision.
Lauren shared what it means to her personally to be an indie music woman artist:
“Being an indie music woman artist is the core of my identity. I was raised to be a strong, independent woman and was encouraged from a young age to pursue songwriting and recording. I wrote and recorded my first song when I was 9 years old on my mom’s tape recorder. I’ve come a long way since then, but being an indie music woman artist now means to me that I have a responsibility to set a good example for the young women and girls out there that they can do anything they want if they put their minds to it, and that their voices deserve to be heard. Their opinions and feelings are valuable and deserve to be shared with the world.”
You can hear Lauren’s single, “Young Wild Innocent” on Indie Music Women’s Spotify Playlist.
