We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Jordan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, everyday is a daydream…Every sunrise brings the chance to create a glittering new reality born out of fantasy while every sunset allows us to close chapters, leading us to a sparkling night of wondrous darkness. To be Human is to be creative, and I chose music because it soothes my soul and allows me to soothe others’ as well…I also have a flair for the dramatic. So there’s THAT! Choosing art as a career, whether it be that of a painter, filmmaker, photographer, or singer/songwriter as I have chosen, requires passion, bravery, a sense of adventure, and a yearning to inspire others…OR a certain level of madness that eliminates the fear of ALL that! Personally, I believe myself to be a Prism of Passionately Mad, an array of colors that, while chaotic at times, always results in an extraordinary new view. Life as a musician has been a wild ride thus far, but I wouldn’t have it any other way…I crave the next adventure!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In addition to being a Prism of Passionately Mad, I’m also a Hopeless Dreamer, and as a Pop Rock Singer/Songwriter, all that daydreaming gets channeled into my music. Everyday is a chance to pen another magical tune, jot down lyrical emotions, and create a world wherein all can escape. I don’t believe in wallowing in misery. (I was fortunate enough to leave that bad habit behind with my teenage self.) What I DO believe in is a relentless pursuit of healing, happiness, and the deepest desires of our hearts…and it’s that philosophy that permeated my last album, “Stereo Wonderland.” While I was arriving at a show one evening, I was struck with how blissfully happy I was with just BEING. I had conquered a great number of challenges, achieved many goals both large and small, and while I still had a scroll full of adventures yet to be realized, I could still bask in the glory of My World…a stereo wonderland of my own design. And this epiphany is what inspired the record… I’m incredibly proud of that record because it remains the perfect musical photograph of Hope. With songs of love past, present, and future to inspiring anthems and sweet tunes about the mysticism of the unknown, it’s an ode to not only MY dreams, but what we ALL are allowed to dream! My hope is that listeners will enjoy the spirit of my songs and be inspired to fearlessly embrace their authentic selves…the Hopeless Dreamer that lives in all of us. The biggest lesson I’ve learned as an artist, is that no one can tell you who you are or what your future holds. It’s up to each of us to determine that for ourselves, so speak to yourself kindly… Hello, my name is Lauren Jordan. I’m a Dreamer by Day, Rock Starress by Night, and a Tea Addict Always: You’d have to be half mad to dream me up…You can call me LJ #KeepCalmRockOn
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a Brand Ambassador to Atlanta, the first place I would want to visit is Cafe Intermezzo in Dunwoody! There’s nothing like a spot of Earl Grey under their vintage crystal chandeliers and draped ceilings accompanied by beautiful soft jazz floating in the background…throw in one of their rich desserts and you can have yourself an Un-Birthday Party! The next stop would be the Fox Theatre for the Summer Film Festival wherein we would enjoy an Organ Sing-a-Long pre-show followed up by a classic movie on a larger-than-life screen…it would be a very fancy day! The next adventure, for a delightful contrast, would have an Americana theme…We’d start off by visiting The Battery for an enjoyable bit of fandom of drinking beer and watching the sport-of-the-moment on one of many two-story televisions. Then we’d venture off to an exciting baseball game next door at Truist Park where we’d enjoy ballpark hotdogs and frozen lemonades AND an Atlanta Braves win, of course! Finally, we’d venture back to Live! at The Battery to catch some good old-fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll from the band! (I’ve performed there, so I know they’re good!) And last but not least, for our final adventure, we’d go to a concert at The Tabernacle, my favorite venue in all of Atlanta! With its stained glass, wildly painted walls, and multi-tiered seating, its the perfect place for rocking the night away. After the concert, since it would be so late, we’d mosey back up the road for some serious Southern fare at the OK Cafe…I think I’m gonna start planning this event now, actually!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As a child, I was always envious of those who seemed to have the ideal support system of mentors and cheerleaders, those whose only responsibility was to perfect their craft while OTHERS pushed them to succeed. It’s only in recent times that I’ve come to understand the tragic drawbacks of that system and have obtained a whole new level of gratitude for MY journey, a journey that forced me to prove my dedication before I received the support I so desperately desired… In the beginning, my only encouragement came from books. When you’re an insecure teenager, the last thing you want to hear in response to your ambition to become a singer is, “That’s lovely, dear, but what’s your back-up plan?” To this day, I still turn to books as a source of inspiration when I’m in need of a pick-me-up. The ones I credit the most are “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “The Universe Has Your Back” by Gabrielle Bernstein, and “A Course in Miracles.” Over time, as I grew more confident, everyone ELSE grew more confident. Support started to flow to me in the form of kind strangers saying, “You’re such a breath of fresh air!” or “You’re adorable! Keep doing what you’re doing!” It came in the form of a nice man who started booking me in venues that normally didn’t have solo female musicians…and stood up for me if they tried to change their mind last minute. It also came in the form of a couple of guys who let me join their band despite having NO real band experience whatsoever! And of course, it came in the form of friends and family coming to shows, spreading the word on social media, and helping me sell CDs. But the greatest support I’ve received in my music career is from two men I’ll refer to as the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat: One told me (before radically changing my life), “You always seemed like you were on the precipice of something BIG,” while the OTHER tried to stop me from playing music all together. Why am I grateful for someone who tried to crush my dreams, you ask?…because he wouldn’t have tried to discourage them unless he thought they could come TRUE. While my journey may have seemed more daunting in the beginning (at least in my OWN eyes), the one thing I’ve learned about Love, Support, and Encouragement is that they can come from anywhere at anytime and when you least expect it…(But don’t be afraid to be your own Cheerleader until then!)
Website: www.LaurenJordanRocks.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/LaurenJordanRocks
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/LaurenJRocks
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaurenJordanRocks
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ljor47
Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/6bBejWi3pHWYZtUiqC1aHu
Image Credits
Eralphia3 Imagery