written by Marko Jakob | 13.02.2022 |
Pix666: Hello Lauren. Thank you for your time for this interview. Are you healthy and are you well? How are the other guys of Red Handed Denial?
Lauren: We’re doing great! The band has a new spark now that we can finally start to release our new songs.
Pix666: Lauren, when exactly did you realise that you wanted to become a musician – how did it all start, who or what inspired you?
Lauren: I knew I would be involved in music quite early. Since birth I was always singing, dancing, and banging pots and pans. My parents put me in music classes when I was 2 years old and piano lessons at 4 years old. Although I didn’t think it could be a sustainable career until my 20s, I knew I would make music in some capacity.
Pix666: You’ve been on the road with Red Handed Denial for more than ten years now. What have been the most memorable moments with the band so far?
Lauren: RHD is my baby! I’ve been in this band since I was 17 years old so there is so much to unpack. The band has gone through so much, but some of the best memories have been sharing our accomplishments and goals with each other, especially when we successfully finish a tour or release new music — the journey is special to us and we never take a moment for granted.
Pix666: A few days ago your new single ‘Father Said’ was released. How have the reactions to the song been so far?
Lauren: People have been shook! The song showcases a very obvious experimentation in genre-bending that people were not expecting. It’s been the most well received song we’ve ever released and I’m very grateful. My favorite part about RHD is that the next single is completely different from “Father Said”. We’ve always loved keeping people on their toes.
Pix666: What topics do you sing about in your songs and how do they come about?
Lauren: I always write lyrics that come from a personal experience, even if they’re framed within a concept (Redeemer and Wanderer were both concept albums but they still were inspired by personal experiences). What makes the new lyrics different is that they’re more direct and raw. My style is usually more grandiose and heavy on imagery, archetypes, and metaphors — these new lyrics are almost like tearing a page out of a journal. The new songs directly deal with topics of mental health struggles, dealing with trauma, and coping with loss.
Pix666: Will there be a new album from you soon? How much did the Covid pandemic influence or maybe even complicate the cooperation within the band?
Lauren: Yes! A new album will be announced very soon! The pandemic affected our capabilities to finish it. We began recording in February 2020 just before the pandemic caused travel restrictions and the borders to close. We only completed ¼ of the album in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Lee Albrecht before everything came to a halt. We resumed production in May 2021 and finished the album in Toronto with Sam Guaiana. It was a big weight off of us that we finally overcame the obstacles of COVID.
Pix666: When was your last tour or your last concerts and how keen are you to finally play in front of an audience again?
Lauren: The last time we played in a room together was in January 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. We’ve been dreaming of the day it’s safe for us to feasibly play another show again.
Pix666: Are you planning to perform outside North America in the future? Do you look at Spotify statistics to see which countries your listeners live in?
Lauren: It’s been a dream to play outside of North America. We know statistically Germany, UK, and Australia are huge supporters of the band so we want to bring our live show to as many countries as possible! We especially want to play in Japan one day.
Pix666: Almost two years ago you covered the Lady Gaga song ‘Telephone’. I think you did a great job – but how were the reactions of the people out there – after all, a million people have seen the clip by now, and many have certainly given you feedback on the cover?
Lauren: That was the most fun I’ve had doing a cover in a very long time, especially since it was self-produced by Chris and I. Although we aren’t a cover band, you probably know covers are something I do a lot on my Youtube channel, so it was nice to do one with the band! And a huge bonus for it to be very well received.
Pix666: As a musician, you certainly spend most of your time creating music – but what else do you do in your free time when you want to get your mind off things – are there any interesting hobbies that you pursue?
Lauren: I love gaming! I recently started playing League of Legends (very poorly) hahaha. I play games on Twitch for fun and that’s been so nice meeting new people and connecting with friends. I also leisurely collect Pokemon cards and Pokemon merchandise. I’ve also recently been focusing on fitness and that’s been very cleansing for me.
Pix666: Do you have any other news about Red Handed Denial, or even about your other band CrazyEightyEight that you would like to share with the fans?
Lauren: Make sure to follow everyone on social media to keep updated! I know I’m part of many musical projects and there is lots on the move. Much love!
Pix666: Thank you very much for the interesting answers – good luck for the future and stay healthy!
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