Here at The Vinyl got the amazing opportunity to chat with the lovely Lauren Alaina who is just about to embark on her headlining tour, Top of the World Tour! In this interview we got to address her new record, Sitting Pretty On Top of the World, how COVID-19 effected her personally and how she has evolved into the insanely talented musician she is today! See what Lauren has to say below!
The Vinyl: To those who might not be quite familiar with you mind introducing yourself and share a fun fact no one may know about you?
Lauren Alaina: My name is Lauren Alaina. I am from Rossville, Georgia. Fun facts are always very hard for me to come up with because I am an open book. I guess a fun fact about me is that my two favorite hobbies are reading and putting together puzzles.
TV: So you were on American Idol years back, how do you think you have evolved as a singer/songwriter?
LA: It has been 11 years since I was on American Idol. It’s very hard to believe it has been that long! I was a 15-16 year old girl when I was on the show. I would say just about everything about my life has changed except my family. As my life has changed and I have grown, my skills as an artist and songwriter have changed and grown with me.
TV: You recently released a new record, Sitting Pretty on Top of the World. How did you come up with this title for your album?
LA: I named the album “Sitting Pretty On Top Of The World” because of the meaning behind the title track itself. The song feels like a great representation of my life over the last few years. I have struggled with heart ache, anxiety, depression and a flood of emotions in my personal life. Professionally, however, I’ve been on an upward climb. The song shares both sides of that. The hook says, “hitting rock bottom sitting pretty on top of the world,” and those lyrics really represent this season and chapter of my life perfectly.
TV: What inspired this record? When you’re in the creative process of a record how do you try to make it personal and relatable without trying to put your whole life on blast? (For me sometimes I overshare and it doesn’t work out in my favor and I always look dumb haha). Your songs just tell such an amazing story and is very relatable.
LA: I have joked a few times that this is my heartbreak album. I went through quite a journey in the love department. It was such a defining time for me. It takes heartbreaks to really learn your heart. For me, these songs represent loss turned to finding new beginnings. They represent loss of hope turning into peace and redemption. They represent me falling in love with myself all over again and reopening the door to new love in a partner.
TV: You released your last album around 4 years ago, Road Less Traveled. With this new record what was the writing/recording process like for you that may have been different from previous writing/recording sessions? Anything you think you could/would have done differently?
LA: Road Less Traveled was a coming off age record for me. It was all about learning about me, learning to love, learning to accept me and doing the same for others. The new album is all about remembering to love me when someone else doesn’t. The writing process was different conceptually, but the healing and learning and growing was the same just with different lessons.
TV: With the new lifestyle we all had to adjust to, how has Covid affected you personally? Did it give you that needed downtime to really sit and reflect on who you want to be as an artist or just time to catch your breath and do things that a busy schedule could have effected?
LA: This pandemic was really impactful on me just like everyone else. For the first time in ten years of my professional career, I really stopped. It was horrible and amazing at the same time. I missed the connection and experience with my fans so much, but I really was able to find a new connection with myself. I wrote a book, i read a ton, I prayed, I meditated and learned a lot.
TV: You’re currently supporting your latest record and on the Top of the World tour, what are some expectations you have for your headlining tour?
LA: I am just so ready to get back out there with the people who make my dream job a reality. I can’t wait to make more memories with them.
TV: What cities are you looking forward to play?
LA: All the cities. All the shows. All of it.
TV: Can you give fans a little insight on what they can expect on this tour? And what are some of your favorite songs to play live?
LA: We are playing a brand new, never before seen set. Almost all new songs and all new arrangements of older songs. My team and I poured our hearts into it, so the wait was worth it. We are ready to come back with our best show ever.
TV: As we wrap up this interview is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
LA: I just want to thank them for the unbending love and support. I could feel it even from my couch in the middle of a pandemic. They don’t go unnoticed, and I love them right back.
TO KEEP UP WITH LAUREN ALAINA CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW AND CHECK OUT HER TOUR DATES TO SEE IF SHES COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU!!