Lauren Haze: Award-Winning
Canadian Singer and Songwriter
Award-winning Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Lauren Haze is a three-time FACTOR Canada grant recipient known for her smoky voice, emotive tone, and powerful delivery.
She has been named a 2019 Winner of the International Songwriting Contest, garnered two back-to-back wins in The UK Songwriting Contest and three nominations in the coveted Toronto Indie Music Awards.
Lauren was also selected for a TV and Film Songwriters Retreat in Los Angeles led by Dave Stroud and famed Singer-Songwriter, Kari Kimmel.
Lauren’s music has been played on several European and North American radio stations and has hit #1 on the Radio Indie Alliance charts.
Recently signed to Willow Sound Records, Lauren continues to hone her craft and win over audiences with her sultry tone and powerful presence.
Her single “Hotel” marks the first release with her new label partner. (Courtesy of Lauren Haze’s website)
TSM: Hi Lauren, thanks so much for doing an interview in TSM. It’s so wonderful to have you in the magazine.
LH: Thank you for the opportunity! I’m super excited to be doing this interview!
TSM: How old were you when you started singing? Is it something you always wanted to do since you were a little girl?
LH: I think I was around twelve when I had my first singing lesson, but the experience wasn’t exactly what I’d been expecting. It kind of took a while for me to find the right inspiration and motivation to push forward into singing, especially to sing what I was writing! The want and dream had always been there from a young age though.
TSM: Tell us a bit about your background in music.
LH: On my 19th birthday I decided to go try another singing lesson with a different instructor. After that lesson, although I was still insecure about my voice, I knew this is what I wanted to do. It wasn’t until 2014 that I performed for the first time. Before that, I’d never sung in front of an audience. Once I stepped out on that stage, there was no turning back. I felt like I’d arrived somewhere I was always supposed to be!
TSM: What is the inspiration behind your latest single “Hotel”?
LH: The inspiration for “Hotel” was this idea of being in a toxic relationship, and knowing you deserve better. Realizing that this relationship or chapter of your life has to end, and you have to love yourself enough to leave. You have to know your worth and know you deserve better.
TSM: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
LH: I really love creating soulful ballads with big vocals and unique hooks. I love writing ballads, I love singing them, and they come really natural to me. If I had to put it into a few words… Emotional, powerful, but also definitely something you’ll want to sing along to!
TSM: What is your creative process like?
LH: My creative process still really differs. Most of the time, I’ll actually just start singing a phrase or a word to a tune that pops into my head and if I like what I’m singing, I start to create around that. There have definitely been a few times I’ve sat down and written a song beginning to end, but my best work usually comes out of thin air while I’m doing regular things like showering or cleaning!
TSM: What’s your process for writing lyrics? And where do you get the inspiration for your songs?
LH: Once I’ve got a melody I like and a solid phrase or hook, the lyrics come as I figure out what direction the song wants to go in. The inspiration for a lot of my songs has come from putting myself in other people’s shoes and imagining myself if I were in their situations or relationships.
TSM: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
LH: Lewis Capaldi or Adele!!
TSM: Who are your major musical influences?
LH: Adele, for sure. When she released her song “Someone Like You,” it really opened my eyes up to a world of new possibilities. The realization that there were artists who had deeper, raspier voices and the world seemed to love it! I know I did!
TSM: If you had the power to do something in the world today, what would it be and why?
LH: Supply all those in need with clean water, and rid the world of war. Humans lack humanity sometimes.
TSM: What is one of your favourite quotes (or lines) that inspires you?
LH: “Come what may, I know the way” I heard it for the first time in one of my absolute favourite movies, Moana!
TSM: Anything else you’d like to share? And where can readers find out more about you and your music?
LH: Just that I hope “Hotel” is helpful to anyone reading this, who finds themselves in a situation that is not serving their highest purpose! Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and Instagram are your best bet! But I’m streamable basically everywhere! https://linktr.ee/lhaze
TSM: Thanks so much again for doing an interview for the magazine and wish you all the best with your music in the future!
LH: Thanks for having me! It was a pleasure!
