Lauren Tate is a singer songwriter from Yorkshire, UK. She has just turned 17 and is approaching 1 million views on her YouTube channel and has a global social media fanbase of around 20,000.
Lauren’s followers, some of which have been around for the last 2-3 years have watched this young girl grow in confidence and ability, from posting videos of cover versions to flourishing into the original and very unique artist that she has become, writing her very first EP and ready to embark on a solo career.
We caught up with Lauren at the annual Yorkshire 'Why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road' convention, before she started debating why a chicken would ever want to cross the road, we asked her some questions, here's how it went....
Please introduce yourself and your music in one sentence....
Hello I am Lauren Tate a singer singwriter from South Yorkshire
First gig you ever went to?
It was Gwen Stefani and I was about 11 years old. I don’t remember much from the gig apart from falling out with my Dad outside as he wouldn’t buy me a t-shirt!
'My Reflection', your debut EP is being funded by Pledge Music, can you explain the concept of this and what you need to do?
I used Pledge Music as a platform to get people to help me with a project. I like it as it allows people to see how their contribution is helping. I really doubted that I would hit the target and I couldn’t believe how quick I hit my goal !! (just over 72 hours!!) Now my Mum’s telling me to empty my wardrobe and stick them on Pledge! It really is such a wonderful feeling knowing that so many people are supporting me!!
You featured on The Graveltones debut album ‘Don’t Wait Down’ on track ‘Crime be talkin’ how did this come about, how was the experience?
I saw the Graveltones supporting Rival Sons at Leeds last year. Awesome gig by the way! We chatted to Jimmy and Mikey after the gig and met Lisa Mckeown (their manager) My Mum had sent Lisa a YouTube video of me singing Whole Lotta Love and Lisa had loved it, she had suggested we come to the gig and meet up! On the way home I said to My Mum that I would sing with them one day! Just a few days later the call came inviting me to sing on the album!! I was so thrilled about that! Jimmy was there when I recorded and he was so nice, I didn’t feel under any pressure at all and managed to pull it off in just a few takes!
What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?
I can’t say I have really been given any advice that I wanted to hear! Some people give advice without actually having no grounds or experience to give it. My Mum usually gives me good advice, I don’t always listen of course, but there is a lot of truth in “Mum knows best!” I cringe at that but it’s true.
How has social media aided you?
I wouldn’t be talking here without the power of social media. People complain about the internet, but the connection you can make with someone on the other side of the world with just a click of a button is scarily powerful!
I remember starting out on YouTube posting videos and wondering why my videos were getting no views. The more you put into social media the more you get out! It’s no good just sitting there and waiting or views, you have to take an interest in other people’s music too. I have always interacted with people, it’s getting hard to keep up with it now but the support I get from people is amazing and they appreciate the time you put in replying to them! With my YouTube views close to One Million all the hard work put in, in the early days, is really paying off now!! I’ve even got an International Street Team now that are working hard getting my music out across the world!!
Bankrupt sessions is 11 tracks of covers, how did you choose the right songs for this and is there one on there you would like to try your hand at in the future?
This feels so long ago now. It started out as a CD for family and friends but there was interest from people online so we decided to sell via my website. It was a case of singing songs that I really liked at the time. It wasn’t about doing songs that were popular and just mimicking them, but doing songs I really enjoyed singing.
I’m not really bothered about covering any of them in the future, it’s not because they are bad songs, but because I have moved on completely and I want to write my own music with my own words, with my own message to spread.
What gives you inspiration with music and also with your art?
Within a world I don’t understand, inside a Universe with no walls, the thing that inspires me with my music and art is knowing that I might not be here tomorrow. It keeps me motivated as well as afraid and the fear of no tomorrow makes me the best I can ever be. Yeah, so my inspiration comes from the wonderful curiosity of existence and all the feelings, experiences and relationships attached.
There are many good bands and musicians out there, who would you ask readers of musicmuso to look out for?
The Graveltones are definitely the one’s to watch! I’ve seen them live quite a few times now. They have so much energy and such a great sound, its hard to believe there are only 2 of them! I love their bluesy rock! I also would recommend the Rival Sons for anyone that hasn’t heard them yet! Jays Vocals are to die for!!
Name three people (alive, dead or fictional) that you would like as dinner party guests?
Janis Joplin, Tom Waits and Jimi Hendrix
Do you think we can ever live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned?
Oh God, that's the worst question anyone has ever asked me!! I’m not even sure what it means? I just hope we can one day live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without getting eaten!
How were you spotted by Nine lives Management team?
That’s all thanks to my Mum! She emailed them a link of My Whole Lotta Love YouTube cover and that’s where it all started!
How and when did you decide that you wanted to be in a band/performer?
I think it was during school watching everyone picking out their career paths, I just thought I can never do a boring job. I have so much to do and say and the only way people will listen to me is through singing. Luckily I have some great parents behind me who have said I can have a good go at it!
What does music mean to you?
Music to me means everything. It is the only contribution I will still have on this Earth when I am dead and gone. It gives me a way to connect with other souls out there that feel the same as me.
Lauren felt that the debate about the chicken had run its course and wandered off to get some soup (chicken of course). While she was tucking into the large bowl that the portly kitchen hand had served her, we threw in a few quick fire questions....
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE
Coke or Pepsi? COKE
Drum machine or the real deal? REAL DEAL
Mac or PC? MAC
Fry up or Sunday roast? VEGGIE FRY UP
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)? OZZY
CD or Vinyl? VINYL
Car or Motorbike? MOTORBIKE
Acoustic or electric? ACOUSTIC
Shower or Bath? BATH
Tattoos or Piercings? PIERCINGS
Robert de Niro or Al Pacino? ROBERT DE NIRO
God or Google? GOD
So there you have it folks, a ton of information about Lauren Tate, we hope you checked out some of her tracks using the Soundcloud link above, please be sure to check out some more of her social media channels, we have listed a couple of the popular ones below, go forth and indulge yourself....
Social Media
Musicmuso would like to thank Lauren for taking time out her busy schedule to answer our questions, we wish her every success in the future and look forward to receiving news on forthcoming releases, live dates and anything else that she deems newsworthy....
Interview by Mark Wincott