Lauren Sanderson

Lauren Sanderson (born January 13, 1996) is an American singer and songwriter originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana currently based in Los Angeles.[1][2][3] Her music blends influences from pop, R&B, and hip hop, and through it she aims to empower her fans and be "the voice for people who may not be able to speak."[4][5]

Lauren Sanderson
Sanderson performing in 2023
Background information
Birth nameLauren Sanderson
Born (1996-01-13) January 13, 1996
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
Years active2016–present
LabelsEpic, Young Forever
Websitewww.laurensanderson.com

Early life

Sanderson grew up an only child of divorced parents.[6] By 2014, she had built an online presence as a YouTube personality, for which she was recognized as "Most Influential Up & Comer" at the Indiana Social Media Summit six months after graduating high school. At the time she was receiving over a million views a day on her social media.[7] In 2015, she presented a TEDx Talk titled "For God’s Sake, Just Love Them" about coming out as gay and how parents can foster a relationship of mutual respect with their children. As she continued giving motivational speeches at local schools and amassing an online following, she began channeling the stress of maintaining her positive outlook into writing raps and poems.[8] Originally influenced by artists like Mac Miller, Logic, and Tyler, the Creator, she would search for similar beats on YouTube and sing over them on cassettes played in her car stereo.[6][9]

Career

2016–2017: Center of Expression and Spaces

Sanderson gained early attention as a musician via her YouTube and SoundCloud channels, including a cover of Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved."[10] In June 2016, Sanderson released her debut EP Center of Expression and was subsequently hailed an "artist to watch" by Young Hollywood[1][11]

Like her first, in 2017 Sanderson released her second EP Spaces independently, which reached No. 1 on the iTunes R&B albums chart and No. 24 on Billboard Heatseekers chart.[12][13] The success of the EP garnered the attention of Epic Records, with whom Sanderson signed a record deal and moved to Los Angeles.[1] Sanderson promoted the release with an 18 city self-booked tour.[14]

2018: Epic Records and Dont Panic!

Sanderson re-released her song "Written in the Stars" (previously included on her Spaces EP) produced by FKi 1st and Earl Saga in March 2018 with the addition of Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock, and used the single release to publicly announce her signing with Epic Records.[15][16]

In August 2018, Sanderson released her debut major-label six-track EP Dont Panic! on Epic Records, which reached No. 2 on the iTunes R&B charts as well as No. 48 on the main chart.[17][18] The title, which is also tattooed on her neck, was self-reassurance about overcoming the pressures of the music industry.[19] To promote the release, Sanderson performed at LA Pride in West Hollywood, an LA Sparks halftime show for their Pride Night, and the BET Experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[14][20]

In December, Sanderson was featured as part of Vevo's DSCVR Artist to Watch series and performed at their SXSW Vevo House showcase in March 2019.[21][22]

2019–present: Hasta La Vista and Midwest Kids Can Make It Big

Sanderson would eventually leave Epic Records, self-releasing a 3-song EP Hasta La Vista in June 2019 which she used to announce her independence on Twitter, and later signed a one-album deal with executive Chris Anokute and his label Young Forever.[6][23] That same month, Sanderson began supporting Chase Atlantic on their Phases Tour.[24]

On September 24, 2019, Sanderson released her first single "Hotel Room" from her forthcoming debut album, which premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show on Apple Music, followed by a music video on September 27.[25][26][27] She joined Finneas on his Blood Harmony tour and released two additional singles, "Upset" and "To the People I Hurt," in late 2019 before ultimately releasing her album Midwest Kids Can Make It Big in January 2020.[27][28][29][30] Sanderson had announced tour dates beginning in March to promote the release, though they were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31]

In August, Sanderson announced a deluxe version of her debut album and released her new single "Frustrated", whose music video premiered on Ones To Watch, and announced her rescheduled tour dates beginning in April 2021.[32][31] The track received accolades from Alt Press who included it in their "40 Artists You Need to Hear in September" list, as well as Billboard who named it one of their "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week".[33][34] The deluxe version was released on August 21, featuring 7 previously unreleased tracks.[35] Sanderson plans to return to being independent in 2021.[6]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Midwest Kids Can Make It Big
Death of a Fantasy
  • Released: July 29, 2022
  • Label: Rix
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

EPs
Title Album details
Center of Expression
  • Released: June 3, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Spaces
  • Released: July 13, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Dont Panic!
  • Released: August 24, 2018
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Hasta La Vista
  • Released: June 15, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles
Title Year Album
"Written in the Stars"
(featuring PnB Rock)		 2017 Spaces
"Hotel Room" 2019 Midwest Kids Can Make It Big
"Upset"
"To the People I Hurt"
"Internet"[36] 2020
"Frustrated"
"Gay 4 Me"
(with G Flip)[37]		 2022 TBA

References
  1. Daw, Stephen (August 24, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson Talks 'Raw' EP 'Don't Panic' & Transitioning from Motivational Speaking to Singing". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  2. @LaurenSanderson (January 13, 2018). "today is my birthday and there's nowhere else i'd rather be" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. @LaurenSanderson (January 12, 2013). "my birthdays in like two hours this is so dumb I don't wanna be 17" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. Polo, Maxamillion (October 15, 2019). "Lauren Sanderson – "Hotel Room" (Live) | All Eyes On". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  5. "How I Went From Motivational Speaker to Signed Artist". Cosmopolitan. April 16, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  6. White, Logan (September 4, 2020). "INTERVIEW: Lauren Sanderson talks small town upbringing and defying the odds". Substream Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  7. Eenigenburg, Joe; Fritsch, Michael (January 2, 2015). "Lauren Sanderson Named "Most INfluential Up & Comer" at Indiana Social Media Summit" (Press release). Fort Wayne, IN: Cision PRWeb. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  8. Herwees, Tasbeeh (May 29, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson: The Former Motivational Speaker That Became a Self-Made Star". Out. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. Niesel, Jeff (August 1, 2018). "Band of the Week: Lauren Sanderson". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  10. Monger, James. "Artist Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. Taormina, Brittany (October 29, 2016). "Artist to Watch: Lauren Sanderson". Young Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  12. Phenicie, Courtney (October 30, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson Making Waves". Cincy Music. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  13. "Lauren Sanderson Chart History – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  14. Welding, Alan (June 5, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson Announces Summer U.S. Trust the Universe Tour". Pittsburgh Music Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  15. Fresh, Mikey (March 27, 2018). "Premiere: Lauren Sanderson and PnB Rock Find Their Way In "Written In The Stars" (Video)". Vibe. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  16. Ortiz, Edwin (March 1, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson Grabs PnB Rock for "Written in the Stars" Video". Complex. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  17. "Lauren Sanderson Releases New EP DONT PANIC" (Press release). Los Angeles, CA: Epic Records. August 24, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  18. Blake, Baylie (August 31, 2018). "'Don't Panic' is a Near-Perfect EP". Byte. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  19. Adamakos, Tess (December 18, 2018). "Exclusive: Lauren Sanderson Talks Newest EP "DON'T PANIC" with Inked". Inked. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  20. Ju, Shirley (June 21, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson on Why Snoop Dogg is her Biggest Inspiration". LA Weekly. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  21. Kress, Bryan (December 3, 2018). "Lauren Sanderson, Hex Top Second Week of Vevo DSCVR 2019 Artists To Watch Series: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  22. Heath, Larry (March 19, 2019). "SXSW Interview: Lauren Sanderson on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity". The AU Review. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  23. @laurensanderson (June 14, 2019). "and after 2 years, here's a big middle finger to anyone who's ever tried to slow me down. no more being tied down, molded, boxed in, or silenced. i am lauren sanderson and as of now, i am officially an INDEPENDENT ARTIST again. it's us forever. HASTA LA VISTA OUT NOW" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. Smith, Jimmy (April 8, 2019). "Ones To Watch and The Noise Present: Chase Atlantic's 'Phases North American Tour' [ANNOUNCEMENT]". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  25. Kato, Precious (September 24, 2019). "Lauren Sanderson Shows a Softer Side in Her "Hotel Room"". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  26. Schneider, Hannah (November 9, 2019). "'Upset' – Lauren Sanderson | Review". Unheard Gems. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  27. Mamo, Heran (September 27, 2019). "Lauren Sanderson Has a Steamy, Playful 'Hotel Room' Hook-Up: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  28. "Lauren Sanderson Continues to Inspire on New Single, "Upset"". Trend & Chaos. November 14, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  29. Polo, Maxamillion (December 17, 2019). "Lauren Sanderson's "To The People I Hurt" Is a Raw Moment of Introspection". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  30. Polo, Maxamillion (January 14, 2020). "Lauren Sanderson Proves 'Midwest Kids Can Make It Big'". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  31. White, Logan (August 13, 2020). "Lauren Sanderson is "Frustrated" in new single". Substream Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  32. Kato, Precious (August 13, 2020). "Lauren Sanderson Accepts the Love She Deserves in "Frustrated" [Premiere]". Ones To Watch. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  33. Quiles, Alyssa (August 31, 2020). "40 New Artists You Need to Hear in September". Alt Press. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  34. Ginsberg, Gab; Lipshutz, Jason (August 17, 2020). "10 Cool New Pop Songs To Get You Through The Week: Sufjan Stevens, Alaina Castillo, Partner & More". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  35. Russell, Erica (August 21, 2020). "Lauren Sanderson Reveals How 'Quarantine Feelings' Inspired Her New Deluxe Album (Interview)". Popcrush. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  36. Rehihanian, Gabby (June 26, 2020). "Lauren Sanderson hits us with new single "Internet"". Nu Sound. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  37. "G Flip enters their queer pop-punk idol era with "Gay 4 Me"". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
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