We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Gottshall recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always been musical. I started playing the piano at 3 and began musical theater at 5—my mom likes to say I sang before I could talk. So, I do not have a particular moment when I found out I loved music because I always had. However, the moment I knew I wanted to be a singer was such a core memory. I was eight, watching the American Idol Give Back episode, and Carrie Underwood sang her song “Change” in a big, black beautiful dress. I watched the performance in awe and told my family that one day I was going to be singing on stage in beautiful dresses. In regards to songwriting, I always had a very creative mind and would write little melodies and songs. But I did not start really focusing on songwriting till I was 12 when my parents divorced. It became my outlet and turned into this great thing for me which I fell completely in love with. Ever since then, I never really stopped. I began performing regularly and had more and more people tell me that they related to my music. Once I realized that music and helping people heal through my music is what I am meant to do in this world, it became clear to me that it was not only my passion but also my career path.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a 21-year-old singer-songwriter born and raised right outside of Chicago. Currently, I am entering my senior year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas where I will be graduating in December. For as long as I can recall, music has been the biggest, most stable part of my life even when things did not feel so stable. As I faced some of the hard times that life brings, I did not know what to do with all of those emotions so I decided to pour my heart into writing songs and never really stopped. From high school friend drama to boy problems to mental health struggles to made-up stories, I truly write about everything. I definitely was not always as confident with my music because kids can be mean and trying to promote yourself at 15 was not always easy. However, on stage, I was always confident. It was the one place I always felt most myself. Anyone that knows me knows, that for me, I would rather be on stage performing for 10,000 people than be in that crowd of 10,000 people. I want people to connect with my songs and feel less alone in the world. Songwriting helped me heal and get through tough times. I hope my music can do the same for others and will share some love with this world.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My grandfather, who was an incredibly influential person in my life, was also a songwriter and guitar player. When he died, my grandmother gave me all of his old songs he had written which is one of the most special gifts I have ever received. His guitar also is hanging on my wall, which he actually gave to me before he got sick. While he followed the path of journalism and never got to see his music dreams come true, I hope I can accomplish enough for both of us and make him proud up there. I wish he was here to see all the things I have already accomplished but knowing how proud I am making him definitely drives me to keep continuing down the road of music and to follow my dreams.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing how other people relate to your music. Being able to put out a song about the biggest heartbreak of my life and even having just one person tell you that it helped them get through a tough time almost makes the pain I had to go through to write those words and songs worth it because it helps someone else. The same goes for when people sing your songs at shows. It is so rewarding to see that all your hard work paid off and people like your work. As silly as it sounds, when I write a song, I have no idea the reaction it will get or if people will like it. So, when it is clear people do like it, it is so rewarding to see that something I worked so hard on and love so much is receiving the same love back.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurengottshall.com
• Instagram: @laur_sings
• Facebook: @laurengottshall
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurengottshall
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4f24CCVzOHvPVFsApdMgmT
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lauren-gottshall/1464204777