We recently connected with Lauren Guillory and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Growing up, I was drawn to rhetoric and different communication styles, so it was always assumed I’d become an attorney. The expectation was clear: ‘If you want to make money, you have to be a doctor or lawyer.’ I bought into it, worked hard, graduated from CU Boulder with a double major, and got accepted into law school.
But when I attended the incoming class reception for DU Law, I knew instantly that I’d made a mistake. As I mingled with my future peers, I felt a deep unease—like I didn’t belong there. It was a reverse-Elle Woods moment, and it hit me hard.
I declined my offer and took a step back to ask myself what my true passion was. The answer was clear: music. I’d always felt a deep connection to vocalists like Mariah Carey, and that level of expression was where I wanted to orient my life. So, I set off on a wild journey to pursue music instead.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Deciding not to go to law school threw me into an identity crisis. At 26, with no formal music training, the idea of pursuing music felt overwhelming, but something inside me knew it was the right path. The real turning point came at Electric Forest 2016, where I realized this was where life truly happened. The festival culture ignited a passion in me that I couldn’t ignore.
With no clear roadmap, I started small—booking a studio session at CCM to record a Hozier cover. Moving to Asheville was another pivotal moment. Immersed in a creative community, I shed my fears and began to envision myself as an artist. But returning to Colorado was tough. The transformation I’d undergone felt out of place in my old environment, and I struggled to reconnect. Yet, instead of giving up, I threw myself into music again, recording a Kanye West cover at CCM three years after my first session.
From there, things started to click. I released my single, ‘Hey, Little Girl,’ followed by the EP Tales from Aurora. When a friend suggested I try DJing, I jumped in, eventually winning a spot at Dancefestopia. Playing the festival twice, especially alongside artists like Deadmau5, was surreal and reaffirmed my belief that this is where I’m meant to be. Each step of the journey has been a transformation, pushing me closer to the artist I’m becoming.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Art thrives on community, and that’s especially true in the Denver EDM scene. It’s more than just music—it’s a sanctuary, a subculture built on love, acceptance, and creativity. The rave scene lives by the code of P.L.U.R.: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect. You can feel those values come to life at any great festival or show.
If you’ve never experienced an EDM show, I can’t recommend it enough. The scene is all about lifting each other up, and it’s thriving. The best way to support artists and creatives is to step into our world. Attend our upcomimg festival in Colorado called ANDRAMADA in 2025, or catch a local artist at an EDM venue. There’s no age limit, and everyone is welcome. Just remember to bring earplugs—you’ll thank me later.”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As Robert Henri said, ‘The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.’ That quote resonates deeply with me because when I started identifying as an artist, it transformed every aspect of my life. Music has become my compass, guiding who I connect with, where I live, and how I navigate the world. The reward is that wonderful state where art becomes inevitable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://izbo-music.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izbo.music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/izbomusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenguillory
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@izbomusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/izbo-music
Image Credits
Carolina Perez
https://www.instagram.com/lovely_carolina/