Meet Lauren Evans

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is authenticity. Staying true to myself, my values, and my unique voice has been the cornerstone of my journey. Collaboration has also played a crucial role in my success. Connecting and collaborating with other talented individuals has expanded my perspective, enriched my creativity, and allowed for the cross-pollination of ideas, which enhances the quality of my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is an expression of my heart, experiences, and the stories I want to tell. What sets my music apart is its authenticity and emotional depth. I strive to create songs that resonate deeply with people, touching on universal themes while also reflecting my personal journey. Music, for me, is a way to connect with others, to share pieces of my soul, and to inspire and uplift.

I’m most proud of the moments when my music has truly connected with someone, when a listener tells me that a song of mine helped them through a tough time or became the soundtrack to a significant moment in their life. Those connections are what make all the hard work and heartbreak worthwhile.

Getting to where I am today has not been and still isn’t easy. My journey has been filled with highs and lows, moments of doubt, and countless challenges. From trying to find my authentic voice without it being altered by the perception of others, dealing with misogyny, racism, intimidation tactics, people taking credit for things they didn’t create, fighting to be paid fairly and on time, it takes a deliberate effort, and a certain brand of delusion, to remain hopeful and curious in my business. My family, friends and mentors provide invaluable support and encouragement, reminding me of who I am and keeping me grounded. I learned to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and to view setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

Some of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way include the importance of staying true to myself, the power of collaboration, and the necessity of perseverance. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about talent; it’s also about hard work, determination, and the willingness to take calculated risks.

I want the world to know that my music is a reflection of my soul and a testament to the power of authenticity and emotional connection. My brand is built on a deep passion for music and a commitment to creating songs that touch hearts and inspire change. My story is one of resilience, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. I aim to remind others that their own dreams are worth fighting for.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many fantastic places in town it’s tough to narrow it all down to a week. My best friend, like me, is a foodie who loves the arts and chill vibes.

Day One, we’ll explore downtown LA. We’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Nick’s Cafe and perhaps take a stroll in the park across the street afterwards. Then we’ll grab coffee at endorffiene and peruse all the shops in Far East Plaza before going to The Broad Museum to check out the latest exhibit. For lunch we’ll head to Grand Central Market and then make our way to Little Tokyo for more window shopping and people watching. Then to Daikokuya for sushi or ramen and maybe catch a show at Walt Disney Concert Hall or Dorothy Chandler Pavilion if we’re not too wiped out.

On our second day, we’ll head to Pasadena. Starting off at the Norton Simon Museum with coffee and avocado toast from Ideology Coffee. Then we’ll check out Chado Tea Room for afternoon tea and grab Italian sandwiches from Roma Market to take with us later for Shakespeare at Griffith Park. After hours, we can catch some live music and drinks at The Goldfish in Highland Park.

Day three we’ll spend around Santa Monica & Venice. We’ll start early (around noon) rent bikes and ride the boardwalk, stopping for yummy bites at some of the delicious food trucks on our way, especially El Primo Taco. We can walk the Venice Canals or hang out at the Santa Monica Pier. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Getty Villa Museum.

On day four we’ll hang around Hollywood. It’ll be back to Griffith Park for a hike and visit to the Observatory, La Rose Cafe or Kuya Lord for lunch because Filipino food is delicious. Then, we’ll see if there are any local film festivals happening or indie film screenings at The Vista Theatre. If not, maybe we can pack a picnic and enjoy a concert at The Greek Theatre.

Day five will be for rest & relaxation. We’ll head to the Malibu Pier Cafe for a late breakfast then spend the afternoon lounging at El Matador State Beach. Later we can head up Malibu Canyon to the Calabasas Commons for lunch at Sugarfish. If we’re feeling fancy, we’ll go to Burke Williams at the Village for massages and grab something light from California Chicken Cafe to enjoy at home.

On day six we’ll enjoy The Valley. We’ll hit up Cilantro Mexican Grill in Valley Village for life-changing burritos then head over to The Japanese Garden or Lake Balboa for our nature fix. If we visit Lake Balboa, we might even rent a swan paddle boat to cruise around the lake. We’ve got to go to Vinh Loi Tofu for lunch, then maybe over to Castle Park in Sherman Oaks for mini golf. In the evening, we can see what Tree People Presents has to offer. I’ve always wanted to go on a night hike!

For day seven we’ll have a culture rich day in South LA. We’ll go to S&W Country Diner in Culver City for brunch. Then we’ll visit the Tongva Memorial at Loyola Marymount University and pay homage to the indigenous people of Los Angeles. For lunch we’ll go to Simply Wholesome on Slauson. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to Leimert Park to take in the celebration of Black heritage including African drum circles, the Aziz Gallery, Nappily Naturals Apothecary, and my uncle Sika’s imports shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Goodness, there have been so many people along my journey who have been instrumental to my growth and success, but one person who will always have a special place in my heart is Robbie Nevil. He has always been incredibly kind and generous in addition to be being a phenomenal writer, producer, arranger and vocalist. I’ve learned more about my craft and how to navigate the business of music from him than anyone else. He was my first professional collaborator and we’ve gone on to work on numerous projects and enjoy lots of success together. He’s become like family to me.

Website: https://laurenevans.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereallevans

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-evans-466391111

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thereallevans

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallaurenevans

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thereallevans 

Image Credits
lola scott