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Lauren Presley is a rising pop-alt artist known for her raw emotional honesty and powerhouse vocals. Originally from Redwater, Texas, and now based in Nashville, Lauren blends alt-pop, dark pop, and rock influences into a genre-bending sound inspired by artists like Halsey, Nessa Barrett, and Maggie Lindemann. Since her debut, she’s amassed over 50 million views and 10 million streams across all platforms, earned the cover of Spotify’s flagship playlist Fresh Finds Pop, and, most recently, on her recent debut EP, the cover of SoundCloud’s Shine Pop playlist Tomorrow’s Hits Today: Fizz, and has earned a magnitude of placements across all major DPSs.
Her breakout EP ‘Hanging In The Balance’ and most viral single “People Leave” showcase a fearless vulnerability that’s struck a chord with fans and press alike, including Wonderland, Notion, Earmilk, tmrw, SPIN, CLASH, and many more. With recent live debuts on Today in Nashville and a growing national fanbase, Lauren is cementing her place as one of pop’s most compelling new voices
Recording artist Lauren Presley
Please introduce yourself and share your inspiring story with our community.
Hey, I’m Lauren Presley! So I’ve been singing ever since I can remember; it was very natural to me as a child to just sing every song that played on the radio. That led me to record some covers and upload them to YouTube. Then, when I was about 12, I had a TV production company reach out to me about a show called ‘Chasing Nashville’ that was about me and a few other girls trying to make it in the music industry in Nashville. So I got cast for the show and moved to Nashville with my mom. The show got canceled, unfortunately, but we stayed in Nashville to pursue music. But I didn’t get into songwriting and releasing my own music until around 202,0 and didn’t release consistently until 2022. So the last few years have just been about growing, figuring out who I am as an artist, writing LOTS of songs, and meeting a lot of new people in the industry! It’s been a hard but rewarding journey.
What made you decide to go into business for yourself?
One of my biggest passions has always been music, and I knew very early on that music was what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve always been the type of person who wants to live a big life. I really believe life is literally what you make of it. The worst thing ever to me is working a 9-5 job I hate and always wondering ‘what if’ I never pursued music.
How did you market your business when it was brand new?
A huge part of music marketing is social media, so that’s been my main focus as far as marketing my music to new listeners. Another strategy for finding new listeners is getting on editorial playlists on streaming platforms. I think a lot of people find new music that way, so that’s something we’ve been shooting for as well. But also, I think if you’re making music that’s undeniable, most of the work is already done for you, so that’s been a main focus!
What is a typical day like for you?
Each day is a little different for me. A lot of days I’m in sessions, either writing new songs, finishing old songs, or tracking vocals for a song I’ve decided to put out. On days I’m not in sessions, I’m usually filming or editing content, posting on social media, handling some admin business, or coordinating sessions/photoshoots/video-shoots!
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Hold on to that passion, and don’t let yourself get burnt out! Take some mental health days, slow down sometimes, remember you’re also a human being and not just a part of your business! Also, trust your gut and your taste. I’ve learned that when I just trust myself and do what I like, most people will like it too.
What was the inspiration that started your journey?
I always wanted to make a career out of music, and then I soon realized how much of an impact I could make on people through music. Especially with my song ‘People Leave’, the number of people coming out and telling me their stories and saying how much they resonated with it blew me away. I think when the music is real, people hear that, and I feel like that song alone has helped a lot of people. And that alone just means the world to me. So really my goal is to just be able to live a comfortable life while doing music as a full-time job and be able to connect & help people through creating real & honest music.
How do you prioritize self-care and well-being while managing the demands of your business?
This is something I’ve struggled with in the past, prioritizing self-care. I got super burnt out and had to make some changes. Now, I’ve gotten much better at it, & I try to stick to boundaries that I’ve set for myself. Like, just because I’m an artist and it’s not a ‘normal’ job, doesn’t mean I need to work 100 hours a week! So I’ve been doing more things that I enjoy, like trying new coffee shops, lots of mental health walks, spending time with my husband and our 2 dogs, traveling, and working out/taking care of my body. I think when I’m truly living (not just surviving) and having new experiences, I feel way more inspired musically anyway!
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
Getting the cover of Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds Pop’ playlist was a huge accomplishment for me. As someone who’s struggled with self-doubt in this crazy industry, getting that recognition from such a huge company just felt really good, like okay, maybe I am good enough to do this!
What challenges have you faced in the workplace, especially your experience in male-dominated environments?
I’ve had a few experiences where I’m working with all men writers and producers, and there have been times where it kinda felt like a boys club, and I didn’t feel super respected as a woman or creative in the room. That being said, I feel like I have found my people in Nashville (including several men) who have just been amazing to work with and have become a part of my inner circle.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
I think above all, women need to support women! I’m a girl’s girl a million percent. I love supporting my female friends, artists, writers, and producers. I think that’s so important in an industry that doesn’t always lift us up.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
I think I focus on what feels authentic to me and stay true to that; I don’t follow the trends. I’ve taken the time to hone in on my sound, and it feels very ‘me’
What are the three most important habits to be a successful high performer or leader?
I would say passion, discipline, and resilience! There’s going to be several roadblocks along the way, but you just gotta keep going and trust the process!
What social media platform is the best for business growth, and why?
TikTok seems to be the place where I’ve found most of my people. I think it just matches my listener demographic best! Instagram is probably in 2nd place.
Which female leader do you admire, and why?
There are several, but I really admire Halsey as an artist. Like me, she did not have the smoothest upbringing, and she went through a lot of really rough things, but she got to where she is today, which is incredible. She also has always had her own unique sound and style, so it’s hard to mistake her for anyone else when you’re listening!
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
It’s simple, but I overthink a lot, so ‘don’t stress about the things you can’t change’ has helped me let go of things out of my control. All I can do is work hard and be the best I can be.
Where can our readers find you, and what message would you like to leave us with today?
Follow Lauren Presley – Instagram, Website, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Fanlink
At the end of the day, I want to make real, honest music that connects with people. I’m not chasing trends. I’m building a life doing what I love and hoping it helps others feel seen and understood. As long as I’m creating from a true place and staying passionate, I know I’m on the right path.
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