In the competitive landscape of the music industry, often paralleled to the speed of fast food, singer-songwriter Lauv distinguishes himself by savouring authenticity and cultivating genuine connections with his audience. Amidst the relentless chase for chart positions and commercial success, Lauv believes in music that speaks to him. “For me, I want to speak more to that [authentic feelings]. But at the same time, I've tried to speak to it in ways that weren't genuine to me. Now I'm going to be much, speaking much more eloquently and, honestly, directly towards the source that I want to be speaking to it. Who knows maybe there'll be some different kinds of hits in there for me.”
With over 10 billion streams, multi-platinum records, and global top 10 radio charts to his name with hits like ‘I Like Me Better’, ‘i’m so tired’ and “f**k, i’m lonely,’ Lauv has his trademark blend of heartfelt, vulnerable, earworm pop while pushing the envelope with production. Ari Staprans Leff, aka Lauv, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. After their debut with the single ‘The Other’ in 2015, he has since released several successful singles exploring the themes of love, heartfelt and self-discovery. Now, the singer will return to Mumbai for Lollapalooza India 2024, after his 2019 gig in India. The festival is set to take place on January 26, and 27.
How have you been? Have you been doing good? Are you able to take time out for yourself from your busy schedules?
Yeah, I've been feeling really good for the most part. There's, you know, it's up and down. But I've been feeling very free, very happy. I feel like I have a good direction in my life right now, which is nice.
Since you were talking about direction, in your recent interview, you described your upcoming album as something that 'you're growing into your happiness.' Can you walk us through your thoughts? And what has been your approach for this upcoming album?
I'll focus on the positive, which is that I feel like I have rediscovered myself in a really big way. That maybe was obvious to other people, but wasn't obvious to me, necessarily, but it kind of was at the same time. I've just been feeling really free and empowered to explore myself. I'm choosing my sense of happiness; I'm choosing what makes me happy. I think everybody should have the opportunity to find a way to be able to do that, whatever that means for them. I feel very lucky. I know it's going to be very reflected in the music. So there's a lot of love in the music. I don't mean, just like romantic; I just mean, that my heart is really in this music and my stories are really in this music. I'm still giving so much to it and it's giving me a lot back, just listening back to it. So it feels amazing. So I'm excited.
Being real with your music has always been something that has resonated with your audience. Your listeners are such a huge part of your life. How important has that been for you to build that connection with your listeners? And how have you evolved?
Everybody who's following me or anyone I'm making a video for talking to you or any of it has given me nothing but grace and love and respect and time and just a forever evolving unfolding form of love that just continues to surprise me over the years. Like no matter what it is that I'm going through, and no matter what state how ready, I am to be loved. I feel like we're right there and I feel so lucky. I feel like I don't know if I hope that everybody gets that in their life, in some way shape or form because it's just so forgiving. And so just forgiving is not the right word. Because it's not like that. They're just so ready and eager to accept me and I feel the same way towards them. Even if I'm not responding to every single thing, I'm all the time opening up my Instagram and even just with that post I made recently with everybody, I was like 'What's going on in your life?' I'm always thinking about them always, reading what people are saying.
Speaking of fans, everyone is excited for you to come back to India. It's been a while since you were last time but this time is a bigger set. What do we expect from your Lollapalooza set and what do you expect from the audience who have waited a long time for your comeback?
So much time you know has been built up in terms of me being there again, for me and everybody. Probably, people have seen me before or haven't seen me before. I know there's a lot of expectation on the table, a lot of anticipation and I am gonna go above and beyond in honouring that and taking it to a whole another level. To me, it's not just about showing up and arriving and doing what people expect me to do but it's about doing what I love to do, in a way that I know they'll love, and I know we will love it together and that's going to be just so special. I can already feel the connection building and I can't wait to feel that in person. So it's gonna be great.
Music of a certain artist, or artists often finds you at a time you need the most. Has there been an artist over the years that has impacted you like that?
I find that happens a lot with like, like random songs and stuff somebody will show me a song when I need it the most and I will be like 'Well, that's exactly what I'm going through.' But in terms of like an artist, the Cigarettes After Sex album has found me. I've always been aware, but in the past year, I've started listening to that album, and it became one of my most listened-to albums ever. I still don't know how to put it into words, but something about it just gets me.
If one of your songs could serve as a time capsule for future generations to understand this period of your life, which song would it be and why?
I mean, definitely it would be my first song would be like one of those. And then if there was one other song, and it would be like 'Paris in the Rain' or something? Like those two, I think those two are first ones that come to my mind. Modern Loneliness as well.
ALSO READ: Lollapalooza India 2024: Jonas Brothers, One Republic, Halsey, Lauv, The Rose, Eric Nam join the artist line-up of two-day musical extravaganza
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