{"id":15330,"date":"2016-05-16T11:06:08","date_gmt":"2016-05-16T18:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/?p=15330"},"modified":"2016-05-17T12:14:39","modified_gmt":"2016-05-17T19:14:39","slug":"lauren-daigle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/2016\/05\/lauren-daigle\/","title":{"rendered":"Video Feature &#038; Interview: LAUREN DAIGLE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>VIDEO FEATURE OF THE DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Artist:<strong> \u00a0LAUREN DAIGLE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Song:\u00a0 \u201cHow Can It Be\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xo5QE4GaFUc\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Lauren Daigle is the fastest selling new artist in Contemporary Christian music in the past decade.\u00a0Her debut album reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Gospel Top Albums Chart with more than 270,000 album sales and 730,000 track sales. She has almost 50 million YouTube and Vevo views, with about 200,000 subscribers. \u201cHow Can It Be\u201d alone has had more than 14 million views.<\/p>\n<p>Daigle, who recently received her first Grammy nomination for \u201cBest Contemporary Christian Music Album\u201d at the 58th Grammy Awards, has been on top of the charts this past year.\u00a0Her debut full-length album, <em>How Can It Be<\/em>, has spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard\u2019s Top Christian Albums chart, and debuted in the Top 30 on the Billboard 200.\u00a0She earned her first No. 1 single on Billboard\u2019s Hot Christian Songs chart with \u201cTrust in You\u201d in March. She has been nominated for two Billboard Music Awards\u2014Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album. The ABC show will air May 22.<\/p>\n<p>Daigle has also won three Dove Awards (nominated for four)\u2014\u201cNew Artist of the Year,\u201d \u201cSong of the Year\u201d (\u201cHow Can It Be\u201d) and \u201cContemporary Song of the Year (\u201cHow Can It Be\u201d). Her singles \u201cHow Can It Be\u201d and \u201cFirst\u201d both reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Songs Chart and #1 on the Christian Digital Tracks Chart with \u201cFirst\u201d also reaching #1 on the NCA radio chart.<\/p>\n<p>On May 6, Centricity Music released a deluxe edition of Daigle\u2019s 2015 debut album: <em>How Can It Be\u2014Deluxe Edition<\/em>. It was produced by the renowned drummer Paul Mabury, who has produced and provided drums for many amazing musicians including Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman, Leigh Nash, Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Steven Curtis Chapman and Amanda Cook.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Web-Exclusive Interview with\u00a0<em>M Music &amp; Musicians<\/em>\u00a0magazine publisher, Merlin David<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15379\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-Daigle-photo-as-of-4.14.jpg\" alt=\"Lauren-Daigle-photo-as-of-4.14\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-Daigle-photo-as-of-4.14.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-Daigle-photo-as-of-4.14-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>How did the album <em>How Can It Be<\/em> evolve?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We wrote for a year and a half before the recording process. In that time, there were a lot of things I was learning about myself, so I wrote from a place of honesty and what I needed to believe at the time. It organically formed itself with themes of grace, acceptance and redemption.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What was the inspiration behind this album?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It came from new seasons of life, new norms, new everything. I moved from Louisiana, where I was born and raised, to Nashville, TN\u2014all by myself\u2014to pursue the adventure of writing and becoming an artist. Shortly after arriving in Nashville, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and passed away within five months. He was my best friend. We were very close. In the midst of him becoming sick, I halted the recording process by about 3 months, and went home to be with him. The songs began to flow. I\u2019d say the majority of the songs on the record were written within the one month period after his death. I wanted to carry on his legacy of love and give hope to any others going through similar situations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did growing up in Louisiana color your music?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Music in Louisiana is incredibly cultural. There is a rootsy grit to the pulse of music. People delight in connecting with their soul to create music that involves the masses, whether with sounds passed down for generations, or new spins on the old. I would say growing up in Louisiana has everything to do with the sounds I love\u2014melodies that captivate your heart married with a groove that makes you want to move your feet. I love living in the pocket.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your creative process for writing songs?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Being still. It is priority for me. I love working from a place of overflow, and from a place of relaxation. It doesn\u2019t have to be so calculated. I\u2019m more on the pursuit of a response from the soul. That looks different in many ways, but you can\u2019t be fearful of where the creative process may take you. A majority of the time, lyrics and melodies will come in my brain as I\u2019m doing everyday activities\u2014so I grab my phone and record. Other times, I will have watched a show, festival, movie\u2014and I find inspiration birthed. Food inspires me to be creative as well. <em>(Laughs)<\/em> You have to commit to being a creative sponge at all times.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did co-writing help?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I love the co-writing process. It allows writer\u2019s to sharpen each other with new ideas and concepts. It challenges us to come to a place of creative unity. One writer might be a strong lyricist. Another might be prolific with melodies. Another might walk in with a great story. We are all able to build with each other.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What songwriting tip would you like to offer?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pursue authenticity greater than success. Seek revelation of your own, and find your unique sounds to express that. Breathe.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15378\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Final-RED-DRESS.jpg\" alt=\"Final RED DRESS\" width=\"660\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Final-RED-DRESS.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Final-RED-DRESS-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you keep song ideas fresh?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Live. Take daily experiences and find something worthy of penning.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is one instrument<\/strong><strong> or equipment that you can\u2019t live without\u2014that helps you write, record or perform?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I actually write without instruments. I like coming up with melodies that rely significantly upon the voice. I carry my phone to record ideas and sing out the parts I hear for each instrument to play. I do play piano for enjoyment though. I love the drums, sax, trombone, upright bass. It reminds me of home.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Paul Mabury is known for his amazing drums\/percussion. How did working with him influence this album?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Paul is a legend. He was not intimidated by the swampy sounds I wanted to bring to the table. He was able to take my upbringing, and make it commercially cohesive for the Christian audience to enjoy. He taught me to hear harmonies\u2014layers and layers deep. I\u2019m so thankful for his involvement. Funny enough, I trusted him even more when I found out he was a prolific drummer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coldplay albums seem to be a strong influence. What about them inspires you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I love that they take people on a journey of the soul. Capture sounds. Every single song is a journey. I love their performance element. I\u2019m going to see them for the first time this August\u2014I can\u2019t wait! I love how they combine sound with light and performance\u2014the artistic element\u2014they execute it perfectly. I love where it takes you.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other than Coldplay, Top 5 Musicians who inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Amanda Cook, Adele, Joel Houston, Amy Winehouse, and John Mayer Trio.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-15377\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-full-length.jpg\" alt=\"Lauren full length\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-full-length.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Lauren-full-length-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/>How did the idea of the song \u201cHow Can It Be\u201d come to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Basically, I was in the studio. It was crunch time, and we were wrapping up the writing process before we started recording. I thought \u201cwe\u2019re missing a song\u201d\u2014another song that should be on here that isn\u2019t. I talked to my producer who said he would look in his catalog because he said there\u2019s a song I think you would like. He told me about this passage in the Bible where a woman was caught in adultery, and was to be stoned. Jesus stepped in, and said, \u201cLet the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.\u201d I just imagined how afraid she must have been. In my own life, there are moments of weakness\u2014where I am afraid\u2014afraid of my inadequacies. And this song is about Jesus helping you not be afraid of your inadequacies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The production of your songs seems ready for pop radio, but your lyrics seem to be for Christian radio.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I think about this all the time. This is just my first record. I have dreams and goals of expanding into new places. It doesn\u2019t mean that the heartbeat of who I am will ever change. First and foremost, I want people to know Jesus\u2014and His care and concern for humans. I look at multiple platforms to reach a wider number of people. Lyrically, I signed with an indie Christian label, and I love it, but I miss another side of meeting with people who don\u2019t know God. When I write alone\u2014for myself\u2014I write about anything and everything.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>For someone who is only now discovering you and your music, what one thing will give some perspective on their new Lauren Daigle journ<\/strong><strong>ey?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s my greatest desire for people to be encouraged, to see the heart of Jesus for themselves, and feel empowered with the tool to respond to Him. I\u2019m honored to be a part!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is most exciting about your amazing current tour?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Right now, I am out with Hillsong United on the <em>Empires<\/em> Tour. Many things excite me about the tour. I love how Hillsong approaches the stage with the mindset of excellence each night. They call the Church to step into all that God desires and has established for us. Each night is filled with the awe and wonder of heaven. The set is <em>amazing<\/em> and artful as well. It\u2019s all very inspiring.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Are you working on another album?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I hope to be in the studio by January 2017.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are your Top 5 favorite albums?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>19 <\/em>(2008) \u2013 Adele<\/p>\n<p><em>Brave New World <\/em>(2015) \u2013 Amanda Cook<\/p>\n<p><em>Empires <\/em>(2015) \u2013 Hillsong United<\/p>\n<p><em>Ghost Stories <\/em>(2014) \u2013 Coldplay<\/p>\n<p><em>Mylo Xyloto <\/em>(2011) \u2013 Coldplay<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more info, check out:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.LaurenDaigle.com\" target=\"_blank\">LaurenDaigle.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15331\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/1-album-Adele.jpg\" alt=\"1-album-Adele\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/1-album-Adele.jpg 210w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/1-album-Adele-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15332\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/2-album.jpg\" alt=\"2-album\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/2-album.jpg 210w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/2-album-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15333\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/3-album.jpg\" alt=\"3-album\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/3-album.jpg 210w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/3-album-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15334\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/4-album.jpg\" alt=\"4-album\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/4-album.jpg 210w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/4-album-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15335\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-album.jpg\" alt=\"5-album\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-album.jpg 210w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-album-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VIDEO FEATURE OF THE DAY Artist: \u00a0LAUREN DAIGLE Song:\u00a0 \u201cHow Can It Be\u201d Lauren Daigle is the fastest selling new artist in Contemporary Christian music in the past decade.\u00a0Her debut album reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Gospel Top Albums Chart with more than 270,000 album sales and 730,000 track sales. She has almost 50 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15366,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1058,7725],"tags":[7743,7744,7746,7742,7745,5431],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15330"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15380,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15330\/revisions\/15380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}