Franco-British composer and singer Lauren Auder has released “Yes,” a new single signaling the start of a new phase in her career. Known for blending baroque pop, experimental elements, and introspective themes, Auder’s latest work introduces a more direct and rhythmic direction, drawing inspiration from dance music and the subcultures that have shaped its vocabulary. With “Yes,” Auder continues to evolve her sound, moving toward brighter and more incisive structures while maintaining the emotional sincerity that has cultivated a dedicated following. We spoke with Auder about this transformative moment, her connection with her community of listeners, and the new perspectives guiding the next chapter of her artistic journey.
Gaia V. Marraffa: Your new single Yes is described as “breaking new ground”. What does “pushing yourself further” mean to you in relation to your previous work, both musically and personally, and what are the elements that define this new direction?
Lauren Auder: I’m always coming to my work as a music fan. One of the things I’ve inherited from the artists I adore is this constant sense of evolution, constant attempts at new things and changes in sound. I think that’s what it means to me. I wanted to toy with new structures, pull from different genres. My life was changing so rapidly while writing these songs too. It felt natural to push in a more upbeat and direct direction, for lack of better words.
GM: About the song, you talk about ‘house influenced pianos, Madchester-esque grooves and a tightly packed lyric delivery’. How important was the reference to dance music roots and subculture to you, and how do you balance these influences with your background in ‘baroque pop/orchestrated pop’?
LA: I think it was rather natural. A lot of the music I was listening to at the time Yes was written was coming out of these subcultures, it was a joyous moment in my life, or at least one full of forward momentum, I needed what was crossing my ears to match that! My mind was full of Frankie Knuckles and Black Grape. It’s body music, things that make you want to shake yourself out of stupor. I wanted to bring these influences into my world.
GM: Looking upon your journey, from producer in the underground rap scene to today’s author of intimately orchestrated pieces, how would you describe the evolution of your creative process? What steps have transformed you most profoundly as an artist?
LA: What first made me want to make music of my own was hearing Spaceghostpurrp’s blackland radio 666. It broke down every rule about what music is that I had subconsciously taken on. I knew I wanted to be a part of that part of the rap world. Although I was listening to a wide breadth of music then it wasn’t til I heard Scott Walker’s more experimental music a few years later that I experienced another eureka moment. These two kindof core moments still feel like they explain everything I attempt with my music, somewhere in the rhizome between these two high points.
GM: Living in London and also having roots in France, how much do your cultural identity and this “transnational” background influence the way you make music in terms of lyrics, sounds and references?
LA: It’s hard to truly map this out. Both cultures feel so much a part of me, totally braided into my own identity. I think if anything, it’s just access to MORE makes you want to keep knowing more.
GM: You are often perceived as a “cult” artist, with a very devoted audience that is sensitive to your poetics. What does it mean for you to build a community around your music, and if you feel any, what responsibilities do you feel in this role?
LA: It’s an honour really, my audience isn’t yet the biggest but I am lucky to know that many of those who listen really really care. I’ve had the craziest experiences at shows, hearing how much these songs have meant to people. It’s amazing really, I think of the relationship I’ve had to records that are important to me and to think my work exists within someone’s life in that way makes me feel full of pride. I don’t know if I feel any responsibility beyond making the best music I possibly can.
To know that I’m never phoning it in. I want to make music that resonates because it is true.
GM: “Yes” is presented as the beginning of a new chapter. What would you like to experience next in terms of music, visuals and collaborations in the coming months or years?
LA: Right now I’m just itching for the full picture to come into focus. I love this next record, I’m more proud of it than anything I’ve ever made. I want to be in the room with people, to sing these songs for them, to feel what they can evoke in the real world. I’m open to the rest!
