How Lauv is Feeling
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Personal growth is nothing short of a challenge. From the moment we are born, we are flooded constantly with rules, guidelines, and ways to live. Whether it’s how to approach dating or what clothes to pull out of the closet, these rules influence how we approach our everyday lives. For singer-songwriter Lauv, it has been a process learning how to navigate the world not by the rules of society but by what makes him happy and in touch with himself. Years ago, he was known as the hopeless romantic with hit singles like “I Like Me Better” and “Paris in the Rain.” Yes, love is still a big aspect of the experiences that he shares through his music, but he is also stretching and growing outside of this box that had completely defined him at the beginning of his career. It’s not just love anymore. It’s sadness, anger, joy, and just about anything in between. Between speaking with him a few years ago at Hangout Fest and talking to him just the other day over the phone, there was a much stronger air of confidence, self-love, and self-awareness.
His upcoming album, ~how i’m feeling~, can be used as a small window into his process of self-awareness, of understanding how his emotions interact with the world around him. Tracing how writing this album played a part in his journey of self-awareness, he explains, “As a person, it made me realize I was super blocked in before. I was this young hopeless romantic and everything was about that. This album has helped me embrace the fact I am so much more than that. I can be different on different days. That’s cool. My moods change. In addition, in the beginning of 2019, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and OCD. I was in a really shitty place, and then I kind of got out of it. I felt like I had found purpose. I think it’s my purpose to share about the things I’ve been through and to share [the lessons] that have been passed along.”
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As an artist shares a more vulnerable side of their story, it can be difficult to sway away from the typical “Aw, that’s so touching” or“I just want to hug you” sort of moments. Naturally, it is very inspiring when you see someone you look up to open a piece of their soul. You want to hug them. You want to support them. You should support them. But you should also know that a sad song can be almost the equivalent of a battle cry. It’s a path to near freedom, an outlet in search of inner peace, and one step closer to growing into the person they want to become.
It’s exciting to see how Lauv’s fan base is growing along with these battle cries and sad songs. His music provides a home and an escape for many people. With some of his latest songs like, “Drugs & The Internet” and “Sad Forever,” his music offers a space for people to come and feel truly understood. Lauv is opening up the door to authenticity.
If you want in on this emotional celebration, don’t worry. His international tour is coming up, and he couldn’t be more excited. Lauv is taking over some of the world’s greatest venues, including two nights at the historic Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s no surprise that with such a monumental album and tour coming up, the shows will contain elements you’ve never seen from him in a live setting. You’ll still have moments of swooning over his smile, but there will be so many more moments of genuine human connection. What makes a show so special is not only the artist’s presence on stage but the energy the crowd brings to a live show. I ask him what kind of spirit and attitude he hopes fans bring to the show, and he responds, “Wow, literally no one has ever asked me that before. I don’t know if I’ve even thought about what I want people to come in with. Off the top of my head, I think I want it to be a place where people feel open, vulnerable, and connected.” He continues, “I have a song called ‘Modern Loneliness’ on the album. So often we are in these sorts of experiences where people go to shows and it’s about the spectacle and showing the moment on their phone. People are technically together, but in concerts back in the day, people were actually together. I want people at my shows to know we are together, and I’m going to give you all of who I am and try to break that barrier down. I hope people feel that sort of comfort.”
Breaking barriers and creating connections are what Lauv strives to do. His genuine love for humanity is evident in his music, and it’s one of the things he brings to the table in any creative process, especially in collaborations. He has worked on songs with individuals and groups like Troye Sivan, Anne-Marie, and LANY. While the other artists brought their own unique twist and flair to the singles, Lauv’s fingerprint is clear. All of these songs express raw human emotions, ranging from frustration to pure joy. No matter the feeling, Lauv has a special way of portraying it.
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This special touch of Lauv’s not only allows him to shine in song and creation but allows him to shine as a role model for so many young people. He was recently featured on the cover of Gay Times magazine, further showcasing his support in celebrating everything that makes you... you. Unafraid to paint his nails and showcase his more feminine side, Lauv says, “I think we should have faith that it’s going to get better and that there’s people out there [who will support you]. With the people who aren’t [supportive], you don’t want that energy in your life anyway. If you’re pretending to be a certain way for those people, you’re never going to be happy.”
“I was in a really shitty place, and then I kind of got out of it. I felt like I had found purpose. I think it’s my purpose to share about the things I’ve been through and to share things that have been passed along. Helping people is really important to me, and I think the best way I can do that is to share what I’ve been through.”
As a fan of Lauv’s myself, who is eagerly awaiting his album and tour, I want to also speak directly to Lauv’s fans in the same position. Yes, don’t forget to take photos with your friends at his concert. Laugh, have fun, and enjoy the lights and the music. But don’t forget to push the outside away. Forget the text notifications and the upcoming assignment at school. Dive into the show. Dive into the feelings around you. Sing your favorite Lauv songs. Sing them unapologetically loud. Don’t worry about what the person next to you thinks about your voice. Feel the human connection Lauv has worked so hard to establish. Take all the energy he has to offer and give it back times ten. There’s nothing more special than fully releasing yourself in a crowd of strangers, listening to the songs that make you feel the most alive. It’s okay to cry in a sea of people, and it’s okay to ask someone for a hug. A concert experience can change you. It may sound silly, but it’s true. Allow that change to happen.
As we wrap up the interview, it is clear that the past few years for Lauv have been a process of discovery and rediscovery. I ask him, “If you had the opportunity to talk to your younger self, the Lauv before I met you when I was 18 and your endeavors in the music industry, what would you say to him?” He responds, “Honestly, I would give him the longest hug ever. We would probably cry together, a lot. I would tell him to focus on being in touch with himself. I lost that part of myself. I was trying to make things for other people and do things to get love from other people. At this point, I’m trying to strip all of that away and get back to the kid who was just the person he was. I would tell him to create the most authentic place possible and to have faith it’ll take you in the right direction.”
STORY ELIZABETH STAFFORD
PHOTOS DERRICK FRESKE
GROOMING MICHAELINE at 3PLUS MANAGEMENT using R+CO
STYLIST LISA MARIE CAMERON
ASSISTANT STYLIST ANNA LOWNES
CREATIVE DIRECTION ANNA ZHANG