A Co Antrim singer songwriter is set to release a single she debuted at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville where global popstar Taylor Swift’s career began.
Lauren Craig (25) from Portglenone, Co Antrim said she has always loved performing and recalled having to be “involved in everything” growing up from acting classes to sports teams.
However, despite her current success as a musician she confessed it wasn’t always her first choice. In fact, when she was 18 Lauren moved to Canada to pursue an acting career but the outbreak of Covid-19 meant she was forced to move back home.
“I used to really enjoy acting and pre-Covid I moved to Vancouver to work with Netflix but when the pandemic hit it just made more sense to come home.”
Although some may see this as a setback Lauren believes the pandemic helped her to discover her passion for music.
“I’d always gigged at local bars at home since I was about 17 but I didn’t take it seriously until Covid whenever everybody was making videos and trying to push themselves.
“And that’s when I decided to try and start writing my own music.
“So, I reached out to one of my friends, Jordan Shivers, who’s in the band Two Degrees from Cookstown, and we co-wrote my first song Waiting for Love which came out in 2022.”
Since then, Lauren has racked up thousands of followers across her social media platforms and performed in venues throughout Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the US.
And in 2024, having previously toured America with Two Degrees, she decided to “take the leap” and move to New York.
“New York is so busy; it’s so fast paced which is great for what I’m doing because it means you have to keep on top of yourself and what you’re doing because if you don’t keep up you will fall behind.
“But it’s also really exciting because there’s so many musicians out here that you haven’t heard of yet but that are going to hit it big in the next couple of years and it’s great to be around that kind of energy and competition.”
She adds that another reason she decided to move to the States was the down to the enthusiasm of American crowds.
“Don’t get me wrong - I love Irish audiences - but playing for Americans crowds is a completely different experience.
“They really love music - like even on a Wednesday night they’d go out of their way to go to a gig whereas I know back home on a Wednesday night I want to be in my pyjamas watching something on the TV,” she laughs.
“It’s an atmosphere that I’ve just fallen in love with.”
Lauren has been able to experience this kind of crowd a lot more since becoming a New Yorker but says her performance at Nashville’s Bluebird Café was on “another level” as it’s notoriously difficult to secure a spot on the venue’s iconic stage.
Don’t get me wrong - I love Irish audiences - but playing for Americans crowds is a completely different experience
— Lauren Craig
“I reached out to them in the summertime and basically said I’d take any spot – I didn’t care when I just really wanted to sing in the venue,” explains Lauren.
“So, they had a spot open in December and I took it straight away and it was amazing.
“The reception you get after you’ve performed is wild, people make you think you’re famous,” she describes.
“They’re just so lovely and want to get photos with you and want to listen to your music and, honestly, it inspired me to go and write more songs.”
Having previously hosted the like of Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kris Kristofferson, Faith Hill, Vince Gill and enabling a 14-year-old Taylor Swift to catch her big break, Lauren thought it was only right to debut her new song, Calling Out Your Name, at The Bluebird.
“I wrote it in about a day and my song Chasin’ the Dream was exactly the same,” she explains.
“I think if you dig deep into the lyrics, it’s about coming to terms with the fact two people can be at fault when a relationship ends – which hopefully people will be able to relate to.”
Previously all of Lauren’s music has been produced by Tyrone-based music producer Ross Lavery. However, for Calling Out Your Name she teamed up with American musical maestros Mike Squillante and Ryan Schumer.
“Ross is unbelievably talented and someone I really trust with my music so it felt like I was really stepping out of my comfort zone when I started working with Mike and Ryan.
“But Ryan’s worked with Shawn Mendes, Khalid and people who are a lot bigger than me so that really put me at ease because they both know what they’re doing.
“Anything I wanted them to do they were able to do it, so I’m really excited for the song to come out but also really nervous.
“Whenever you’re coming up to a release you never know what way it’s going to go but hopefully people like it.”
Looking ahead, Lauren hopes to continue growing her platform and progressing in her career.
“I’ll be working down in Nashville for the majority of this year, I’ve also been invited back to the Bluebird to play again which is so exciting, and I’ve got more songs coming out so there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Her best piece of advice to fellow aspiring artists is to “say yes to everything”.
“I think a lot of the time you can be your own worst enemy and get into your own head about things – I know I’m guilty of that,” she confesses.
“But by saying yes to everything you’re not giving yourself that opportunity to overthink and I think that’s something I’ve learned to do more since moving over here and it’s made a massive difference.”
Calling Out Your Name will be available on Spotify and other streaming services from February 7. Follow Lauren Craig on Instagram @lauren_craig
