Lauren Chantal has just released her debut single ‘Sparkle’. A pop and soulful mix, that speaks the power of valuing and believing in yourself, even when simply breathing feels like a struggle. When it comes to showcasing your art, music or passions to the world it can be a long and uncertain process. For Lauren this journey back to her voice has been one of determination, courage, strength and a little bit of sparkle.

Passion is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion. For Lauren this is what singing was growing up. That safe space to be free, to create, came as second nature to her, acting as an anchor throughout her early life. No matter what came her way, performing was always there. After attending a performing arts school and studying musical theatre at college, Lauren found herself thrown into adult life. There is a huge amount of pressure put on young adults to settle within the first workplace they find themselves in and particularly one that is a “practical” industry. Along with this pressure they deal with the ups and downs of teenage life, heartbreak, the natural yearn to fit in socially as well as the constant battle of unachievable perfection and beauty standards placed on young girls. Lauren found that things started to build up on top of her and weighed her down. She spoke about the hurry to decide there and then what you are meant to do for the rest of your life and being encouraged to be more realistic with her career. Throughout our entire lives we are constantly growing and changing, so this idea that your career can be decided in a second is farcical. 

With the heavy weight to decide what she should do with her life lying on her shoulders amongst many other personal issues; Lauren’s mental health deteriorated. She suffered on and off with mental health issues for 5 years. The singers performing took a backseat, as she tried to navigate herself through those difficult times. Depression and Anxiety can alienate you and trick you into thinking that you are not worthy of love or friendship, which can lead to isolating oneself- promoting even more loneliness. It can be hard to explain how it feels to suffer with these mental illnesses when everything looks fine on the outside. Speaking to Lauren about those dark periods of her life she stated that everything is a journey of finding yourself and what feels good for you. Not ‘what your parents tell you to do, not what your school advises you and not what society wants you to do’. You must lead a decision which affects your future based on happiness and the love for what you’re doing, not fear. Life is about finding that thing that sets your soul on fire and holding onto it no matter what. Every hard and trying moment in our lives leads us to where we are meant to be. For Lauren all of this would inevitably lead her to Sparkle.

Over those periods of darkness one thing always remained and that was Laurens love for music. Helping her get through every heavy moment in her life were songs and artists that she could connect with. Lauren felt comfort in knowing that however cloudy life may have seemed, someone out there had experienced it too. Connection to lyrics of people’s similar stories became the blanket that soothed her through those distressing times. It was this that pushed her to make the momentous decision to take the leap from corporate to creative. Lauren applied to study at BIMM London. Building up her confidence with each performance, she fell back in love with sharing her voice. Slowly but surely gaining that passion for being on the stage again, a place that once felt more like home than anywhere else for her. Being in a creative atmosphere allowed her singing to flourish like it had once done and she grew closer to the girl she used to know. This is where the courage to write her own music began,  using her studies as a guide for building within her craft. Although it was not all smooth sailing, it was in those moments where the choppy waters arose, she was now equipped to articulate how she feels and translate it into music. This is where Sparkle was born. 

Sparkle wasn’t created purposely out of the desire to write a song, it was created following a difficult mental health episode. With this desire to help others out there possibly feeling the same way she did, Lauren grabbed a pen and paper to begin writing. Translating onto paper what she wished someone would say to her, letting her know it’s okay, she is enough and things will always get better. Sparkle wasn’t part of a university module, or part of a strategic business plan, it was created there in the lowest moment as she yearned to help others. Turning the pain she harboured from all those years suffering and the ways she fought with her mind everyday, into art from her soul. Sparkle is the story of a girl who despite every downfall in life never stopped believing in that spark we have inside all of us. When you listen to Sparkle you are listening to someone’s life, the pain, the anguish and the determination to see life out till the morning. The words resonate with all those trying to find their way in this world and using their passions to guide them.

From being stuck in reception/ front of house roles for most of her late teens to leaving everything behind to pursue her music. From stability to jumping straight into the unknown. Lauren Chantal is fearless. Fast forward to the present Lauren has now released her debut single, worked with several creative producers and continues to study at BIMM. This is just the beginning of the singer’s amazing career, so stay tuned for big things to come. Lauren Chantal’s voice gives vibes of Kehlani, Jheno Aiko and Ella Mai put together, but she is more than her voice. She is the story that lies deep beneath the surface. That shows you can do anything you set your heart to, if you have the courage to take that first simple step.

 

Q&A 

What’s your advice to any young adults wanting to pursue a career in music? 

My advice would be to find what your superpower is when it comes to music. What makes you different from everyone else? I can start by telling you that no one is you and that is definitely your power, but what makes you, you? Delving into this self discovery will reveal what makes you shine and you should use this to lead your music with. In regards to following your passion, I have lived a life where I wasn’t doing what I wanted but instead what I felt I was supposed to. I tried to live the best life I could, going on holidays, buying clothes, going out all the time, even masking and avoiding my pain with romantic relationships, but nothing filled the void. If you feel this way, I invite you to give your passion a try. And that goes for anything, not just in music. This is your life and you have the freedom to do what you want- even if it seems impossible for you right now. This world is mystical and wonderful, if you step towards the things you want in life, I believe that unseen powers will conspire to assist you on your way, but you have to make that brave choice to begin. Although there can be darkness in this world too, I believe doing what you love can be your saviour. Surely it’s worth a try? 

What’s next for Lauren Chantal now Sparkle has been released? 

I’m still very much at the beginning of my own self discovery journey, so I’m just taking every opportunity I can to explore different genres and collaborating with some amazing producers – so watch this space! I have a yearning to find ‘my sound’ so I will definitely be experimenting when writing my own songs with help from my super talented brother Craig producing them. I can’t wait for the world to see his talents too. Apart from that I will just continue to hone in on my skills and hopefully grow in confidence and ability. 

What helped you keep going in your darkest moments?

Truthfully, it’s a multitude of things, but I would definitely say my family has been my rock, if I didn’t have them I’m not sure if I would be here anymore. Having someone to reach out to for support is SO important, anyone from a friend to a teacher, a partner or coworker, even seeking help from a counsellor can begin the road out of your pain. I have been having counselling/ therapy for over 3 years now and have been on/off antidepressants. I had a hard time accepting that I deserved the help, with the stigma around medication for a long time I didn’t want to give in to using them. During this pandemic lockdown really exacerbated my issues, so I use an app called headspace that has lots of courses for guided meditations. Exercise, drinking 4 pints of water, trying to eat fruit/veg, getting a good night’s rest and seeing friends also have been ways that have lifted the heavy feelings that once weighed me down. Of course coming back to music, I finally felt like I was doing something for myself for the first time in so long and that gave me my zest for life back. I would just like to reach out to anyone reading and tell them that even if you feel worthless this world needs you, you are so loved even if you don’t realise it yourself. We all deserve a chance at life. So please give yourself that chance no matter how you feel.  

How is studying at BIMM London? Would you recommend it?

I am actually a more ‘mature’ student so I found it a bit hard settling in at first as I had such bad imposter syndrome. But I have just completed my first year and honestly I am a whole new person, my confidence, technique and artistry have come on leaps and bounds and that is because of the passionate and caring tutors at my university. They also have an incredible student support system and have put on numerous masterclasses even throughout this lockdown which have continued to inspire, develop and support us. I couldn’t be more grateful to be studying here. 

If you had any advice for your younger self what would it be? 

Follow your heart, and trust yourself, you’re wiser than you know. Beauty is within, so focus on being beautiful from the inside out. Breathe!!! Believe in yourself. You are so loved. Your imperfections help you find your purpose. Your sparkle lights us all.