LAU Discusses Her Songwriting Career and New Album ‘Digital Dream’

It may come in various forms, but as LAU clarifies, synths never get old. You can hear it in her recent single releases, and you’ll also notice it in her upcoming album, Digital Dream. Due out November 15th via Aztec Records, LAU has already released four singles from the album. The record discusses the ups and downs of love, attraction, heartache, and friendship. The songs also cover a lot of emotional ground as well. The title Digital Dream is a reference to the type of lives we live now. Driven by social media, there is a persistent need to create “content” and be glued to our devices. This struggle to be seen and noticed only detracts from our time and opportunity to be creative.

LAU released her debut album Believer in 2021. This was then followed up with her sophomore effort, 2022’s Circumstance. Both albums helped define her as one of the most interesting new talents in synth music. Her music has been featured in a wide range of places. Amongst them are a Victoria’s Secret winter ad campaign and publications like Billboard, Rolling Stone, Mixmag, and Marie Claire.

We are pleased to have LAU join us today for a general conversation about her music, her career, and memorable moments in her career so far.

How would you describe your own music?

LAU: “I make ’80s-infused synthpop/synthwave (and sometimes Nu-Disco). My music has a certain nostalgia that will bring you back in time to an era when music was iconic and timeless.”

Who are your biggest influences?

“I think most of the great artists and bands from the ’80s really influenced me. I’m still a big fan of Queen, Tears For Fears, Roxette, Phil Collins, and Madonna, to name a few. It was the golden era of pop and I truly hope that my songs can survive the test of time like theirs did.”

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

“I would absolutely love to work with Robyn, HAIM, or Lil Nas X on a song. I think they’re all fantastic pop music songwriters and performers. And I was lucky enough to meet Robyn and open a few shows for her UK tour when I was drumming for Sam Sparro. Her shows were awesome.”

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

“I wish we didn’t have to create so much visual content for social media nowadays. It really takes a lot of time for musicians to keep up and to ‘please’ the algorithms and it takes away time from making music and having real face-to-face connections and collaborations. My new album Digital Dream touches on this subject precisely.”

What’s the best show you’ve ever played?

“A few months ago I played in my hometown, Buenos Aires, Argentina and it was amazing. It was packed, everyone was sweating as it was mega hot and the air conditioning wasn’t working. But the vibe was great. We had a few technical issues (we felt the laptop on stage was nearly melting!) but the energy was so good, and the audience was fantastic, a mixture of friends and fans. A gig to remember, for sure.”

LAU ‘Digital Dream’ album artwork

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?

“I love writing and recording. Creating magic in the studio really gives me an adrenaline hit and makes me happy. And touring is just as good! Meeting fans face to face, creating memorable moments together, touring, sharing my music with live audiences and visiting new cities is what I live for.”

What are you still trying to figure out?

“I’m still trying to figure out the work/life balance, as my career doesn’t feel like ‘work,’ it means that I never switch off. So I’m being more proactive now about setting alarms to go and do sports, or simply switch off my phone and do other things that don’t involve music.”

Do you have anything you’d like to tell any fans reading right now?

“I hope you’ve enjoyed the four singles that have been released so far, and that you’re looking forward to my new album coming out. I loved making this album and I hope you love it just as much. Also, I would love to see you at one of my shows next year!”

When you write do you do so with the live setting in mind or do you write a song just for the song’s sake?

“It depends. On some songs, I already know in which sections people will be clapping or singing along when I write them. Other songs are more autobiographical, whatever I’m going through at that moment. I love that each album of mine feels like a chapter in my life, and it’s also quite cathartic for me to write it all on a song.”

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

“I guess there are a few… Playing at Top of The Pops and also Glastonbury (Amy Winehouse was headlining) back when I was drumming for Sam Sparro was great. And also meeting Tom Jones in person when I performed as a drummer on TV for The Voice UK. As a solo artist, I’ve had my music placed on some commercials and video games, which was a great feeling.”

When recording Digital Dream, did anything strange, wonderful or terrible occur?

“It wasn’t strange, wonderful or terrible, but I did rewrite the entire album and only kept one song from the original batch. This new album was two years in the making, and I felt the songs weren’t as good as they could be. So I pretty much started all over again and created Digital Dream as it is today.

“For me, it’s always important to release the best albums that I can possibly make, even if it takes a little longer than planned or it requires that extra effort. I’m really glad I made that choice as I’m super happy with the final result.”

What are some of the lesser-known fun facts about you that people might be surprised to hear?

“In my free time, I love practicing boxing. It’s a sport that I discovered a few years ago and it was love at first punch! I’m also an avid tennis player. Since I moved to Barcelona a few years ago, I started playing beach tennis, which is super fun, with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, the palm trees, and lovely people. I also enjoy cooking, which is my favourite time of the day. I just switch off my phone and get in the zone with some cool new recipe.”