Over the last several years, Lauren Babic has been making a name for herself online and in the alt-metal scene, contributing to bands like Red Handed Denial, CrazyEightyEight, and SKYLIMIT, while gaining online traction with her heavy covers of pop songs. Now, the Toronto-born, Nashville-based vocalist has stepped out on her own with her debut solo EP, Too Much and Never Enough, released on March 28. Metal Insider caught up with Babic to discuss her debut solo effort.
What inspired you to release your first solo EP?
I think there was a big self love and acceptance piece that needed to happen in my brain. Being in bands for so long… I never saw myself as being viable to stand on my own as an artist under my own name, especially coming from the content world. But after the outpouring of support from fans and especially my peers… they were all like “why haven’t you done this already?” haha. It really gave me the push to accept that I can do this.
Can you describe the creative process behind Too Much and Never Enough?
We took a top down approach, really focussing on the vocal melodies and production. I’ve come from very guitar centric bands where the vocals had to fit on top of an instrumental that was written. Having the flexibility of making sure my voice was in its sweet spot before committing to the instrumentation was really key to allowing my voice to shine.
How did your experience with reimagining pop songs translate into your own original work?
I think it gave me a huge appreciation for other genres. Metal can be a very protective and gatekeepy niche of the music world, and I’ve never subscribed to that outlook. There is so much to love about pop music. Studying the songwriting aspect of pop was so important to songs like Sanctuary and Breathe You In.
Can you tell us more about the meaning behind the title Too Much and Never Enough?
In a nutshell, the title of the EP sums up 15 years of my experience in the music industry. I’ve been told by so many people that I’m not this or that, or that I’m too much of one thing and not the other. It’s come to a point where I don’t care and I’m just gonna be myself, like it or not.
Can you talk more about the meaning behind and the writing process for the song ‘Breathe You In’?”
BYI was such a fun writing experience! Up until that point, I was so used to writing my vocals and melodies myself. So I found this new appreciation and importance of collaboration. Evan Mckeever was my cowriter on the vocals (he also co-wrote with me on Sanctuary). Bouncing ideas off of someone often times result in something better, or something you never thought of. I wanted it to be a fun and fierce type song, and Evan really helped achieve that lyrically.
Was there a particular song on the EP that was especially challenging for you to write or record?
It took me a few months to wrap my head around how I was going to record vocals for Sanctuary. I think everyone is so used to me going 3000% in my belted grit singing range, so my choice to sing the chorus in more of a sultry pretty way took some time to convince myself that it sounded good haha.
Now that the EP is out, what can you reveal about your upcoming plans, whether it’s more new music on its way or live shows?
I’m already working on an album worth of songs, and I will be playing some test shows in select US cities in the fall! i’m also working on reimagining my pop EP Silence Is The Only Sound into metal versions so that they will make sense to play live!
Is there anything else you’d like to say or add about the new EP?
I hope you enjoy the EP if you get around to checking it out! Thank you!
