There are few artists in today's pop realm that resonate with me like Lauren Marsh does. Since her first album album "Veracity" dropped and her breakout song "Dear Love" aired on NCIS: New Orleans February 22nd, 2015, she has been awing crowds with her pristine, driving vocals; soothing ukulele strums and empowering piano. I've had the pleasure of joining her on drums at multiple venues such as Maxwell's Tavern in Hoboken, NJ; Triumph Brewing in Princeton, NJ; Buck's County Brewery in Buck's County, PA; Princeton's Communiversity festival in 2018 and we are set to play a duo performance at Citizen's Bank Park this Saturday, March 30th 2019 at a brand new venue opening up within the complex. Apart from that, she has opened up for artists such as Andy Grammer, Gavin DeGraw and Howie Day; as well as playing a showcase co-curated by Counting Crow's frontman Adam Duritz. Basically, she is an inspiring artist that I've been blessed to meet through mutual acquaintance and part-time bass player, Matt Hillblom, and am also blessed to have been given the opportunity to play original music that moves me with such a delightful and ambitious person. If you get the chance, you should definitely attend a show when she is avidly touring your east coast-neck of the woods.. or buy an album! They're available everywhere and she has two :)
Her brand new release is titled "Revival" and is jam packed with some familiar fan favorites such as "I Need You Now", "Take Me With You (When You Go)" [formerly "Here's To You"] and "Stay With Me Now" (formerly "Naked Feelings") Side note: We were discussing these title changes at practice recently, and she clarified a bit; explaining that the repetitive lyric, also the one people are left singing, are the words now emphasized in the title. This tactical psychology and thoughtful care for her song's lasting impression on audiences is where her William Patterson education really comes into play I feel. She has appreciation for the devil in the details which is what makes her so ambitious and a force to be reckoned with musically I believe. Anyway, these songs might have made previous appearances in her earlier sets (she plays both solo and band gigs), but the production of the EP is a fresh breath of air to her unique voice and quite the "revival" even. The production is masterful on this one, recorded at local music studio Lakehouse in Asbury Park, NJ; giving her music the depth and capacity to launch her into international/global stardom I feel (if that hasn't been accomplished by television already). Every song is energetic and emotionally intense, accomplishing her goal of "moving people in some way through music".. this EP truly is an artful compilation.
After recording a humble interpretation of her hit "Dear Love" a while ago (believe me, I mean humble.. Lauren has pipes) I decided it was only appropriate both for this blog post and our upcoming sixth? show I've played with her alike that I cover one off "Revival" It was a difficult decision to make, between the nostalgic yet lighthearted vibe of "Kids", the dire exclamation of a love that won't quit in "I Need You Now", the desperate need for solace and closure in "On The Count of Three" and the extremely vulnerable "Stay With Me Now". I landed on this song as it brought a fond memory back to me, remembering playing it with very little rehearsal for the first time together at the Princeton Arts Fest and absolutely nailing it. The cover is posted up in the "My Inspiration For..." tab in the blog menu, but without further ado, here is Lauren Marsh's "I Need You Now"