Live, Laugh, Lauv: What is this multi-platinum artist’s next move?

“I Like Me Better,” “Paris in the Rain,” “Superhero,” and many more hits have emerged over the years I have been a fan of Lauv. One of my first piano-playing TikToks was set to “Paris in the Rain.” Present day, his new album All for Nothing comes out August 5th. Fans are on the edge of their seat wondering, what masterpiece will he engineer next?

Before I dive in, huge thanks to Her Campus for connecting me with Lauv and this amazing opportunity.

I sat down to ask Ari (Lauv) and his adorable Pomeranian pups all about it. Ari jumped into the press conference wearing some pearly accessories, along with a necklace attached to a padlock, which I assume he’s been using to keep the new album under wraps. Also adorned with that patent indie pop singer nose ring, and thin framed glasses, he greeted us with a smile, and said “Thank you for being here! Should we start off with a song?”

As a multi-instrumentalist, Ari implements many different sounds and moods skillfully. You’ll hear a lot of angelic strings on this album, and listen to a musician who has clearly studied their craft and understands music theory much better than the rest of us.

After a swift preview we jumped into a Q&A (Questions and responses have been paraphrased for clarity)

Q: All for Nothing seems to be one of your more vulnerable records, what was the most terrifying, and gratifying part of opening up?

A: I felt very unfiltered, it’s very frank and unpolished. The scariest part is letting those pop lyrics stay unpolished, and being so straightforward. On the other hand, once it’s all out you can’t take it back and I think that’ll be freeing too.

Q: How do you maintain that “Lauv sound” while trying something new with your music?

A: *laughs* I used to be a control freak, needed to be at the computer producing everything for the song. This time around I took a more zoomed out approach where I focused more on songwriting and lyrics, and handed the wheel over to some friends I really trust as producers and let go a little bit. You’ll see that departure become prevalent in two songs, “Bad Trip,” and “I Don’t Have a Problem.” Those sound really different than what I usually do.

Q: Who is Joshua in the bridge of “Kids are Born Stars”?

A: That’s my son! I’m kidding I’m kidding! (publicist interjects “You’ve convinced everyone that’s your son”). No, no it’s my manager’s son. During lockdown, I’d FaceTime my manager stressed out and Joshua would pop up in the background and go *high pitch voice* “Don’t worry Ari everything’s gonna work out!” So sweet and encouraging. That was kinda thematic for me because part of this album was me getting back to my inner child.

Q: What’s one childhood memory that brings you closer to your inner child?

A: I had a friend who had a skate ramp and a trampoline, I loved playing around at that house and eating popsicles all day with my friends. I return to those memories daily.

Q: What is the story you are trying to tell with All for Nothing?

A: The story is about being in my mid-to-late 20s, where I reached a certain level of success but felt out of touch with myself. In some songs I’m still trying to find my inner light again, and its all about the ups and downs of that journey.

Q: What was the songwriting journey like with the new album?

A: It was definitely a journey in confidence building. I started it very anxious, feeling unworthy of happiness. I decided to treat the experience in a therapeutic manner, using that catharsis to get back to the peace and gratitude I’d felt at other points in my life before it got so complicated. Lots of questions, meditating, and positive self talk were all part of that journey. Now I can wake up and say “I’m okay with myself as a person no matter what the outside world brings me.”

Q: You’ve mentioned in other interviews you have a more fluid approach to music making now, how has that impacted your process?

A: Way more free styling has made its way into my new approach. I’ll just be messing around in the car with my friends and I’ll have an idea come out of nowhere. I trust myself and my ideas a lot more. Not afraid of being uncool or having bad ideas anymore. I’ve been finding more fun in making music lately.

Q: Where do those unfiltered moments you mentioned earlier come about in your lyrics?

A: With certain darker songs, like “Molly in Mexico,” “Bad Trip,” and “I Don’t Have a Problem,” I think lyrically those are not as pretty, but those songs are very real.

Author’s Note: Loud barks started to erupt from Ari’s minimalist marbled background.

Ari: Hey, doggy! Relax!

Publicist: Is that Billy?

Ari: Billy and Harry.

Publicist: Well the dogs have to speak at the press conference.

Ari proceeds to pull two adorable Pomeranians on screen, patting them on their heads and giving them forehead kisses.

Ari: Do you guys have any questions for them?

Q: What’s their favorite treat?

Ari: I gotta say Greenies.

Author’s Note: I’m a dog person too, aren’t we all? Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Q: There’s a noticeable balance between your light and dark music, how did you find that balance and become happy with it?

A: It’s just a reflection of my life. I sometimes feel ashamed of the parts of myself that are darker. But you have to forgive yourself and take care of yourself. I’ve written about talk therapy and medication, but now I’m getting more into that spiritual side and meditation which I think have helped to further steady that balance. That sounds a little “woo woo” (kind of mystical) but it works for me *chuckles*. *looks at the chat* Guys there’s so much love in here today, this is lit.

Q: What are a few ways you want to keep connecting with your fans?

A: I’d love to run guided meditation for them on a livestream or maybe start a podcast, definitely want to do more to connect with them.

Q: In the video for “Kids are Born Stars” you visit your younger, child self, if you could visit your college self, just getting started in music what would you tell him?

A: I’d probably want to tell him to be true to himself, but at the same time I think your early twenties are for losing yourself and kind of coming back. So I guess I’d just say “You’re doing great sweetie!” *laughs*

Q: Which song on are you the most excited to perform live?

A: Oh “Bad Trip” for sure.

Q: What are you most looking forward to on your North American Tour?

A: I’m excited to announce even more tour dates!

That wraps the Q&A. I’m excited to see more tour dates drop, especially after hearing some angelic previews of Lauv’s new exploration into self love, new sounds, and his lyrical masterclass in taking your hands off the wheel once in a while. All for Nothing comes out August 5th on most streaming platforms.

Creative Commons, 2019, Adrian Corte