Daily Inspiration: Meet Lauren Jenkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jenkins. 

Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My path has been winding and the road has been long. I left home at 15 to pursue every opportunity I could to be a storyteller. I started writing songs, playing guitar, and performing anywhere I could (airports, coffee shops, bars, and eventually in clubs and theaters). I started working in film and TV as an actor and behind the lens in a variety of positions. I’ve always been obsessed with telling stories across different mediums. While living in NYC I got my first major label record deal. So, in 2013 I signed my first deal, left acting school in NY, and moved to Nashville and have been living here ever since. 

The road of a songwriter and artist is long and I think in a lot of ways Nashville is a ten-year town (or maybe more like 15). Once the pandemic hit, I became an independent artist again and I’m in the process of releasing my first independent record. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Haha, no. Nothing about this path is smooth. The only time it feels smooth is when I finish writing a song that is exactly what I wanted to say or on stage when you have that beautiful connection with the audience or your band. Those are the moments it all feels right. But I think for most of us, this road can be brutal and long. You get told no a lot. Sometimes the “best” or “most talented” or “hardest working” people don’t win. It can seem unfair but you have to keep grinding. 

The pandemic was an unforeseen roadblock for all musicians. Life still isn’t “back to normal” two years later. It’s going to take some time. I quickly pivoted to live stream concerts from home and I still do them even in 2022. Part of my mentality is to keep going… even when there’s slowdowns or full roadblocks on this road. 

One of the biggest hurdles is making enough money to make a record and tour. Recording is expensive. Touring is expensive. At times, I have slept on floors, in my car, or crappy motel rooms just to try to break even on a tour. Often, it’s not glamours. I’ve gotten ready for shows in porta-pottys, gas station bathrooms, (my car), and airports… that’s not exactly the most desirable “dressing room”. Social media can make everything appear to be alluring and exciting, but really the life of an artist can be grueling. You log a lot of miles driving from town to town through the night… usually surviving off trail mix and coffee (at least for me). 

Leaving home so young gave me the advantage of learning how to be scrappy. I’ve known for as long as I can remember what I wanted to do with my life, so I’ll be on this road for as long as I’m lucky enough to be here. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think of myself as a storyteller. I’m a songwriter and artist, but I also love telling stories through film and acting. With my debut record, I created a three-part music video series and short film with a friend of mine. The short film “Running Out Of Road” was screened during Sundance and SXSW… it also was an official selection at the Roswell Film Festival. I’m still really proud of that project. It was a vision I had in my head and with the help of friends we made it come to life. We had an incredibly small budget, but we did what we had to make it happen. I drove my car from the east coast to New Mexico four times, we ate a lot of beans and rice, slept on floors, and recruited friends to step in as crew. I think the finished project looks like we had a huge production team and budget behind it, but in reality, it was a handful of friends in the desert. I’m planning to do something similar with my upcoming record “Miles On Me”. 

Opening for Willie Nelson was a huge career highlight. I also got to be a Springsteen guest DJ on E Street Radio (I’ve always been a huge Bruce fan). Healing sold-out shows in the UK is also a big highlight. 

Nashville has no shortage of artists and songwriters, but I think what makes people unique is their story. I’ve been surprised at how many people around the world can relate to my story and struggles that I share through music and videos. Their details may be different from mine, but it’s really beautiful to have that shared connection. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I tell anyone who wants to live a life in the arts to only pursue this if they MUST. And if you must, don’t have a fallback plan. You have to dedicate your mind and time and life to your craft in order to survive. Everyone has their own definition of success, and mine has always been to keep doing this until I die. I want to still be touring like WIllie Nelson in 60 years. That is what success looks like to me. 

I also think it’s important not to get too caught up in comparisons. There will be people around you that get more notoriety or “success” quicker than you. There will be “TikTok overnight sensations”. But you must determine your own definition of success… and above all else, never give up if this is what you feel you’re meant to do. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.laurenjenkins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlaurenjenkins/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamlaurenjenkins/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lauren_Jenkins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/laurenjenkinsmusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1whTajjCTeh30qVZD4jSov?si=MnF09vBARhyeDp7jb6Jl-g

Image Credits
Brooke Stevens
Michael Church
Lauren Jenkins
Zach Knudsen
Zachary Sinclair