Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani Watson.
Hi Lani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a California girl at heart, but have found myself at home in the mountains, at the beach, and now in Nashville. I love being outside, and have always felt a connection to music when I’m in nature. I can’t remember a time in my life when music was not integral to my sense of self. Even though I studied neurobiology in college and pursued a career in healthcare, my soul has always longed for music to be center stage in my life. I grew up singing in various choirs and a cappella groups, but really began to find my songwriting groove through ultra running and backcountry skiing. I get into a flow state through these sports which allows me to access uninhibited ideas, and I write much of my songs while on the move. I’m so grateful now to be able to explore the trails around Nashville, and pursue music full time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was on a smooth road to somewhere, but decided to get off that road and blaze my own trail. I stepped back from a career in women’s healthcare to pursue my soul’s work. Change has always terrified me, but for the first time, I felt surprisingly calm about committing to this life in Nashville. The challenges I have faced have mostly been internal: questioning myself, facing the unknown, defining my sexuality. But after years of struggling to figure out who I was, and choosing to consciously practice the unending lifelong process of self discovery, I’ve tapped into a depth of songwriting and human connection I never thought possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter, and am currently working on an Americana album of campfire songs. I write most of these while out in the woods. I like to craft a song in a place that looks like how the music feels. With my background in a cappella, I’m known for going a little crazy on harmonies, and also genre-bending. I love trying everything, and recently released a project where each song is a different genre. I enjoy the creative challenge and wide library of instrumentation I can now write for. I’m most proud of the wonderful people I get to work with, and I’m honored to share my heart with them. It’s a privilege to know not only such talented musicians, but good to the core humans too.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’m usually a calculated person – a runner with an organized calendar and detailed workout schedule. But where I’ve taken risks is with my passions, notably by pushing them down for years to follow the route of the medical field. Eventually, I reached an inflection point. I had gotten into a women’s health residency, and the opportunity was enough of an ultimatum to kick my ass into gear and choose to follow my passion instead of continue along the societally predetermined road of success in healthcare. So I turned down the residency and began making moves toward pursuing music full-time. Taking that risk has opened doors upon doors that have, so far, led me to Nashville. Taking a chance on yourself is always worth it. I spent so many years growing up trying to live for a future version of myself that would look back and be proud retrospectively, but in doing so, abandoned the reality and passions of my current Self. I’d rather go out on a limb and try hard to achieve what makes my soul happy – even if it’s scary, unstable, uncertain – than reach my final years with regrets. I didn’t start off as a risk taker, but I am now. And it’s so much more exciting, fulfilling, and fun!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lani.watson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17x1y3UGN3/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCklR_9LQGMXtSx5YjZ2V28w
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/51UkfwYyPYgh6KhP9Ir4Zh
