(Blues, Blues Rock) Lauren Anderson - Truly Me - 2015, MP3, 320 kbps

Originally from Chicago, Lauren has had a passion for singing throughout her entire life. Growing up in a household that was rich in music, her influences were widely varied from artists such as Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, The Pointer Sisters, Eva Cassidy, Etta
James, Joss Stone, Jason Mraz, Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, and many more.
Despite these modern musical influences, Lauren was classically trained throughout most of her early life. She began classical piano lessons at the age of 8, was an active member of several choirs and began taking classical voice lessons when she began high school. She eventually took her love of singing to the Quad Cities and obtained a bachelors degree in music with an emphasis on voice at Augustana College. Initially she planned on becoming an opera singer, but quickly realized that pop and soul music were more in her wheelhouse. Having had a passion for psychology in addition to music, Lauren decided to continue onto The University of Kansas to complete her masters in music therapy. She now works on the pediatric unit and pediatric intensive care unit at The University of Kansas Hospital in KCMO, as well as at Gillis Center as a music therapist.
Having listened to those around her, telling her that music and the arts were difficult fields to have a career in, Lauren followed the safe path in life, making sure she had a "back-up" plan while working on her music and performing. However, now with a steady job, she has found that passions don’t die easily, and despite her love of working as a music therapist, is ready to take on the challenge of making music performance her career.
After officially completing her masters in 2012, Lauren began performing solo gigs around the greater Kansas City area at venues such as Bar Louie, Jerry's Bait Shop and Main Street Cafe. She quickly realized that she could only go so far in the business while playing solo gigs, so she began attending jam sessions at venues such as Freddy T's, Llewelyn's Pub and Westport Saloon. It was at such jams that she met Kristopher Schnebelen (previously from Trampled Under Foot, who were first place in the 2008 International Blues Challenge, 2014 Blues Music Awards Album of the year and Blues Blast 2011 and 2012 award for Band of the Year), Dylan Reiter (from Brandon Miller Band) and Adam Stuber, who helped her complete her first first official EP, “Do & Hope”, was released in August 2014. Fittingly, this EP was named after the unofficial motto of Lauren’s mother’s side of the family, who often remarked, “Just do it and hope it turns out okay.”
Lauren's band now consists of Adam Stuber, Dylan Reiter and Jeff Daniels. Her first, full-length CD is being released in the summer of 2015.