Music Spotlight: Laureline

We're so excited to share la-based band Laureline's two latest tracks Hum + Just Go Slow on Me. The band, composed of Chris Rasmussen, Ciera Bardowell, Marian Nutley + Nico Hernandez, created such a dreamy duo of songs with their emotive vocals + ambient sound. we chatted with Chris on the inspiration behind the tracks + what's next for the band.

// photo by Jane Smith

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your recent release! Tell us about Hum.
Chris Rasmussen: Thank you so much! In many ways, I've come to learn what Hum is about over the course of several years. I think some songs are vehicles to speak to an audience, while other songs speak back to the writer. Hum has always felt like it could teach me something if I were patient enough. Three years and dozens of versions later, and I have the most personal and vulnerable song I've ever written. It's definitely the most proud of a song I've ever been, maybe even the most proud of anything I've ever made. We're so excited to share Just Go Slow on Me with you, as well, which comes out as a double alongside Hum.

AM: What can people expect from your upcoming debut EP?
CR: I'm really excited for people to get a better sense for our overall sound. I think the EP really explores our sonic language as well as our lyrical and conceptual range. We're incredibly proud of each song individually as well as the EP as body of work. It will definitely be a good indicator for how the album will sound as each song explores bigger moments on the album. 

AM: How would you describe your sound?
CR: It's always so difficult to pin down exactly what our sound is especially since it's ever-changing and evolving over time. I think our music is certainly bathed in pop chords and melodies, while our lyrics are somewhat melancholic and reflective. I find the contrast between the two interesting and cathartic. 

AM: What themes do you typically pursue through your music?
CR: I think both Ciera and I write fairly subconsciously, so uncovering themes and ideas actually happens quite slowly and requires a bit of patience. It's exciting to write this way, though, because it helps me get out of my own way and not kill an idea by overthinking.

Love and loss, spirituality, and self-reflection are constant themes throughout our music, as well as our visuals. It's important to us that despite deconstructing ideas to their smallest form, we reconstruct something earnest for our audience to relate to. That's what's fun about pop music: It's extremely accessible and inaccessible at the same time. 

AM: What other musicians are currently inspiring you?
CR: Currently I've been so inspired by Rhye and Sabrina Claudio. They both do so much with simplicity and rely on good songwriting at the end of the day. Their production choices are full of so many big and small moments that make their songs personal and exciting. Plus, both of their voices are unbelievably good. I would love to sit in on their sessions to see how they write.

AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
CR: I think Los Angeles actually plays a huge role in our work–probably more than I recognize. I love LA because of the collaborative nature of it. We've met so many talented artists and musicians who we get to collaborate with and even make friends with. Because it's such a cultural and creative hub, we have the opportunities to play exciting shows with amazing up-and-coming artists. More than anything, LA really just feels like home now. It's a safe place were we can relax and create together.

I realized that I don't really write anything interesting when I'm comfortable and all my needs are met. I think my favorite thing (and the most terrifying thing) about songwriting is the vulnerability of it, and I write my best work when I feel vulnerable.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self/music?
CR: Oh that's a great question. I'm not sure I have anywhere where I feel completely in touch with my creative self/music. I always used to romanticize songwriting and then feel guilty when it felt kind of chaotic and vulnerable, but now I'm really thankful for it. I realized that I don't really write anything interesting when I'm comfortable and all my needs are met. I think my favorite thing (and the most terrifying thing) about songwriting is the vulnerability of it, and I write my best work when I feel vulnerable. That being said, of course there are places I write more prolifically. Honestly, just sitting alone in my room with a laptop feels really exciting. Or sitting on a plane for hours with nothing to do but write is always exciting.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
CR: We're really excited to share Hum and Just Go Slow on Me with you! After that we'll be looking forward to our EP release before the eventual album. We'll be playing shows in San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix and of course Los Angeles so keep on the lookout for those shows. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all our updates.

// listen here:

// Listen to more Laureline on Spotify + SoundCloud.