Get to Know Me: Lauren Ruth Ward (WHM Interview Series)

Lauren Ruth Ward is one of a kind in the best way.

Fresh off the release of her dynamic debut album Well, Hell, the Baltimore-born and now LA-based artist and hairstylist channels the psychedelic vibes of the 1970s, infusing her contemporary, unapologetic, and exploratory tracks with gritty vocals and invigorating elements of classic rock and blues.

As part of Musical Notes Global's Women's History Month celebration, get to know Lauren Ruth Ward a little better in her questionnaire-style interview below.

Here's the scoop on my debut album Well, Hell: My first album "Well, Hell" represents my 'coming to' as a musician. Nine tracks : "Travel Man", I wrote about 5 years ago, serves as an homage to my eponymous folk EP. "Make Love to Myself" and "Those Letters" are songs I wrote during a huge change in my life with love, music, and my sexuality. "Did I Offend You?" and "Blue Collar Sex Kitten" were the first songs Eduardo and I wrote together. They were written a week apart. Once our band family was solid, we started playing around with dynamic tempo changes and 3 part harmonies heard in "Sheet Stains", "Sideways" and "Well, Hell". "Staff Only" lived on paper for a while. It's message was hard for me to say out loud. It was finish by all. I love Liv, India and Ed's harmonies in the beginning. It's my favorite song to open a set with.

I find my greatest inspiration in my experiences, society, the human condition.

One female artist who has influenced my work/sound is Courtney Barnett because of her lyrics.

The first album I bought was Hanson "Middle of Nowhere. I was 10 years old and they are the best.

My favorite song or album by a female artist is "Switchblade" by LP. It's so beautiful and heartbreaking. It's a very relatable love story of (metaphorically) dating a switchblade. All of her lyrics are genius.

As a woman in the music industry, I feel it's important to never stop fighting for your vision and your worth. Never stop working, do not accept "just being the artist".

Here's my advice to aspiring female singers and songwriters: Be proud of who you are. Write about what you've been through.

After a series of performances at this year's edition of SXSW, Ward will embark on a national headlining tour that will kick off in Brooklyn on April 23 and take her to cities on the East and West coasts of the U.S. List of dates below.

4/23: Brooklyn - Baby's All Right
4/26: Boston, MA @ Café 939
4/27: Fairfield, CT @ StageOne
4/28: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
4/29: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
5/22: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
5/23: Seattle, WA @ Crocodile - Back Bar
5/25: San Francisco, CA @ Popscene
5/26: Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place
5/29: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar

For all of Lauren Ruth Ward's latest news and updates, follow her on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/laurenruthwardmusic

Twitter: @laurenruthward

Instagram: @laurenruthward

Website: laurenruthwardmusic.com

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