“If You Want” A Thoughtful Musical Masterpiece, Lauren Monroe Has You Covered

Step into a folksy wonderland of comfort and encouragement with Lauren Monroe’s “If You Want,” a mellow anthem about pushing forward in the face of what scares you. Her rich voice captures the emotion behind the lyrics so well, while the instrumentation gives it a dreamy backdrop that mirrors the serendipity that comes with forging your own path.

“‘If You Want’ is a song about choosing love over fear,” Lauren tells TREMG. “It’s about trust and allowing ourselves to lead with love instead of the negative feelings that may be shaping our view of others and our world. To me, it’s a choice I need to make whenever a negative feeling hits my awareness. Do I want to be in a place of love right now or in a place of negativity? Being able to steer the ship of our emotions towards love is a practice that can change our life.”

“If You Want” is the latest delectable taste we’ve gotten of Lauren’s upcoming third album, Messages from Aphrodite, an exploration of healing, love, and more with production from the seasoned GRAMMY winner Jim Scott. Lauren’s captivating power is impressive enough on its own, but it comes off even more polished when she works with Scott – the perfect example is her previous album, Under the Wolf Moon, which Messages from Aphrodite is set to be an engaging follow-up to.

“All of the songs in this collection are about love in its many forms,” she shares. “I felt that bringing in the divine feminine was an important piece of the message. I think it’s quite apparent that our culture needs more awareness around the power of love from a higher feminine perspective. How to love, how to grieve, how to be in conflict, and how to dream and heal are guiding themes that are scribed and delivered throughout the album.”

At the heart of everything Lauren does is an urge to help others grow, something she also pursues through the Raven Drum Foundation, which she founded with her husband, Def Leppard’s Rick Allen, to help veterans through PTSD and other mental health challenges with drum lessons. 

“Honestly, serving and supporting others is really what matters most to both of us,” Lauren explains. “To do this together for the past 20 years has really been a transformative journey that has deepened our understanding of just how powerful music can be to heal. Every drum circle, workshop, and concert has brought us testimonies of thousands of people who have deeply connected to the guided soundscapes and mindful techniques. To see a glimmer of hope and belonging from participants and audiences truly keeps us humbled to the healing powers of music.”

You can check out the healing powers of Lauren Monroe’s music by listening to “If You Want” on your favorite streaming services now, and getting to know Lauren on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her official site! Keep an ear out for Messages from Aphrodite this fall and keep reading for more from our conversation with this multi-faceted singer-songwriter.

Congrats on your latest single, “If You Want!” How does it feel to share the song with the world?

It feels great to release this song and video in front of the album release. It’s one of my favorite songs on the record.

What does “If You Want” mean to you?

“If You Want” is a song about choosing love over fear. It’s about trust and allowing ourselves to lead with love instead of the negative feelings that may be shaping our view of others and our world. To me, it’s a choice I need to make whenever a negative feeling hits my awareness. Do I want to be in a place of love right now or in a place of negativity? Being able to steer the ship of our emotions towards love is a practice that can change our life.

Is there a certain lyric on “If You Want” that you’re particularly proud of?

I especially love the lyrics, “In this sacred place listen to the moon fall, the moon fall. Mind is now erased when you hear the moon fall asleep.” It’s a teaching lyric that is a guide to learning how to heal through mindfulness and connecting with spiritual energy.

You’ll be releasing your new album, Messages from Aphrodite, in a few months. Which song on the project are you most excited for fans to hear?

That’s a hard question to answer! All of them! But in this current world climate, the song “Gold” is one I am looking forward to sharing and talking more about when the album drops. I’m also excited to release two more singles this summer, “Sparrow” on June 24 and “Voice of Course” on August 5. Both will be accompanied by music videos.

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What made you want to name the album after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty?

All of the songs in this collection are about love in its many forms. I felt that bringing in the divine feminine was an important piece of the message. I think it’s quite apparent that our culture needs more awareness around the power of love from a higher feminine perspective. How to love, how to grieve, how to be in conflict, and how to dream and heal are guiding themes that are scribed and delivered throughout the album.

Your husband Rick Allen drums as part of Def Leppard, and he appears on several songs on Messages from Aphrodite. What was it like to work together again on this album after he appeared on your previous work?

I’ve been very blessed to have Rick produce my first solo album, The Freedom Sessions, and play drums on my second, Under the Wolf Moon, released last year. He has such a gift with rhythm and creating just the right backup to serve the song.

This album was different than working on my last two records because I co-produced it with Jim Scott. Rick played on a number of songs and was always in the wings listening to rough mixes and lending his ears to fresh songs as I’d write them, he has so much life experience as an artist and musician. It’s always such an experience to work with him.

You and Rick also co-founded the Raven Drum Foundation to help veterans through PTSD and other mental health challenges through music. What has it been like to get to touch so many people through the foundation?

Honestly, serving and supporting others is really what matters most to both of us. To do this together for the past 20 years has really been a transformative journey that has deepened our understanding of just how powerful music can be to heal. Every drum circle, workshop, and concert has brought us testimonies of thousands of people who have deeply connected to the guided soundscapes and mindful techniques. To see a glimmer of hope and belonging from participants and audiences truly keeps us humbled to the healing powers of music.

You have such a pretty sound that intertwines elements of classic country and folk while still feeling like something we haven’t heard before. Who were some of your influences on “If You Want” and Messages from Aphrodite?

In general, I think I have Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, and Melissa Ethridge woven through my DNA because of loving their music so much growing up, so I’m sure some of their styles show up in this record. For the album, we really just wanted to convey a California Americana feel that crossed into folk rock and country that simply supported the songs.

Although I have had wonderful artists influence my artistry as I’ve grown, this record is really me just being authentically me and sharing what’s in my heart.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with your music already, which of your songs would you recommend to them to get a feel for who you are as an artist?

Because I write in a wide range of styles it’s actually hard to pick one song on this album that represents me as an artist but I think my vibe stands true between the song “Gold” – the thoughtful opening track of the album – and the song “Void of Course,” a rhythmic electric guitar infused rock song, which will be released as a single later this summer.

We at TREMG love getting to know new artists who haven’t gotten the success or attention they deserve. Who are some of your favorite underrated artists at the moment?

Elise Legrow… her voice, her style… so good! I hope her music gets heard far and wide.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention that the questions didn’t touch on?

Starting in September, I’ll be playing shows on the west coast, east coast, and some mountain towns in between. The dates will be announced soon on my website and on social media. Tickets are already on sale for my show at Venice West in Los Angeles, CA, on September 25, where Rick will be joining me along with my band.