Who among us is struggling to find hope in a world that seems to be falling apart? disillusionment and despair run rampant as the hectic and hyperconnected landscape of modernity poses harsh questions that poke at the validity of traditional ideals and aspirations such as “happily ever after” and “faith.”
This complex and reasonably uncomfortable train of thought is the latest release by Baltimore Native Lauren Lakis off of her upcoming album, “A Fiesta and a Hell”.
The song begins with an angsty, goth-adjacent riff and Lauren herself expressing her frustration with the world. She goes on to say that she has been “forced fed words [she] never stood by” further setting up the dystopic ambience. The song then goes on to describe Lauren‘s experience of “sweet terror tears.” These tears are a product of the aforementioned turmoil, but they are also a sign of hope. She says that she’s cried for a whole year, but nevertheless, she’s still here. Still fighting.
The music video is a montage of both Lauren herself singing and dancing, as well as miscellaneous, contemplative shots from Los Angeles that feel heavily inspired by Godfrey Regio and Philip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi.
“I’ve become increasingly disillusioned with our society over the past few years…the media propaganda machine, government hypocrisy, and lies, corporate-owned institutions that only seem to tighten their control as the years pass…I don’t know where the future is leading us, but I know that we the people need to start intentionally choosing what kind of future we want, instead of being led into a dystopia by systems of power.” – Lauren Lakis
Lauren Lakis and her band have toured extensively throughout the West Coast, sharing the stage with bands like Ringo Deathstarr, Holy Wave, Sea Wolf, Peel Dream Magazine, and Drowse. They sold out the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon with Coastlands and Pacific Latitudes, and The Catalyst Santa Cruz with Flor and Winnetka Bowling League. Lakis also performed a pair of shows with Grammy-nominated rocker Tracy Bonham.
Lauren Lakis and her band have toured the West Coast extensively, performing with bands such as Ringo Deathstarr, Holy Wave, Sea Wolf, Peel Dream Magazine, and Drowse. They have sold out shows at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon, and The Catalyst Santa Cruz. Lakis has also performed with Grammy-nominated rocker Tracy Bonham.
Prior to the return of live music, Lakis performed several live-streamed shows in partnership with Bands In Town, Jam in the Van, B Side TV, Rock to End Rape Culture, KXLU, ACLU, and JuJu Live.
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