Lauren Zettler

Artist Information

Biography

This all started in a mid-western living room, watching Lawrence Welk re-runs.

Then it was on to Berklee College of Music, where I got scared and brave at the same time. After graduation, a fleeting bout of practicality led me to New York City, working for one of the largest music companies in the world. I was still operating under the belief system that I needed to act safe, make guaranteed money, and work hard. Looking back, I can see that I only had one out of the three right.

After years of thinking it was normal to cry during every musical performance I attended (now affectionately known as jealous tears), I had a wake-up call. An epiphany, if you will. And when it happened, there was no turning back. If I told you how close to a bolt of lightening it felt, you wouldn't believe me. But if and when you experience your own, you'll know.

Turns out I had been running away from what scared me the most...and what, coincidentally, was most important to me. Once I realized that, it was pretty easy to quit my nine-to-five and start planning.

Lauren Zettler is no longer just a girl with a guitar. Two years ago, Cameron Mizell and I commiserated over our ridiculously unfulfilling record label jobs. After I decided to do something about it and quit, he copied me. Now we make music together. We self-released our first EP (On Your Back Porch) in March of this year - entirely recorded, produced, mixed, mastered, and pressed in Cam's quiet Brooklyn apartment. DIY all the way. We have booked and completed three tours in various parts of the U.S., from LA's Hotel Cafe to New York's Rockwood Music Hall. We arrange our songs for two players, but we sound like a full band.

So.

Here's to hoping we really can be anything we want to be when we grow up.



a few accomplishments:

Rockport Shoe Commercial Placement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL_-PGQEyJ8)

Honorable Mention for We Are Listening's International Singer/Songwriter Awards

Included in the exclusive 10 "Choice Cuts" on Indie-Music.com for the months of March and April 2008

Theme song composer/performer for Maloney & Fox, a creative marketing and publicity firm in NYC (www.maloneyfox.com)

Music has been licensed to MTV and TLC.

An article I wrote on pursuing your passion: http://www.musicianwages.com/musician-profile/music-jobs/eff-it-quitting-your-job-to-pursue-insert-passion-here/

Instrumentation

Lauren Zettler - vocals, piano, guitar
Cameron Mizell - way more than just the electric guitar.

Discography

Call Me Out (EP, April 2008)

On Your Back Porch (EP, March 2009)

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/laurenzettler

Audio

• I Don't Blame You
  Listen  
• Shapes
  Listen  
• Call Your Bluff
  Listen  
• Want You Back
  Listen  
• Killed A Man
  Listen  
• Silent Night
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Amuse Bouche (Small Town Love)
• Killed A Man
• Over My Head
• So Much Here

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Rebel Spirit Music [+ Show ]
  

  It comes as some relief to discover that Chuck Taylor's and Guacamole weren't enough to satisfy New ...It comes as some relief to discover that Chuck Taylor's and Guacamole weren't enough to satisfy New York's latest indie-folk sensation. Lauren Zettler, a charming artist of immeasurable potential, fought against accepting her true calling until an epiphany insisted she begin writing and recording her own material. That formative 'lightening strike' moment will prove a blessing to us all as she takes to the Rebel Spirit stage this month. Backed with a genuinely striking vocal, Zettler has produced an armoury of songs awash with a sincerity and lucidity that makes light of her young age. Now blossoming in her new-found freedom, Zettler's music and story is something to admire and inspire us all.
  
  
  
  http://www.rebelspiritmusic.com/

• From Indie Music
  

  "Intelligent songs with an eclectic style - and an engaging singer!"

• CALL ME OUT [+ Show ]
  

  Review of Lauren’s EP from iRockandRoll http://rockuboff.tumblr.com/post/28743522 Singer/Songw...Review of Lauren’s EP from iRockandRoll
  
  http://rockuboff.tumblr.com/post/28743522
  
  Singer/Songwriter, Lauren Zettler has been playing guitar ever since she received a used Epiphone on her 14th birthday. Originally from Indiana, Lauren has began making a name for herself in New York City. She is about to release her first EP, Call Me Out on April 8. Her recipe for music includes rock, folk, and a touch of country.
  
  Lauren’s voice is strong, yet sweet. She can certainly hold her own. Her guitar playing is quite solid and melodic. The two blend beautifully together in her music. They intertwine in a very natural way. Lauren’s songs are tight, and include enough instrumentation to keep you listening. This is the kind of music you’d like to listen to when you have some downtime, but is not boring whatsoever. There is both intensity and sincerity you can hear in her.
  
  Her EP begins with "Call Me Out," and certainly shows Lauren’s rock side. It’s a safe way to get the listeners attention.
  
  Lauren’s voice is quite dynamic, and goes between rock ’n roll and country. It definitely grabs your attention, so much so, that it could sometimes be difficult to focus on her guitar playing.
  
  "Shame" mixes up tempos and time signatures, as well as showcases Lauren’s vocal styling. This song gradually builds, rhythmically and instrumentally. There is a moment of intensity, before dying down again, accompanied by haunting ’oohs and aahs,’ which make this song unforgettable.
  
  "Thank You." It is more upbeat then her other songs, and certainly allows Lauren’s influence of country music to shine through. The song starts out as if you are listening to it through an old radio, which brilliantly adds to the organic feeling of this track. Her voice gently twangs throughout. This could be the best track on the EP. It’s both a good and bad way to end her album. It leaves me wanting more, but disappoints me knowing that this the end. In any case, it makes me want to check out her live show. I hope we’ll be hearing more from Miss Lauren Zettler soon.
  
  If you’re at SXSW this week, try to make it to Lauren’s show. She’s playing at 10 AM at the Austin Farmer’s Market on Saturday. She’ll also be playing at Baruch’s Performing Arts Center April 4, at 8 pm.
  
  Her EP is available for you to listen to and purchase on her Myspace. Be sure to check out Call Me Out, Over My Head and Thank You.
  
  From Amy Yackuboff’s blog iRockandRoll Rockuboff.tumblr.com

• WTTS-FM [+ Show ]
  

  "I think [Lauren] has some serious talent. As I'm sure you know, lots of great artists have come out..."I think [Lauren] has some serious talent. As I'm sure you know, lots of great artists have come out of Berklee, and I greatly admire their program."
  
  - Brad Holtz, WTTS-FM Program Director, Indianapolis

• Beeline Interview [+ Show ]
  

  from neighborbeeblog.com: Tell us a little about your music and how your got started: I grew ...from neighborbeeblog.com:
  
  Tell us a little about your music and how your got started:
  
  I grew up in the Midwest, taking voice and piano lessons. I was a terribly shy kid, though, so I never really anticipated this becoming my career, even though in my heart of hearts, it was definitely at the top of my list of dream jobs. I decided to continue music after high school and went to Berklee College of Music in Boston. I studied music business and got a job working for Universal Music Group immediately after graduation. I really wanted to try and make a decent living in the music industry and I thought that would be the best way. I was there for a little while, and got really unhappy. I woke up one day and decided to stop being scared and do what I really wanted to do. So I quit.
  
  And now I’m a musician, full-time. There’s no turning back. I got a tattoo of a Brandi Carlile lyric that reads “I have seen your nine-to-fives wash away your dreams.” I refuse to be a hypocrite, so I can never go back. :)
  
  Your favorite place to practice or create new songs:
  
  I’m a big fan of coming home to Indiana. Don’t get me wrong - the city is great for inspiration and accessibility and creativity. But sometimes it’s just too loud. When I come home to Indiana for a few weeks at a time, I can sit in the peace and quiet and work for ten hours straight. It’s harder to do that in a small Manhattan apartment. Especially when you have roommates. Between visits home, however, I generally sit in my room and write. Sometimes I sit in my ridiculously small closet, so I can be somewhere dark and quiet and let my mind calm down and things start to come out.
  
  Any upcoming gigs we should know about?
  
  December 2, 9pm, Rockwood Music Hall. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this venue. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you MUST.
  
  Who are you currently listening to? Any local bands/musicians?
  
  My favorite thing to do is turn on my iPod and randomly shuffle through the 4,000 plus songs I have on there. I can’t get enough of this band from Asheville, NC called Arizona. I think they spend time in Brooklyn, too. (They have a CD release party at Cake Shop on Nov. 7). And Fleet Foxes! I love them. They’re out of Seattle, I think. Elizabeth & the Catapult are an awesome Brooklyn band - also from Berklee.
  
  Favorite shop(s) in the neighborhood:
  
  I’m a big fan of food. Babycakes and their vegan desserts are a weekly habit of mine. Their chocolate chip cookies are bad news, man.
  
  Favorite place to eat in the neighborhood:
  
  Mercadito. BEST FISH TACOS EVER. Get the estilo baja.
  
  Little known fact about your neighborhood:
  
  Everyone always marvels at the black squirrels over by Stuyvesant Town. I guess I had never seen one before either, but it’s like you’re introducing them to a new species or something when they see one for the first time.
  
  Favorite Watering Hole:
  
  I guess I frequent the Crocodile Lounge most. I don’t know if it’s because I’m lazy or if it’s because I’m not really sure if you can beat free pizza with every beer.
  
  Best pizza in your hood:
  
  Hands down, a lot of people will tell you the Artichoke Basille, on 14th street, is the best. There is always a line out the door. I’m more of a vegan/vegetarian eater, however, and really like Cafe Viva on 2nd Ave.
  
  If there was a movie of your life, what neighborhood would grace the opening scene:
  
  I think it would definitely be a NYC neighborhood. The West Village is where I want to end up. It is so quaint, so beautiful, and you can easily find a few quiet streets. So I’d say if I could choose any neighborhood, it would be that one. I wonder what that says about me?
  
  Any advice for the kids out there interested in singing?
  
  I am always the first one to say that you have to do what you love. Forget about money, forget about stability, forget about probability. Everything falls into place if you are doing what you truly want to do, and anything is possible. And there’s really no way to prove that - you just have to do it. It’s the scariest thing, but that’s how you know it’s the most worth-while. And definitely the most rewarding. Sorry for the Hallmark moment, haha. But it’s all true, I promise.
  
  Alright, what is your all time favorite monster and/or horror movie?
  
  Hm, I’m not too knowledgeable about anything campy or cult in that genre - but I will say that The Shining is a freaking scary and brilliant film. Jack Nicholson is monster enough for me in that one.
  
  You can get the latest on Lauren on her site, or visit her MySpace to listen to her tunes.

Setlist

All original songs and the occasional cover. Set list and length varies by situation and audience.

Typical Songs (in no particular order)

From ON YOUR BACK PORCH (2009)
I Don't Blame You
Shapes
Want You Back
Call Your Bluff
Persevere
Killed A Man
Small Town Love

From CALL ME OUT (2008)
Call Me Out
Shame
Over My Head
Running Away
So Much Here
When
Thank You

From SOMETHING BETTER (2005)
Run
Don't Go

UNRELEASED
Sweet Vienna
I Do Too
Nutshell
Make It Work
Try (bring me down)

Example Covers:
Don't Think Twice (It's Alright) - Bob Dylan
Creep - Radiohead
Every Little Bit - Patty Griffin
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab for Cutie
Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones
Plush - STP
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Basic Requirements

Calendar