Shelby Lauren

How did you get your start in music? Do you come from a musical family?

My family likes to tell me “you were singing and dancing before you could walk and talk.” When I was young, I sang so much that my mom and my grandmother, who are musical,  prayed that I’d be able to sing well. I made a joyful noise, but it was also a loud and slightly painful one!  But I was lucky to grow up in a family that loves music. I went to a magnet school as a kid (Madison Street Academy in Ocala) and I was exposed to instruments, music, dance, and theater. When we started homeschooling in sixth grade, I took private vocal lessons, guitar lessons, and stayed active at the local theater. During that time, I met Greg Pando at an open mic and he and my vocal coach helped me to love public singing. I was heavily involved in theater and I chose to go to school for musical theater but it wasn’t until Covid that I got to start doing music exclusively.

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You started writing songs only a few years ago. What inspired you to write your first song? What was it about?

I had bits and pieces of songs since I was a kid, but the first time I finished and shared a song was in 2020. It was a project for my theater class. At the time I had just met Josh (who is now my husband). As sappy as it sounds, I wrote the song because of him. I’m a strong-willed person by nature, and he is gentle and steady. It was kind of a message to him that I was willing to lay down my pride to give our relationship a shot. For so long I’d told myself I didn’t know enough to write a song, and I decided to stop believing the lie and just go for it. 

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What made you decide to pursue music? Did it happen gradually or was there a moment that made you decide to go for it?

When Greg Pando, who hosted open mic night at Mojo’s Grill in Ocala,  passed away in 2020, there was a memorial at Mojos in October. There I met local musicians Michelle Ingrham and Charity Cox. Michelle actually got me and Charity to do our first song together. The song “Broken Wing”  by Martina McBride reminded us both of Greg. It was my first real musical collaboration outside of college, and it just reminded me how much I loved music. I could give up acting, but never music. I started following them to gigs, and one night Michelle had me sing a few songs for the owner of the bar where she was playing, and he gave me my first shot at a gig. From then on I just fell in love with performing live music. 

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You have a few mentors supporting you in your music journey. How has that support helped you as you continue to move forward towards your goals? 

My goals for my career continue to shift and grow, and so do the people I encounter. Ruthie Nelson, who was my vocal coach until I was age 13,  and Greg Pando had a huge impact getting my started on my own personal sound, Michelle Ingrham  had a huge impact getting me started as a solo artist, two more local artists, Jen Lowe and Olivia Ortiz really pushed me to grow my songwriting skills, and Charity Cox and my band mates from The Edge Of Rock (we play 70’s and 80’s rock n roll)  have inspired me to think outside the box and find new ways to spread my music. I’m genuinely thinking about aspects of this career and what it could turn into that I never would have thought possible without their input.

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Who are your biggest inspirations and how did they influence your music?

My parents and grandparents were huge inspirations for me. Every step of the way they said if I wanted this I could go for it. My mom cultivated my view that music is a way to worship and heal/process from whatever grief or hardship you may be experiencing. My dad taught me music was fun and that I should enjoy it! He was actually the one who pushed me to do that first open mic–go dad! So my family and the family and friends I have found in the music community are my biggest inspirations. 

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What is your writing process?

Honestly, I’m not sure! It’s different with every song. I’ve never limited myself to one process. Most often I start with lyrics and/or a melody. But my most popular song “Ode to Jericho” actually started out with a chord pattern and a vague idea. Often I write my songs in my car, or on my porch, or in my yard. Inspiration often strikes me when I’m outside in creation or when I’m thinking about relationships or just self reflecting. My songs are very personal, they always start with something that is true to me and specific in my life. “Just Add Water” is an exception, my grandfather bullied me into that one! 

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Your song ‘Sweet Momma’ is gorgeous. How was the song put together? What is the back story? 

I actually wrote “Sweet Mamma” the day my mom passed away. I got the call while I was at work, and I headed to my grandparents’ house to be with my family. Someone had commented on Facebook, “she’s your angel now.” I don’t believe we become angels, but I do believe she’s watching over me from Christ’s side. The line stuck with me. The day that she left I was sad but I hadn’t reached a point of real grief, I was still in shock. I’d watched her endure so much pain, so there was a peace in knowing she’d gone home, and there was no pain there. That song was me processing that I would have to live life without her, and that I will miss her until we meet again. 

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What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as a musician?

You’ll never know if you don’t try. Seriously, there’s only ever room to grow, but also to appreciate where you’re at. This isn’t a race, I don’t need to get anywhere before anyone else. My God shines through the music, and it feels like I’m learning to dance with Him. Throughout this he continues to teach me to be thankful for where I’m at, as well as striving for more instead of just remaining stagnant. 

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Do you have any advice for any aspiring musicians? 

Do all the things. Have discernment of course, and listen to those you trust. But within the realm of what is safe and good for growth? Do it ALL! Every collab, every solo show, everything that you feel like you’re not good enough for–just do it. When you feel challenged and that something is too hard, because that’s when you know it’s worth doing. 

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What can we expect from you in the future? New music? 

I plan on releasing an EP. It’s time to get some of them out there! I don’t have much of a budget for a recording studio, but I have an at-home studio and amazing peers and friends. I believe strongly that you don’t need the best set up or a label to make something really beautiful. So it’s time to get to work!