Review Fix Exclusive: Lauren Calve Talks ‘Wildfire’ EP And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Lauren Calve, who discusses her origin in music, goals for the future and new EP, “Wildfire.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Lauren Calve: I started playing guitar when I was 15 and I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t get involved in music– songwriting and performing– until I was 24.  It all began at a local open mic at the now defunct IOTA Club & Cafe in Arlington, VA where I not only played my first original songs, but where I met other singer-songwriters.  This open mic was the catalyst for discovering my voice and passion for songwriting and performing.  

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Calve: For me, the creative process of songwriting is a solitary act.  It usually starts with a chord progression or guitar riff to which I apply a melody and structure.  The lyrics are the last element.  Writing lyrics can be an arduous process, but sometimes the words come out all at once.  As a result, I try to be as open and ready for when inspiration strikes, whether by recording voice memos or writing notes on my phone.  

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Calve: At the heart of songwriting is storytelling.  I love a good story.  I’m inspired by the stories derived from the lives of my family, moments in history, and from the experiences of my own life.  Through these stories, I try and find deeper layers of meaning and universal themes that hopefully result in a greater connection to my music.  

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Calve: For me, music is about connection.  Music connects us to each other and to ourselves.  I also see music and songwriting as a way to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  I believe that creativity is derived from a Higher Power which requires the artist to have an open heart and mind.  It’s all about keep that spiritual channel open.  

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Calve: My sound falls under the Americana umbrella: a little country, blues, and folk.  While I like to base my songwriting in American roots music traditions, I also like to experiment with unique arrangements and chord progressions.  Someone who I used to play with labeled my style “Americana with a twist”.  I think that sums it up well.  

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Calve: Being in the studio engages more of the left side of my brain: organization, time and task management, and precision. Performing live allows me to be more spontaneous and creative. For instance, I like to rearrange songs I’ve recorded specifically for a live setting. I’ve added alternate endings or extended bridges to create more of a build and an emotional moment. Things like that not only keep songs I’ve written years ago fresh, they also hopefully give the audience an unexpected listening experience. 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Calve: I wrote “Better Angels” after listening to a radio interview with Jon Meacham where he referenced Lincoln’s inaugural address on the eve of the Civil War as inspiration for one of his books.  In the address, Lincoln refers to the “better angels of our nature” that would once again unite the country.  I couldn’t help but apply these words to the current divisiveness in our country.  The words gave me an optimism for the future and for humanity’s inherent goodness.  It was from that renewed hope that I wrote “Better Angels.”  

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2020?

Calve: My main goal for 2020 is to take more risks.  Taking risks runs counter to who I am.  I’m a very cautious, calculating, and anxious person; I overthink everything!  But now I realize that to have the career in music I want, I have to take more risks.  And I’m already doing so and the world hasn’t stopped (yet)! 

Review Fix: What’s next?

Calve: I’m really looking forward to playing a live streaming show on May 15 as part of a concert series produced by one of the great Washington DC venues, Sixth and I.  After that comes the release of my third EP, Wildfire, on June 23, 2020.  And in late Summer I’m so excited to be supporting Bob Schneider on tour, of course considering that live music venues will be open by then– fingers crossed!

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13821 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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