Review Fix Exclusive: Lauryn Macfarlane Talks ‘Friendly’

Review Fix chats with Lauryn Macfarlane who discusses her origin in music and new single, “Friendly.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Lauryn Macfarlane: My dad enrolled me in music for young children when I was around 3 years old. I fell in love with piano but as the years went on, I was tired of having to learn classical songs and wanted to learn songs that I could sing along to. That wasn’t the type of teacher I had so I ended up quitting piano when I was 10. I started songwriting around age 13 but wanted something smaller than a piano to accompany myself with. So I picked up my dads guitar and taught myself how to play! Been playing ever since. 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Macfarlane: It differs! Generally when I’m feeling inspired, I sit down with my guitar and just kind of mess around with that until I get a feel for a melody. Once I hear a melody in my head I grab my phone and make a voice note. On that voice note I like to free write…. basically just mumbling whatever words come to mind at the time. And then after I feel like I have got a basic structure for the tune, I go back in and try to make the words make sense….. If that makes sense ahaha. 

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Macfarlane: Lots of things! As an empath, Im feeling all of the time. Not only my emotions, but the intense emotions of others. I try to look for unique perspectives of everyday situations. Yes we all feel love and sorrow at some point, but trying to find a unique lens to observe those things is what really motivates me. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Macfarlane: To me, music is about community and togetherness. Our favourite songs are our favourite songs because we relate to the meaning and physically feel them. I have always been fascinated watching big artists sing a song about loneliness to an entire stadium of people, but then have the whole stadium scream back those lyrics at the artist because they know and have felt those same feelings of isolation. I love how much music can bring people together. 

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

Macfarlane: That’s a hard one… I have struggled with trying to place myself into a specific genre because I really do feel I could fit into a few boxes. I would say I take the singer/songwriter country song structure, and then kind of flip it on its head adding elements of Indie, Pop and Rock with production to give the song a big sound. 

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

Macfarlane: At this stage in my career, the majority of my shows are solo gigs. So if you are coming to catch a smaller show, it will most likely just be me, my guitar and my stories! I am looking forward to working with a full band on larger gigs when we are able to do so! 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Macfarlane: I wanted to have a song in my set that made me feel like a badass. Something that made me feel powerful. And to me, confidence is the most powerful tool. Friendly is a reminder that the quickest way to get what you want is just to be upfront and confident in yourself. One of the best pieces of advice I was given in college was “You don’t ask, you don’t get.” and once you realize the worst response you could get is a no, or a no reply…. Its really worth it to just try and give it a go. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020?

Macfarlane: To grow my audience and secure some live (or virtual) shows for 2021! 

Review Fix: What’s next?

Macfarlane: More music! I have a couple more recorded songs up my sleeve and then the long term goal is a full length album. Short term, I am just taking things day by day trying to navigate this crazy world. Reminding myself its okay to take a step back every now and then to check in. Its important to take time to reflect and process, so more writing can be done! 

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 14230 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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