10 Questions: Lauren Zettler on Creativity & Songwriting

"It's the pressure that's the problem. If I relieve the pressure or expectation to make things that are only wonderful, I'm generally a happier writer."

Lauren Zettler is many things: one half of the dreamy synth-pop band Savoir Adore, a visual artist working in set design and art direction, creator of Buddishism—a beautiful card deck inspired by the teachings of Buddhism—and a singer/songwriter. 

When we asked Lauren for her bio, she wrote some words for us that really resonated with our creative paths and outlook. “I have spent so many years growing into myself and what this definition of "professional musician" looks like, and reconciling that with what I thought it would look like when I was younger. That process has really allowed me to define myself as an artist, really—more than a musician, more than a "creative"—anything that I can do with my hands or pull into existence where it didn't exist before is really what I'm after.” 

We love that so much. 

We think that Lauren’s fluidity, openness and honesty with her creative path have been key to what has made her a success, not just monetarily or business-wise, but creatively. She is constantly continuing to evolve, assess and grow into herself and in our book, that’s pretty damn cool. 

So here is our interview with Lauren Zettler!

1. When you sit down to write a song, which elements tend to come first (melody, concept, title, lyrics, chords, beat, etc.)?

It really does happen differently every time. It really depends on if inspiration has found me or I am looking for it. If it's found me, it's usually in the form of a lyrical idea or a quick melody. If I'm looking for it, I mess around with some chords until something starts taking shape. Then I sing some gibberish and see what comes out. Sometimes I get lucky. A lot of the time I don't, though, haha. The best songs come when they want to, which is totally out of my control.

2. How often do you write? Do you have a regular routine, or do you do it only when you’re feeling inspired?

I write when I feel like it. There is no real discipline in my writing—perhaps it's lazy, but unless I am writing with a partner (which I often am for Savoir), I finish a song when it comes to me whole. And that doesn't happen very often. I have a thousand nuggets that come in pieces and then just sit there in my voice memos.  When it does happen, it's like a download. I've heard it described that way before by other people, so perhaps it's not uncommon. I wrote Savoir's song "Black and Blue" in an hour or so; it was just right there for me to grab. It's my favorite kind of writing because it's easy and you hardly have to think while you're doing it. And when it's done, you think you'll never be able to do it again.

3. Do you have any practices that help you find inspiration and collect ideas?

Books. Whenever I need inspiration or a lyrical idea, I pick up a random book and flip to a random page and see what jumps out. Most of the time that author or character writes or says or does something I would never think of, and it gives me access to a completely different point of view. It feels a little like freedom—like an ability to unlock something that was there all along, I just didn't have access until that moment. If I'm having trouble coming up with a melody, I'll listen to a random song I like and pick a few notes and try to lay them over the chords I have. Often times I come up with something completely different that I wouldn't have tried otherwise. There's a lot of borrowing in songwriting. In my high school journalism class, my teacher taught us how to "borrow and enhance" . . . taking something from a piece that inspires you and applying it to your own creation can be an art form in itself.

4. Have you ever felt creatively blocked and what did/do you do to overcome it?

I feel creatively blocked every day when it comes to music, and it's mostly from the fear of never being as good as I'd like to be. It's a very real fear, and even though I understand that logically it isn't very helpful, it often holds me back. If I don't actually finish something, it won't ever be disappointing—whereas if I do finish something, it has to live up to the expectation I have of it being Very Good. And if it's not, it can send me for a spin.

The best thing I can do for myself when I'm feeling blocked truly depends on my overall mood. If I can, I push through and force myself to finish something, even if it's something I'll throw away. Or I'll take the idea to another writer and ask for help. Or I'll walk away and come back again the next day. It's the pressure that's the problem. If I relieve the pressure or expectation to make things that are only wonderful, I'm generally a happier writer.

5. Do you like to collaborate with other artists and in what capacity does collaboration work best for you?

I used to be so terrified of cowriting, and now it's where I'm most comfortable. I had to get over the fear of sounding stupid. There are no stupid ideas when you're throwing things out there to see what's going to stick. As I'm answering this question, I'm asking myself why it hasn't made me less judgmental of myself as a solo writer, haha. But as a cowriter, I find I'm most helpful or collaborative when I'm totally open without judgement. It's a great exercise for life in general. We might think the other person in the room will think our ideas are dumb, but the truth is that they're probably feeling exactly the same way we are. Humans are silly.

"My songs have told me things about myself before I consciously realized them. That is nuts. It is the most magical super power I'll ever experience or tap into, and have so much respect and gratitude for what it has given me. The more I am grateful for it, the more it gives me. That is the truth."

6. Are there any non-musical things you do that affect your art?

So much! I find that being creative in other areas helps me feel like there's more breath around my musical creativity. Taking a step back allows that space to be more welcoming and inviting to me. I art direct and design sets for shoots and commercials, I worked in a woodworking shop for half of this past year, I took a pottery class last fall, and I'm always DIY-ing something. Meditating also helps me come up with ideas . . . I'm usually avoiding meditating—letting my brain go wherever it wants to—and occasionally I'll come up with something that excites me. Mental health is also key. Working out and meditating make me feel more confident, which transfers to my art. I don't always do the best job at incorporating these things, but I do recognize how much they help.

7. How do you know when a song is done?

A song is never really done, haha. You can workshop it forever, honestly. It can have so many lives and so many sounds. I think the key is remaining unattached. Trying to let it exist on its own, and not worry about the end goal. Pop radio is always going to be changing and the second you change your song to fit pop radio, the sound is dated and you're already behind. So I just try to ask myself "Can I beat this?" Can I beat this lyric, can this melody be more interesting, what is it that I'm saying and does it come across? Once I feel satisfied with my answers, I can say it's done.

8. What do you think your strengths are as a songwriter and how do you play to those strengths?

I think I care a lot about what something means. I don't like lazy lyrics or throwaway––I've totally written my fair share of those, but I try really hard not to. I think I'm good at connecting ideas and thoughts and emotions and really asking what the point is. And there doesn't always have to BE a point, but for me, the songs that hit me hardest have a very clear intent.

photos by Nicole Mago

9. What do you think your weaknesses are as a songwriter and how have you worked around them or worked to improve them?

My weakness is perhaps my lack of diligence. If I had a better practice in place, perhaps my writing would improve faster. I just find it hard to force it. I think I was pretty good at tricking my piano teacher into thinking that I had practiced as a kid, and because I could get away with it, I never fully formed the muscle. I'll practice at 1am on a Wednesday night when I'm alone in my apartment and feeling like I want to. And then maybe again a few weeks later. It’s very free. I try not to beat myself up about this too much––I have to remind myself of why I'm doing whatever it is that I'm doing.

10. What is one important lesson you have learned through your experiences as a songwriter?

My songs have told me things about myself before I consciously realized them. That is nuts. It is the most magical super power I'll ever experience or tap into, and have so much respect and gratitude for what it has given me. The more I am grateful for it, the more it gives me. That is the truth.

BONUS QUESTION: How are you finding your creativity in the time of COVID-19?

I've mostly felt completely overwhelmed by everything we're experiencing. I haven't been able to process it yet in any creative way. I'm stressed about income, worried about the future, panicked about people I love getting sick, and entirely depressed over the state of our reality and the people who are getting hit the hardest. It's a really tough time. On top of that, the pressure to accomplish something with all of our new time felt immense in the beginning. We are virtually connected and socially distant, all at once, and that dissonance has been a weird one to navigate. I was consuming what everyone else was doing at all hours in the beginning. I realize now that it ultimately made me feel a lot of stress and pressure to also have something to offer. But it's okay not to have anything right now. I kind of feel full and empty at the same time. It's a strange space! But I'm just trying to move through it as best I can. Paul and I FaceTime once a week or so to talk about Savoir ideas/things we're working on, but I'm mostly filling my days learning how to use Studio One (saying farewell to ProTools) and re-learning old songs I used to cover when I was younger. Seeking some comfort wherever I can find it.

Favorite song to dance to: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston (best song to kick off a wedding)
Favorite song to make out to: “The Fall” by Rhye. That whole record is sexy.
Favorite song to cry to: “Jealous” by Labrinth made me cry for about a year. “Waiting” by Alice Bowman. Patty Griffin gets me all the time. 
Favorite song to work out to: “Crown” by Stormzy
Favorite song to drive to: “The Less I Know The Better” by Tame Impala

Follow Lauren online:

instagram.com/laurenzettler
http://www.savoiradore.com/
buddishism.com/

photos by Nicole Mago