Minear’s voice—reminiscent of Natalie Merchant, Dido, and Maggie Rogers—delivers raw emotion, while her lyrics, likened to Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLachlan, cut straight to the soul. She is a unique artist with a gift for translating human experience into sound. In the words of multi-platinum songwriter, Andrea Stolpe, “[Lauren has] the ability to make the most difficult experiences relatable”. Originally from Nashville, now living in New York, songwriting was Minear’s first love in life. She spent her childhood immersed in music, memorizing lyrics to Eric Clapton, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, and Garth Brooks songs on long family drives to visit her grandparents in New Orleans. She wrote her first song at the age of fourteen, and recorded an EP (unreleased) with George Marinelli, longtime guitarist for Bonnie Raitt. She was mentored by some of Nashville’s leading songwriters, and even sat in the studio with Steve Earle during his Jerusalem sessions. Needless to say, music is in Minear’s blood. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Minear was working as a psychotherapist, which undoubtedly fuels her passion and skill for writing about mental health. During lockdown in March of 2020, she was on a walk through the woods with her newborn baby, and found herself overcome with grief over having left songwriting behind. She has been writing every day since. On October 14, 2022, Minear released Invisible Woman (independent), a project that artfully tackles the topic of postpartum depression. For Americana Highways, John Apice writes that it will “remind you why you’re human”. Her sophomore album, Chasing Daylight (independent), was released on May 31, 2024 to critical acclaim. Earmilk calls it “a colorful exploration of visibility and self-discovery”. With every color and wardrobe choice, Minear creates a new character, a new facet of her own personality, through which her listeners can understand themselves. The project is supported by a short film, available on YouTube. Minear explains, “I often think that my journey to artistry involved trying on different ‘lives’, like dresses one size too small. They all look good, but don’t quite fit. It’s the kind of discomfort that is only known to the wearer, but that makes all the difference”. Chasing Daylight: The Short Film tells that story through a metaphorical lens, exploring themes of loss, transformation, and rebirth, and inviting us all to consider what is lost when we mask our True Self. Since her debut in 2022, in addition to building a worldwide fanbase, Minear has shared the stage with legendary singer-songwriter Pete Yorn and rising star, Cassandra Lewis. She has performed in legendary venues, including The Bitter End (NYC), and The Basement (Nashville). Her gift for songwriting has been recognized by international songwriting competitions, and Ben Folds himself, who handpicked her for his exclusive songwriting retreat. She has released a charity single benefitting gun violence prevention efforts in the United States, and she has collaborated with many of New York’s finest musicians. In short, Minear is brimming with raw talent, and she is just getting started.