(WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 24, 2023) – DMV-area singer / songwriter Lauren Calve has released a special stripped-down “Home Planetarium Version” video for her song “Subtle Alchemy” today – Watch HERE (directed by Elena Lacayo). The song was released last Friday, August 18 (listen HERE) and is her third single ahead of her upcoming long-awaited debut album Shift (Pre-Save HERE) out September 1.
Says Calve, “’Subtle Alchemy’ is the trailblazer of the record and is most representative of where I’m headed sonically and thematically. I wrote the music and lyrics while observing my surroundings from my dining room table on a quiet Winter morning. The process was a kind of open-eyed meditation; every observation became another line in the song. At the time, I was immersed in reading about alchemy and its relevance in the modern age. While observing the dynamism of my surroundings, I felt that the melting snow, smoke dissipating into the atmosphere– even love itself– were all forms of alchemy. I wanted to create a stripped down, stylized video for the song that would reflect this. I have a home planetarium and always wanted to use it in one of my videos. The two seemed to be a perfect match! The projection of constellations onto my basement wall along with the colorful lighting really highlight the song’s underlying message that there is alchemy, or magic, happening all around us, all the time.”
Shift was recorded in Nashville at 3Sirens Music Group with producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dex Green (Margo Price, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Allison Russell) along with a stellar line-up of musical talent including Fred Eltringham on drums (ACM Drummer of the Year, Drumeo Country Drummer of the Year, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson), Audley Freed on guitar (Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes), Robert Kearns on bass (Sheryl Crow, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Marlon Patton on drums (Larkin Poe, Lera Lynn), Jared Reynolds on bass (Ben Folds) and engineer Joe Costa (Ben Folds).
The sound reflects the environment in which the songs were written, in quarantine, mainly, and therefore in periods of silence and self-reflection. Through the ten-track collection of songs on Shift, she invites the listener to come along on her journey of self-discovery and change, demonstrating a musical masterclass in the art of emotional storytelling.
The title-track “Shift” was released on May 26. The Bluegrass Situation featured Calve and premiered the music video – Read + Watch HERE. You can hear Calve give some exclusive insights about the song on DittyTV HERE. Calve released her second single “Everything At The Same Time” on July 7 (Listen HERE). The track was added to many Spotify playlists including in CMT’s The Roundup HERE. Last Day Deaf says the song is “…an exquisite manifestation of modern americana, driven by Calve’s expressive and well-balanced vocals, gracefully intertwining dynamism with emotion, and seamlessly blending the essence of tradition and modernity. The melody effortlessly flows, and the lyrics carry a profound resonance.”
Calve was recently in Nashville, TN to perform on Today in Nashville (WSMV-TV NBC) where she performed two songs – “Shift” and “Everything At The Same Time.” She also performed on WMOT Roots Radio for their Finally Friday live noon show at 3rd and Lindsley – listen at 30-minute mark HERE. And with the new album coming, Calve is building off this momentum she’s gained with her music and from touring with the likes of Rhett Miller (she was a guest on his podcast – listen HERE), who says “Lauren Calve is an old soul with a voice to match. It’s been terrific to watch her evolution. I can’t wait to see what’s next.” She’s also toured with Ray Wylie Hubbard, who says “Lauren tears off pieces of her soul, rhymes them and shares them with a voice that is righteously cool,” as well as Tom Paxton, Justin Townes Earle, and Amythyst Kiah, to name a few. Calve was also recently on the prestigious Mountain Stage hosted by Kathy Mattea who says “Lauren is an amazing singer and a clear, confident performer. Her songs range from tender ballads to edgy rock and blues, and she utilizes those vocal chops to bring the full range of them to life.”
Calve will be on the road for the rest of this year playing one off dates as well as co-headlining the “Bound For A Shift” tour with Joey Frendo. Cities include Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Washington DC, Nashville, Boston, and more. Tour dates are below. More dates to be announced soon HERE.
“Bound For A Shift” Tour Dates – Co-Headline Dates With Joey Frendo:
Sept 13 – City Winery – Philadelphia, PA
Sept 14 – Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
Sept 15 – Sleepwalk – Brooklyn, NY
Sept 17 – City Winery Loft – Boston, MA
Sept 18 – Higher Ground – S. Burlington, VT
Oct 13 – Still Partners – Sea Cliff, NY (not part of “Bound For A Shift” Tour)
Oct 18 – DC9 – Washington, DC
Oct 19 – The Collective Encore – Columbia, MD
Oct 22 – The Heist – Bowling Green, VA
Oct 26 – City Winery Loft – Nashville, TN
Oct 27 – The Nick – Birmingham, AL
Oct 29 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA