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Lauren Duski Gets Vulnerable with New Track “Chasing Me”

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Lauren Duski Chasing Me

Season 12 The Voice runner up Lauren Duski hasn’t been shy about taking time to release vulnerable music after her run on the competition show. More than a year passed after winning The Voice when she dropped her first single “Costume Party.” Shortly after that, earlier this year, the country singer + songwriter released her debut EP Midwestern Girl Part 1. We spoke to Duski earlier this year about her honest songs and her inspirations. Read our full Swag Spotlight here. 

“Chasing Me (Voice Memo) was released on Friday, December 6th. Duski recorded the emotional, sensitive voice memo in a bathroom at the House of Blues in Chicago on November 6th, 2019 while out on tour opening up for Lukas Graham. Ironically, the song features a picture of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a bite taken out of it, gently resting next to a butter knife on a paper plate as the album artwork.

The single begins with Duski admitting the comfort in leaving the dream behind and heading back home, simply because that’s the easier thing to pursue. She sings: “I’ve asked myself, again and again, why don’t I pack it up and then? // Move back home and settle down // Find a good man back in my hometown” She proceeds to realize that this dream is everything she’s ever known and everything she’s ever wanted.

“But I’ve got songs I wanna sing / The new ones, the old ones and the in betweens / This dream keeps chasing me / Like the birds and the bees in the yard back when I was a kid / Like my little brother on his BMX / I ran and I ran ‘til I was out of breath / I tried for a while to deny who I was always born to be / I swear I’m not chasing down this dream / This dream’s been chasing me”

Duski shared on Instagram shortly after the release, “I released a new song today called Chasing Me” and it wasn’t supposed to come out yet. It was supposed to be “produced perfectly” but to be honest, after feeling the way it connected after every show I didn’t want to wait any longer. So I recorded it in a bathroom in Chicago on my iPhone. I’ve tried to run away from this music thing my whole life. I’ve tried to go back to school. Every time I do though, something keeps tapping me on my shoulder saying, “Nope. Not yet.” Maybe this is just an inevitable process we go through as young adults, searching for meaning or trying to find ourselves? I have no idea. Here I am at 28… still no answers and I’ve tried to pray it away at least once or twice a week for the last few years. The one thing I do know is that the closest thing to any purpose I’ve ever experienced is standing up there on stage and getting an opportunity to be vulnerable with you all. I’m so grateful for the relationship I have with all of you. Thank you for accepting me and this song with all its imperfections. No turning back now. A massive thank you to @nathanchapmanofficial and @emily_landis for writing it with me.”

To keep up with Lauren Duski follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

“Chasing Me (Voice Memo)” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently music here on our “New Country Music” playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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6 Undiscovered Female Artists You Should Be Listening To

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We’re loving the changing of the tides that is occurring in the country music scene. It’s been an exciting month for the ladies, as Maren Morris’ song “GIRL” went number 1 on country radio and Grammy-nominated songwriter, Nicolle Galyon unveiled her newest project, an all-female label named Songs & Daughters.

Female musicians are making sure their voices are heard in the industry and delivering songs with lyrics that aim to empower women. We’ve already shared 6 of our favorite rising female artists that we are loving, but here are 6 more undiscovered, yet extremely talented female artists that deserve the spotlight too!

1. Lacy Cavalier

Listen: “Cheating On U”

One of our newest Swag Sessions alumni, Lacy Cavalier is taking the music industry by storm! She is sassy, beautiful, and passionate, with killer vocals to match. At only 22 years old, it’s only a matter of time until everyone knows her name. She just released her newest EP, k i’m done, which is filled with heartfelt, honest, and relatable songs that will be stuck in your head in no time! Make sure to give it a listen and keep up with her via Instagram and Twitter.

2. Hailey Whitters

Listen: “Ten Year Town” 

Singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters is one to look out for! She’s no stranger to the music industry, as she’s been songwriting since she was a teenager. Currently, she is holding her own on tour with prolific singer-songwriter, Lori McKenna and we caught her set just last month at City Winery. Later this year, she will open for superstar Maren Morris. Whitters is poised, honest, and primed for success. Listen to her song “10 Year Town” to get a taste of her unique talent and be sure to follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

3. Hannah Ellis

Listen: “Friends Like These”

Another artist that we are loving is Hannah Ellis. She performed at our inaugural ‘Babes, Booze & Brunch’ event back in 2018, as well as, opened for Walker Hayes at Mercury Lounge the same year. She is a clever lyricist and songstress that truly sings from her heart. Check out debut single, “ILY So What” and “Home and Hometown” which she sang for us during a live Swag Session back in 2018. Most recently, she was chosen as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country and released her brand new single, “Friends Like These.” Keep up with her endeavors via Instagram and Twitter!

4. Renee Blair

Listen: “Girlfriend”

Our next artist signed a publishing deal with SMACK in 2017 and has been a powerhouse ever since. She’s opened up for many great performers in the industry, including Mitchell Tenpenny, Willie Nelson, and Michael Ray; however, she is a stunning performer in her own right. She premiered her newest song “Girlfriend,” earlier this month, which explores the inner workings of her heart as she wishes for a man, who is unfortunately in a relationship. Both a Swag Spotlight and Swag Sessions alum, we know how spectacular Blair is and can’t wait for more people to recognize her talent. Stay in the loop via her Instagram and Twitter.

5. Lauren Duski

Listen: “The Weather (Grandpa’s Song)”

Lauren Duski got her start on NBC’s The Voice, but she is proving her staying power with her independently released debut EP entitled Midwestern Girl. She plays with the gamut of emotions on the heartfelt record, especially on songs, “The Weather (Grandpa’s Song)” and fan-favorite “Costume Party.” She earned her spot on this list because of her beautiful songs and unique song-writing. Learn more about Duski in our Swag Spotlight with her, as well as, by following her on Instagram and Twitter.

6. Kelleigh Bannen

Listen: “Happy Birthday”

Rounding out our list is seasoned singer-songwriter, Kelleigh Bannen. The Nashville native is a vocally-gifted storyteller. She delivers epic lyrics in her songs, “Happy Birthday,” “Deluxe,” and her newest track, “Faith In You.” Bannen is an artist, who is equally as impressive on emotionally-heavy songs, as well as, sassy uptempo tracks. We featured her in a Swag Spotlight back in 2018, and we can’t wait to see where her career continues to take her. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

We hope you add these talented ladies to your music collection!

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Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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Lauren Duski Tells Her Grandparents’ Love Story In “The Weather” Video

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Lauren Duski The Weather

Music is an art form that can serve many purposes. Whether it be to give listeners a new song to blast with the windows down or to honor someone important in your life, few songs are quite as powerful as those that tell a true story. This is exactly what Lauren Duski did in her touching, self-filmed, home video and picture filled music video for her song “The Weather (Grandpa’s Song)”.

This song was first released in February along with her EP Midwestern Girl. Through the lyrics of this song, Duski touches on a very sad time in her life when she lost her grandmother in 2017, and the effect that it had on herself and her family during the holiday season, especially her grandfather who is lost in a world without her. However, the music video for this song is what really makes the track as special and moving as it is.

The 5-minute long music video is shot, edited and directed by Duski, with the majority of the content coming straight from her iPhone 8 to give that raw, authentic and personal feel. Each scene in the video is accompanied by subtitles that tell her grandparents’ one of a kind love story that prevailed despite anything that came its way. Going back to when they first met, she explains how her grandfather had had a girlfriend at the time her grandmother, Una, developed an interest in him and how he actually rejected her three different times. “Apparently Grandpa Duski was a chick magnet?”, Duski lightheartedly shares while telling their story.

In the beginning of the video, there is a scene that she filmed of her Grandpa talking about how much he misses his wife, and saying “During the night I chat with her, which I know it sounds crazy but, there’s nobody on the other end, but it feels good though”, right after Duski sharing “I realized there was something even more heartbreaking than losing her, watching my Grandpa live in a world without her.”

The concept and significance behind this song is something that everyone can empathize with, as we all live in a world where there comes a day that we lose a grandparent or an older relative that meant the world to us. Duski manages to take something so sad and turn it into a beautiful and intimate tribute to her grandmother and the love that her grandparents both shared.

If you aren’t choked up approaching the end of the video, the ending will surely get you. The video ends with a voicemail that her grandmother left her thanking her for a card and saying she loves her, accompanied by home videos of them together playing in the background, and finally, a picture of her grandparents captioned, “In Loving Memory of our Angel, Una Mary Duski.”

To keep up with Lauren Duski, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“The Weather (Grandpa’s Song)” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Lauren Duski ‘Midwestern Girl’

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Lauren Duski

 

Although 2019 just started, women in country music are coming out full force this year, proving that they deserve the same recognition and praise as men in the genre. Another talented female country artist, Lauren Duski is taking country music by storm with the release of her breathtaking debut EP entitled Midwestern Girl (2/20).

As the runner-up on Blake Shelton’s team on the 12th season of The Voice, Duski is now making a name for herself as an independent artist in the industry. After crafting her skills as both a singer and a songwriter, she delivers an EP complete with five tracks.

The record opens up with a string-based instrumental track that pays homage to Duski’s Michigan roots, “Journey of a Midwestern Girl.” The instrumental sets the tone for the rest of the EP beautifully. The first lyrical track featured is the songstress’ debut single, “Costume Party.” Her honesty and depth radiate throughout the entire song, navigating the emotions associated with being authentic to yourself and “leaving the mask at home.” Duski pours her heart into the song, which really resonated with fans so much that they created their own touching videos, which the singer later combined into its own music video. Check the video out below.

The next song on Midwestern Girl, is “Runnin’ (To You).” The mid-tempo song is Duski’s version of a love song, starting off slower and speeding up as the song progresses. She admits on the track that she has had her guard up with love, but learns that she was inadvertently running to a certain person as she continued on her journey. The chorus is sure to get stuck in the listeners head after just one spin. “I was running around like it was  some kind of race / Doesn’t slow me down, no baby / Couldn’t of planned this / Don’t understand it, but I was on my way / Didn’t have a clue, all this time / I was runnin’ to you / I was runnin’ to you.”

The collection of songs continues with “Heart Hurt Good.” Continuing with her unique story-telling ability, Duski tells the story of falling in love with someone, who makes her heart feel full. She calls the feeling her “heart hurt[ing] good.” The song definitely has radio single potential, as it’s catchy and relatable.

The record closes out with arguably the most poignant song on the EP, “The Weather (Grandpa’s Song).” Deeply personal, Duski shares how her grandfather is dealing with grief from losing his wife, her grandmother. Although a tearjerker, the song’s vulnerability and raw lyrics is truly unmatched. She ends the song singing the sentiment “it’s okay we can talk about the weather.” Following the ending lyric, Duski included a phone message from her late grandmother, which, although heartbreaking, allows fans to form a personal connection with the artist and makes you want to genuinely root for her success.

Overall, Duski’s debut EP is a great body of work, giving us a sneak peek of what we can expect to hear on a full-length album of hers in the future. Midwestern Girl is available across all platforms. Make sure to keep up with Duski on Instagram and Twitter.

 

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: