Pop princess Loren Allred’s debut EP Late Bloomer is out now and it will have you traveling through all the emotions. From wanting to fall in love in “This Summer” to the moody person we’re left with at the end of the relationship in her rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” Allred’s got you covered. She sings, “I heard you gotta fit in / you gotta blend in if you want to be happy / so I played the part.” We’ve all been there. Her ability to contrast beautiful airy instrumentals with the cold truth about how sometimes we are afraid to be ourselves is what makes her music so relatable.
Allred’s journey is one to watch. Singing with Michael Bublé one day to going on tour with Andrea Bocelli the next, she can’t be stopped. We got to talk to the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter about her favorite memories, the hard part of being a musician, and working on her latest EP Late Bloomer.
Tell us about writing your EP. What was the process like?
I started writing when NYC went into lockdown. I hadn’t had much of a break from performing and traveling until then, so it was the perfect opportunity to tap into a craft that I had been yearning to cultivate.
I had no idea how many feelings I had pent up inside of me until I started to write. It became a type of therapy for me. The concepts came quickly because I needed to get them out, but the melody and lyrics had to evolve over time. Listening to the songs with fresh ears on a new day is important in my process to be able to see what a song needs.
What is your favorite thing about being a musician? What’s the hardest part?
My favorite part about being a musician is connecting with people. I love the energetic exchange between artist and audience. It feels so good to see people enjoying themselves. I also love the creative aspect of being a musician: the songwriting, the outfits, video treatments, etc. I get to work with amazing talents that enhance my vision so much. It’s all so theatrical and exciting to me!
The hardest part is wrapping your head around the fact that you are the product. No matter how good the music is, an audience is interested in who the person is, and that is a lot of pressure. I had never had a job where I brought my work home with me. As a performer, it’s sometimes hard to separate my work life from my home life. Over time, this is something that I have become more comfortable with.
If your music could be on any TV show, movie, or game, which would it be?
My ultimate dream is to have an original song in a James Bond film! I am a huge fan of Shirley Bassey and she has been such an influence in the way I sing today. I try to incorporate Bond songs into my set lists just in case the right connection is in the audience! Wish me luck.
Walk us through one of your favorite musical memories.
I remember when I got an unexpected call from Michael Bublé and David Foster asking if I could be on a plane to LA the next day to record a duet for Michael’s album. Working with both of them had been a longstanding dream of mine and to have the opportunity to work with them at the same time was so surreal! That connection has led me to so many other dream-come-true moments, including being featured on Andrea Bocelli’s tour this Fall!
What are you looking forward to?
I am so looking forward to the next chapter of my original music! Even though I am releasing my first EP now, I already have so many ideas for the next chapter to come. I can’t wait to tour with the legendary Andrea Bocelli (this will be my first stadium tour!), and I am about to start training in acting and dancing. There is so much possibility now that the world is opening back up and I can’t wait to spread my wings!