Favourite Daughter Discusses Reinvention, Comedy In Tragedy, And More

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Lauran Hibberd discusses new project favourite daughter with us, how comedy finds its way into her music and more

Stepping into a bold new chapter, Lauran Hibberd is embracing her latest evolution under the moniker Favourite Daughter — a project that feels less like a reinvention and more like a return to instinct. Known for her sharp-tongued songwriting, wry humour and emotionally honest indie-pop, Hibberd has built a reputation for pairing vulnerability with biting wit, turning everyday anxieties and messy relationships into irresistibly relatable anthems. Already a staple on UK stages, she’s shared landmark live moments with artists like All Time Low and toured alongside Deaf Havana, including a packed show at KOKO and an unforgettable appearance at The O2 Arena. Now, with new music arriving under the Favourite Daughter name, Hibberd is leaning further into the sounds and stories that feel most authentically hers — reflective, chaotic, funny, and deeply human. We caught up with her to talk about creative alignment, overthinking, turbulent relationships, and why sometimes the best way forward is simply returning to yourself.

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Chloe: You’ve described the end of 2025 as embracing a “new incarnation” what does that evolution look like for you creatively and personally?

Lauran: I think the best part about life is that you can literally reinvent yourself whenever you want. I don’t necessarily see this as a reinvention though — it feels more like returning to what feels right after taking stock. It’s quite easy to get swept up in a wave and then four years later look back and think, hang on a minute… who was that? Right now I’m making music that feels totally aligned with who I am as a person, and it feels like a really natural extension of myself. Creatively I feel like I’ve found my perfect collaborators. I know my strengths, I know what I like, and I finally know what I want to say. It feels pretty liberating actually. I want to be excited about what I create and keep digging deeper, pulling back new layers of what I’m capable of.

Chloe: Being personally invited by All Time Low to perform “PMA” at The O2 Arena in front of 15,000 fans is huge — what was going through your mind in that moment?

Lauran: Honestly, I was freaking out — how could you not? It was such an incredible experience. I’ve been an All Time Low fan forever, so being part of their sold-out show at The O2 will definitely go down in the history books for me. I even got to run down the stage catwalk — not the professional name, I’m sure — but still, that’s life goals.

Chloe: How did touring with Deaf Havana, particularly the packed show at KOKO, shape your confidence or approach to performing live?

Lauran: The KOKO show was super special. These songs feel so right to me on a stage like that. I was probably a bit of a ‘poppier’ surprise for that audience, but weirdly it really worked. I worked a lot with James from Deaf Havana while making these songs — he played guitar and bass across the board — and I genuinely think that’s why it translated so well. We’re quite similar as people and work really well together, and I think his audience really related to that. I also tend to inject quite a dry sense of humour in between songs, often by accident. But I think it helps shape the character of the project and goes hand-in-hand with what I’m presenting lyrically.

Chloe: “you but different” feels like it sits in that uncomfortable space between wanting closeness and fearing history repeating itself — was there a specific experience that sparked the song?

Lauran: Oh definitely. “you but different” is me at crisis point. I’m basically dancing around all of the facts at play, because ultimately I just want to be loved — even if it isn’t the right kind for me. And I think most of us can relate to that feeling. I was going through a turbulent time in a relationship and found myself clutching onto the smallest things. That’s when I realised how differently I actually wanted them to be — and that me wanting to be loved was never going to be enough. It’s full of funny little anecdotes and feels quite chaotic, but that’s exactly how it felt to me at the time, so it made sense for it to sonically follow suit.

Chloe: Your songwriting is known for its sharp wit and emotional honesty. How do you balance humour with vulnerability without undercutting either?

Lauran: Honestly, if it’s done right, you don’t even notice it. That’s just how life works. We often laugh after our biggest downfalls — sometimes while we’re still crying — and we cry after something amazing happens too. Most people get through life using humour to soften the blow. I write songs quite conversationally, and I think that’s why the humour and vulnerability sit naturally together in these tracks. It feels like a conversation happening in real time.

Chloe: Overthinking plays a central role in “you but different.” Do you see self-awareness as empowering, paralysing, or a bit of both?

Lauran: Definitely a bit of both. I’m overly self-aware, and while that can be a great thing it can also be pretty crippling. I think most creatives struggle with that in one way or another. Maybe that’s the thing that keeps us making things. But there’s also a lot of power in knowing who you are, how you think, and why you think the way you do. I’d definitely rather have that awareness than be on the other side of the fence.

Chloe: Sonically, does this new era lean further into your indie-pop roots, or are you experimenting with new textures and influences?

Lauran: I’m honestly just making music that feels in line with where I am right now, and at the moment that definitely sits in the indie-pop world. That said, I’m constantly experimenting and having a lot of fun starting from a blank canvas. There’s something quite freeing about rewriting the rulebook. I’m excited to release more songs and start colouring in more of the world I’ve begun to build.

Chloe: With such landmark live moments already happening ahead of this release, how are you grounding yourself as everything scales up?

Lauran: I honestly couldn’t be more grounded as a human being. I’d probably say I’m below grounded at this point. I’m very much in the mindset of taking life as it comes and enjoying each moment for what it is. I’m excited about everything that’s happening and I’m working really hard — but I’m doing that because this is what I want to do. And I feel extremely lucky to be able to do it at all, especially in such an ever-changing climate.

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