Kieran Webber
Director and Founder of CLUNK Magazine, CLUNK Events, and other CLUNK affiliate businesses. You’ll probably find me tucked away somewhere sending emails, listening to music, and creating content.
We chat to Lauran Hibberd ahead of her sophomore album ‘Girlfriend Material’ and spoke about her wild year that lead to its release
We’ve been following Lauran Hibberd since her 2018 release ‘Call Shotgun’, which is actually a scary thing to type, where on earth did that time go? It feels like only yesterday Lauran’s infectious, pop-punk sound was first entering out airwaves, now, fast forward 4 years and she is gearing up to release her sophomore album ‘Girlfriend Material’ via Virgin Records.
With this in mind, we caught up with her to chat about the new record, life lessons, social media, AND MORE!
Kieran: Hey Lauran, since we last spoke you’ve released your debut album ‘Garageband Superstar’, gone viral on TikTok, and are now releasing your sophomore album ‘Girlfriend Material’… It’s been a bit of a whirlwind.. how’re you doing?!
Lauran: Heeeey!! Wow, that sounds like a lot haha. I’m doing really good thank you! Definitely had a crazy year, didn’t anticipate going viral for sitting on the toilet but stranger things have happened I suppose.
Kieran: Speaking of the new album, how’re you feeling about its release?
Lauran: I’m feeling equal parts stress and excitement right now, I’m honestly so proud of it and I cannot wait for it to be out in the world. It’s just a really hectic time, I always have a million ideas, and I’m like oh wouldn’t it be cool if I jumped out of a plane with the girlfriend material vinyl and then I have to actually make that a reality. Don’t worry, I am absolutely not doing that. It’s such a big build up when releasing an album, so I’m excited to feel that big wave of relief when it’s out.
Kieran: Can you talk us through the recording and writing process of ‘Girlfriend Material’?
Lauren: Yes!! I made the record in Nashville, with Aaron Gillespie. It was ridiculously fun. We did it in 2 weeks in his studio. I wrote a lot of the record with Aaron, and he’d really bought something out in me so it felt only right that we he were to produce it. I was also lucky enough to witness him drum across it as well, it was crazy to watch. I think he did all 12 tracks in like 2 hours. It’s the best feeling in the world when you feel like you find your person, and I had that with Aaron from the moment I met him. Writing this record came scarily easily, I feel like a lot happened to me in a short period of time and I needed to get it out of me. It was oddly cathartic. I spent a lot of time writing in Nashville, and it just caught me at a time where I had a lot to say. It oddly all fell into place. And I made my perfect record.
Listen to ‘2nd Prettiest Girl (in the world)’ here:
Kieran: Did you do anything differently compared to 2022’s ‘Garageband Superstar’?
Lauran: I learned so much making GarageBand Superstar. I was definitely far more stressed and ‘in my head’ making that record. This one has felt so right, and almost easier. I left all the worry in my first one. I just made the record I wanted to make. I didn’t think about anyone else. I felt a lot of pressure with my debut album, because it was my DEBUT ALBUM. ‘Girlfriend Material’ has been a breath of fresh air for me, I’ve never been more proud of a body of work before. It was recorded in half the time, I acted on gut feeling a lot more and it worked so well for me.
“‘Girlfriend Material’ has been a breath of fresh air for me, I’ve never been more proud of a body of work before.“
Lauran Hibberd
Kieran: Were there any lessons learned with the previous release (good or bad) that you’ve implemented into the second album?
Lauran: Definitely. I didn’t second guess myself this time around, and I simply made this record for me. That was the biggest difference. I love garageband superstar, it’s my baby – but god did overthink it. Girlfriend Material was recorded in half the time, I acted on gut feeling a lot more and it worked so well for me. It’s a big deal releasing an album, so I think having one under my belt prepped me for the next. I felt more prepared this time around, and nothing has been a surprise. It’s kinda like having your first kiss, you’re a bit like omg I hope I can do it, I hope they like me. The next time you go in for it, you know you can smooch. You feel less nervous, and with that comes a sense of self.
Kieran: What was the influence behind ‘Girlfriend Material’?
Lauran: I’ve had a really big year. I lost my dad a year ago, and it changed my life. I changed as a person. I broke up with my long term boyfriend, left my home the ‘Isle of Wight’ and walked into a new life in London. This album feels like my diary, It’s everything I’ve gone through to get to this point. It’s blowing up your life and lying in the debris. Everything is an unfortunate true story. The actual title ‘Girlfriend Material’ came from someone telling me I wasn’t it. I deep dove into what meant. I became obsessed with what that meant. It summed up the album perfectly.
“The actual title ‘Girlfriend Material’ came from someone telling me I wasn’t it.“
Lauran Hibberd
Kieran: There’s a lot of discussion around TikTok and the use of social media by artists at the moment and I feel it is safe to say that you’re someone that uses it a lot to promote your music, how do you feel about social media and its relationship with artists?
Lauran: I think it’s a tricky one, I spent a while digging my heels in the sand. But I found a way to make it work authentically to me, and now I enjoy it. I feel like it’s a really good way to get my personality across as well as my music, and makes me feel more human. I think promoting my music feels easier now, I can jump in front of an iPhone camera whenever/wherever. It’s opened up doors for anyone creative to have a shot at reaching thousands of people. It is a lot to get your head around though, and can add additional pressure. Swings in roundabouts.
Kieran: What’s one thing you’d like to change about social media and one thing that you love?
Lauran: I think I’d remove ‘likes’, as it correlates with how much you LIKE yourself – and that’s really unhealthy. I love that anyone, from any background, can give themselves a platform and have a fighting chance of finding an audience.
Kieran: You’ve toured and played across the world since we last spoke.. what’s been the highlight so far?
Lauran: Definitely touring the states! I had the best 6 weeks of my life touring North America with All Time Low. It was a real dream. Especially as the music I make is so US influenced. The highlight was for sure sneaking into Universal Studios on fright night after playing the hard rock cafe. Best day ever!!
Kieran: Is there anywhere that you’ve not played that you’d like to?
Lauran: I’d love to play in Japan, I’ve always always dreamt of going. It would be a huge dream come true to have the best excuse to visit.
Kieran: Lastly, after the album release what’s next for Lauran Hibberd?
Lauran: I’ve got some really exciting tours in the pipeline, which I cannot wait for. I’m doing a lot in the states which feels incredible. But you know me, I won’t stop writing, and I may be already working on something new…
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