Who are you and what do you do:
My name is Lauren Malyon, and I’m a recording artist from Toronto, ON (Port Perry originally). I sing, play the violin and piano, write songs, and make 80’s inspired indie-pop-electronic music under the name LYON.
Current obsessions:
I’m currently obsessed with finding a new apartment/exploring new neighbourhoods in the city, planning my upcoming tour, watching the new season of GIRLS, getting caught up on the upcoming Oscar nominated movies, making smoothies, walking my dog Ace, writing new song ideas, and finding the highest rated/lowest price red wine in the vintage section.
A song or a record that will always put you in a good mood, without fail:
When I’m getting ready to go out, I usually end up going back to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Zero”, Robyn “Dancing On My Own”, or Niki and the Dove “Mother Protect”. Or, if I’m in the mood for a classic, Cyndi Lauper is high on that list.
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Tell us about an album or artist you think is really under-appreciated, and why they are deserving of more praise:
I recently collaborated with Wolf Saga on a cover of Lorde’s “Team”, and we’re going to be working on a mixtape together of some of our favourite songs. He is incredibly talented, young and hard working, and I can’t wait for him to blow up and have all the success that he deserves.
Most played track on your iTunes:
I like to mix it up with newer and older songs …For newer I would say HAIM “Forever” or CHVRCHES “Mother We Share”. For older, definitely The Cure “Friday I’m in Love”, New Order “Bizarre Love Triangle” or Cyndi Lauper “Time after Time”… so many favourites, it’s hard to choose.
Most cherished musical object:
My violin. My grandparents bought it for me when I was 13. I’d been playing since I was 3, and I was ready for a full size. It was handmade in Germany in the year 1800. It has collected many little markings from it’s owners over the years, and has the most beautiful rich tone.
Proudest moment:
I think the most exciting thing was getting a text from my manager Justin to turn on the tv and see my video for “Indian Summer” at number 1 on the M3 top 20 countdown above Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry. That was a bit surreal.
Most vulnerable moment:
I opened for Capital Cities a little while ago, and it was a much bigger crowd than what I was used to at the time. When I got to the acoustic song in my set, Lullaby, it occurred to me that I’m basically reading my diary/most personal/darkest thoughts out loud to a bunch of strangers. I’m a pretty shy person by nature, and it just hit me how crazy that was. But I just closed my eyes and sang, heart racing and all.
If you could score a film for anyone, who would it be and why:
Nicolas Winding Refn. He’s a Danish film director, known for directing the Pusher films, and more recently Drive and Only God Forgives.
Your favourite use of a song in a film:
I love the whole soundtrack to the movie Drive. It features a score by Cliff Martinez, as well as tracks by Kavinsky, College (feat Electric Youth), Desire and Chromatics. The dreamy synth pop throughout the film is a huge inspiration to the sonic landscape of my Indian Summer EP.
Favourite venue to play in and why:
My favourite venue to play (so far) is The Mod Club, in Toronto. It was the first big venue I ever played, opening for Neverending White Lights, when I was just starting out. I’ve played there many times since, and call it nostalgia, but the energy I get on that stage will always be special for me.
Dream venue to play in and why:
It would be a dream come true to play at either Massey Hall or the Danforth Music Hall one day. Massey Hall was my first ever pop concert experience (Alicia Keys’ first tour, I sat behind a post and could barely see, but I was hooked), and the Danforth because that’s where I first fell in love with Feist.
First band t-shirt you ever purchased from a merch table:
I have a Miike Snow t-shirt that I wear all the time. I can’t remember what the first one was, I always went to orchestra/classical concerts growing up and I don’t think they had t-shirts for merch!
Band you’d leave your bandmates for:
This feels like a trick question… but, if I had to choose, Fleetwood Mac (back in the day) would be pretty cool. Maybe I could add some vocal harmonies and violin. I have the long hair part down.
Album you want to expose your kin to whilst in the womb:
Honestly, probably an album of violin classics, like Meditation from Thais. Relaxing, and absolutely beautiful melody.
If for some reason you lost the ability to make and play music, what would fill that gap:
I can’t imagine music not being my life, but if for some horrible reason that didn’t exist, maybe I would be a social worker and work through a vast array of human emotions that way.
What was your last dream about:
I can’t remember. It was a scary dream, that I had a few weeks ago, and I’d taken a NyQuil to try to help me sleep through my cold, and I just remember it was the most scary restless sleep, running from something terrible!
