Worriers’ Lauren Denitzio talks new single & video and previews forthcoming album

Post Author: Myles Hunt

The indie punk-alt rock outfit’s new LP Trust Your Gut arrives on Sept. 15

Fans are ready to get sweaty. With the sudden rush into summer, music and tours are in full swing. New releases are electrifying the radio with vibes meant for joy. For those who want a more realistic and rustic approach, Worriers (Lauren Denitzio) are here to help. With the release of latest single and video “Trust Your Gut,” off of the upcoming Sept. 15th album of the same name, ’80s and ’90s-infused alternative rock stabilizes itself with ease. It is a nostalgic trip of sounds that harness the contemporary music of the day thanks to the inclusion of Atom Willard, Franz Nicolay, Frank Piegaro and Allegra Anka.

“Trust Your Gut” does not wait to send its glorious message across. Beyond the lyrical, its sound is pumped with angst that offers an optimistic energy. Lauren’s vocals are soft yet commanding and reminiscent of the indie punks of the ’90s. Listeners will be comforted in this regard while the band’s contemporary approach to their sound resonates easily. Imagine playing this song before a big event, meeting or anything that may be stressful; with welcomed results of individual satisfaction. Listeners will be proud to not only be a part of this musical art, but will learn to harness its power for generations to come. This could be an instant classic. 

Of their work to date, Lauren had these thoughts to share:

How has the start to your summer been so far? Do you have hopes and plans that you are looking forward to? 

It’s summer?! I’ve been so preoccupied with making our recent music video and the fact that Los Angeles has been cold that I almost forgot it’s summer! I’m looking forward to a couple of trips within California in the next couple of months, just for fun, before we hit the road again. It’s like the calm before the awesome storm. 

What is it about this new release and upcoming album that excites you the most? What are you anticipating your listeners to learn? 

Ultimately this record is just such a more expansive display of what I’ve been trying to do with songwriting and I hope people can tell how much fun we’re having even on the bittersweet or sadder songs. I’m incredibly excited to share an album that celebrates listening to your intuition, knowing what you want, and advocating for yourself even when it’s not the easiest thing to do. So many of the songs go back to those points and I love that we were able to make such a fun and heartfelt album about it. 

Has there been a mixture of emotions surrounding this new album, especially with the American cultural climate these days? 

There are certainly a lot of emotions about the current state of things in the record itself, including how the sense of spiraling out politically and socially can just overtake you sometimes. I also knew I wanted to be on the cover of the album, and ultimately chose the photo knowing I wanted a strong image of an androgynous person to be what I put out into the world. Especially right now. 

What advice do you have for musicians and artists in general that you wish you had known when you were starting out?

Remember that you don’t “have” to do anything. Whatever someone else’s rules are about what the “done thing” is or what you’re supposed to do shouldn’t override your creative vision or what feels right for you. I think you get a lot of people talking in absolutes about who you’re supposed to work with, how much you should tour, how you should make a record, how you should use social media, and I think the most important thing is knowing all of your options and then choosing what feels best for you.

What is a quote you live by and why?

I’ll go with an Empire Records-related quote: “I do not regret the things I’ve done, but those I did not do.”

Lauren had this to say regarding the song and accompanying video:

This is some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing and recording a song, so I wanted the video to come from an equally fun and joyous place. The song is meant to celebrate learning to trust your intuition and advocate for yourself and your own time, even in the face of being told that everything is fine. I thought it would be a good match for the video to be an interpretation of Empire Records where we’re saving a queer bar instead of a record store – just a fun way to claim space and community and see yourself in something when outside forces are working against you. Queer interpretations are some of my favorite things to talk about, and I’ll never turn down a chance to incorporate queer joy into our work!

Photo by Lauren Desberg