Audiences often comment that Lauren Best’s reflective songs belie her age. By no means inexperienced as a performer, and with considerable breadth and depth as a songwriter, the development of her musical life was in the tradition of many popular poets set to song. Tom Power of CBC’s Deep Roots introduced her as of yet unreleased song “Soaked to Soul” as being “sort of Klezmer, sort of Romanian, sort of Leonard Cohen”; a testament to the richness and diversity found in her soon to be released debut LP. Accompanying herself on piano, she pairs a lyrical focus with grooves that unveil her eclectic musical influences.

Lauren made her big-stage debut at the age of seven with the legendary Salome Bey at the Three-Fires Sacred Assembly at Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. While attending high school in Owen Sound, Lauren started playing with a backing band soon after beginning to perform her growing songbook of originals. Thusly, the revolving-cast “Renegade Company” began. Lauren and her Renegade Company went on to perform over the next several years at numerous Georgian Bay showcases including Summerfolk ‘07, Harbour Nights Concert Series ‘06 and ‘08, and the opening ceremonies of Owen Sound’s 150th Homecoming. Lauren’s early passion for collaboration, paired with the poetic nature of her songs led to performances with Owen Sound’s spoken word community, and was honoured as the city’s Poet of the Month of June 2008. As a versatile performing artist Lauren worked with Sheatre, collaborating and appearing in TOM (A New Musical – based on the life of Group of Seven painter Tom Thomson) and Far From The Heart. She has worked in partnership with the Georgian Bay Folk Society and the Knox Acoustic Cafe as a host, performing artist, and producer as part of Young and Hungry Discoveries. Lauren was graced by selection in the Youth Mentorship Program at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals where she was mentored by Evalyn Parry.

Upon moving to Toronto, Lauren was met with a community of musicians, arrangers and technical folks, providing the cast and crew for Lauren to produce her debut album while continuing to actively contribute to the artistic community. Taking the plunge in recording, Lauren worked with the likes of Michael Fonfara, Colleen Allan, Archie Alleyne, Gary Taylor, Bryden Baird and Anne Lindsay. After many hours in the studio over the course of two years, Lauren is currently finishing mixing her self-produced debut album. The build to release has been paralleled by many performances, solo to collaborative, small to large scale, with collectives comprised of peers and mentors. Lauren has been embraced by david sereda’s famous Stray Dog Salon, performing with creative powerhouses such as Juno-nominated musician Maryem Tollar and acclaimed author/poet Anne Michaels. When legendary Canadian rock bassist Jeff Jones (Burton Cummings, Ocean, Ronnie Hawkins) had a two month acoustic residency at Toronto cafe Le Cantina, Lauren brought the keys to the jams that happened for much of the evening, in addition performing her own material each week.

Lauren went on to be involved with many performances as part of the improvisation-based Element Choir, including those with Toronto’s own One Hundred Dollars and others as part of the Wavelength concert series, and the Kitchener/Waterloo Open Ears Festival with R. Murray Schafer. Lauren was one of 51 vocalists on the Element Choir’s debut release (At Rosedale United, Barnyard Records), the CD release concert for which was recorded by CBC Radio 2 and featured renowned bassist William Parker. Included in her guesting experiences are tracks recorded for First Rate People’s debut release and hitting the keys with Dub Monkey at Revival opening for Soul Jazz Orchestra at the recent NuFunk festival.

You can currently catch Lauren Best & The Renegade Company touring select dates in Ontario and Quebec.

For contact, booking, or to join the mailing list, please email lauren@laurenbest.com.

“Lauren Best’s poetry is a breath of fresh air … Lauren is wise, as they say, beyond her years. And so very talented lyrically and musically. I was entranced and enthralled and recommend that you visit her online at the Sun Times Music Gallery and wherever else she hangs out, until you get the chance to hear her live.” -Poet Laureate Liz Zetlin

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