We recently connected with Lauren Salvo and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how to describe in words, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I struggled, and sometimes still do struggle, with imposter syndrome. I think every creative does and those of us in electronic music are definitely not missed by it! I define it as the irrational thought that once you reach a goal, that you don’t deserve it, or looking back and convincing yourself it wasn’t that hard to get there and that anyone could have done it, or not giving yourself enough credit.
I remember once I was tasked with writing for a top 40’s pop star. It was a dream situation and the producer was so nice and patient with me. I was the only songwriter, which is sometimes a struggle if you have a bit of writer’s block. AND I DID. I wanted so badly to write the best possible song for this artist. (I could go off on a whole new tangent on writer’s block but I won’t…for now.) I sat in the studio for hours trying to come up with something. ANYTHING, but it wasn’t flowing because the entire session I was thinking, “What if it isn’t good enough?” “Will she like this?” “Am I really the person who should be writing for this artist?” After two painstaking and pretty silent hours, I ended up leaving the session with the promise to try again on my own to finish the writing and send it to the producer later on that week. I was so embarrassed that I never followed through. I accidentally pushed away the opportunity because I didn’t think that I deserved it or that I could write something good enough. It was heartbreaking and I felt so defeated.
A few years, and many many sessions later, I was having drinks with a colleague of mine who had just landed herself a dream deal and had some high profile collaborations. As we were talking, she told me that she was feeling insecure about something she wrote and a few deals that were happening in her realm. I thought to myself, if someone like my friend who I look up to so much can feel these feelings too, then it must not JUST be me and I would bet that these feelings are normal.
EVERY artist struggles with imposter syndrome and not feeling like they’re enough. We are all human beings walking through the same world, no matter how many hits we have or where we are in life. It’s the same experience in a way.
But the turning point for me was also this: When you realize that imposter syndrome is just a by-product of growing, becoming better and continually getting yourself into bigger and better situations, it becomes easier to welcome it instead of resist the feelings. It’s a sign that you’re leveling up and are now able to handle this new situation. Yes, it’s definitely uncomfortable, but now I welcome those growing pains. Also, being grateful through those times really helps shift your mind into being positive instead. If it’s coming your way, it’s meant to help you grow and become better!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My artist name is Salvo and I am an electronic music singer and songwriter and DJ. YES, You can find me on Spotify. No, I will not go on American Idol for you. If you’re lucky enough, you may hear my vocals in the club on the weekends or at an EDM festival.
I write and record everything from my home studio based in New Jersey. What excites me about dance music and songwriting is that I can put my emotions and thoughts out there for the world to digest in the most fun atmosphere, where people are making memories that will last them and their friends’ lifetimes. I love to sing about spirituality, deep existential thoughts, empowerment, and of course like every good EDM artist…LOVE haha. Music helped me come out of my shell and I’m hoping to do the same for others.
My newest endeavor is putting together my live show. I’ve spent so much time collaborating and lending my vocals to other artists’ projects as a topliner (someone who writes and performs vocals), and now I’m ready to perform on my own. I taught myself how to DJ this year. The master plan is to DJ and sing all my own vocals live, and I am currently booking, so look out for some Salvo show dates!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Don’t judge your art/creation, It only makes it harder to bring forth. If you must judge, do so once whatever you’re doing is finished. It’s healthy to see how things could be better but detrimental at the wrong times. 2. Tiny steps everyday. Don’t try to “eat the elephant” in one day. It’s impossible. Instead, make a bunch of tiny goals for yourself. Soon you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come.
3. Meditate or have some sort of ritual that grounds you. I know some of you are reading this thinking “omg if I hear the advice to meditate one more time…” I was once you, and I’m telling you it works.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
The best thing I did for myself in the last year was getting really disciplined. As someone who works for themselves and creates their own hours it’s really easy to get off track. So I made myself a schedule and I dedicated myself to sticking to it. For me, this includes getting up at 8:30am (not 11am) everyday, making sure I’m in the studio by 12pm, and only drinking alcohol when it’s a special occasion. IT’S CRAZY how much I can get done now that I’ve built up those habits. I’m not always perfect, but it’s definitely helped a lot.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/salvosongs
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/salvosongs
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/salvosongs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SalvoSongs
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/salvosongs
Image Credits
black background shots: Jared Brody
