We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lorren Chiodo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lorren below.
Lorren, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I don’t think purpose is something you find; I believe it’s something you eventually discover has been subconsciously guiding you all along. When I look back on my career and life so far, it’s now very clear that everything I’ve done has been driven by an internal purpose. I’ve consistently chosen more difficult paths, taken extreme leaps of faith, and thrown myself into music and art time and time again, despite the stress, tears, and discomfort. There’s no logical reason to do that unless something bigger is at play. Realising and embracing that has brought both gratitude and opportunity, and it has revealed my purpose – to bring light and happiness. I’m here to create with love, to write, sing, and play. I’m here to resonate and facilitate through music and performance, and to feel all the things as they come.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a saxophonist, producer, and music director based in LA. I tour, build live shows, produce my own music, and record for other artists too. I’ve been on the road with artists like Harry Styles (Coachella, Love On Tour), UMI (The Magic Hour Tour for Jhené Aiko), and I recently music directed PinkPantheress for the inaugural H&M&LA Festival. I also do on-set consulting and live performance coordination for film/tv productions that include on-camera musicians, singers, bands, etc.
Touring and performing have always been huge parts of why I do what I do, but I also thrive off-stage, producing and composing. I do a lot of woodwind production (working with FX, digital saxophone, pedals and analogue gear) and textural/sound design. I have my own artist project and new music coming (very!) soon that leans even further into that world. For me, it all comes down to building sound and live experiences that feel as close to the vision as possible.
I love the many roles a music director plays, and creating the sound of a show from its earliest stages. I like changing things up, challenging the expectations of what live mainstream music should look like by building unique bands, featuring different instruments, and experimenting with how they’re being played.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Being willing to shift and change focus when things don’t go “according to plan”. And I say that because 99% of the time, the plan you’ve made isn’t what ends up happening haha
2. Putting in time on my instruments. Learning things, being curious, and having fun. Your instruments are your vessels, and you chose them for a reason! I’ve had periods where the practice and playing became more draining than rewarding, so I’d also say in those moments to remember why you play in the first place and keep that as your guiding light.
3. Everything you learn, every experience, all the random skills you pick up as you move through life, will serve you at some point later on. Random things I learned at college or in primary school have become relevant and put me in positions of opportunity today. So if something interests you, or feels exciting, lean into it. It’s not a waste of time. Embrace all of the phases you’re in and all the things you happen to learn!
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I’ve been on a reading kick lately, and reading in general has helped shift things for me. It heightens my appreciation for creativity and gets my brain buzzing. I love Franny and Zooey and Raise High the Roof Beam Carpenters by JD Salinger; both are a reminder to stay present, and that so much can happen in a short period of time. I also love A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I always come back to her prose and ability for such vivid imagery.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lorrenchiodo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lorrenchiodo
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@lorrenchiodo
- Other: www.brainpainproductions.com
Image Credits
Paola Gladys
