BREAKING THE RULES, FINDING HER SOUND
Lauren Sanderson. Photo by Pablo Herrera / TMN
After nearly a decade of releasing music, Lauren Sanderson has found a new sense of creative freedom. Leaving her record label, embracing independence and moving toward a heavier rock sound have brought some of the biggest moments of her career. At Austin City Limits 2026, she spoke about trusting her instincts, growing up in conservative Indiana and making music without asking for permission.
AUSTIN, TX | Interview by Pablo Herrera | Austin City Limits 2026
Lauren Sanderson arrived at ACL Fest for her first performance at the festival with a sense of accomplishment. After years of building her career, the opportunity felt long overdue. Her recent self-titled album and the success of “Come Say Some” have marked a turning point, both musically and personally.
Her decision to leave her record label was an important part of that transformation. Despite the opportunities a record deal can offer, Sanderson felt increasingly restricted. Making music was never just about releasing songs. Building a community and maintaining control over her creative decisions mattered just as much.
“I think they all think they want authenticity, but they don’t know what to do with actual authenticity.”
For Sanderson, independence meant accepting the uncertainty that comes with making decisions on her own terms. Looking back, the moments when she trusted her intuition brought the greatest rewards, even when the risks seemed difficult to justify.
“Whenever I just believed in myself and whatever delusional visions I had, that’s when things worked out for me.”
That determination has roots in her upbringing in Indiana. Growing up in a conservative environment, expressing herself through her appearance, relationships and personal choices often attracted judgment. She left as soon as she could, carrying with her a rebellious attitude that would become central to her identity as an artist.
“I think I was able to sort of like start to learn that being yourself is going to make people mad and you just have to like separate the validation and do it anyway.”
Lauren Sanderson. Photo: courtesy of the artist.
Her self-titled album represents another important change. Earlier releases explored confusion, anxiety and questions about her identity. This time, Sanderson wanted to document a moment of certainty, having finally arrived at a sound she could recognize as her own.
“This was the first album where I felt like I’m not experimenting anymore. I really found my sound and this is more like a stamp of who I am.”
Rock is now taking a bigger role in her music. Sanderson describes “Come Say Some” as a meeting point between Limp Bizkit and Missy Elliott, bringing together heavy guitars, hip-hop influences and the energy of rap-rock. The track took her outside her comfort zone and became one of the defining successes of her career, followed by what she considers her best tour yet.
Lauren Sanderson. Album, 2026.
“I’ve done a lot of my career choosing pop and rock is the first genre that I felt really chose me.”
With plans to release more rock music while keeping the electronic and hip-hop elements that have shaped her work, Sanderson isn't interested in predicting exactly what comes next. The success of her latest music has given her another reason to trust her instincts, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Watch our full interview with Lauren Sanderson at Austin City Limits 2026 below.
Lauren Sanderson at Austin City Limits 2026.
