The Artist Explains: Lauren Ruth Ward - ‘Valhalla’
LA vocal powerhouse Lauren Ruth Ward talks us through the ideas behind her visuals for 70s psych-blues inspired single, ‘Valhalla’ featuring a colourful cast of gender-bending characters.
On the inspiration behind the track Lauren Ruth Ward says, ”I died many times in my battle of "being a straight woman". I hurt myself and others in this battle. I'm now able to see I made the right choices. I have arrived to my Valhalla."
Lauren Ruth Ward Explains:
Where was the video for ‘Valhalla’ filmed?
First scene was shot at Harvard and Stone in Los Feliz. Second scene was at a studio a friend lent us in Hollywood.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories to share with us?
I got to handle the sweetest snakes. Fell in love with all of them.
Could you tell us more about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The main concept and 70s-esque style were my idea. However, this question would be better suited for the director Alli Coates. Her visions of what camera to shoot on, what DP to use, what angles to shoot from, colour correction, etc. were her ideas and truly made the video come to life. Adding the super 8 footage was also her idea which I absolutely love.
How does the video connect with the song and is there a message you hope people take away from watching/ listening?
The song is about my triumph of overcoming what society has told me to be (vs. what actually feels natural to me). I compare choosing my own course / "forming my own phase" to a battle. The concept for the music video being "reversed roles" shakes hands with the brainwashing I've endured that once stifled my growth.
Interview feature by Karla Harris
Tour Dates
On Tour with LP:
1/25: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory w/ LP
1/26: Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ LP
1/27: Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades w/ LP
1/29: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ LP
1/31: Vancouver, Canada @ The Orpheum w/ LP
2/1: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo w/ LP
2/9: Toronto, Canada @ Danforth Music Hall w/ LP
2/11: Montréal, Canada @ Mtelus w/ LP
2/12: Québec, Canada @ Impérial Bell
2/14: Montréal, Canada @ Mtelus w/ LP