Kaylee Lauren, a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, released her first single, “Rollercoaster,” in 2021, which speaks about the ups and downs of young love. On May 19, 2022, she released a new single, “Not Enough.” Her pop music conveys the reality of growing up and speaks about various feelings and situations and experiences throughout the teenage years. Kaylee is gaining and more listeners every month; her music can be streamed on both Spotify and Apple music.

What is the story behind “Not Enough?” What do you want listeners to take away from it?
I wrote “Not Enough” in my bedroom, on the verge of tears, when overthinking about my self-worth and constantly judging myself, waiting for the feelings to dissipate. I remember I was very conscious about what others thought of me, and I truly didn’t recognize who was looking back at me in the mirror, as I was battling my deepest insecurities. I wanted to write a song that could heal others, in a way in which they could relate and connect to my music, as they’re struggling through their own personal feelings. This song has given me the validation I was seeking, when I felt like I was going through this dark time by myself, when people around me invalidated my deeply personal emotions. I’m so grateful that this song has now reached over 2.5 million beautiful humans on Instagram, who are all truly enough in my eyes.

When did you first start writing music?
I started songwriting around two years ago when I felt overwhelmed with the complexity of emotions, as an early teenager. I have since concluded that songwriting is therapeutic for both me, and my audience. Songwriting has allowed me to partake in creative control with every song I release, and it makes every song that much more personal to my honestly expressed feelings. I started writing as I was dealing with burdensome experiences and felt as if no one around me understood my perception of my personal feelings. I started writing my lonesome thoughts as a last resort of self-expression and quickly became aware that I could do this professionally.

What is your favorite part of creating new music?
Writing lyrics is my favorite part when making new music because of the sincere and truthful feelings about my songwriting process. I write honest lyrics to depict the intense feelings, in order for my audience to gain some sort of validation from my music. My artistry and image are important to me, and I'm so lucky to be able to use songwriting as a way to hone my craft as an artist. Watching people make videos to my music is so surreal for me, especially when reading the comments about how each listener resonates with my lyrics.

What inspires you as a singer/songwriter?
My family and friends inspire me the most because they truly support my career and honestly help me through any dark times in my journey, as an artist. My dad always convinces me that I should start realizing my self-worth and start truly believing in myself, whenever I feel like I'm not enough as a singer/songwriter. He always reminds me how important it is to love myself when I’m in an industry where so many people are judging me daily and attempting to tear me down by making comments about my artistry. My friends always help me through my perfectionist tendencies when I get too hard on myself. I always send my best friends my music, because I get in my head and convince myself that each song is not good, so it’s always refreshing to hear their opinions.

What artists do you hope to work with eventually?
I would love to work with Lexi Jayde, Tate McRae, and Madison Beer because of their honestly depicted songwriting and deeply melodic music. I am inspired by their vulnerability to express their emotions through the process of making music, and I hope to collaborate with and meet them one day.

What do you do for fun when you’re not working on new music?
I love hanging out with my friends and family in my free time because they are truly the backbone I need when I'm drowning or when I just need some time off from making music. I think it’s so important to take time away from social media and screen time, to reflect on personal gratitude and growth and I try to journal every time I get off my phone, at night before I sleep.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I see myself working with extremely inspiring and successful industry professions, artists, and songwriters, working on my new album, singles, and live shows. I know I am capable of touring with a lot of artists and creatives, establishing an amazing audience, who truly connect to my music and me as an artist, whom they look up to and are inspired by.

What goals have you been chasing?
I have been working hard to make my dreams a consistent reality, by reaching out to creatives, artists, magazines, YouTube interviews, Spotify podcasts, producers, etc. I am a firm believer that the industry will not come to me, I have to always put myself out there and watch my dreams come to fruition, through dedication and drive.

Instagram: @Kayleelauren_

Article by Lola Jarzemsky, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Coordinator, PhotoBook Magazine