Lauren Duffus is a powerhouse producer and vocalist hailing from North London, whose career took off after she released tracks on SoundCloud that earned her a place on the NTS artist development programme. She has since carved out a niche, genre-defying sound that reaches its apex on her latest release, Can’s Gone Warm, characterised by atmospheric production and enigmatic vocals.
Teased by lead single N.U.M.T.E and a surreal music video directed by Stanley Brock, the six-track EP delivers a mesmerising blend of electronica and R&B. Her recent success has seen Duffus globe-trotting, supporting esteemed New York rapper MIKE on the European leg of his tour, as well as performing at Milan Design Week, soundtracking runways for the likes of Miu Miu and Stone Island.
We speak to the producer about her new release, her love of Depeche Mode, fashion, and a brief foray into film scoring. We also delve into her complex relationship with the city she was born in and continues to be inspired by — London.
Lauren, this year marks your first run of new releases since 2022. Which track from the EP were you most excited to share, and why?
Need You More Than Ever [N.U.M.T.E.] and Riser [Brummm] — Riser is a track I’ve teased and shared on stories for years now and it feels so good to finally share it and see its journey play out. Need you more than ever marks a significant development of my sound. I feel like it’s a track that feels more polished and accessible, it’s definitely a track I’m super proud of. It also changed a lot from the original demo which sounded less digital and clean it reminded me more of the track Liar on the EP actually.
What’s the story behind the name Can’s Gone Warm? It brings up memories of parties in the sun.
I like that it’s open to interpretation. For me the visual of a can gone warm represents being dragged back to reality. In the prelude I sing “woke up and the cans gone warm, but I’m empty too so now I know I’ve got to stay”. It’s about cycles of addiction, loneliness and anxious attachments, the fun is over for everyone else but I’m empty so I stay there.
Did working on this record teach you anything new about yourself?
It taught me the importance of stepping away from a track for a significant amount of time and returning to it. A few tracks had U turns that were super late into the process but ended up being the most important parts in the tracks.
One of the singles from your EP is called Lewisham. Both Kate Bush and Alexander McQueen have lived in the London Borough. How has growing up in London shaped your identity?
I’m actually a north London native (shout out North Finchley) and moved to Lewisham initially as a placement for some treatment during some difficulties and then stayed. Lewisham for me holds a lot of sadness and anxiety for that reason as well as themes of hope and rebirth, on the flip side I’ve started a new budding life here. Growing up in Finchley was cool I miss it a lot but once again it holds sadness as I lost my dad there which has kind of painted all of London now in a thick layer of nostalgia and longing for my life before I knew what life now can feel like. I returned there with my partner recently visiting all the north London spots that were key in my teen hood, Camden etc. and it was a really confusing conflicting experience.
N.U.M.T.E. is a partial reworking of The Human League’s 80s classic Don’t You Want Me. Has 80s synth-pop played a big role in shaping your sound?
I wouldn’t call it a rework but I took a phrase out of the acapella, reversed and processed it and used it as a synth. I’m not sure if it’s shaped my sound but it definitely will subconsciously leak into it as I grew up loving it. I love Depeche Mode a lot, Stripped was one of my favourite songs growing up.
You started experimenting with music during lockdown, but was there a defining moment that encouraged you to pursue it seriously?
I think getting on the NTS Work In Progress scheme so soon after just starting messing around gave me the confidence to think oh ok I’m good at this. The scheme was great because it gave you a platform as well as equipment and experience and it allowed me to see early on what my life could look like if I pursued. Very grateful for NTS radio.
Earlier this year, you performed at the Miu Miu Literary Salon at Milan Design Week. Does fashion play a big role in your life and stage presence?
Weirdly it used to a lot more than it currently does I used to dress exclusively in vintage, costume jewellery, very eclectic and loved a pin up style believe it or not. I miss being more expressive through dressing up it’s something I’m slowly trying to return to and get my confidence back life gets in the way. My current requirements on stage are make me invisible which is something I’d like to change.
Did you get to explore Milan? Tell us more!
I’d been a few times before I really love Milan, most recently I was there for Miu Miu and Stone Island which were great and bumped into a handful of people I knew from home which was cool. Great food, parks, and bars and you have to get the train to Lake Como.
You took an online course in film scoring, are there any existing films or directors you feel your music would be a perfect fit for?
It was a free week long course during lockdown that in typical fashion I dropped out of (a week FFS)! Due to not being able to keep up with the admin written sketchbook style work and did my own thing for fun, sharing it on Instagram instead (laughs). It was really fun I made a classical piece to a scene in The Joker. I’d love to soundtrack Moonlight.
What inspires you outside of music that ends up influencing your sound or lyrics?
RHONY, Top Boy: Summerhouse, TikTok montages of London areas now vs 2000s.
What have you found most rewarding about your musical career so far?
Being able to travel, before 2023 I hadn’t been out of Europe before and music took me to South America and east Asia… I just can’t get my head around it.
Finally, what are you looking forward to this year, musically and otherwise?
Releasing my next EP then hopefully working on an album. Returning to east Asia and being able to show my partner as he’s coming along.
