'Lauv' comes from the Latvian word for lion, and my mom's side of the family is from Latvia - it's a place I've been probably 15 times or more. I'm also a Leo, and my real name, Ari, means lion.
I feel like Drake could literally put out anything - like, the sound of seagulls over a beat - and it could be the Number One song on Spotify.
I am realising this now more as I grow up: that I never really felt connected to locations. In some sense, I always kind of felt a little lost in that I never had any hometown pride. While I experience a lot different places and experiences, I always felt a little detached.
'Chasing Fire' is about fighting for something that's already over. It's the beginning of the end. It's desperation. It's grand. But it's hopeless.
I miss the energy of New York City and being able to step out of my apartment and see so much unique culture all the time around me without having to seek it out. In L.A., I have to sort of seek out everything I'm trying to do. It makes it less spontaneous.
The thing about Sheeran is that he is an incredibly real artist and songwriter. He is not trying to be anybody else other than himself.
I write a lot of sad songs!
At the end of the day, we all want to fall in love.
It's tough to know what I'm going to write about. I never really know until it starts happening.
Ever since I visited Paris when I was younger, the sappy side of me really wanted to write a song about it someday.
I went from playing for nobody and having awkward experiences at award shows to now being all over the place playing sold-out shows for people who know all of the words.
For whatever reason, I've always gravitated towards music that feels nostalgic or longing or beautifully tragic.
I really hope to give to other people who are listening to my music the same thing that it's done for me, which is make me feel more free and more accepting of myself.
I've been through so many different phases, partly because I moved around so much. I never found my identity based on where I was from. It was always pick up and explore something else.
I've always hated the feeling of trying to be cool or trying to fit in.
Living in L.A. has been really good for me as a creator and musician.
I think a lot of pop music is escapist.
In day-to-day life, there's so much that's calculated: so many fake, surface-level interactions that don't amount to anything.
One of my favorite cities is Tokyo because of sushi, and Asian food in general, but then also the way Tokyo operates, because it's so clean, and there's space for a lot of variety of stores.
Being vulnerable is the hardest thing for so many people, including myself, but it's also the most satisfying thing.
