Dazed Mix: Lauren Auder

This month, British-French experimentalist Lauren Auder shares an introspective and starry-eyed mix, featuring the likes of Jennifer Walton, Simon Joyner, and The Electric Prunes, among others. “I am constantly funnelling music into my mind,” she says. “That’s what my Dazed mix is about. It’s what I would want to play to the people this week.”

Her single “praxis” – off her upcoming album, Whole World As Vigil – is a perennially catchy take on baroque pop, propelling itself forward with bombastic production and earworm lyrics such as, “every time I step out of the house that’s praxis/ every step I take keeps the world on its axis”. This forward motion is evoked in the track’s accompanying visualiser, featuring Auder standing in the midst of the busy, perpetually moving public. “‘praxis’ is built around a sample of a power drill cutting through metal,” she explains. “Its seemingly perpetual motion and unstoppable movement felt apt in parallel with an important part of my own philosophy, that keeping yourself moving forward is enough to live for.”

In anticipation of next week’s album release, we caught up with Auder to discuss her music, her go-to London spots, and top three pop songs of all time. Listen to her Dazed mix below.

Congrats on Whole World As Vigil. Can you tell me about the making of the album? What inspired the album name?

Lauren Auder: Thank you! It’s been a long process. I’ve been writing it for the past four years, it feels amazing to be close to having it out. There’s a lot going on in that title but, essentially, it’s about how the world always bears witness to your life, and you have to pay attention right back.

Your single ‘praxis’ is out now. What were you thinking when making the track?

Lauren Auder: The main thrust of the song came together quickly. As soon as I heard the sample around which it was built I knew I wanted to write a track about how movement gives life meaning. I wanted to write a manifesto for myself.

The album includes ‘three of the biggest pop songs’ you’ve ever written. What’s three of your all-time biggest pop songs?

Lauren Auder: ‘Dancing in the Dark’ by the Boss, ‘Ribs’ by Lorde, ‘What It Feels Like For A Girl’ by Madonna.

Describe your perfect day in London.

Lauren Auder: Wake up listening to the news on the radio, walk to Cafe Oto, write for an hour, read for an hour, eat a sandwich at my favourite Italian deli Gallo Nero II, listen to music in the park, drink wine at the Beaujolais in Soho with friends.

What’s the best and worst advice you’ve ever received?

Lauren Auder: Most advice I’ve ever received has been useless. The best advice I ever got, at least in regards to creative endeavours, is to surround yourself with people who are at the same stage of their career or process as you are, to enter a slipstream together, to hold similar stakes.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Lauren Auder: I listen to so much music it feels hard… But at the minute my favourites are café LIFE by Vanessa Amara, Pony Express Record by Shudder To Think, and kind of obsessively Isaac Hayes’ Hot Buttered Soul.

Tell us about your Dazed mix.

Lauren Auder: I think I’d love to be a radio DJ. I am constantly funnelling music into my mind. So I guess that’s what my Dazed mix is about. It’s what I would want to play to the people this week. I also am using it to show off some of my incredible friends music, as any good DJ should.

How were you feeling when you made it?

Lauren Auder: I’m overly caffeinated.

Tracklist:

Simon Joyner – “Love Is Worth Suffering For”

Cul de Sac – “Dust of Butterflies”

The Electric Prunes – “Holy Are You”

William Tyler – “Star of Hope”

By Storm – “And I Dance”

Rogergoon – “Glad Music”

Dviance – “Chez Niou”

John Parish – “Spanish Girls”

Jennifer Walton – “It Eats Itself”