Equalizers: Songwriter/Producer Lauren Christy

Summary

All Of It Podcast Summary: "Equalizers: Songwriter/Producer Lauren Christie"

Podcast Information

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Producer: WNYC
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work. The show celebrates the diversity and varied perspectives that make New York City vibrant.

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Episode Details

• Episode Title: Equalizers: Songwriter/Producer Lauren Christie
• Release Date: March 10, 2025
• Series: Women's History Month Series, "Women in Music Production"

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Introduction to Lauren Christie

[00:37] Alison Stewart opens the episode by highlighting the significant gender disparity in the Grammy nominations for non-classical producers, noting that only three women have been nominated in the past quarter-century. She introduces Lauren Christie as the first female nominee, setting the stage for an in-depth conversation about her contributions to the music industry.

Early Career and Discovery of Production Skills

[02:13] Lauren Christie shares her journey into music, starting as a songwriter at the age of 12. By 18, she secured a publishing deal that provided her with a home studio, allowing her to develop her production skills through creating demos. "I started off writing songs when I was 12 years old... pretty soon I moved on to an eight track and I would just do all my own demos and that's when my production skills started," she explains ([02:20]).

Transition from Solo Artist to The Matrix

Before joining The Matrix, Lauren was a solo recording artist and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her song "The Color of the Night." Alison Stewart plays a snippet of this track, illustrating Lauren's early success.

[05:05] Lauren discusses her pivotal role in The Matrix, a production trio, and their collaboration with Avril Lavigne. She recounts the summer of 2001 when they wrote hit songs like "Sk8er Boi" and "I'm with You." Lauren emphasizes the serendipitous nature of their creativity, stating, "Promise me I'm never going to find you Fake it that was literally given to me. I didn't come up with that. It just dropped into my head" ([05:15]).

Faith and Its Impact on Her Music Production

[06:23] Alison Stewart probes into the role of faith in Lauren's life and work. Lauren reveals that she became a Christian at 42, which transformed her approach to music production. "Now it just makes everything so much easier... I just walk into sessions with literally On a wing and a prayer and with an open heart," she shares ([06:54]). This newfound faith allows her to approach production with a sense of purpose and openness.

Insights on Production and Songwriting

[09:03] Lauren delves into the intertwined nature of songwriting and production. She advocates for songwriters to embrace production skills, highlighting the evolving landscape of the music industry where "streaming... doesn't really pay songwriters." By teaching a master class on songwriting and production, Lauren encourages emerging artists to become versatile creators. She praises industry icons like Rick Rubin for their "great sonic taste" and influence ([10:46]).

Gender Dynamics in the Music Production Industry

[11:08] Discussing her experience as part of The Matrix, Lauren addresses gender dynamics in the industry. She notes that being part of a team with two men shielded her from gender-based biases. "I never felt that thing of being kind of put down as a woman... I never got anything but respect," she states ([11:23]). This positive environment allowed her to focus on her contributions without facing gender-related challenges.

Current Projects and Future Endeavors

[11:59] Lauren announces her upcoming album, "Their Hits My Way," slated for release in 2025. The project features her renditions of songs she originally wrote and produced, showcasing their versatility. "It's just... I wanted to just do reimagined versions of the song so you could hear them kind of pared down," she explains ([12:11]). This endeavor aims to inspire future generations, demonstrating the enduring nature of creativity.

Personal Reflections and Inspirations

In a segment dedicated to personal questions, Lauren shares her favorite album, a song she wishes she produced, and a woman in music she admires.

• Favorite Album: Blue by Joni Mitchell
• Song She Wishes She Produced: "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" by Sabrina Carpenter
• Woman in Music She Admires: Stevie Nicks

[13:18] "My favorite album, it's gotta be Joni Mitchell Blue," Lauren reflects ([13:31]). She expresses admiration for Stevie Nicks, highlighting her influence and legacy in the music world ([13:52]).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

[14:03] Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by thanking Lauren Christie for her insights and contributions to the music industry. Lauren invites listeners to join her masterclass, providing her website for more information ([14:11]).

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Notable Quotes

• Laurent Christie on Starting Out:

  "I started off writing songs when I was 12 years old... pretty soon I moved on to an eight track and I would just do all my own demos and that's when my production skills started." ([02:20])

• On Faith Influencing Her Work:

  "Now it just makes everything so much easier... I just walk into sessions with literally On a wing and a prayer and with an open heart." ([06:54])

• On the Role of Songwriters as Producers:

  "I do think that a lot of songwriters today who are just working as songwriters actually are crossing over into being the producers." ([09:20])

• On Gender Dynamics:

  "I never felt that thing of being kind of put down as a woman... I never got anything but respect." ([11:23])

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Conclusion

This episode of All Of It provides a comprehensive look into Lauren Christie's illustrious career in music production and songwriting. From her early days as a teenage songwriter to her impactful role in The Matrix and her recent endeavors, Lauren offers valuable insights into the creative process, the importance of versatility in the music industry, and navigating gender dynamics. Her personal reflections on faith and inspiration add depth to her professional narrative, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring music producers and enthusiasts alike.

Transcript

[Lauren Christie]

All of it is supported by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. Listener supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. We are a quarter way through the 21st century and in those 25 years, only three women have been nominated for the Grammy for non classical producer of the year. The first was my next guest, Lauren Christie. And you have her to thank for this trick.

[Avril Lavigne]

Chill out. What you yelling for? Lay back. It's all been done before and if you could only let it be you would see I like you the way you are when we're driving in your car and you're talking to me one on one but you become somebody else round everyone else you're watching your back like you can't relax you're trying to be cool you look like a fool to me Tell me why the hell make things so complicated.

[Alison Stewart]

That's Avril Lavigne and it was produced by the trio the Matrix, which included Lauren. The album earned the group several Grammy nominations including Producer of the Year and Song of the Year. The Matrix went on to work with Shakira, Rihanna, Jason Mraz, Korn and many other artists. Lauren Christie, just on her own, has written with Enrico Iglesias, Be Rexha and many more. She also started out as a recording artist and continues to release music herself. For another installment of our Women's History Month series, Women in Music Production, I am joined now by Lauren Christie. Lauren, it is a pleasure to meet you.

[Lauren Christie]

Hi Alison. Thank you for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

How did you discover that you had a knack for production?

[Lauren Christie]

Well, I mean, I started off writing songs when I was 12 years old and I got a publishing deal when I was 18 and the first thing they did was bought me like a four track recording studio because it's expensive to go into studios. So they just bought me a home studio and I set it up in my bedroom and pretty soon I moved on to an eight track and I would just do all my own demos and that's when my production skills started.

[Alison Stewart]

Before the Matrix, you were a solo recording artist yourself. You earned a Golden Globe nomination for best original song. The Color of the Night from the movie of the same name. Do you mind if we play a little bit of it?

[Lauren Christie]

Of course.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen.

[Avril Lavigne]

I need to Know the way you feel and I'll give you everything I am and everything I am want to be I'll put it in your hands if you could open up to me oh, can't we ever get beyond this wall? Cause all I want is just once to see you in the light but.

[Alison Stewart]

You hide behind so, Lauren, it's interesting. Every interview I watched of you, there's some section where you. A part of it, a part of your production that you've done, and your voice is. Is great.

[Lauren Christie]

Thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

How do you find your. Your voice as an artist helpful to you in terms of writing and producing?

[Lauren Christie]

I mean, listen, I went through it as an artist. It's. It's a difficult life, you know, it's just so competitive. And back in the day, when I was doing it, you only got, like, a couple of shots at radio, and then literally they would. It didn't work. Records shelved, you know, So I feel like I can be really compassionate to all the artists I get to work with, because I've been sort of behind the curtain for 25 years after I put my career on hold. And. And I can just understand what they're going through. And, you know, I. I feel like a big part of production is just making people feel confident and making them feel like a million bucks.

[Alison Stewart]

I speak with music producer Lauren Christie, who has worked with artists like Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson, Ricky Martin, Jason Derulo. It's another installment of our March series, Equalizers. Women in music production. The Matrices big break came with Avril Lavigne's album let's go. Did you know when you were working on it that you had something special in your hands?

[Lauren Christie]

I did. I did. I mean, it was such an amazing summer. She came out and we did two songs. She went back to New York where she'd been signed, and L A Reid and Josh Sarabin, who was her A R man. They. They immediately heard the songs. One of them being complicated and said, go back for the whole summer. So that summer of 2001, Avril came, and for three months, we just wrote all the songs. Skater Boy, falling down, all these different songs that ended up on the record I'm with you. It was just an amazing time. And I remember Roundabout, when we wrote Skater Boy, thinking, wow, these songs seem special to me. And I kept, you know, I'm a Christian. I kept feeling things being given to me, and I felt the same way. Just words would appear in our head, and we were like, wow, that means something like that. Life's like this you fall and you crawl and you take what you get and you turn it into honesty Promise me I'm never going to find you Fake it that was literally given to me. I didn't come up with that. It just dropped into my head. And so, yeah, we. I think we did realize my manager at the time said that I'm with youh was a really nice album track and we needed to try harder, but it ended up being a number one song, thank God.

[Alison Stewart]

It sounds like faith really means something to you in your music production. Can you tell us a little more about that?

[Lauren Christie]

I mean, I didn't become a Christian until I was 42. I was just out there kind of just trying to do it on my own. And then I had like a fabulous calling from God, which really changed my life. And now it just makes everything so much easier because before I really thought it was my talent and, you know, I had to really prepare to be clever that day. And now I just walk into sessions with literally On a wing and a.

[Alison Stewart]

Prayer and with an open heart.

[Lauren Christie]

It sounds like literally, yes, yes and yes very much has changed my life.

[Alison Stewart]

I want to play Skater boy for our listeners. What is something that you like about this track? Something that you like about the production of this song?

[Lauren Christie]

I mean, I just love how it's so full on from the first moment. I love Corky James who played all the guitars on the Avril Lavigne record. It's just amazing. And my ex husband, Graham Edwards. You know, I just remember us sitting at my house with Avril and we just said, let's just do something that's really fun. And just Graham started playing that and I said, how about we start a song off with He Was a Boy, She Was a girl. Can I make it any more obvious? Let's just do something really dumb. And the whole song, you know, played out with Avril being a skater girl. And it's really my story of me being a ballet dancer and my parents not wanting me to marry a musician because they would consider musicians to be like punks, my parents and. But yeah, it's that aggressiveness of the guitars and a super pop song put with those. That aggressiveness of the guitars.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen to Sk8er boy.

[Avril Lavigne]

He was a boy, she was a girl Can I make it any more obvious? He was a punk she did ballet what more can I say? He wanted her she'd never secretly. She wanted him as well and all other friends stuck up their nose and they had a problem with his baggy clothes He Was a skater boy she said, see you later, boy he wasn't good enough for her. She had a pretty face, but her hair was up in space. She needed to come back down to earth.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm speaking with music producer Lauren Christie. It's part of our March series, our Women's History Month March series, Equalizer Women in Music Production. Lauren, what makes a good producer and what makes a good songwriter? And is there overlap there?

[Lauren Christie]

I mean, I do think that a lot of songwriters today who are just working as songwriters actually are crossing over into being the producers. Because, you know, I mean, that's when it started out for me, is I knew kind of what I wanted the groove to sound like the sonic bed of the track. If you've got the groove right, you can build on that. And I just think songwriters, you know, just have an overall taste of where the. Where it's got to rise. It's got to rise here. So we need, like, the drum fills right here. So I think songwriters are producers, and I teach a master class on songwriting and production, and I really try and talk to songwriters about, please, please become a producer while you're young. I even do a free giveaway on my. To one person on my masterclass. I kind of pull a name out of a hat and I send them a recording studio and a video of how to set it all up and start recording your own songs. It's so important to be a producer today with the way things are with streaming and how it doesn't really pay songwriters. So, you know, there's people who I just admire so much as producers, like Circuit, Benny, Blanca, they a vibe. Julian Bonetta, who did all the Sabrina Carpenter stuff, you know, Linda Perry. I'm sure you've spoken to her. These.

[Alison Stewart]

Just next week. You're talking to her next week.

[Lauren Christie]

Yeah, she's. She's awesome. Just, I think, having great sonic taste or Rick Rubin, I hear, you know, who's one of my heroes. He just has good taste. He doesn't work the board. He doesn't play an instrument. But it's worked out very well for all the artists he works with, having his. His good taste around them.

[Alison Stewart]

The Matrix. You're part of the Matrix. It was a trio, you and two men.

[Lauren Christie]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

When you were working with artists, did you find your gender led you to be singled out either for the good or for the bad?

[Lauren Christie]

I always feel because I was with. With two guys in a team, I never felt that thing of being kind of put down as a woman. And, you know, I'm very Much involved in all the vocals and comping and tuning the vocals. And that meant I had to sit with, you know, with Jonathan from Korn, just me and him doing his vocals. And, you know, I never got anything but respect. I've never found it to be, you know, that anyone would diminish me for being a woman. And I think that is probably because I had two great guys around me as a team, you know, so it's been a good experience for me.

[Alison Stewart]

You're releasing an album later this year called Their Hits My Way, featuring your take on songs that you wrote and you produced. What have you discovered revisiting these songs?

[Lauren Christie]

Well, I mean, first of all, I want people to know that I'm not trying to be a pop star at my age or, you know, I just really felt that I wanted to do something for my future grandkids so they can see that if you're a creator, you should keep doing it. Just because I made my last record in, what was it, 1997. I'm like, look, I'm this age, and I'm releasing a new album in 2025. And it's just. I wanted to just do reimagined versions of the song so you could hear them kind of pared down and say, a good song can be done in many different ways. And, you know, I love to sing. To this day, if someone says to me, would you like to get up and sing? I'm always like, yes. I very rarely say no to anything because it was my love was singing. That's kind of what made me become a producer, because how do I get, you know, this done? Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

For this series, we're. We're asking all our guests a few questions that we're going to stitch together at the end of the series. So here are the three questions. Your favorite album, a song you wish you produced, and a woman in a music that you admire.

[Lauren Christie]

Okay, so the first question was what your favorite album. Oh, my God, that's such a hard one. My favorite album, it's gotta be Joni Mitchell Blue is it. Was that the name of the album that.

[Alison Stewart]

That works? A song you wish you produced?

[Lauren Christie]

Ah, the I Took a Pill in Ibiza to Show Avicii was cool. I just think that song's amazing. I can't remember who. Who sang it, but it's. It's amazing.

[Alison Stewart]

And a woman in music you admire.

[Lauren Christie]

Ah, Stevie Nicks. Incredible.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest has been music producer Lauren Christie. Lauren, thank you so much for being with us. We really appreciate it.

[Lauren Christie]

Thank you so much. And if anyone wants to come to my masterclass, hit me [e-mail] Sounds good.

[Alison Stewart]

We're gonna go out on Coming Undone, which was Originally released by Corn, this time by Lauren Christie. For 140 years MultiCare has been in Washington prioritizing long term solutions, partnering with local communities and expanding access to care. Together, we're building a healthier future.

[Ira Flatow]

Learn [e-mail] this is Ira Flato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, the science Friday team has been reporting high quality science and technology news, making science fun for curious people by covering everything from the outer reaches of space to the rapidly changing world of AI to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Audiences trust our show because they know we're driven by a mission to inform and serve listeners first, first and foremost with important news they won't get anywhere else. And our sponsors benefit from that halo effect. For more information on becoming a sponsor, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.