My name is Lauren, and I’m an Austin-based musician. I moved here in 2015 from Baltimore, MD after receiving the Presidential Academic Scholarship to attend St. Edward’s University.

While school brought me to Austin, my dream was always to start a band and release music straight from my heart. With the help of the Austin community and many incredible friends, that dream became a reality in 2016.

By 2022, I was honored to be voted Best Rock Act at the Austin Music Awards with my band, The Dead Coats. I’m now pouring my heart into my new primary project, Larsen West, and truly feel like the best is still ahead. We just played our very first show at the 13th Floor, and 120 people showed up. My gratitude for the Austin community is already overwhelming.

But I can’t fully begin this next chapter without addressing a long-standing health issue.

For the past 10 years, I’ve endured countless bouts of recurring tonsillitis and strep throat. What began as an occasional illness has become increasingly frequent and debilitating, making it difficult to plan everyday life, let alone rehearse, record, or perform. Despite this, I’ve continued creating and showing up whenever I could.

Alongside music, I’ve dedicated the last five years to serving my community through local nonprofits, working in homeless services, elderly care, and now financial literacy. Giving back has always been central to who I am.

Now, I’m the one asking for help.

I finally have health insurance and have saved enough to cover my tonsillectomy, a long-overdue surgery that will drastically improve my quality of life. However, I need support to get through recovery, specifically to help cover lost wages during the few weeks I’ll be unable to work.

This surgery will allow me to heal fully, return to the stage, and continue both my music and my work serving the community, without constantly being sick.

Any contribution, no matter the size, truly means the world to me. Thank you for supporting my healing, my music, and this next chapter.