Help Make Saint Lavender's Debut Album a Reality!

Help me finish my debut album!

Hi there— my name is Lauren (aka Saint Lavender), and if you know me at all, you probably know that I’ve been working on my album, Help Yourself, for the better part of three years. I’m happy to report that I have finally finished recording after having the honor of working with some of the finest musicians on this side of the Mississippi. Although, with 14 songs in need of mixing, mastering, and promotion, Help Yourself’s journey is far from over.

I have been so fortunate to work with such incredible musicians along the way, many of whom worked with me purely out of the kindness of their hearts and a love for what I do. I am also forever indebted to the music media production program at Ball State University, where the majority of this album was recorded at the price of a federally granted tuition. However, now that we’re all somewhere on the other side of our university days with plenty of bills to pay, I’ve found that the “real world” is (understandably) much more transactional. The work that every single person has already put into this project is completely priceless to me; I would have given these people the world if I had it— but the simple fact is, I didn’t have it then— and I’m not any closer to having it now. These days, I am faced with what feels to me like an impossible decision: do I sacrifice the quality of the record in the attempt to brute-force it with my own limited skillset, or do I take advantage of my friends’ kindness and time by paying them what I can afford instead of what they’re actually worth?

That, dear reader, is where you come in. With your donation, I will be able to pay mixing and mastering engineers their rightful dues in addition to having a dedicated budget for promotion, something I have routinely sacrificed in order to preserve the quality of my music. Put plainly, I believe in this music so much, and I want to really do this album right: I’m talkin’ vinyl, music videos, airtime, the whole nine yards— but all of that costs money I just don’t have.

Ironically, for an album literally titled “Help Yourself”, one of the biggest themes that has come up time and time again during this process has been that of community: any progress, any beauty I’ve been able to capture so far is only because I understood that the best way for me to help myself was by letting go of my need for control and allowing others to help me when I really needed it— and right now is another one of those times.

While this isn’t the first album I’ve published, it will be my debut album chronologically speaking: these songs are my earliest to date, all written between the ages of 14-18. When I was an awkward teenager playing piano alone in my room after school, I had no earthly idea that I would ever have the opportunity to bring any of this music to life— and now, almost a decade later, I am closer than ever to making that dream a reality. To those who do donate any amount, thank you for believing in me and giving that high schooler the thrill of a lifetime. To those who don’t or can’t, thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about my journey as a songwriter and as a person. This music means more to me than I could ever truly say, and I look forward to the day when it can speak for itself out in the world!

All my love,

—Lauren