SLUG Mag Soundwaves
SLUG Mag Soundwaves
Episode #373 – Courtney Lane
Loading
/

Courtney Lane has been banging on a piano for their entire life. Inspired by their granddad’s playing, Lane found themself surrounded by classical music from a young age, and it wasn’t much longer before Lane was asking for lessons. “[My teacher] was very firm and stern with me about playing classical music and being good at it, and I was good at it, but I was kind of sad because I was only playing really old music that everyone else … was also playing,” Lane says. “It was about who could play it best, and I didn’t like that.” 

After moving to Park City when they were 12, Lane didn’t perform publicly for a few years. Finally, they returned, landing lodge gigs at ski resorts and performing covers, slowly leaving a competitive, stiff environment to embrace a different kind of playing.“It was a relief, but I was still a little bummed out and didn’t know why,” Lane says. “I still wasn’t feeling fulfilled and I couldn’t figure out why until I really started writing my own songs on piano when I was like 18.” 

Lane’s music experience changed for the better once again after they moved to Salt Lake to be closer to school when they were 20. Salt Lake was Lane’s first experience within an actual music scene, and they flourished among the outpouring of creative energy the valley brings.  “You almost feel like you can’t not make art when you’re so surrounded by inspiration and people doing cool shit. It’s like … ‘Holy crap, nothing is stopping me from also doing that!’ So just being surrounded by it made me have to do it,” Lane says.

With the community backing them, Lane found that music wasn’t just a release for themself—it could be shared and celebrated. No longer was their sound just a background track, as it was in Park City. “Having a community … has skyrocketed my own ability to process emotions and do it in a creative way, and that’s why I love it here,” Lane says. 

Slowly, the stiffness that Lane found themself wrapped up in from their classical years receded. When writing, they found their creative flow hindered by strict methodology. Lane’s best songwriting, they say, comes from intrusive thoughts and free journaling. “Once I identified that I didn’t have to strain myself to make good music, I started making good music,” Lane says. “I feel like everybody is capable of that.”

Now, Lane’s singer-songwriter originals are getting another upgrade within the year from friends Lindsey on drums, Aaron on bass and Tyler on guitar adding heavier, gospel-esque elements to Lane’s originals. To stay in touch with Courtney Lane in the meantime, follow them on Instagram @the_courtneylane. As always, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of “SLUG Soundwaves.” 

Discover more:

Episode #478 — Patrick Buie

Episode #478 — Patrick Buie

Patrick Buie is SLC’s newest indie rock darling. After working as a gig musician for a decade, he finally decided to start a solo project. On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, Buie discusses studying jazz, gigging and his newest self-titled album.

Episode #477 — Lapdog

Episode #477 — Lapdog

Salt Lake City band Lapdog is no slouch, taking on a blend of psych, bossa nova, singer-songwriter and jangly indie rock. On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, Fisher Huish chats about the band’s unique sound and improvisational approach and debuts a brand-new song.  

Episode #476 — Rachael Jenkins

Episode #476 — Rachael Jenkins

Rachael Jenkins is one of SLC’s most talented vocalists. From her introspective and tender lyricism to her thoughtful instrumentation, her music is truly one of a kind. On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, Jenkins talks about her musical journey and newest project The End. The End by Rachael Jenkins  

Episode #475 — Melancholy Club

Episode #475 — Melancholy Club

Melancholy Club is one of Utah’s premier emo outfits, made up of Tanner Padbury (lead vocals, guitar), Rex Blair (lead guitar, backing vocals), Zane Dees (drums) and Noah Shelton (bass, backing vocals). On this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, we talk about the group’s new projects, signature sound and upcoming performance at Kilby Block Party in

Episode #474 — Cera Gibson

Episode #474 — Cera Gibson

On this episode, Cera Gibson discusses her recently released EP pinksoak, the evolution of her sound and her collaborative work. … read more

Episode #473 — Gracemaker

Episode #473 — Gracemaker

Gracemaker is an SLC post-noise outfit made up of Nicholas Bat (vocals), Darren Watts (bass, vocals), Matt Wiley (guitar) and Chris Garrido (drums). … read more