Welcome back my friends out there in the 311 universe! New week…new fan spotlight! Let’s check out the story of Lauren Black!
Lauren heard of 311 when the Blue album debuted, one of the local stations had a show called “The Adventure Club with Josh” and she said he somehow always played cool new music. She’s pretty sure that’s where she first heard them. ” I immediately fell in love with the energy and that super sweet unique blend of rock and rap. It was truly love at first listen. I quickly became obsessed with Music and Grassroots as well, playing that shit on repeat, over and over again, and the rest is history. Their music became such a part of me and so ingrained in my head, I listened to it on repeat so many times over the years growing up. I did struggle with undiagnosed ADHD, depression and anxiety in my early teen years, and 311’s music literally probably saved my life, helping me reshape my mindset by thinking positively, inspired by their lyrics.”
As for show count, Lauren said she used to scoff at fans that kept such well documented spreadsheets of the shows they’ve seen and songs they’ve heard. “I always wanted to live in the moment, plus I smoke a lot of weed so sometimes I forget. A while ago, I went back and tried to count up every show I have been to. My best guess is that I have seen them about 135 times at this point.” First shows she saw were at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas and then also in 2001 at the Warped Tour.
For a favorite, Lauren said there have been a lot over the years that have been incredible. “Every 311 day I have been to (which is all of them since 2002, with the exception of 2016) has been amazing and always for different reasons. Each 311 day is unique. 311 Day 2010 was especially sweet for me because I got to interview the band for MTV news and got the full backstage experience. That may have been when I peaked in life. The Halloween shows, especially 2010 and the one at the Stanley hotel a few years ago, have also been excellent.”
Songs that mean the most to Lauren can change over time, depending on where she is in her life. “Thankfully I am at a really nice, chill, stable place in life, but the top few songs that really come to me at this moment are “Sun Comes Through,” “Use of Time,” and “Space and Time.’ YES I do like their new music too!”
There’s a lyric that means so much to Lauren that she has it tattooed on her foot, as a tribute to her best friend who passed away her freshman year of college: “Lovely life I thank you.” “I met Lisa my first week of college and we clicked right away with our mutual love of music. She loved 311 so much but her all time favorite band was Less Than Jake. We always had the very best time together. The last time I ever saw her was when we went to a 311 show in Tulsa together in 2004. I left the next day to head to New Orleans for 311 day, and she went to Galveston for spring break, where she was tragically killed in an accident. Though not the banger I love to hear for an encore at a live show, I do really appreciate Beyond the Grey Sky as a song. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with my friend Lisa while she was here, and my tattoo with BTGS lyrics honor that.” Another favorite of hers is “Savor the sun, but when the clouds come, make animals.”
Lauren has lived in Texas her whole life, except her time in college. She said she is very lucky to still be close with her family. “My dad took me to my very first 311 Day in 2002 when I was a sophomore in high school. He hung out with a security guard in the back most of the time, but that was really cool of him, and I know he definitely considers it a parental flex that he was there and could do that with me. My mom went with me when I got my first tattoo (which happens to be the Soundsystem logo!), and she loves to play the 311 Lullabies album for the toddlers she works with in public school. My sister has been with me to countless 311 shows, including 311 Day 2006. I am actually too lucky to have a family that supported my 311 addiction so well over the years. How can I ever break this habit at this point?”
Lauren is married and living in Austin, Texas, with two dogs. “My husband actually does not love live music like I do (He likes seated shows only with super chill music like Iron and Wine, and even then he still might not want to go.) so I usually go to shows alone or with friends. I think sometimes people are surprised when they find out I am married. We are kind of homebodies but I do still love to go out for a good concert or a delicious meal.” Lauren also has Celiac Disease, a severe Gluten intolerance, so she has to watch what she eats but says she still eats really well. “There is a ton of great food here in Austin, especially gluten free (Tacos on corn tortillas are naturally gluten free!). Austin also offers a lot of cool outdoor and nature oriented activities, which I love (for now at least – before the extreme heat from climate crisis overtakes this area!). The trail at Town Lake and swimming at Barton Springs are two of the very best things to do in Austin, if you ask me.”
Travel is something Lauren loves to do, especially to legal states that sell 710 Labs products! She does hair for her profession, and she especially enjoys doing blondes or fun, vibrant colors. Her dogs, Bronte and Penny, are she and her husbands pride & joy. “Bronte is a five year old doodle mix and Penny is a sweet fourteen year old golden retriever. I wish I could bring them everywhere with me!”
Lauren graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin, however she has also studied English at both Cambridge and Oxford. As for a guilty pleasure, she stated that she doesn’t really feel guilty about any of her pleasures because her life is full of them! “from 311, to 90 Day Fiance, to old episodes of MTV’s The Challenge, to drinking Diet Coke almost every damn day (that shit is delicious and addictive!), to nerding out over Lord of the Rings, to wearing socks with sandals, or dresses that look like they were meant for toddlers… I am a big fan of just doing what makes you happy, as long as it isn’t anything messed up.” She also can’t get enough of trash reality television! “It’s a serious problem. Married at First Sight, 90 Day Fiance, Love After Lockup, and really all Bravo, TLC, Lifetime and old school MTV reality shows are the best.”
Lauren said some old school 311 fans might remember that back in the day she used to take official 311 merch and sew the basic shirts into cute dresses or halter tops with lace & fun prints. ” I still do that every now and then, but I always love to dress just a little different and wear what makes me happy. I have even been told by someone in the band my unique clothing style sets me apart from other fans. I do love wearing a 311 shirt to 311 shows! I just need to put a fun twist on it.”
Other music Lauren can be found listening to? Her second favorite band is Guster, and she’s seen them about 60 times. “They are so insanely musically talented and their shows are nothing but fun and good vibes. The band members play multiple instruments and often switch it around during shows. The drummer for Guster is a beast and does a lot on bongos as well. I highly recommend everyone checking out Guster live if they have a chance. Much like 311, Guster really shines live and their energy is amazing. The biggest difference between the Guster guys and our 311 guys, is that Guster is always riffing and shooting from the hip. It’s not uncommon at all for them to do a live jam off the cuff about lobster rolls at their show in Maine, or to do long rambling intros, or just have fun talking to and interacting with the crowd.”
Lauren also loves Hip Hop & Rap. “I love alllll the hip hop music – old, new, mainstream, underground, hard, pop, drill, down south, whatever. I love a good beat. I especially love female rap. Megan Thee Stallion, Glorilla, Trina, Lil Kim – there are so many talented females in the game. Outkast, Animal Collective, Lil Nas X, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Drake, Less Than Jake are also up there in my favorites. I love variety!Finally, I cannot say enough good things about the collab Nick Hexum did with George Clanton. I could listen to that album for the rest of my life and never tire of it – it’s just so good!”
Lauren has been lucky enough to speak to the guys in 311 multiple times, and her message to them is always one of gratitude: “Thank you for making fantastic music and bringing people together, and spreading love and positivity all these years. While that is most definitely still true, currently I would like to thank P Nut and SA for standing up and being vocal about their political and moral beliefs during these dark and divisive times. They embody the positive qualities and values 311 has been singing about these past thirty plus years, if you ask me.
Also Nick, you are still fine as hell, and your golden retriever and dog posts are literally the best – keep giving us cute animal content.”
Now here are her words to all the other awesome fans out there:
“I cannot express enough how much I love this community and all the friends I have made over the years. I can’t believe I am still meeting cool new fans I didn’t already know who have also been fans for ages! Like, how did our paths not cross sooner? I love jamming with y’all, sharing joints with y’all, getting fun fan made swag, making sweet memories, and having the time of our lives together. Please do not ever hesitate to say hi if you see me out and about or reach out if you happen to be visiting Austin!”
Thank you Lauren for sharing your fun story with all of us! So happy you are a part of this community. Always, my undying gratitude to everyone who reads these posts. Hope you all have a week full of happiness, peace & good things.
Much Love – The Runt