Interlochen changed my life”: Lauren Jones of band Trousdale credits Arts Academy with making a music career possible
Jones reflects on her life-changing Academy experience, recalls the creative energy that led to Trousdale’s forming, and reveals why each band member always wears the same color in performance.
Lauren Jones of Trousdale. Picture credit Alex Rose Lang.
Interlochen really changed my life. It sounds dramatic, but I don't think I would be doing music as a career if I didn't go to Interlochen.
The year was 2012, and sixteen-year-old Lauren Jones was weighing the options for her summer. Gifted as a singer-songwriter, she wasn’t sure which path would take her further down the road toward her dreams.
“I was either going to try out for American Idol or go to camp at Interlochen,” says Jones. “I’m really glad I went to camp at Interlochen.”
That summer, Jones attended the singer-songwriter program and caught the eye of instructor Courtney Kaiser-Sandler. An invitation to apply to Arts Academy set in motion a chain of events leading Jones to where she is now—a member of indie-pop band Trousdale, with a freshly-released album and a multi-continental tour coming up. Looking back on her experiences, Jones credits Interlochen with helping her believe that her dreams of a career in music could actually become a reality.
Lauren Jones (right) poses with Courtney Kaiser-Sandler, Associate Director of Contemporary Music and Collaborative Projects; Instructor of Singer-Songwriter.
From small-town dreams to blooming confidence
Jones’s musical journey started early. She began playing guitar at 13 and idolized stars like Taylor Swift. Soon, she was writing her own songs and playing in local bands.
“Being a performer was always my dream career, but I had no examples of that in my life to look up to, and no idea of how I would even make that happen,” says Jones. “I didn't even let myself consider that to be a possibility until I went to Interlochen.”
Her time at Camp was her first experience of being around other musicians and songwriters around her age. That experience was amplified in the fall, when she attended Interlochen Arts Academy as a singer-songwriter major.
”When you grow up in a small town, you just don't know anyone in the entertainment industry,” Jones reflects. “At Academy, I had a moment of awareness—realizing ‘Oh wow, I could do this for a career. This can be more than just a hobby for me.”
She flourished under the mentorship of Kaiser-Sandler, who constantly challenged Jones to push beyond her comfort zone.
“Courtney is so wonderful at pulling something special out of her students and encouraging them to create something wild,” Jones remembers. “That was great for me at that point in my life because I really needed someone to push me outside of my comfort zone.”
At Arts Academy, Jones discovered a deep sense of artistic confidence that would serve her in the years to come.
“I remember Courtney telling us to pretend we had big, colorful wings on our backs while we were going about our day, even if we were just walking into the cafeteria,” Jones recalls. “So much of what she teaches is all about empowering her students, and I really absorbed that from her.”
It wasn’t just the mentorship she received, though. Jones also participated in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that shaped her understanding of what her music could do. Alongside fellow Academy peer Rett Madison, she played an opening set before a Five for Fighting concert—her biggest audience to date. In a meaningful conversation with a fan afterwards, Jones realized that her talents weren’t just for her. They had a bigger purpose.
“ I played a song called ‘Bet and Walt’ that I wrote about some family friends of mine, one of whom had Alzheimer's,” Jones remembers. “The song is about how he forgets a lot of things, but ultimately he always remembers that he loves his wife. I sang that song, and someone came up to me afterwards and was very emotional while talking about their own experience with Alzheimer's. Courtney came up to me after that and she was crying. She said, ‘This is why we do it.’”
Equipped with lessons, experience, and vision for the future, Jones headed to the University of Southern California the following fall.
Trousdale. From left to right: Quinn D'Andrea, Lauren Jones, and Georgia Greene. Picture credit Alex Rose Lang.
Building a girlband
At USC, Jones met future Trousdale bandmates Quinn D’Andrea and Georgia Greene. The trio came together organically: after Greene and Jones were paired for a songwriting assignment, they brought in D’Andrea to add her harmonies. The three soon realized they had created something special.
“We were in my dorm, no instruments, just tapping on our legs, singing a song we’d written called ‘Do Re Mi’,” Jones recalls. “I think the initial realization was joy. We were just friends having fun together.”
When the trio performed their piece for the class, they discovered that their music could create a powerful response.
“Everybody really loved it. We were getting a good reception, so we just kept doing it.”
Since then, Trousdale has released a debut album, Out of My Mind, and spent time touring the country. Through it all, they've remained true to their origins. The heart of Trousdale, Jones says, is a deep respect for the artistry and individuality of each bandmate. Trousdale affirms that sentiment with their choice of apparel—each member wears a designated color to all shows.
“It started when we bought three hand-dyed jumpsuits,” Jones says. “They were expensive, so we decided we’d really have to wear them to get our money’s worth. Then people started saying we looked like the Power Puff Girls, and it took on a life of its own.”
The most recent use of these distinctive colorways? They adorn the cover of Growing Pains, released April 11. The band’s latest album sees Trousdale exploring a more mature sound—by turns groovy and reflective, and frequently graced with the band’s ear-pleasing harmonies. The album digs deep into themes like navigating change, existential anxiety, and matters of the heart.
Jones is excited to share Growing Pains with the world, and on April 30, the band embarks on a tour encompassing North America and Europe. Trousdale is gaining momentum, and they’ll doubtless continue to expand into the world of indie-pop and beyond.
Jones has received support in her musical endeavors from Salt Lick Incubator, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit artist development organization supporting aspiring musicians in the early stages of their creative journeys.
"Salt Lick Incubator artists are selected based on unique artistic voice and vision as well as quality of songwriting,” says Salt Lick President Liza Levy. “The artist advisory board which makes these selections consists of people like Jon Batiste, Julia Michaels, Patrice Rushen, and Susan Tedeschi. The panel was blown away by what Lauren and Trousdale are putting into the world. We are so honored to be in their corner and will continue to celebrate their sophomore album Growing Pains as it reaches new audiences across the globe on this upcoming tour.”
Since graduating from Interlochen, Jones has returned to teach singer-songwriter programs during Camp. Her next return to campus will be enriched by a wealth of new experiences in the studio and on the road.
“ Interlochen really changed my life. It sounds dramatic, but I don't think I would be doing music as a career if I didn't go to Interlochen,” says Jones. “Interlochen taught me the importance of being an artist in society and what that means. I carry that responsibility with me every day.”
Students at Interlochen Arts Academy enjoy world-renowned artistic training from gifted professionals alongside college-preparatory academics. Learn more about Interlochen Arts Academy.
