Posted on March 19, 2021
And here is the first in the Sunburst Sessions videos, an acoustic version of ‘Bad Night’!
Given that the original version of the song is so big with so many different production elements, stripping it back to just the piano was really fun, if more than a bit nerve-wracking. It gave it a completely different feel. Where the original, fully produced version has a lot of tension and, I guess, angst in it, the piano version shows a vulnerable side to the song, reflecting how raw and draining the experience described can be. I really like how, even though it’s obviously still the same song, the different versions bring different emotions to the fore and may connect to be differently because of that, because of how differently people experience their struggles.
Thank you to Zefan Susanto for accompanying me, Richard Sanderson (Sunburst Sessions and Richard Sanderson Photography) and Olivia (Olivia B-S Photography) for filming, and Nicky Trill for engineering.
Category: depression, mental health, music, video Tagged: acoustic ep, acoustic session, acoustic sessions, bad night, bad night (sunburst sessions), honest ep, honest ep (sunburst sessions), lauren alex hooper, laurenalexhooper, new music, new music friday, new music release, new music uk, new music video, olivia b-s photography, richard sanderson photography, sunburst sessions, zefan susanto
Posted on March 12, 2021
So, today, I made an exciting little announcement on social media…
It’s a bit scary to share these videos since they’re unlike anything I’ve ever posted before but it’s exciting too. These stripped back performances gave the songs a new feel, raw and emotional, and I’m eager to see what people think of these alternate versions.
And again, a massive thanks to Richard, my accompanist, videographer, and the man behind the Sunburst Sessions; to Zefan Susanto, my accompanist; Olivia of Olivia B-S Photography, videographer; and Nicky Trill, our wonderful engineer. This project would not have been possible without each and every one of them and I could not be more grateful, especially considering how unwell I was feeling on the day.
Category: music, video Tagged: acoustic ep, acoustic session, acoustic sessions, debut ep, honest, honest ep, independent artist, lauren alex hooper, laurenalexhooper, live session, live sessions, new music, new music release, new music uk, richard marc, richard marc music, richard sanderson photography, sunburst sessions, unsigned artist
Posted on October 30, 2020
My new single, ‘Honest,’ the title track and final single from my debut EP, Honest, is now available on all major music platforms!


‘Honest,’ the title track and final single from the Honest EP, is out! I’m so excited for you guys to finally hear it! It’s a celebration of the honesty of the previous four songs and of being honest and authentic about who you are, even and especially when it’s hard. It’s vulnerable and frightening and sometimes clumsy but it’s empowering too. There’s such a relief to leaning into who you really are.
This song was a real labour of love; it took a lot of hard work. It was born in a session with one of my songwriting inspirations, Lauren Aquilina. I worked on it with my beloved Richard Marc, and then it finally found its true shape in a session with the super inspiring Jonathan Whiskerd. Many people might’ve given up on it. At another moment in time, I might’ve been one of them, but I just knew there was something there. It was something I needed to express. And despite the frustrations along the way, I don’t think it could’ve become the song it is without them.
Please, please, please stream and/or buy it if you can. It would mean so much to me and everyone who has worked so hard on this song and this whole EP. The link to the song is in my bio (x)
Click here to listen to the song!
Posting this feels strange and really quite emotional since this EP has been a major part of my life for the last few years and right now, I don’t know when I’ll next be releasing new music. But I also really love this song and I’m so excited for everyone to hear it. And it feels particularly special that this final song was written with three people who mean a lot to me and have had a big impact on my life: Lauren was one of the few songwriter/artists that I really felt connected to and whose music I felt truly invested in as a teenager and writing with her was a big moment for me; Richard is one of my best friends and one of the most important people in my life; Jonathan was one of my tutors at university who not only taught me an incredible amount about songwriting, but gave me confidence in myself and always inspired me, both things he continues to do. I’m so grateful to have these wonderful people involved in this project that has been so important in my life.
I hope you enjoy the song. Please let me know – here or on social media – what you think, of the song and the whole EP now that it’s complete! I’d love to hear from you! Otherwise, keep an eye on my social media accounts for news about the music video and other content…
Category: mental health, music Tagged: alt pop, honest, honest ep, honest single, indie artist, indie pop, indie release, jonathan whiskerd, lauren alex hooper, lauren aquilina, laurenalexhooper, new music, new music release, new music uk, richard marc, richard marc music, singersongwriter, songwriter, songwriters, songwriting

Hi! I’m Lauren Alex Hooper. Welcome to my little blog! I write about living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD (Inattentive Type), and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), as well as several mental health issues.
I’m a singer-songwriter (it’s my biggest special interest and I have both a BA and MA in songwriting) so I’ll probably write a bit about that too.
My first single, ‘Invisible,’ is on all platforms, with all proceeds going to Young Minds.
My debut EP, Honest, is available on all platforms, with a limited physical run at Resident Music in Brighton.
I’m currently working on an album about my experiences as an autistic woman.
Hi! I’m Lauren Alex Hooper. Welcome to my little blog! I write about living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD (Inattentive Type), and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), as well as several mental health issues.
I’m a singer-songwriter (it’s my biggest special interest and I have both a BA and MA in songwriting) so I’ll probably write a bit about that too.
My first single, ‘Invisible,’ is on all platforms, with all proceeds going to Young Minds.
My debut EP, Honest, is available on all platforms, with a limited physical run at Resident Music in Brighton.
I’m currently working on an album about my experiences as an autistic woman.
Finding Hope