Pebaluna’s Lauren Coleman fell in love with instruments when she first touched a ukulele, and her passion for music evolved into a project with collaborator Matt Embree, drummer Jessica Lankford and bassist Jon Grillo. The band touch on folk, gospel, and soul music and all the heartache and joys that they can express with their debut LP Carny Life, out this week and available to stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, and Ella Fitzgerald should definitely check out the Pebaluna sound.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Kitchen sink. Give a listen.

Q: What can the fans expect from the Carny Life album?

A: It was drawn from real experiences, so lyrically and musically it runs the gamut. Whatever your mood, there should be a song on there for you.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the album?

A: The title track Carny Life was inspired by some time I spent in Santa Cruz. The others were mostly inspired by relationships during different stages from falling in love, to being discontent, to the depression that precedes a break up and finally the anger that comes out of it. But there are a few that have nothing to do with relationships with other people and more to do with the relationship to one’s self. We often neglect that relationship, although it is the most important one, and writing songs is the best way for me to get to the truth of my own intentions.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I would say an RV trip from New Orleans to California. The sound of the wheels made for a perfect tempo and it was about a happy span of time in my life that I had really needed to come.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: It’s hard to say. I’ve been very fortunate in the way that my whole family has been supportive, though my dad hopes that I would get into acting more (which I would love to do). And I know this sounds crazy but even though she isn’t alive, my great-grandmother has played an integral role. The day I was born she told my mom I would be a singer, and since then any time I have had to make decisions regarding music I’ve actually smelled her. Even after I left Las Vegas for California and my mother would get worried, she would pass by my room and smell my great-grandmother’s scent. I don’t know if it was a certain perfume she wore or what, but it’s very distinct.

Q: What advice could you give a young musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: PRACTICE. There are so many talented people in the world and with the technology we have, you can get lost in the shuffle. And do not try to be like anyone else. There already is that person. You have to bring something to the table that can only come from you.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I have met some of the most amazing and talented people while touring. They make you better. And seeing so many different people in different places coming out to the shows kind of gives you what you need to go on doing it. Touring is not glamorous by any stretch. It’s dirty. But I’m happiest when I’m doing it.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: LIVE! The studio can be fun when you’re by yourself and figuring things out, but when there are other people around and you know that you have to nail it because this is what people will be listening to over and over, it can be a little unnerving.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: If you don’t make choices in life, life makes choices for you. And most of the time, you aren’t going to be happy with what you end up with. We have a finite amount of time in these bodies, so why live in fear? If you want something, go for it. In the grand scheme, you’ve really got nothing to lose.

Q: What historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: I would have loved to have seen The Jackson Five perform at The Daisy in 1969. I think it was their first performance with that name and Diana Ross introduced them.

Q: What artist would you most like to work with, dead or alive? And why?

A: The Band in the 60’s-70’s. They performed with such ease and played with the most iconic people of that time as well as being icons themselves. I haven’t heard a song of their’s that I didn’t like.

~ by Lee Jarvis

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