Kingston's Lauren Carson is quickly becoming one of the most exciting rising voices in Canada’s country scene. With a sound that blends modern country storytelling, indie-folk warmth, and smoky, “melted butter” vocals, Lauren has been winning over audiences across Ontario since she first stepped on stage at just seven years old performing bluegrass music. Over the years, she’s played festivals including NXNE, Departure Fest, and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival Emerging Artist Stage, while earning radio support from SiriusXM, CBC, and CMAOntario’s Rising Country Stars program.

Whether she’s writing heartfelt songs about everyday life, tackling meaningful local issues through music, or delivering crowd-favourite country anthems, Lauren brings authenticity, charm, and a magnetic stage presence that makes audiences instantly feel like they’re part of the story. She returns to The Cove stage, hopefully the patio, on Friday, May 29, 2026 from 5-8pm. Details and reservations here. 

Seamus Cowan: You started performing at seven years old — do you remember the very first moment you realized, “Okay… I think I’m actually meant to do this”?

Lauren Carson: Honestly, I’m not sure it was really me who realized… it was my parents who supported and encouraged me endlessly. As a kid, it was like “Oh, hey, this is fun,” but I had no idea it wasn’t something every other kid was doing. I’m so glad that I was pushed to be musical at every stage, without ever feeling like it was forced upon me.

Q: Your voice has been described as “melted butter” and “a sunrise” — which is flattering, but also sounds like the world’s fanciest breakfast. What’s the funniest compliment you’ve ever received after a show?

Lauren: It’s true, I am so often compared to food items. Melted butter, honey, molasses, even rye. Whatever it is, glad I always go down smooth.

Q: Kingston has such a strong music scene. If you could create the ultimate Kingston supergroup using local musicians, who’s making the band and who’s causing the most trouble on the tour bus?

Lauren: Great question, I’ve met and worked with so many incredible musicians in this city, and there are even more that I hope to work with someday. You could probably randomly select any 5 and come out with an award-winning group. Some of the artists who tend to make annual appearances on my Spotify Wrapped include Julia Finnegan, Forty Seven Teeth, The Codas, and The Abrams. I get terribly motion sick, so I’m sure I’d take the cake for trouble on the tour bus.

Q: Your music balances heartfelt storytelling with modern country energy. What’s the most random real-life moment or overheard conversation that somehow turned into a song lyric?

Lauren: Most of my songs do stem from something funny or memorable I heard. My song, “100 Times”, stems from a conversation I had with a friend in a hotel in Singapore. She had been trying to get over this guy and finally just wrote “I hate you [name]” 100 times on a piece of paper. I thought that was kind of crazy, and it stuck with me for a long time, eventually inspiring me to write the song…probably the favourite of my original tunes.

Q: Country artists are famous for life on the road — gas station snacks, bad motels, weird fans, all of it. What’s been your most “this could only happen on tour” moment so far?

Lauren: My bassist and I went to perform at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival in PEI last summer. It was an amazing experience that I am so grateful for. However, I fumbled a bit on the planning, and we had to find a last-minute hotel the day of our show. After calling around, we finally found a space that would take us in for the evening. The hotel was straight out of the 70’s with plastic indoor trees and crazy wallpaper. We were informed that the main building was full, but that we could go to the sister unit across the street. Unfortunately, the doors to that one lock after a certain time, so we would have to access the unit via the underground tunnels. The tunnels were straight out of a horror movie with minimal lights, concrete floors, and unfinished walls. There were old rooms left to fall into disrepair and weird noises coming from the hallways branching off of the main straight. I’m not sure I would have even ventured into the tunnels if I were alone, but looking back, it’s a moment I am so glad we get to look back and laugh about.