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Photo by EmmaJane Bauer

Lulu Simon pens her lyrics straight from the depths of her heart, chronicling a healing journey any listener can feel comforted by. Her newest string of singles, “Misty,” “Happy Again,” and “Somewhere Else” portray the steps of that path to peace and showcase her singular songwriting perspective. The new music coincides with an exciting opening slot supporting pop princess Madison Beer on her locket tour. We sat down with Simon the day after her Forum debut to chat all things touring, checking your ego at the door, and her favorite creative outlets on the road:  

OnesToWatch: You’ve been on tour supporting Madison Beer and just played The Forum last night. Were you pinching yourself? 

Madison has this huge set with a big curtain in front of it, so the stage I'm on is very small. It doesn't really feel like I'm on a big stage. But honestly, I'm just happy to be there. I don't really care where I'm playing as long as I'm able to play and people are paying attention. Which sometimes they are and sometimes they're not! [Laughs] 

Are there any shows you’ve seen there that are memorable to you? 

I saw Sabrina Carpenter at The Forum. I saw Steely Dan and the Eagles there. Oh, and The 1975! Lots of fun shows at The Forum. 

This tour was your first time performing in arenas, how has that been? 

I honestly thought that it would be way more nerve-wracking than it was. I think playing in smaller rooms can be more stressful. In such a big room, you can't see anything. I can only see the people in the pit and they have been waiting outside overnight, so they're just psyched to be there. When you're looking at people from so far away, it's like, how do I know that you're a real person?

That's so true. In a small venue you can really see everyone face to face. 

Literally. Also, during the other tours that I've done, after my set we always go to merch and meet people. So, I think having that disconnect in these bigger rooms makes them feel like they don't exist. 

What have you learned throughout the locket tour? 

What I've been learning throughout my career is that, as an opener, you really have to check your ego at the door. There's freedom in realizing that nobody knows who you are and nobody cares. I am naturally more of a shy person, so moving around on stage is not easy for me. So, telling myself “Nobody cares, you can literally do whatever you want and nothing will change.” has been very freeing. As the tour goes on, there's more experimentation happening on stage.

I can't even imagine. It’s like…now I'm gonna walk over here. [Laughs]

I jumped up and down a couple of times during “Misty.” That's new. 

You’ve released 3 singles this year. What would you say is the through line between them?

I’m still going through a healing journey, which is definitely the through line. Learning how to heal and continuing to live your life without ever having closure. And understanding that not having closure sometimes is closure and being okay with that. 

What is your songwriting process? Are you someone that's always putting stuff in your notes app? Does it change all the time? 

It kind of changes. I have ideas that I write down, but usually I will be struck with the intense urge to emote. I’ll write the first verse, first part of a chorus, and then totally lose steam. 

What do you do when you’re not being struck by ideas? 

Going through this healing process, a lot of it has been like figuring out how to protect my peace in my life. So when nothing bad is happening, I’m like “Can something happen? What do I write about?” [Laughs]

I love how “Somewhere Else” plays with the idea of alternate timelines. Are there any careers or paths you would take in another life? Or maybe in every single universe, you’re a singer-songwriter. 

In every universe I would be doing this, but maybe I would be doing different flavors. 

Ooh, like different genres? 

Yeah. When I started making music, it was very poppy. As I get older, it's harder to write super pop songs. But maybe in another world, I would've been a bigger pop girl. Maybe taken dance lessons, put on some tap shoes, see what happens.

Have you ever thought about going country? 

I love country music and my mom's from Texas. I could do it!

I love “Misty” as a mantra. “Life goes on / Of course it does.” Are there any mantras you tell yourself on the road to keep yourself centered? 

It’s just reminding myself again, that nobody cares. That's freedom. Either I play this show and people leave liking me and wanting to listen to me or they don't, and then nothing in my life changes. Nothing can be taken from me in this environment. So, I just do it. 

On previous tours, have you felt that stress? 

Definitely. I'm only playing for 20 minutes, which can be annoying. I want to be playing more. I want to have a band. I want to do X, Y, and Z. But, again, you have to check your ego at the door and remember I'm very lucky to even be here at all. I believe that everything happens in its own time and that everything is unfolding the way it's meant to. 

“Happy Again” focuses on infusing joy into your life. Are there any things that you do or places you go on tour that infuse joy when you’re feeling overwhelmed? 

I spend so much time by myself on tour. My favorite thing to do is to sit outside when it's nice out and just embroider all day long. 

What do you embroider? 

I get those little templates. Right now, I'm working on one that looks like a Mediterranean door. It's blue with little windows and flowers. All I ever want to do is just sit and embroider. 

Do you listen to music or watch something? Or is it silent? 

I listen to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts. Sometimes I will watch Vanderpump Rules or Summer House. 

Who are your OnesToWatch? 

Anna Vaus released an album last year called Downhill From Here, which I love. And you know what? My younger brother, who – at this current moment – goes by Dogmanjones. The name might be subject to change, but he makes such fun, weird music. He's so smart and talented. I actually sang on one of his songs, “Ride or Die.” 

Listen to Lulu Simon below: