Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Duncan Laurence

As a young man, singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence found solace in his craft. It was the place he turned to during the darkest of days and where he dared to dream.

From his small-town start to winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, the future looks bright for Duncan who has racked up over three hundred million streams worldwide and recently released his debut album.

We caught up with Duncan to learn more about him, his career, and Small Town Boy.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Duncan: I discovered my passion for music when I was very young. Music has always been a safe haven for me—a place where I could fully be myself. I found that I could turn any mistakes or pain that I experienced into beautiful things like chords, lyrics, and melodies. I started playing the piano when I was four, already creating my own compositions and stories. I was bullied a lot when I was younger. School wasn’t a safe place for me, but my home, specifically my room, was because I had music.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Duncan: The biggest influence in my career, unfortunately, was being bullied at a young age. I had a tough time in school from the age of four until I was eighteen. I was different from my classmates. I liked music, art, and most of my friends were girls. I didn’t realize back then that I was different. Whenever I got home, I remember spending so many hours in my room writing music—taking those bad memories and turning them into beautiful songs. I think that’s why I write such personal and heartfelt music. For me, it’s always been an outlet to tell stories and clear my heart.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out to you?
Duncan: A big moment that stands out to me is having my own European tour with my band. I’ve seen so many cities and played in all kinds of venues. It was an incredible opportunity! We toured by airplane, car, and of course, by tour bus. It was a dream come true, sleeping on the road, writing new songs, having the best time with my band, and gigging every single night.

PC: You recently dropped your debut album. Tell us about Small Town Boy and the inspiration behind the collection.
Duncan: I grew up in a small town. There was not a lot to do, and music was my go-to thing. It helped me overcome my fears, make decisions, and gain confidence. Through music, I was able to see things from a different perspective. It shaped me into the person I am today. I was a small-town boy creating songs to be vulnerable and share my stories, and that’s what I’ve been doing while making this album too.

That part of who I was still influences me today, guiding me, telling me one thing: “Music will keep you safe no matter what.” The songs on the album are quite personal. They’re mostly based on personal stories. But like I said before, that’s what I love doing. That’s why I write music.

PC: You wrote many of the songs on the road. How did the various cities and countries influence the album?
Duncan: I wrote songs in Los Angeles, Stockholm, and London. I finished the productions mostly at home in Amsterdam. It’s inspiring traveling to different places, hearing new stories, and meeting all types of people. I’ve also been looking for ways to combine a more indie singer-songwriter, or story-based way of songwriting, with poppy, catchy melodies. Stockholm and LA are both pop capitals, and London is full of amazing singer-songwriters. I drew a lot of inspiration from the different music scenes.

PC: If you had to pick one song off of Small Town Boy that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Duncan: It would probably be “Sleeping On The Phone.” The lyrics are very personal. It’s clear yet poetic. Not only are the lyrics and melody mine but also the music itself, as this is the first track I’ve ever produced. I wrote it with my fiancé, Jordan Garfield, while staying in LA during the first period of quarantine in March/April.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that you learned a lot about yourself working on this album. What would you say is the biggest lesson you learned?
Duncan: The biggest lesson I learned while making this album is that no matter how hard things get, there’s always something positive to be found within the negative. There’s always a little ray of sunlight through the dark grey clouds. If you focus on that positivity, even though it might seem small, you can achieve greater things in life.

Surround yourself with people that love you for who you are and support what you do, rather than people that criticize you. Those are the types of people you need in life. Create your own little bubble of the most important people on your team. Dare to dream, dare to share your dreams, and dare to believe that your dreams are possible. And never, never be afraid to be who you are. That’s quite a lesson, right? [laughs]

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Duncan: Die Antwoord.

PC: First album you bought?
Duncan: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.

PC: First concert you attended?
Duncan: Tom Odell.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Duncan: Back To Black, Amy Winehouse. I’ve spent hours and hours listening to her mesmerizing voice. Amy’s music is exceptional. She was such a raw, unique artist who just wanted to tell her story honestly and openly. What you hear is what you get.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Duncan: The Royal Albert Hall.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Duncan: AirPods. Oh, and my laptop to produce new songs.

To keep up with Duncan, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream Small Town Boy today.

Photo Credit: Paul Bellaart