Interview Lauran Hibberd talks festivals & Live at Leeds in the Park: “See as much as you can”

From the team that’s long brought us the inner-city scramble of buzzy new acts that is Live At Leeds comes a far more pastoral affair; Live at Leeds in the Park is an outdoor one-day event which for its inaugural appearance - on Saturday 4th June - will host headliners Bombay Bicycle Club, as well as others including Arlo Parks, Sports Team, Holly Humberstone, Alfie Templeman, and Lime Garden.

As she prepares to release debut album ‘Garageband Superstar’, we chatted to Lauran Hibberd for a lil catch up; below she fills us in on how she got Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal on her recent single ‘Still Running (5K)’ - and who she’s intending to catch at the event.

Hello Lauran! What’s new in your world at the moment?
I’m getting really pumped for festivals this summer and the release of my debut album! There’s a lot of big dance moves in my world at the moment, my live set feels unrecognisable in a crazy good way. I’m also rapping now (if you can call it that). Writing that down makes it sound like I’m having an early mid-life, but we can roll with that!

It’s not long since you announced details of your debut album ‘Garageband Superstar’ - how are you feeling ahead of its release?
I’m beyond excited! I’ve wanted to make this record for as long as I can remember, and it’s stressed me out in a way I can only imagine is similar to having 89 children. But listening to the end product, I’m so proud of what’s been created and I cannot wait to share it. There’s so many things that go into making an album, and coming from years of EP and single releases it was a slight culture shock but there’s something addictive about it and I’m already halfway through writing album number two. So basically, I can’t wait to do it all over again.

Can you tell us one - just one for now! - fun fact about something that happened during the making of the album?
There’s too many to choose from, honestly I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life. I recorded the album with my estranged sibling, Larry Hibbit, in Brixton. I think the most memorable moment was when DJ Lethal messaged me back on Instagram, we were literally all rolling on the floor with excitement screaming. It’s definitely something I’ll never forget.

How exactly did that collaboration come together? Is that something you ever saw coming?! Will you be jumping on a remix of ‘Rollin’’ any time soon?
I would 100% jump at the chance to feature on anything Limp Bizkit style, I’m obsessed! The idea came when we all decided we needed some scratching on the track and we discussed getting some local DJs in the studio to do it live instead of using samples etc. Larry asked if any of us knew someone that knows DJ Lethal, and we all laughed. It was like “imagine how cool that would be’. That night I just decided to message him on Instagram with the track so far and explained how much I’d love for him to feature. The next day at the studio I saw the three dots come up meaning he was typing and we were all huddled around my phone. He loved the track and wanted to do it, it was mad. He’s one of the nicest guys, and it really is the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.