Løren (musician)

Lee Seung-joo (), better known by his stage name Loren (, stylized as LØREN), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and producer under The Black Label, and releases music through his own indie label Fire Exit Records. He debuted as a singer on November 13, 2020 with his heavy rock track, "Empty Trash". He is also credited as a producer on G-Dragon's 2017 song, " 개소리 (BULLSHIT)", and as a lyricist on Blackpink's songs "Pretty Savage", " You Never Know" and "Lovesick Girls" - in which music video he made an appearance.

Early life and education

Loren was born to a South Korean father, Lee Hae-jin, Naver's founder and Global Investment Officer (GIO), and a South Korean mother, Lee Young-rin. He also has one sister, Lee Yeon-joo.

When Loren was around 5th grade, he moved to Singapore. He studied at the Singapore American School without having a basic knowledge of English. After graduating from high school in 2013, he moved to Japan and decided to try to be an EDM producer.

Career

2015–2017: Career begins and contract with The Black Label

Between the ages of 19 and 20, Lee's main goal was to make rap and dubstep beats. He would send the beats he made to people he thought might listen to his work, including The Black Label. During that period, The Black Label were just starting out, and they offered Lee the chance to work with them and practice as a producer. There, they would show Lee how to design his own music and the ins and outs of working as a producer. Lee soon went on to Seoul's nightclub scene to test his skills as an EDM producer and DJ. Through this work, Lee got the chance to work with one of the best-selling and well-known artists in Korea, G-Dragon. From this connection, Lee obtained a producer credit, under the name Cawlr, on one of GD's hits, " 개소리 (BULLSHIT)". Soon after, Lee got the opportunity to debut under The Black Label as an artist in his own right, creating his grungy pop-punk sound, which quickly blew up online, upon the release of his first music video, 'EMPTY TRASH.' During this time, he also collaborated with DJ Hausk and formed the duo "Allzwell." Aside from his music career, Loren also spent time working as a model, posing for W of Korea and working as a model for the brand of Korean designer Choi Moo-yul, Vlad Vladis.

In October 2017, a launch party hosted by Italian fashion house Fendi called "F is for.." celebrated Taeyang's collection with the brand in Hong Kong. A lot of celebrities attended the event and Loren received the opportunity to DJ at the event, alongside other well-known DJs in the Asian music scene. Some of them were Stephanie Cheng, Elva Ni,Venus Wong, Derek Tsang, Feiping Chang, Choice37, R. Tee, Okasian and Alisa Ueno.

2018–2022: Work with BLACKPINK, solo debut and first fashion appearances

Lee also played an important role in one of the biggest K-pop albums of 2020, Blackpink's The Album. He is credited as a co-lyricist on three of the eight tracks - "Pretty Savage", " You Never Know" and "Lovesick Girls". Lee also had a cameo appearance in the music video for "Lovesick Girls". Before participating in the music video, Lee also had interactions with the members and other appearances on camera. He featured in two studio live streams along with Rosé as a guitarist. As well as this, Rosé on her 25th birthday, surprised her fans by uploading on her personal Youtube channel 3 covers of songs by Coldplay, Neck Deep and Oasis, with the help of Loren playing acoustic guitar.

Loren, also has under The Black Label, his own indie record company, Fire Exit RECØRDS, and as a distributor AWAL. The Black Label has noticed that he isn't a singer under the company but just a project. Also, his own company is separated. Loren has also said the meaning of the name comes from one of the tattoos on his chest which writes "LØNER". By changing the position of R and N, the two words are formed. Also, Loren's fandom is called Løners, inspired by the same tattoo. In 2020, he released his first track "Empty Trash" with the sounds of heavy rock and a taste of early 00's rock bands. In 2021, his second song "Need (ooo-eee)" was released. A post-grunge, melancholy punk pop song with an epic chorus. Made completely by Loren, the song reminds the summers of the early 00s. In the music video, Loren plays the role of a whole band, playing lead guitar, drums and bass. As he sings, the scenes switch between vocals, drumming, playing the bass, or the lead guitar while he sings. Moving scenes from one set to another, the music video is reminiscent of classic rock and roll style. The Rolling Stones of India also reports Loren as a ''"rising force in Korean rock as he dives into pop-punk after exploring darker strains of alternative rock on 'Empty Trash'".'' Later, in November 2021, he released his third song with the title "All My Friends Are Turning Blue". This time Loren isn't all alone but with a band for the first time. A fresh track with the sound being on purpose a bit unpolarized.

In February 2022, Loren also had a special appearance on the cover page of Dazed Korea's 2022 March issue with Rosé. In total, there are 8 covers, both of Rosé and Loren. Both are stylized with Yves Saint Laurent's fresh collection. He was also spotted at the Paris Fashion Week the same month, on Yves Saint Laurent's fashion show by Anthony Vaccarello. In April of the same year, he uploaded on his personal Instagram a photo of him alongside the logo of the fashion brand, Saint Laurent, announcing Loren as a model and representative of Saint Laurent's 2022 Eyewear Campaign. Loren was the first male solo artist from Korea chosen by the brand as their model.

2023-present: Release of first album

In March 2023, alongside his debut EP "Put Up A Fight", it was announced that Loren had signed to recording label 88rising through which he would release his project in partnership with The Black Label.

NME talks about his album as ''"a collection of defiant alternative rock anthems, soaring guitar riffs inspiring the kind of adrenaline that comes with a battle for survival".'' Loren shared that the five songs that ended up on the album were the ones that he felt most dearly and personally about while also being the ones which had a stronger statement and pushed the boundaries a bit more. "Put Up a Fight" is also a way for him to express the frustration from the public eye of misjudgment and how quickly people have an opinion about somebody just because someone else says so, a statement which can be clearly seen in the title track "Folks", and also about the self-doubt he had at the time he was writing the album and how useless he was.

After a successful showcase at SXSW, it was announced that Loren would be a member of the lineup of Coachella 2023 festival, making his first appearance.

Influences

The music Loren makes is influenced by his favorite music styles, the 90s and 00s music especially. Also, the artists he most admires are Julian Casablancas, Jack White, Damon Albarn, Liam Gallagher, Kurt Cobain, and Pete Doherty Wait from rock stars. In a recent interview with ''NME'' he also talked about how music helped him throughout his teenage years, especially rock, as the message of freedom of speech and opinions charmed him. At that time, he recalls, artists like Paramore, Muse and Vampire Weekend had sparked his love as well.

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

Composition credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.

Videography

Music videos

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Loren
Korean musicians

Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people