ROCKANDROLL: Lana Del Rey

By Jessica Mackin

Photo by Nicole Nodland Lana Del Rey released her eagerly awaited new track “West Coast” in April, the first from her forthcoming album Ultraviolence. Written by Lana and Rick Nowels, "West Coast" was recorded and produced by Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys. "The record is finished and it's beautiful - it's so wrong and exquisite. It is absolutely gorgeous - darker than the first,” stated Del Rey. Del Rey kicked off her sold-out North American tour in April, playing venues across the country. She will also perform at festivals around the world, including Rock En Seine, Vida, Bravella, Bergenfest, and Glastonbury. Del Rey captivated the world with her single “Video Games.” The darkly glamorous album Born To Die, released in 2012, went platinum in the US and she has sold over 6 million albums and 12 million singles globally. “Young and Beautiful” from the soundtrack of The Great Gatsby and her massive worldwide hit “Summertime Sadness” propelled her into monumental stardom. Del Rey was born Lizzy Grant in the rustic environs of Upstate New York in Lake Placid. "It has an epic, nostalgic feel. It's in the middle of a National Park,” she said of her home town. Growing up she sang in the church choir. Her formative soundtrack included the sounds of Nirvana, The Beach Boys, Daniel Johnston and Bruce Springsteen. Del Rey made her performance debut when she was 19 at an open mic night in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her mesmerizing, voice made an impression that night. “Somebody ran out after me and said ‘You should come to a night I’m doing next week and play some songs for me.’ I was afraid of everything. If they had laughed at me that night I would have never come back on stage. Ever,” she revealed. Lana Del Rey was born. “It’s nice to be able to try and build the life you want for yourself," said Del Rey.

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