Next on the bill for the Watford Colosseum’s #LobbyLive project is Harrow-raised singer Lauren Rich, who will perform before The Sounds of the Glenn Miller Era this weekend.

Lauren, who released her début album Back To Reality in 2012, chatted to Hannah Worrall about song writing, learning to play the drums aged 35 and her grandma's 90th birthday, ahead of her show.

What can we expect from your upcoming #LobbyLive performance?

I will be performing mainly my own songs but I think I might add a cheeky cover or two.

Have you done a #LobbyLive event before?

No I haven’t but I look forward doing more going forward. I did take part in the Watford Colosseum’s Listen! event which was good fun.

How are you feeling about playing this weekend?

I’m very excited to be playing this weekend because I was bringing my grandma to see the main show for her 90th birthday and she never gets to see me play live around Herts and London so this is an extra treat for her. I’m also excited to be playing in front of people who will never have seen me live before.

What do you enjoy about playing live?

I love singing, pure and simple. I hope people listen to my songs and can relate to them in some way or just enjoy the music I’m playing.

Tell me a bit about your music – how would you describe your style?

I would describe it as a cross between singer/songwriter and acoustic pop. When I play with my band it’s more pop and sounds less acoustic.

Where do you get inspiration from when you’re writing your music?

I tend to get experience from life events - things that happen to me or how I’m feeling at the time. I’ll play a few chords here and there and then hum a melody line and then the lyrics come out.

Tell me about your début album - what is it like?

Myself and my guitarist at the time (Paul) recorded it and Paul mixed it. It’s a bit pop/rock. The album title is a line that comes from the last track which is the first ‘decent’ song I wrote. I included it on the album because it was a bit of nostalgia for me.

What was it like recording the EP while you were in and out of hospital?

The Same Sky EP is probably the best thing I’ve recorded to date and means the most to me. Most of the recording happened at the end of May before I was admitted to hospital in June but I was in a fair bit of pain throughout as I was still undiagnosed from January. After I came out of hospital I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. There were still some vocals that needed re-recording and also the mixing and mastering which took place shortly after I was discharged.

Are you working on another record now?

I’m not working on any new recordings right now as I need to do a fair bit of writing and need to keep promoting last year’s release of The Same Sky EP.

Do you play any instruments?

I learned piano when I was a lot younger. I’d learned a few guitar chords at school and dabbled with a guitar at college but only really start writing songs with a guitar about 12 years ago. I’ve just started to learn to play drums (it’s on my '40 things to do before I’m 40' list) but I won’t be taking over from my drummer, Anthony any time soon - he’s amazing!

How did you first get into music?

I grew up around music. My parents didn’t play any instruments but they were fans of listening to music so every so often we’d dig out vinyl and have a sing and dance-along as kids. We’d always have music on in the car and I’d sit in my bedroom recording the top 40 off the radio. I started doing hospital radio 16 years ago which broadened my knowledge of music. I would also watch MTV and VH1 (a time when they actually played music videos).

Which artists are you inspired by?

I have massive love for The Beatles and especially their early music which was so simple yet catchy and melodic. I got into Jewel while I was at college which inspired me to pick up a guitar. Nerina Pallot inspired me to start performing live. I saw her support Keith Urban and liked her so much I went to her next solo show and thought ‘I could do that’. I’m constantly being inspired by friends who are musicians - they push me to better myself.

How long have you lived in Watford?

I actually live in Borehamwood (down the road) and I’ve lived in the area nearly ten years now. I studied Performing Arts at West Herts College and used to come to Watford to do karaoke A LOT!

What do you think of the arts scene here?

I love the scene in Watford. Tom Craven at Papermouth works really hard to bring the Watford masses music, comedy and art. Just from being involved in Papermouth and performing every so often at The Horns I’ve made some really great friends in the music scene. It’s a lot warmer than the London scene, in my opinion.

Is music your full time job?

I wish music was my full-time job but it unfortunately doesn’t pay the bills just yet. I currently work for a charity in central London. I would love to be a session singer or sing in a function band alongside working on my music career.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I would love to hear my music get played on mainstream radio or support a fairly famous singer/band on their tour. What I really need is a manager to help all of this happen. I’ve been co-writing with my friend, Mark Holland and have recorded some songs under the name Holland & Rich which can be heard at soundcloud.com/laurenrichmusic.

If you don’t mind me asking – how old are you?

I am 35 years young.

See Lauren play at Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Saturday, September 26, 6.45pm. Details: 01923 571102, watfordcolosseum.co.uk, facebook.com/laurenrichmusic.