922882_10153795954597418_9068797967334009326_nChallenge is no stranger to drummer Lauren Potts, BFA art ’15. Rather than mull over difficulties, however, Lauren, who lives with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, accepts the challenge every time, going after it with all her might. Drumming can be incredibly physically demanding, but she chooses passion over pain, ultimately turning her art and music passions into a reality.

Lauren is part of four-person band Nightair, which includes Brandon Miranda ’16, Tony Davia ’18 and Lucas Connor. Although only established a year ago, Nightair has seen local and online success, being featured in OC Weekly and on a local Los Angeles radio station. Read on to learn more about the remarkable work Lauren has done and continues to do in her year after graduating from Chapman University.

Chapman University: Tell us about your career. What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

Lauren Potts: I am the studio assistant for a street artist named Plastic Jesus. He’s based in Los Angeles and makes work about political and social issues. Depending on the day, I’ll prep canvases, cut stencils, paint or help build installations.

CU: What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their time at Chapman?

LP: Push yourself outside your comfort zone! The best times I’ve had were often unexpected. If you are able to take more classes outside your major or minor, try signing up for something you’ve always been interested in and never tried. It’s fun to do new things.

CU: Which faculty member(s) made the greatest impact on you and why?

LP: There are too many to count! I really enjoyed taking art history classes with Wendy Salmond, whose enthusiasm for her subject is totally contagious. Most of the professors in the art program were really influential to me because the class of 2015 was really condensed. Lia Halloran challenged me to work outside my comfort zone, which helped me realize how to convey specific feelings or messages through visual art. Micol Hebron and Marcus Herse were also immensely important, as they taught me never to stop questioning things. Our discussions in classes spilled over into everyday life. I started seeing concepts in art overlap with so many other subjects and situations. They reminded me never to stop learning.

CU: How has your Chapman degree helped you in your professional life?

LP: My BFA in studio art has done a lot for me. There’s a common misconception about art degrees (many people joke that you’ll never get a “real” job), but I am completely happy with my choice. My current boss (the street artist, Plastic Jesus) had a few people competing for the job of assistant, but because I learned how to create/utilize so many different art forms and mediums, he chose me. I also learned how to work well in groups, and I’m able to apply a lot of those skills in both professional and personal situations. Problem solving is a lot easier when you have practice. Curating exhibitions with groups and working on art pieces with multiple people are not easy tasks.

CU: How were you involved on campus during your time as a Chapman student?

LP: I was vice president of the Equestrian Club for a year (I ride horses). I also played drums for a musical with Chapman On Broadway. I wasn’t a member of too many other organizations on campus because my schedule was hectic, but I was able to organize an event on campus where volunteers put together care packages for children with my disease (chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis). Other students (total strangers!) donated their time and energy into helping me send out over 20 care packages, and I am still thankful for their help.

CU: What is your favorite Chapman memory?

LP: I made so many incredible memories at Chapman. Some of my favorites include: learning acro yoga with fellow art students to learn how to better work together (when you’re being held up by someone’s feet, you learn to trust them!), Skyping with Shia Lebeouf in my senior seminar, discussing contemporary artists and concepts, senior seminar in general (we had the most amazing discussions about readings on art and life), and completing my senior thesis. I constructed a 10-foot altar out of approximately 4,500 red plastic cups, and setting the last one in place was an amazing feeling.

CU: What was your favorite spot on campus as a student?

LP: The painting studio and I had a love-hate relationship. I’ve worked until early in the morning to finish paintings, but being in a space with other creative people is really amazing, and it’s the place where I pushed myself the hardest. I learned a lot in that room.

CU: Have you been involved with Chapman since graduating?

LP: I actually worked with several students on a short film about how I deal with pain using art and music. The documentary is titled Defining Pain and was recently screened at Dodge College. It will be available for public view after the students finish submissions to film festivals.

CU: What inspired you and your bandmates to create Nightair?

LP: The band was created by Tony Davia (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Lucas Connor (bass) when they were in high school. Brandon Miranda (lead guitar) joined in 2014, and I was integrated into the group in May of 2015. The band was created simply because Tony wrote music that needed to be fully realized, and now that we have a cohesive group, we’re all involved in the writing process in some way. Our number one priority is to get our music to the people who love it. We love to make people dance. We try not to set limits on ourselves. As of now, we just want to reach our fullest potential. We’d love to create a fan base around the world, and that’s a work in progress. With our work ethic, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot in the half year our band has been together.

As of now, we’ve been featured on several music blogs regarding our recent EP release (notable blogs are American Pancake, Buzzbands LA, OC Weekly), as well as YouTube channels, and Facebook pages, such as Tracker Magazine, Impulse Music, The Indie Folx and Bandit Tunes. We’ve also released one music video for an earlier recording of our single, “Clouds,” which racked up over 12,000 views on Facebook and over 16,000 views on YouTube. In the past few months we’ve played at venues such as The Silverlake Lounge and The Mint in Los Angeles, La Cave and The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa, and The Yost Theater in Santa Ana. We’re also booked for the Constellation Room in Santa Ana in February.

CU: You are also a visual artist in the activist world (see “Alumni artists form Patient Experience group to publicly discuss illness” blog). How does Nightair support this?

LP: The members of Nightair have been immensely supportive of my activism and work regarding my chronic illness (chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, CRMO). While they didn’t directly participate in my recent art show with the Patient Experience (the artist collective I’m a part of), they all showed up and their presence and interest in the work was awesome. The band was also featured in a documentary about how I deal with pain through creative expression, which screened at Chapman’s Folino Theater on Dec. 9. We also donated all proceeds from downloads of our single, “Clouds,” for the first two weeks to Sweet Relief, a fund for musicians struggling with serious illness or disability.

CU: Tell me more about your creative interests and background in the activism field.

LP: I’ve always been interested in playing music (starting with pots and pans on the kitchen floor), and when I was 13, I began to play orchestral percussion with the intention of graduating to drum set. I was 15 when I first got a drum kit and from then on I was hooked. I had a phase where I was really into metal drumming, but even during that time, I was playing jazz in school and performing with a youth orchestra. I dipped my foot into most genres, but most enjoyed playing rock. When I graduated high school, I auditioned for Chapman’s music program and got in as a music performance major. After a year I decided I wanted to focus on drum set and left the program, but still played with the jazz combo and sat in with bands until I became a permanent part of Nightair.

CU: How has Chapman played a role in where you are today with your music?

LP: When I started out at Chapman, I was in the music program, and was pushed to my limits musically and physically. Learning marimba and piano and being involved with over four ensembles was a lot for me, and with my disease being a physical limitation, I was sometimes unable to practice. I learned a lot while I was in the program, and really loved being challenged to think differently about music. As a result of my music education, I am able to understand music I listen to and play at another level. It makes it a lot easier to learn parts and explain why I make the musical choices I make. Also Chapman has connected me with the guys in Nightair, so I really wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t (attended Chapman).

CU: What advice do you have for Chapman students and young alumni on following their dreams and finding jobs?

LP: Don’t set limitations on yourself and learn to work hard with other people. It’s so important to put yourself out there and meet new people you enjoy being around. And stop networking simply to network. The people you meet may become a friend, mentor, coworker or boss, and finding people you enjoy working with makes work feel like play. Hard work or practice always pays off. And for musicians: practice is only useful if you do it effectively.

Look for a job you’ll enjoy doing. And be patient if that opportunity doesn’t come right away. It took me some time to find something I was both good at and enjoyed doing. Another important factor for me was my boss. I wanted to work for/with people I vibe with. I was really pushed to become a better artist and a better person by Chapman students and professors alike. Although my degree wasn’t easy to earn, I am so thankful I chose the path I did. I hope you feel the same way.

CU: Where can we see Nightair perform?

LP: Constellation Room in Santa Ana on Feb. 11. Other shows will be announced on our Facebook page and website. (Recent past show: Jan. 17 at The Slidebar in Fullerton)

CU: What has been the response to Nightair’s first EP?

LP: We’ve had an amazing response to our first EP. Our song, “The Roses,” has been featured on L.A. radio station KCSN 88.5, and several people have written reviews already or featured us on their YouTube channel playlists (Bandit Tunes, Indie Folx, alexrainbirdMusic).

Kevin Bronson from Buzzbands LA wrote, “‘The Roses’ and its prickly guitar parts will appeal to anybody who likes the Strokes or the indie bands of the Aughts; the EP, made with producer Jon O’Brien and which is being released via Secret Chief Culture, covers more sonic territory. It’s a worthy exploration.” The full post can be found here.

OC Weekly (who premiered our single, “Clouds”) mentioned that “after a few plays of the single, you might just find yourself hooked.” Link to the full post can be found here.

Robb Donker from American Pancake also featured us on the blog’s page, and wrote an extensive review of the entire EP. Robb Donker described our EP as “pretty killer,” and had a lot to say about each track. His review can be found here.

Explore and Connect Further:

Connect with Lauren on social media:

Connect with Nightair on social media and other sites: