Theo Lawrence
Artist Information
Paris-born and Texas-based, Theo Lawrence channels each of his homes with timeless style and soul on À La Mode, his upcoming debut album for Warner/Reprise. While growing up in France - at odds with anything surrounding him at the time - Lawrence fell in love with the songs of classic American artists like Charlie Rich, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Dan Penn and Lee Hazlewood. The unique blend of these rich influences - and his upbringing an ocean away - result in a truly singular sound, reverberating with “a sincerity you rarely hear today,” as it’s been described by Western AF. On À La Mode, the resultsfind Lawrence ushering in a new era of French Riviera flourish at the American motorlodge pool.
An effortless combination of Brill Building craftsmanship, Yé-yé spirit and Southern soul, Lawrence’s À La Mode sharpens this vision into a collection of songs about love in all its forms: found, lost, and lingering. “I have a hard time being satisfied by any one style,” he says. “I wanted to reflect everything I listen to,” citing additional inspiration from Bert Berns’ Bang Records, The Drifters’ “Under The Boardwalk” and Peggy Lee’s groundbreaking Latin ala Lee!
Beginning his career with a pair of likeminded collaborators - Thibault Ripault and Bastien Cabezon - Lawrence found early success releasing singles from Bordeaux, France, but felt a growing pull towards the land of Doug Sahm, Ray Price, Jim Reeves and Willie Nelson. “We could play one show a month in France,” recalls Lawrence. “In America, we could play every day.” Settling in Austin - and embracing that original mission statement - Lawrence will spend the next six months touring coast-to-coast with Alison Krauss & Union Station, on over 75 tour dates across the country.
Traveling to Chicago for the À La Mode sessions and teaming with Alex Hall of Reliable Recorders (JD McPherson, Nick Lowe), the tracking process for the album kept a focus on feel and fluidity over chasing perfection or polish. “There were zero rehearsals with the band,” remembers Lawrence. “They didn’t hear any of the songs. I wanted a sound that wasn’t too squashed or corrected. I don’t remember having to over-explain anything. I’d just play the chords and it was understood.”
Among the results are the luxurious, string and horn-laced “Lonely Too Long,” the lo-fi romantic whirl of “You’ve Got What It Takes” - where a springtime chance encounter plays out entirely in unspoken thoughts - and the string-quartet-swaddled “If Not For Music,” a tribute to song as a language for what can’t be said outright. Other highlights include the Elvis-flecked Hawaiian “Blue Holiday,” a wistful tale of leaving home, as well as the foreboding spaghetti Western undertow of “I Want To Know What’s Going On” and the cascading “I’ve Got A Mind For Loving You,” where love looks past all imperfections. Together the eleven songs on À La Mode create a world of intimate moments, utterly vibrant and fully alive - like an old Hollywood film - where drinks are stirred not shaken, and the passing of time is a pleasure within itself.
Upcoming Performances
Grand Ole Opry: OPRY 100
Featuring Tommy Emmanuel, Theo Lawrence, more to be announced...
Stay In Touch
It's our biggest year yet! Don't miss any Opry 100 announcements, events, and exclusive offers for fans like you. Sign up now!







