Q&A with Lauren Bucherie, Director of Music and Social Programming, Hotel Van Zandt, Austin.
What did your background prepare you for in your role with Hotel Van Zandt?
I’ve worked in music for the last seven years. From 2009 to 2014 I owned a production company that focused on music-centered branded content. We worked with a variety of clients to reach their audience through music, including live shows, commercial campaigns, sound design and talent buying. I believe that it was our work with one of those clients, the W Hotel here in Austin, that ultimately led me to this role with Hotel Van Zandt. It’s always nice to see things come full circle.
What is your vision for making music a hallmark of the Hotel Van Zandt experience?
We’re aiming to strike a chord in the heart of Austin, and with the Van Zandt name, we’ve got to get it right. Music is very much a part of our daily thought process. From nightly live music programming in Geraldine’s—our restaurant and bar—to playing vinyl records in the Living Room, we’re giving Hotel Van Zandt the musical personality it demands. It won’t be uncommon for groups staying with us to partake in a teambuilding guitar lesson or for them to find unique playlists curated by local artists on display.
What “key notes” will the hotel add to Austin’s appeal?
The love this city has for music is unlike any other place I’ve been. It’s great to have a sense of responsibility to uphold Austin’s pride in being the “Live Music Capital of the World.” That will be our focus for guest and local experiences as we honor that legacy and spearhead a compelling new destination for guests, artists and music lovers on Rainey Street.
