Going 'In the Wild' with Lola Lennox: Getting to Know the Voice Behind the Song
An LA-based singer-songwriter by way of London, Lola Lennox started writing her own songs when she was 15 and has worked alongside top songwriters such as Eg White (Florence & the Machine, Sam Smith), Dan Wilson (Adele), and Dan Muckala (Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes).
Daughter of Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist Annie Lennox and filmmaker/producer Uri Fruchtmann, Lola has seen first-hand how much passion, diligence, and creativity is needed to build a career in music, and is devoted to putting in the long hours and hard work. In her words, “Music allows you to find your real self.”
We had the pleasure of having Lola perform a live rendition of her debut single ‘In the Wild’ at LAFF 2019 ahead of the single’s release in February this year. In conjunction with her debut release, kulturspace’s Lindy Siu took the chance to chat with Lola about her music and journey as a singer-songwriter.
LS: Congratulations on your first single! You must be so excited. Can you tell us what it’s about?
LL: Thank you! I wrote ‘In the Wild’ about a time in my life where I was trapped in a difficult environment, where I felt held back and disconnected to the city that I lived in and was struggling to find joy with my partner at the time. In ‘In the Wild’, I am stating my wishes to be set free of these struggles and to find peace and fulfilment in a new place. ‘The wild’ is a place of escapism and purity. I find nature to be so powerful, I wanted to highlight this in the song. This story is depicted in the music video: I wanted to bring out the cold and suffocated feelings in the first studio location, which evolve into a more ethereal place in nature. It is whimsical and raw like the song itself.
LS: It looks like you’ve been creating music since you were in your teens. Did you always want to be a recording artist, or did you have other ambitions growing up?
LL: I started singing when I was very young and as soon as I started something clicked within me. Music connects me to a feeling so potent, I feel incredibly grateful to create every day and have never imagined anything else.
LS: What has your journey been like so far as a singer-songwriter? Can you tell us about some of the challenges you’ve faced and how you stay focused and motivated?
LL: I have been writing, recording and performing music for years. I started off in London and now live in LA and have written with many incredible songwriters including Eg White and Jon Green. I had time to develop as an artist and grow as a songwriter in order to find a true expression of myself through my music.
I stay focused on music because I love it; it is how I grow as a person. Writing lyrics is a way for me to make sense of my reality, I am able to turn hardship into something beautiful and that gives me deep and unwavering purpose.
LS: Name 3 artists you would like to collaborate with if you could?
LL: Lana Del Rey, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Wonder
LS: Lana Del Rey would be a spectacular collaboration! If you had things your way, which would you prefer: a tour or an album?
LL: I would prefer to tour or write a duet.
LS: Tell us about your experience working on the Serengeti wildlife docuseries. How did you land the project, and what was your favourite part about working on it?
LL: I loved working on Serengeti, I so enjoyed making music that partnered with the onscreen lives of the animals in the Serengeti. The music is an interpretation of each animal’s story of survival, for example, ‘The Lion’s Song’ is about a lioness who’s been ousted from her pride after having cubs with a lion outside of the pack. It was a beautiful process to capture these stories with Will Gregory of Goldfrapp who composed the series. I landed the project because my manager, Simon Fuller, produced the show and felt that my voice would work on screen. My favourite part about working on the series was performing for the live premiere of the show with The Hollywood Symphony Orchestra.
LS: Moving from London to LA, have you noticed any major differences in the music scene between the two cities?
LL: LA is a town that is full of music and creativity, I am constantly meeting musicians out here and because of that I have found it easier to get time in the studio and grow as an artist. I love and respect the London sound and history so much and will always want that piece of me in my music.
LS: LA seems to be the “it” place to be these days. Any favorite spots we should make a note of in our must-do list?
LL: Black Rabbit Rose Jazz nights on Thursdays, Joan’s for a classic Hollywood style restaurant, and Casita Del Campo for tacos.
LS: Do you play any musical instruments?
LL: Yes, I play piano, and I use this instrument to write my songs.
LS: If we were to take a peek at your Spotify playlist, what kind of songs would we find on it?
LL: Lilac Wine by Nina Simone, I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin, Be My Baby by The Ronettes
LS: We’re feeling the soul & R&B vibe here….. What do you love most about music from that genre?
LL: These artists sing from their soul, that’s why it is called Soul music. It is from the gut, and raw with honesty and emotion. It’s moving and it’s cool, it’s intuitive and it’s virtuosic. These records capture a time long before I was born, but every time I hear the music it feels timeless.
LS: What does ‘success’ as a singer-songwriter look like to you?
LL: To be able to do what you love every day and have the freedom to express your soul through music, melody and lyrics. Music has the power to connect to people on a deep emotional level. To know that your creations have helped others in some way is a meaningful story of success.
LS: When can we expect your next single to be out?
LL: Soon! I am working in the studio finishing up more songs every day.
LS: Can you give us a hint as to what they’re about?
LL: As people, we have many different stories to tell and so I want to express my life and the lessons I’ve learned through my music. One song I have written is called ‘Pale’, it is a lament of grief and numbness, it is intimate, subtle and melancholic. Another song is called ‘Dreamer’ and is about keeping focused on your dreams despite the struggle and effort it takes to get what you want. For me it is important to make music that is authentically me, accompanied by sounds that are organic and shimmery, and tones that make you want to dance or cry.
LS: What kind of music projects do you have on your wishlist?
LL: I would love to go on tour and support Lana Del Rey or Florence Welch! I think that their fans would enjoy my music.
LS: That would be amazing! We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you. Apart from releasing your new music, do you have any collaborations or special projects in the pipeline this year that you can share with us?
LL: I have a few things up my sleeve… but can’t say too much right now. Stay tuned!
We can’t wait to see what else Lola comes up with, but for now, we’re digging the dreamy and mesmerizing vibes of ‘In the Wild’. For more stimulating videos, check out The Studio for LAFF submissions.