INTERVIEW:
LOLA YOUNG
Interview By: Charlotte Creighton
Photography By: Martina Martian
Hair By: Abi Igz
Make Up By: Lucy Thomas
Styling By: Bianca Nicole
Special Thanks to The Pear Tree
Lola Young, is on the fast track to becoming a household name, whilst only in her early 20’s she has a powerful voice and unique stories to tell, hailing from the brit school, this south- londoner with her soulful songs like Fake, woman & Who would of thought with Arrdee and her newest single So Sorry, that she is just getting started, so we sat down with her to see how it is thus far and what she’s got coming up!
Hi Lola, how are you today?
Im good thank you hehe!
Who are your main musical influences?
Probably joni Mitchell, Prince, frank ocean, anderson paak.
How does your songwriting process start?
Usually with a melody or lyric, i think its also super important to have a higher concept, which i think can just change a good song to a great one. I adore songs that have an extended metaphor that runs througout so thats what i always try and achieve when writing a song.
Lyrically, what’s your favourite song that you’ve written?
Probably one that isnt out yet, but in terms of ones that are out probably grey and lilac or bad game, those lyrically show my ability for sure.
If you could invite 3 celebrities past or present to dinner who would they be and what would you ask them?
Frank ocean, eminem, and ricky gervais. Hahah I’d probably end up weeing myself haha but i’d ask them how they managed to get where they are and how they’re so genius at what they do.
Top — Out From Under, Pants — Urban Outfitters, Shoes — Buffalos, Jewellery — Liars & Lovers
Jacket/Coat — Goldsmith Vintage, Jewellery — Pieces
What was running through your mind while writing your new song ‘So Sorry’?
When i wrote it i was massively channeling my inner toxicity snd humbling myself. Theres a lot of songs out at the moment that express female empowerment but few express the other side of the stick, whereby the woman is the one in wrong and thats they are struggling to come to terms with the extent of how nuch they are hurting someone, which to me, is also powerful. There is power in being able to accept your biggest flaws too.
Dress — House of Sunny, Coat — Urban Outfitters, Jewellery — Pieces
I love the honesty of the lyrics; it’s something we can all relate to but rarely admit. My most toxic trait is over-promising and over committing to things I have no intention of doing (oops!). What would you say your most toxic trait is?
Probably being so jealous, im such a jealous person and i always come up witb scenarious in my head that are definitely not true. So probably that yeah, i am so jealous but most of the time i have no actual logical reason to be.
Do you have any tips for breaking toxic traits?
Not really haha! Its just about accepting parts of yourself and learning to love them but also being introspective and trying to work on the things that you want to change. I have many traits i dont like about myself that im continuously working on but its a process and i think its all part of the jorney of life. Either accept and find someone who loves you regardless or work on it and find a way of coping.
You seem to have a strong sense of confidence and knowing who you are, is this something that has always come naturally to you?
Not really to be honest, i have alwAys been confident to a certain extent but havent alwyss known who i am or what i want to be, but i am slowly getting there i think its such a process learning about yourself and experiencing hardships, it can definitely cloud the main journey of finding out who you are and where you want to go in life, but it cokes and it gets easier for me, the older i get.
What advice would you give someone who is struggling with their confidence?
I would probably say the most important piece of advice i would give is that, theres no point not being confident, i completely know its way easier said than done but we technically as far as we are aware get to have an experience of life once, and therefore i believe its a massive timewaster not believing in yourself. As hard as it can be, its about remembering who YOU are, regardless of if its different to the next person, thats beautiful, and thats what makes the world go round and its so important to face the world like you are IT.
You just preformed on Graham Norton, Congrats! What-else can we expect from Lola Young this year?
Thank you! Maybe an album… hahaha.. if not then definitely some crazy crazy new music.
Top — Urban Outfitters, Pants — Bershka, Shoes — Public Desire, Jacket — Goldsmith Vintage, Jewellery — Pieces
QUICK FIRE ROUND
Describe yourself in 5 words?
Annoying, fun, oblivious, bubbly, wise lol"
What would your last meal be?
A pad thai
North or South of the river?
Southhhh
Most iconic pop culture moment?
Hmm.. everything about Prince tbh.
When are you most productive?
When im keeping busy and feeding my mind with inspiration.
What is your favourite song to listen to in the summer?
Slide - Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean and Migos.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
That im a kind person.
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