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Following on from the release of her sparkling debut EP ‘So Much For Summer’, we chat to charismatic pop newcomer, Lutfia about her songwriting process, influences and the music industry…
- So firstly, how would you describe your sound?
I think my sound is very eclectic – that’s the word I always use, because I feel like I have so many different influences and I’m inspired by so many different people that my sound just becomes very eclectic. Though one thing I think links everything together is that everything is quite pop-y. Yeah, everything is pop – even if it might have a bit of rock, funk or jazz.
- What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
That really depends on what I’m doing on that day. One thing I never do is write in the studio – I always write beforehand, just me at the piano. But then when I get into the studio, the first step is getting a track down… playing the chords and working with a producer. But a day in the studio can also be spent just getting the perfect vocals and backing vocals and stuff. It really does depend. It’s always quite different though, and that’s what I love about it so much. Recording a song is never the same experience twice – depending on the song, you’ll always have a different experience in the studio.
- Do you have to be in a certain mood to write a song?
See it’s funny because if you’d asked me this a couple years ago I would have said no; I’d always be able to write a song. When I was younger I was very prolific. That doesn’t mean they were all good songs (!), but I was always in the mood for writing. Now I think to write a good song, I have to be in a certain mood and have some sort of inspiration or idea, or just the desire to sit down at the piano and write. Sometimes I’m not in the mood and when I try, nothing much comes of it. There has to be something for me before I sit down and write. But if I feel like I have to – if I have a deadline or something, I do try and play something I’ve already written to get myself in the mood, and that sometimes helps me. And I try practice everyday too which helps.
- Who are your three biggest musical inspirations?
There’s so many but I think my top 3 would be Michael Jackson (I’ve always been so amazed by his talent and how multi-talented he was; his music was a big part of my teenage years and childhood). Second, would be Christina Aguleiera; her voice was always everything I aspired to sound like. Third would be Stevie Wonder because again, I listened a lot in my childhood. My mum would always play his stuff in the car; I just loved his music so much. ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ is one of the best albums ever made in my opinion.
- Who is the best band you’ve ever seen play live?
I would say R5. They’re not even together anymore and they do completely different music now. But they were my favourite band as a teenager, and still are to be honest. I’ve seen them live twice – I think once at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London and another time at Coco in Camden, also in London. Yeah, oh my god they’re so good – both those concerts were amazing. They have such a strange presence and energy, the vibe is so cool and they make great music.
- What’s the toughest part of the industry for you?
I think the prospect of big success and big fame is really daunting, cos as much as I want it, sometimes I just think ‘oh it’s not possible’ and stuff. And I think the music industry and the big labels and stuff, they always just seem quite scary. As much as I try to manifest and believe I can be successful, sometimes I’m scared by how hard it seems to get into that world. It is a very tough industry to get into, so yeah I find that quite scary!
- What’s the most enjoyable part of the industry?
I think building connections with people. The people I’ve met are really cool. I just love connecting with others who are also in this business. It’s such an amazing part of things; to be able to meet people and connect.
- What’s in store for you moving into 2022?
I’m gonna start work on a debut album and a music video!
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