Diandra Interviews Lulise: For The Love of Music

It takes a lot of hard work to make it any career, but it is not only in terms of building your job’s path. The hard knocks you feel at work affect your person, and how to make sure that, as a human being, grow better when your career does not get “clearer” or “richer” is rough. Lulise has a sparkling positivity and it stems from her constant self-reminder that she loves music. Throughout all her highs and lows, she loves singing, song-writing, performing, and the fact that all three make her feel open to herself. In our interview, she discusses how her life as an artist helped her who she is as a person. 

Diandra: What was the inspiration behind “Taken?”

Lulise: A real-life crush! I had a crush on a guy who had a girlfriend and the only way I could express my feelings was to write a song about it!

Diandra: How do you feel it is an expansion from your last song “Read My Hips?”What does it say, differently, about relationships?

Lulise: I feel like “Taken” deepens the R&B feel and influence that “Read My Hips”  gives you a taste of. Lyrically I feel like “Read My Hips” exudes the kind of confidence you feel when you’re attracted to someone you know is into you. In contrast, “Taken” is the frustrating inner monologue you have when your heart wants someone who is in love with someone else.

Diandra: How would you define the best romance for you and how has music helped you discover that?

Lulise: I love this question. I would define the best romance as my relationship with music. Like music, someone who makes me feel the best feeling in the world, someone who challenges me, someone who I can learn something new from every day, someone who I would dedicate my life to, someone who would always be there for me. Music has taught me commitment. Pursuing a dream in the music industry is not easy, I have learned not to give up when obstacles present themselves and that sticking it out through the hard times is always worth it. Music has taught me that good things take time, it has taken me years, tears, triumphs and failures to be where I am today. So, I am willing to wait for a romance as beautiful as my romance with music.

Diandra: How do you feel pop and R&B music embody love?

Lulise: Another great question! Pop and R&B are my favorite styles of music and I think they embody love in so many ways. For pop, a catchy melody you can’t get out of your head parallels falling for someone you can’t stop thinking about. In the same way, a great pop song lasts forever so does great love. Just as pop music is universal so is love. I think R&B just takes everything a step deeper. Love is soulful like R&B, love is complex like it’s chord progressions, love is sensual, thoughtful and emotional like it’s lyrics, love makes you want to dance the way my favorite R&B grooves do. I could go ooooon and on but I think I made my point 🙂

Diandra: How you do you define yourself as an artist?

Lulise: I am defined by my music, where my musicianship and artistry meet. A female artist who writes and sings R&B pop music intended for mass audiences. I am in control of my creative destiny, I don’t sing a note, play a chord, or write a lyric that doesn’t move me. I am here to make meaningful music that outlives me like my favorite artists that have come before me and inspire me to be honest to myself rather than what’s cool at the moment.

Diandra: Describe the first moment you knew you wanted to be a singer?

Lulise: I was 13 years old. I was playing the role of Annie in the musical Annie. I was about to sing the song “Tomorrow,” a song I wasn’t able to sing all the way through without my voice cracking. I was so nervous because I didn’t know if the big final note would come out. As soon as I started the song, my fears melted away and it felt like I was flying. My body was buzzing with what felt like magic. The last note soared out of my mouth and the audience applauded, that was the moment I knew I wanted to be a singer for the rest of my life.

Diandra: How has becoming a professional artist altered how you see the “dream of being a singer” or expanded your love for music.

Lulise: My dream hasn’t been altered because I am still in pursuit of it! I think now I’m just at a different stage than I was when the dream was born in my mind. I have come a loooong way and I still have a loooong way to go!It’s crazy how over time my love for music has never wavered, it only grows stronger and stronger. I learn something from music every day and the deeper I immerse myself in music, the better my songs get, the better I sound singing them, and it also helps me in becoming a better person along the way.

Diandra: You were born and raised in LA. How did the city influence you to become an artist?

Lulise: Everything about this city inspires me. From the people to the streets, from the mountains to the beach, LA is buzzing with inspiring energy emitting from the countless dreamers chasing their goals. There’s never a dull or uninspiring moment in LA ,and I feel very blessed to live in this city.

Diandra: Going solo from Honey and Jude, how do you feel your creativity has expanded or grown in going solo?

Lulise: I think my creativity has had a growth spurt because of everything I experienced while in the pop duo Honey and Jude. I learned countless lessons from my partner, Jude, who taught me how to write better songs, how to interact with a live audience, how to roll with the punches, and never give up. I owe it all to Honey and Jude now as a solo artist because I feel fully equipped with the skills and creativity that I’m not sure I would’ve had, had I not gone throughthe duo experience.

Diandra: Name qualities about who you are as a person that your music reveals.

Lulise: I’m a hopeless romantic. I live for the moments of connecting with someone’s heart, whether it’s on the dance floor or in a conversation. I’m super passionate. When I feel something, I feel it all the way, so much so that I have to write songs to let my feelings out!

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