Love can make you feel every kind of emotion, from the good to the hurtful and the vile. “Caught Up” by Lujza provides an in-depth look at the end-to-end process of creating and maintaining deep and personal relationships. You can feel the passion and emotion in her new album “Caught Up”. We had the pleasure of interviewing Lujza, and here is what she had to say:
Q: What was your first experience with music?
LUJZA: My mom listening to Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Barry White and the Gypsy Kings growing up really got me loving all kinds of music, especially soul music. Having said that, I learned classical piano, participated in choir, and performed opera. I discovered my soul sound later on and it was a bit of a process both vocally and emotionally to transition.
Q: What inspired you to write “Caught Up”?
LUJZA: You know that moment when you meet someone for the first time and you fall in love? It’s that instantaneous feeling, that spark that ignites your heart. I wanted to capture that. All my songs are based on past or present relationships so of course there is that edge to it – it’s based on a real person.
Q: What is your songwriting process like?
LUJZA: I consider myself a storyteller, so I pretty much always write lyrics first. “Caught Up”, my debut album released recently, focuses heavily on an end-to-end love story. I really wanted to capture the journey of falling in and out of love. So when I was writing each of the songs I focused on telling that story. Once I write some lyrics I usually listen to some music that I will use as further inspiration. I think you’d be surprised by some of the tracks that inspired my music. Some are quite unexpected! Like the Arctic Monkeys inspiring “Do You Wanna Know?”. Sometimes it’s just a beat or a single line in a song that opens up my creative channels and helps me tell the story.
I always refine my lyrics once in the studio. Sometimes it ends up being a complete rewrite with only the general idea remaining. I recently collaborated with Michael Kay from Perth on Shoulda Woulda, which was awesome! I had already written that song about a past relationship but I wanted the male point of view – a rebuttal. I gave Michael full creative freedom over verse 3 and I think it makes for the most authentic way to tell both sides of the story.
Q: How are you hoping people will respond to “Caught Up”?
LUJZA: My goal is to have people find a connection to the song that resonates with them. Having fallen in love with their significant other and holding onto that moment means something to them in the present as well as for years to come. I’m also hoping that people get the message that showing your love for your significant other and expressing your feelings is a beautiful thing.
Q: Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?
LUJZA: I definitely see myself on the road performing at festivals and collaborating with artists around the world. I’m planning on releasing a couple of albums over the next few years to tell more stories that are really close to my heart. I have a lot more to say! There are many more things to resolve. I guess my main goal is to focus on creating full time.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
LUJZA: Definitely. Don’t ever give up on your dream. I spent so many years not believing in my gift, because people told me I didn’t have what it took. But they were wrong. Work on your craft both writing and singing, but don’t ever give up. It doesn’t matter how small the progress is, it’s still progress. Set goals. Collaborate and just get out there and have a crack. Give things a go.
Interviewed by Shertara Brazil
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