With her irresistible new single “Silicone,” Lenn shows us a sense of vulnerability dripping with breaking out of comfort zone with raw energy and a smoldering soul. We had the pleasure of interviewing Lenn, and here is what she had to say:
Q: Hi, Lenn, first off… How have you been? What has 2023 been like for you so far? Especially in comparison to last year?
LENN: Up and down, but overall I’d give it a 7/10. Way better than last year where I felt like I was trapped in the starting blocks, working so hard to create material, but never being ready to release it. So to get these first two songs out into the world this year has been a big weight off.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your musical background? Has music always played a role in your life?
LENN: My parents didn’t listen to much of music when I was young and their taste wasn’t particularly broad. I did start learning the harp when I was 9 years old. This was of course inspired by the Disney film, Artistocats. However, I wouldn’t say music played a big role in my life until secondary school. This is when I started to discover new music for myself and take singing lessons.
Q: My understanding is that you were raised in a Christian home. What were the pros and cons to finding the genre that fits you now as a professional artist?
LENN: I sometimes feel a bit uneducated when it comes to music and people start mentioning iconic old bands or songs that I’ve never even heard of. The vacant expression on my face probably isn’t the best for conversation. However, to be honest there are so many amazing artists around at the moment that I’m quite content to leave the older music undiscovered for now. Perhaps I am missing something that would enhance my songwriting and understanding of music or perhaps I currently have greater freedom to just experiment and settle on what I like in the studio – we’ll see!
Q: Your previous singles had majestic themes and a different creative direction than “Silicone”. How did this come about and why?
LENN: I agree that “dreams are a nightmare” has a different sound to “silicone”. I don’t think that was a conscious decision really – more a case of letting the song dictate where the production should turn. These two songs are part of a larger body of work and when you hear the whole EP together it feels cohesive, despite each song having a distinctive sound.
Q: What’s the music scene like in Hertfordshire and how does it influence you artistically if at all?
LENN: I grew up in Hertfordshire and I don’t think anyone could argue with me saying that it isn’t the most happening place for young people. Therefore, I wouldn’t say it has had much impact on my music. However, I lived in Brighton for a year before moving to Bristol in 2017. I have met some amazing musicians and been to some brilliant gigs. Bristol in particular has been a fantastic home for me – you don’t have to look far to find something artistic here and there is a bit more breathing space here than somewhere like London, which I think benefits my mood and creativity.
Q: What are the biggest inspirations and influences for your latest release, “Silicone”? Can you elaborate on that?
LENN: I had the idea for “silicone” while my husband and I were sealing our newly fitted bathroom with silicone back in 2021. It felt like a strong metaphor for the feeling of wanting reassurance that I’m making the right decisions and that my choices are leading me in the right direction. I think we all wish we could seal things in place and enjoy some guarantees in life.
Interviewed by Shertara Brazil
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