As Moschino Cheap & Chic’s A/W12 debut London show at the 29 Portland Place began, the question on everyone’s lips was: “Who’s that girl?” This time it didn’t refer to a new face gracing the catwalk but instead the quietly unassuming girl with the
As Moschino Cheap And Chic’s A/W12 debut London show at the 29 Portland Place began, the question on everyone’s lips was: “Who’s that girl?” This time it didn’t refer to a new face gracing the catwalk but instead the quietly unassuming girl with the big voice sat in the corner of the room singing along to her guitar. As the cutesy collection of playful pieces in powdery pastel colours rolled out, the show this time wasn’t just about the visuals as the girl – London’s latest soul sensation Lianne La Havas – sang out her singles No Room For Doubt, which she recorded with Willy Mason, and Age– a cheeky song about dating older men.
Coming as if from out of nowhere, La Havas’ television debut in October on Later… with Jools Holland catapulted the star into the limelight and she has since scored numerous editorials, live shows and most recently front row at various London fashion week shows. With her own tour starting next week and her debut album out in July, as well as playing the festival circuit this summer, the hype surrounding La Havas couldn’t come at a better time. However, as is the case with most rising talent, the quick jump to fame can often be accompanied with a sudden move to diva demands. This is not the case with La Havas whose modest disposition and warm charisma still remains as we found out when we took a little time from her busy schedule to speak to her.
How did you first get into music?
My dad got me a little keyboard when I was seven and I started working out little melodies on that. I began singing too as I was listening to female singers that were around at the time that made me really want to sing: Lauren Hill and Mary J. Blige and their voices made me feel like I wanted to do what they did. I carried on singing and playing kind of in secret until the age of about 13 and then I joined the choir at my school – Norbury Manor High School for Girls. I started playing the guitar about four years ago and since then it changed my songwriting to something that was more personal to me. Then I just continued doing that and I guess of late I felt ready to share my material with the world…
How would you describe where your sound is at now?
I’m very comfortable now with what I’m doing and I’d probably just describe it in a very simple way as electric guitar based Soul music, influenced by Jazz and Blues because I sing about my life and I feel like I’m growing every day and hopefully I’ll grow with each album. I’d like to have a very long career but for now it’s electric guitar-based Soul music.
"Love is one of my inspirations – from love in a relationship sense to the love that you have for yourself and self-discovery and a feeling of freedom because you know who you are finally"
In less than a year you and your music have skyrocketed – how does it feel?
It’s very exciting and flattering to be featured a lot because it suggests that my music’s getting out into different corners of the world, which is what I wanted in the first place. I’m really enjoying everything and really looking forward to releasing the album and playing a lot more live shows. Playing live is a huge section of what it’s all about and very important to me so I really embrace live performance.
How did the Moschino Cheap And Chic gig come about?
One of the head designers had heard my Black Cab session and got in contact with me a month or so ago. I was a bit nervous about the performance but it went really well. Fashion is also an important part to what I do – I like to come across as looking well put together because it’s always good to present yourself in a nice way, especially on stage and I love the dressing up part before a gig. I’m really into pastel and multi-coloured garments and fun, quirky pieces – which was totally appropriate for Moschino’s show. This has been my first fashion week and I have really relished in the experience.
You have a really positive and cheery disposition whilst also being very ambitious – what inspires you and keeps you motivated?
I guess life generally; and life includes all the music I’ve ever heard which I’ve absorbed and which has manifested itself in whatever way that it comes out in my music. And love – and everything that can be put under the life bracket. From love in a relationship sense to the love that you have for yourself and self-discovery and a feeling of freedom because you know who you are finally.
Lianne La Havas' debut album Is Your Love Big Enough is released this July on Warner Music.
Text by Lucia Davies
