What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Writing music as an inspiring tool of communication was the main motivation that got me into pursuing a performing arts career.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
My name is Laurelight, I’m 25 originally from Italy and I’m an alt pop, independent artist.
My sonic identity can be defined as ‘Infectious Synth Patterns, Singalong Chorus, and groovy bass lines. My main motto is ‘The darkest it gets, the brighter you become; this is how, to sum up my solo artist project in one sentence.
Music has always been part of my life, in fact, I did not find music, music found me from the very beginning.
I started playing a few musical instruments at the age of 9 (flute and trombone).
At 15 years old, I started playing guitar and writing my very first songs. This is when I started thinking about doing this professionally.
After playing with a few local bands on the outskirts of my Italian hometown, I moved to London at the age of 20 in 2017, where I graduated in Songwriting at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in 2020. I now regularly perform in Italy and the UK as DIY Artist.
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
The best question I always want to get asked is the reason why I make music.
To me knowing the reasons behind people’s life choices always fascinates me.
We set up RGM USA and many other countries in the world to share music with America and the UK, good idea?
Music is a universal language, so the more countries you collaborate with, the better it is.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
Not that I am aware of.
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
Sadly a holiday trip I did not get refunded.
What useless party trick do you have?
The most useless party trick I have is doing a drunk quiz for my friends as they are going to drink anyway ahah
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
In Late November 2019, I performed live as a bass player in an indie band called ‘Ruby Hive’ for a charity event at the Royal Albert Hall. I was so nervous on that day; I did not feel ready at all for such big stages. But as we started the set, I felt at home on that stage. I thought of being at home in Italy when I used to rehearse my very first songs on my own for hours and hours. It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life.
What was the worst experience on stage?
One of the very first gigs I did with my old band in Italy. It was simply awful, not only I did not hear my voice on stage, but also one of my guitar pedals run off the battery. It resulted in making so many mistakes during the set. The pub was packed, but after 2 songs, it was almost empty.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
On stage, I tend to be a very energetic leading act, but at home, I try to be calm through meditation exercises.
If you had to describe your band/music to an alien how would you describe it?
I’d simply sing it acapella. Would love to see the alien’s reaction.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
The introspectiveness of my lyrics from the listener’s point of view.
The more personal I get in terms of lyric writing, the more universal the outcome will be.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
There are so many things that piss me off lately.
The easy way people forget and judge without being informed is among them.
I also think we are too focused on being a non-real version of ourselves just to please others’ expectations. The fact that many people don’t see it makes it even worse and sad.
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
Right now, the song I love to play the most live is an unreleased track called ‘Peaceful’; It’s the most personal song I’ve ever written. I’ve played it live recently in a venue in London and the bond I created with the audience through this song was unique.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, I have. There’s a new single available called ‘Open Your Eyes.
It’s an alt-synth pop anthem about finding inner light in the darkest times.
This song marks the beginning of a new era in my career. The single release is also followed by a 3 dates tour around London including the release party gig at the Beehive in Bromley by Bow on the 30th of September.
Talk me through the thought process of the single?
The first idea that came to me was to write a wake-up call song, a sort of epiphany given by the artist to the listener. The lyrics show a dialogue between a resilient character (the artist) and a pessimistic listener who soon finds out what he needs to do to get out the dark.
What was the recording process like?
The song has been recorded remotely between London and Italy in 2 home recording studios and it has been produced and mixed by my trusted collaborator Matteo Galesi.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
Open Your Eyes was written in 2019 and it has been redrafted many times until early 2021. I was never fully happy with the songwriting/demo production outcome until I changed the bridge of the song with a more guitar-led version that got me into changing the lyrics/chords and melody resulting in a more unpredictable drop. That was the biggest learning curve in writing this song. Never think it’s over if you’re still not 100% convinced with the results.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Nope. Once it’s done it’s done. I only release music when I realize that I have given my best to the work.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
The plan is to keep releasing music until Summer 2023 and touring in between UK and Italy. If you’re reading this, forgive yourselves for all the mistakes you made in the past and try to love yourself in the now. Leave the doors open to all the opportunities that will come to you.
Nothing is 100% predictable.
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