Interview with Luh'ra

Today Khusi had an interview with an amazing musician by the name of Luh'ra, she gave us more insight on who she is and her musical background. 

Khusi : "When I hear a song for the first time, I play it to the last beat! I want to give respect to the producer, the engineers, the creator and obviously the artist. I love the fact that the music is live, it makes me feel like I was there when the song was being recorded!"

Lu'ra is an artist who has been sharing music with her audience for the past 5 years. A combination of quiet and beautiful notes of jazz, silky R&B and smooth beats that propel an intimate journey through the multiple faucets of human connection. 

Lu'ra : "It's been cool coming out of the pandemic. I've had to take a break to reconstruct how life works during the pandemic. During the beginning of the pandemic I had to put more focus on livevstream performances, I guess everyone was trying to figure out the digital space and different ways of finding an income. Using different skills set, which was a bit of a challenge, but if you are a creative I guess you are always able to figure those things out. 

However, I'm super excited to be putting out this project right now and it's lifting my spirits. 2022 is looking a bit more promising. 

Born and bread in Cape Town, I was fortunate to have parents and a family who put a lot of value in cultural practices, so any medium art form like theatre, music etc. My parents were always taking me to different live performances, music shows and local music was always so important for us. I've really been fortunate to have a strong foundation of support. 

One of my favourite artists is Cleo Soul. I draw elements of her sound in my upcoming EP. I love the live vibe. It was important for me to record my music live because I've been working with a band that consists of really great musicians, for some time now, and I wanted to document the music as it was being played. 

As a creative I chose music because it covers a lot of my creative interests. It gives me the opportunity to explore styling for my shows and my shoots, such as my music video (which I also styled). Music has given me a chance to style spaces and create memorable experiences. There is a lot of room to explore visual languages and creating memorable experiences. 

The song 'Falling Apart' was written in the beginning stages of the pandemic where I had just gotten broken up with. It was a difficult time but I guess everyone was falling apart at that moment in time. So it is a sense of expression and I let the music speak for itself. 

I call my genre of music Indie-Soul. It is an umbrella for music that does not necessarily fit into Indie or R&B and as an independent artist I also make soul music as well." 

Khusi : " 'Falling Apart', sounds like a timeless song. It is one of those sounds you can hear being played many years from now. What is the process for making your music? What comes first? The lyrics, the beat, the idea?" 

Lu'ra : "I write most of my songs on my guitar and then I'll take it to my band to explore it a bit further. At that point where I take my music to my band, I already have an idea of how I want it to be arranged and the kind of instrumentation I want to have on it. 

For me I've always wanted to make music that is timeless and a representation of me. So I've worked a lot behind the scenes with my music and I have been lucky to have a team of people who believe in me and are willing to help see my vision through. 

I have a video out that I made a month ago, it was a very good and fun experience for me to explore the visual side of my music. It was my fist time making and putting together a video so it was great to be able to share that vision. 

The upcoming project that I have is my EP called "Nice", it is coming out next week Friday. I'll be doing a live performance with the full band at the Gorgeous George Botique Hotel in Town. Tickets are R150 each and can be purchased on Quicket. It's really going to be something special, I don't usually get to perform with my whole band. I'm excited my whole band (who are all amazing musicians) is excited and I am really grateful they will be joining me. 

In the next 5 years I would really like to record some more music and make a full on album. I would like to tour with my music globally, and use my creative directive skills for other people as well. 

My last words to everyone listening right now is, if you are going through a challenging time and those feelings of isolation and being alone is overwhelming you. Reach out and talk to somebody. There are people who care about you and are willing to help. Thank you for having me!" 

Presenter : Mkhuseli Veto

Producer: Lydia M