Today we’d like to introduce you to London Lo.
London, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My parents were in the Army, based in Fort Hood, TX, and they met singing in the choir together — so I was born into music. Ironically, I was too shy to sing in front of them, or anyone else for that matter, but I always knew I could sing. It wasn’t until I was 17 that I decided to sing in my high school’s talent show; that moment confirmed my purpose for me. My mom encouraged me start writing my own music, and my dad had me study all the great singers and learn more about instrumentation. I started recording demos with different producers and doing shows. Then acting and modeling, and landed a lead in my first musical which debuted at the Chicago Theatre. Last year I applied to Berklee College of Music and I was one of forty students accepted to their First Year Abroad program in Valencia, Spain. I wasn’t able to go but, I think being accepted gave me even more confidence in my music abilities. I then released my first EP entitled PDA – Public Display of Artistry, which is an acappella project that I wrote, produced and recorded myself. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to perform overseas and establish myself as an artist, vocal producer, and songwriter.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been smooth at all, but I think all great stories work that way. Having big dreams make you test your limits and see how much you’re willing to sacrifice to accomplish your goals. Early in my career, my family moved to the South Suburbs of Chicago and I didn’t have a car, and most of the work, producers and studio were in the city. So, I would have to pack a bag of clothes, take multiple trains or Uber late at night alone because that was the only way I was going to get to and from the places I needed to go. Once, I went to LA with $300 for a month, I stayed with a friend, and spent weeks traveling by train to different networking events, meetings, and shows I booked for myself while I was there. The story of “not having enough money” is common for artists. But in every situation, being able to figure out how to get everything you need done with less, just makes you more resourceful. It can be frustrating but at least you have a dream to keep you going. It also makes you take leaps of faith. You can’t allow your circumstances to stop you from handling your business. I’ve worked three jobs at a time just to afford everything I needed, but the realization of having my dream career makes it worth it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the London Lo story. Tell us more about the business.
The name of my company is London Lo Music Co and I provide vocal and songwriting services. I’m known for being a vocalist, but I’m gaining a reputation for being a songwriter of multiple genres. I’m frequently asked to cowrite for/with other artist; that’s something I’m very proud of because people have an appreciation for my writing style. I am also known for my efficiency in the studio. Time is money — so it is important to get in and go to work producing great product. I think being able to collaborate with other artists and producers freely is one of the best parts of being an independent artist. That and being able to create the music that I want to create. These are things that I don’t take for granted. I’m really grateful that I’m able to connect with people, across the world, when we’re working together or when I’m performing on stage. It is important to me that I provide people with a level of comfort when I’m around them and hopefully in my music as well.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the music industry is one of those ever evolving industries. There’s always a new way to do an old thing when it comes to music. With that said, I’m sure there’s going to be some new technology that creates a new trend in the way music is made. For example, what auto tune was for the early 2000s and what the synthesizer was for the 80’s. I also see the love for R&B rising again as it was in the 90’s, which is great for me because that’s my favorite genre of music to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.londonlolive.com
- Email: info@londonlolive.com
Image Credit:
LondonLoBerkleePhoto: Alicia Pack
LondonLoPDAEPPhoto: Brian Flynn
LondonLoPerformancePhoto1: Alex Collins
LondonLoPerformancePhoto2: Alex Collins
LondonLoPerformancePhoto3: Tori Brown
LondonLoPerformancePhoto4: J Mark
LondonLoPerformancePhoto5: Alex Collins
LondonLoPhoto: Caden Mcgown
LondonLoStudioPhoto: Caden Mcgown
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
