Mobo

Dubbed the “Soul of Ireland”, 22 year-old soul singer Laura Izibor sat down with MOBO to talk about her new single, new album, career thus far and why Dublin should be the MOBO Awards next destination!
 

Tell me about the new single “Don’t Stay”
 

“Don’t Stay” is about a person, in a relationship, who has fallen out of love and yet they continue to stay with each other. They begin to resent each other – it gets crazy. When you’re the person who’s still in it – it takes strength because there comes a point where you need to be able to make a decision for the both of you. It’s hard but if you stay, you’ll both just make each other miserable.
 

The new album “Let the Truth be Told” has been a long time in the making, what was the hold up?
 

A lot of it was unfortunately record labels – I had to change from one label to the next. If you ask any artist who’s had to do that, it’s hard. It takes time, headspace and so there was a lot of waiting. The album itself took around 3 years. I was 17, I had come to the label with all these songs that were sounding like they were from the 60’s and I was singing them like I was 30. They didn’t really know what to do with me! It was…a big amazing mess! So yeah, it took a while to fine-tune the Izibor sound.
 

Do the songs on the album reflect you as a person?
Yeah. 100%, that comes with the title – it’s my truth. I wrote the whole album I couldn’t hide behind anyone. While I was writing the songs, I didn’t mind being so open and honest, but now when I start talking about them, I’m like “wow, why did I say that?” It’s personal. But, the fans love that – they really connect. Tracks like “What Would You Do?” I really show my vulnerable side, my weakness. That’s not easy, especially because I’m quite a private person, but when the fans hear it they love it because they know who I am.

 

How would you describe “Let the Truth be Told”?
 

It’s very warm. Kinda, sweet soul. It’s also got that grit on top – which maybe comes from the organic-ness or looseness from the vocals. I sang from my heart during the recording process – they’re all pretty much single takes, bar maybe two tracks. I took a lot of inspiration Aretha Franklin – a lot of her records were live and done in one take – there was no “let’s go back and do that again” or “lets auto-tune that” – it was real singing.

What artists have influenced you the most?

My music…Believe it or not – Carole King. I really got into her at such a crucial time in my writing. Vocally she didn’t rock my world, but at the same time the vulnerability in her voice – you could still get it. It was real. The songs were just incredible. The structure and melodies – she made a huge influence on my writing.
 

You’ve opened for some real big musical legends including Aretha Franklin, James Brown and even the Roots – who impressed (or disappointed) you the most?
 

I thankfully haven’t come across any disappointments. Yet! Last week I met Stevie Wonder, I was on his radio show. He was just amazing. My song “From My Heart To Yours” is number 7 in the US Urban charts and he’s playing it on his show and so he knows it! Stevie Wonder knows MY song? Crazy. I was so calm and collected before the show, but I was like in denial. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. And then I saw him. I actually couldn’t speak. He was singing my song, Stevie Wonder was singing my song? I was blown away! Then…We just started jamming. India Arie joined us and we’re just singing and playing! Just an amazing moment. Definitely a highlight.
 

How does it feel achieving all this so early in your career?
 

It’s a great thing. The people I’ve met – they’ve given me the best advice. Back in the day, albums were a means to travel and go on tour. These guys made me realise – it’s about more than accolades – it’s just about making good music and sharing that. That’s all they ever wanted and that’s all I want. It’s been great, truly!
 

Why do you think artists today are so different from artists of yesteryear?
 

Videos, sex…everything! I turned the TV on the other day, I had it on mute – you should do this – when you see people doing what they’re doing with no sound, you realise how messed up things look! There’s nothing wrong with shaking your thing, but when it gets too much, I think it goes too far. Tina Turner for instance in the 60’s, she was super sexy but she had a certain power – she wasn’t ‘in your face’. It was all for you. I respect artists like Beyonce and I respect people who work what they have, but when that’s all you have – that’s when I don’t really dig it.
 

Does it bother you that soul artists don’t seem to achieve the same ‘mainstream’ success as pop artists?
 

Someone like Alicia Keys is selling more units and winning more awards than most pop artists. She’s making timeless music. To me, I think it depends on what you want out of life, what are your goals. I think Beyonce is one of the most talented artists of our time – but I just think artists need to know they have options. It doesn’t have to be all one way, you can be a pop star, an soul artist – as long as it’s true to who you are, it will always work.
 

On September 30th 2009 the MOBO Awards are moving to Glasgow – what would be your pitch to bring the show to Dublin in 2010?
 

Ireland is at a huge transformation right now. When I was growing up I was literally the only black girl in my school. It’s not like that now – it’s changing. Its’ a real exciting place right now, all different nationalities are coming together and it’s becoming an extremely diverse place. It’s a really hot place now. The music industry is also reflective of this (look at me!). I can’t think of another city at such an exciting peak as Dublin is right now – so I think you should capitalise on that!
 

…SO I’ll see you in Dublin next year?
 

Laura Izibor’s new single “Don’t Stay” is out NOW and her new album “Let the Truth Be Told” is released May 15th!