Read the Lolu Moore Interview below and share it on social media.
Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?
Lolu Moore is a jazz recording artist who composes and produces his material. He is the 7th born in a family of 8. His mother was a school teacher, and dad was a vicar and secondary school principal. This combination presented its advantages regarding education and music. At the early age of 11, his late dad – Venerable S.O Ogunleye – introduced him to piano tutorial books and he learned swiftly, practicing sight-reading with his dad's reed organ including occasional sessions on the organ and keyboards used for church services.
At 15, he was a paid professional as the Assistant Organist of The Cathedral Church of St. Stephens (Anglican) Ondo, in Nigeria. Eventually developing an urge to be involved with today's music, Lolu learned by listening to Nigerian heavyweights such as King Sunny Ade, I.K Dairo, Fela Kuti, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Cardinal Rex Lawson, Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters and other acts such as Luther Vandross, Babyface, Shalamar, Shade, Seal, Anita Baker, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, et al. Lolu made the switch and studied audio engineering & production in a Lagos studio. Two years later, he produced his first hit for the Nigerian afro-pop group – Remedies – making Lolu one of the pioneering producers of afrobeats. More than 15 hits followed, including his own songs, and a feature on Tony Allen's album (EMI) also followed.
Already craving new challenges and a better environment when it comes to royalties & publishing, Lolu embraced an invitation to tour the UK with Tony Allen and he eventually settled after a few trips back and forth between London and Lagos. He hit the ground running immediately, producing fellow African acts.
He soon took up an admission for a BA (Hons) degree as a Music Technology Specialist. Studying at the University of West London's London College of Music couldn't have come at a better time as this helped him polish his audio engineering/composition/production skills under the guidance of senior lecturers such as Pip Williams (Status Quo producer), Paul Borg, Antonio Delgado et al. As he was wrapping up the 3-year course, Lolu started working on a smooth jazz piece titled "Adelaide Road" which was released September 15th 2017. The University also selected him as a student member of the UK's Institute of Directors (IoD).
How would you describe your influences and how have they changed over the years?
Lolu has been influenced over the years by the aforementioned Nigerian artists and after 5 years of active service as an organist, he became attracted to the sound of r&b balladeers such as Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Shade, Brian McKnight; and jazz artists such as Earl Klugh, George Benson, Joe Sample, and Will Downing. At the same time, Lolu revisited Ron Kenoly's gospel music, Teddy Riley, Bobby Lyle and Tom Brooks' keyboard styles, and later, the traditional jazz music of late Nat King Cole.
Over the next 10 years (from 2000) having fallen in love with smooth reggae, neo-soul, dancehall and smooth jazz, Lolu started creating fusions between this genres. The very first one was a huge hit with the West African audience. It is titled "Baby Tete Wale" There were some hits and misses along the way but these helped shape Lolu's musical character and gradually, his love for smooth jazz took over. This resulted in the composition of "Adelaide Road" which was released recently.
What´s new right now?
"Adelaide Road" features two of Lolu's friends who are jazz guitar recording artists.
https://soundcloud.com/or-moore/adelaide-road-original-ft-ben-witherstone-kunle-ayo
Lolu has performed in some venues/bars/restaurants in the UK. These include the Jazz Cafe (30th April 2017), The Octagon at Queen Mary's University (wedding solo piano), a weekly gig at Zebra Lounge in Deptford Bridge (2014 – 15) and many more.
At the moment, Lolu Moore is interested in adding to his list of regular gig venues, and is in the process of releasing an EP consisting of 3 original compositions, a trad jazz and a Justin Timberlake cover. August 2018 is the target for its release but it could happen a little earlier or later. It is also important to note that Lolu Moore is an alter ego. Or-Moore is the other stage name: a producer/songwriter and afrobeats musician. Both acts have their works released under his independent label – Fifty5 Productions (UK).
www.instagram.com/lolu.moore www.facebook.com/fifty5productions www.soundcloud.com/or-moore
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Sure”]
Are you a superfan of anyone? How did you become a superfan? Do you remember how you become a fan and what turned you into super fan? Have you ever thought about why you´re such a fan?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
Do you have good promotion tips for other musicians?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
Do you have insights on how to grow your audience on soundcloud that you want to share with our audience?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
How do you personally discover new music?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
Once you discovered new music, do you tell others about the new music/artist you discovered? If yes, how exactly?
”
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
What is your number one tip to improve your music production or songwriting skills?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
What is your best tip for those who struggle with finishing their tracks?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
We meet again in one year. What has changed?
[/gravityforms]
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”Yes” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
[/gravityforms]
http://www.soundcloud.com/https://soundcloud.com/or-moore
http://www.facebook.com/fifty5productions
[gravityforms action=”conditional” merge_tag=”” condition=”is” value=”Yes”]
Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
[/gravityforms]