Lianne La Havas is the "highly emotional" singer-songwriter creating immersive soul ballads and lending her voice to renditions of Radiohead classics. It was a cover of Weird Fishes, played first at Glastonbury 2019 and recreated in studio, that set the tone for her self-titled new album - out right now. It's a rawer, realer infusion of her lush sound, created entirely on her terms.
In celebration of Lianne La Havas's release, we touched base with the singer-songwriter to talk daily rituals, Beyoncé and the enduring influence of Sister Act 2.
Hello, my name is …
Lianne La Barnes.
And I’m …
Highly emotional.
To create, I need …
Absolute calm.
My daily ritual is …
COFFEE.
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I’m looking at …
The bathroom mat.
I’m listening to …
The warning noise of a fire alarm that needs new batteries.
I’m reading …
Very infrequently.
I’m following …
Too many people I don’t know.
My latest project is …
My new self titled album.
It was inspired by …
My response to various challenges in my personal life.
Tell us a bit about the making of …
It was all on my own terms! I wrote and recorded whenever it felt right to do so and I worked with only my friends that I adore.
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My creative idols are …
Erykah Badu, Joni Mitchell, Beyoncé and Solange, Cat Power and Emiliana Torrini and Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Issa Rae and Childish Gambino.
I discovered my voice when …
I was walking home from school at age seven singing songs from Sister Act 2.
I express myself by …
Drawing, dancing, singing and talking calmly and clearly.
My current state of mind is …
Content with a hint of stress.
The quality I most admire …
Authenticity.
My mind always travels to …
What my short and long term goals are.
I’m looking forward to …
Being allowed to go outside again without a mask.
The greatest love of my life …
Is at the studio.