Up Close With Lulu Simon
In a world often dominated by surface-level glitz, Lulu Simon emerges as a breath of fresh air, bringing depth, vulnerability, and raw emotion to the pop scene.
We sat down with emerging pop star, Lulu Simon to dive more into the history and passion behind her budding career.
Lulu’s journey from a piano-loving kindergartner to a rising star in sensitive pop is as inspiring as it is melodious. Lulu's musical voyage is not just about notes and rhythms; it's about finding her voice in a world that often blurs individuality.
Growing up in a home where music was more than just background noise, Lulu's path seemed almost predestined. Her brother's early musical explorations were less a guide and more a beacon, illuminating her natural inclination towards melody and verse.
Her musical tastes have danced across the spectrum – from the pop anthems of Britney Spears to the infectious energy of the Jonas Brothers – each phase adding a vibrant layer to her artistic persona.
As she gears up to share the stage with EMEI this fall, Lulu's excitement is palpable. It's not just about the performance; it's about connecting, sharing, and growing with her audience. Her upcoming single "Stay" promises to be a bold step in her musical narrative, weaving dramatic storytelling with the electrifying pulse of pop.
Our conversation with Lulu is a refreshing glimpse into the heart of a musician who writes not just to create but to connect. With every lyric and every tune, she invites us into her world – a place where emotions are unfiltered, and every song is a shared journey.
Can you tell us more about your musical journey and how you first realized your passion for songwriting and music?
I think I always kind of knew I was going to be a musician. I started taking piano lessons when I was in like, kindergarten, and my older brother has been writing and making music since he was like 5, so I think seeing him do it made it seem much more accessible and possible to me at a young age.
How have your musical influences evolved over the years, and how do they influence your work today?
I think my taste in music is constantly evolving, and I’m honestly grateful for that, I love all kinds of music and listening to it and loving it and letting all genres sort of guide my musical instincts when I’m writing myself. When I was younger I obviously really loved Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, then I went through a huge Queen phase, followed shortly thereafter by a huge No Doubt phase, and then of course I had a pop punk phase, and then a big Jonas Brothers phase, and then a One Direction phase, etc etc. I think having all different kinds of music floating around in my subconscious helps me to create music that is varied, even if it’s only in the slightest of ways.
Your music is described as sensitive-pop. Could you elaborate on what this genre means to you and how it shapes your artistic expression?
To me, sensitive pop is more singer-songwriter based writing, with more typical pop production. I love pop music, I’m a huge fan of like, Carly Rae Jepson and Kim Petras, I love those big pop productions, and I also love like, Taylor Swift’s “Folklore”, so to be able to combine introspective and storytelling writing with fat synths and drums is really just chef’s kiss to me.
You're joining alt-pop singer EMEI on tour this fall. What can fans expect from your live performances, and what are you most looking forward to during the tour?
I’m really just looking forward to getting better at performing, being more confident in myself as a singer and entertainer, and of course meeting new people and getting to share my music with people who might not have heard it before!
Your new single, "Stay," is set to be released on November 10th. Can you give us a sneak peek into the inspiration behind the song and what listeners can anticipate from it?
I just really wanted to write a huge pop song, which is a bit of a departure from the music I’ve been releasing as of late, because I love drama. I think Stay is a really dramatic, slightly delusional song about how it feels when a relationship ends; that push and pull you feel between being angry and sad.
How do you balance your singer-songwriter mentality with big pop productions in your music, and what kind of message or emotions do you aim to convey through your songs?
I think the 2 sides of my music are balance because they’re kind of conversational, in a way. Like, certain lyrics will inform certain production choices, and certain production ideas can inspire shinier or more dramatic lyrics. I hope that above all else, people can feel my sincerity in my music, and know that so many of these songs are basically polished diary entries, and that basically it’s okay to feel multiple conflicting feelings at once, and in fact, it’s normal!
Rolling Stone has praised your music as "the type of synth-heavy anthems that are needed for a perfect summer soundtrack." Can you share how you approach creating songs that resonate with a wide audience and evoke a particular atmosphere or feeling?
I honestly feel that writing songs from an emotionally truthful place can and will resonate with anyone who’s listening from an emotionally truthful place. Like, so many of Taylor Swift’s songs are so specific to her and her life, and yet millions of people relate to them, and I think that just really says something about the power of putting your authentic self into your music.
Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about beyond your current tour and single release?
I’ve got a couple of new songs that are cookin’ and will probably be released in the new year and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them!
Finally, is there a specific message or connection you hope your music fosters with your audience, and how do you aim to leave an impact with your artistry?
I just hope that people who are experiencing things that are similar to what I experience and wrote about know that healing is not linear, grief is not linear, nothing in life is linear and it’s okay to just ride the wave and know that things will get better, even if they get worse first, and that there’s a kind of joy and humor in how human that is.