An Interview with LOTYS
Dami: What inspired you to start making music professionally?
LOTYS: I couldn't have helped it if I tried. I write songs out of a need to makes sense of my world. Everything is clearer once I hit the record button. There isn't anything more special or inspires me more than music. It's the coolest art medium. I feel ignited when I find a new record that resonates with me. I wanted to be able to give that same feeling to anyone that listens to my music.
Dami: What was your first introduction to music?
LOTYS: My parents would always play music growing up. Jazz, funk, disco, R&B, neosoul - the house and the car were always bumping. I remember my first physical CD was Michael Jackson's 'Invincible'. I had that record on repeat, slept with the headphones in. My whole family loves music, it's in us.
Dami: Would you say your family had a big influence on your sound?
LOTYS: I would say to a certain extent, absolutely. My ear gravitates toward certain chords or basslines you'd hear from the artists they love. Like in my newest single 'Touch' the bass is heavy and sexy. Rick James and Patrice Rushen stayed with a sexy bassline. That's what drove their songs.
Dami: Who else would you say influenced or inspired your current sound?
LOTYS: Right now I'm loving artists like Rochelle Jordan, Ravyn Lenae and Doechii. They are so innovative and forward with their sound. I can tell they studied the greats but aren't afraid to take risks and push their sounds. That's my same goal.
Dami: How would you describe your sound?
LOTYS: My sound is entrancing movement. I can float on house, rnb, & rap. People have to bob their heads and sway when I come on.
Dami: How is it making music of multiple genres?
LOTYS: I love it. My mantra is forever evolving. I don't ever want to feel boxed in. Somehow all my music fits together, even when jumping genres you can still feel the invisible string.
Dami: You dropped your first single in 2021 titled “Ocean Deep”. How much would you say you’ve grown creatively since then?
LOTYS: I would say my technical skills have improved more. My ear is sharper and my voice is stronger. I am more involved in every step of the process too. Making decisions about the production both in vocals and instrumentation, understanding more about the mixing/mastering process all have come from time and building up that confidence.
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
LOTYS: Depends on the record. Sometimes someone shares an instrumental with me that works, other times lyrics and melodies come to me first and we build the song around that. I try not to judge the myself or the producers when we're coming up with ideas. I let the ideas come out and then we judge after but I don't ever want to interrupt the flow.
Dami: You dropped a new single a few days ago titled “Touch”. Can you tell us more about it?
LOTYS: 'Touch' captures that exhilarating first encounter with someone who’s caught your attention. As soon as I heard Mai play the beat I was inspired. The piano chords just sounded like they were making a statement like saying something absolute and sensual. That made writing the lyrics easy. The bass line and the vocal sample put me right back in Jersey. In my hometown (Newark, NJ), especially during the summers you can hear house music from cars as they drive by. I wanted to try and give that energy with 'Touch'.
Dami: Is the single directed to anyone in particular?
LOTYS: Oh you're trying to get the tea! I'll say that the song may have been inspired by someone special.
Dami: You dropped a music video to accompany “Touch”. How was it like filming the video?
LOTYS: The video was directed by Vincent Giovinazzo. He's worked with me not only on 'Touch' but for my other singles 'Ocean Deep' and 'Flashy Frozen', so everyone check those out as well! I found this amazing choreographer Keilyn Bryant on Instagram. The way he moves is so powerful and playful there was so much duality in his expression. Hannah Oyibo also choreographed and she embodied that sensual and confident energy the song has. Myself, Hannah, Sunny Edas and Malia Henderson all practiced and worked hard to make sure we had our dance scenes down. When it was time to roll cameras, we killed it! I was met with so many challenges leading up to the video. In terms of location, scouting talent and styling. It's hard when you're an independent artist just getting started. I do a lot of the pre-production work alone. Where the real magic happened was in the editing. Vinny is so open to my creative ideas and we were able to pull off these eye-catching effects to make the video shine.
Dami: What’s next after “Touch”?
LOTYS: More of everything is next! I have more content, another single and my very first EP. I'm so excited to share it all.
Dami: What should we expect from this EP?
LOTYS: You should expect to have it on replay! There's something in there for everyone.
Dami: Earlier you mentioned making music to make sense of your world, would you say it has aided mental clarity and how?
LOTYS: Definitely, there's songs that I'll never put out because they’re too personal or raw. My songs are a kind of diary for me. My very first mixtape was written in a time where I felt a little lost. Making it allowed me to get really introspective and reflect in a way I might not have otherwise.
Dami: Are there any artists you’ll love to collaborate with in the nearest future?
LOTYS: Absolutely! The list is long: Rochelle Jordan, Ravyn Lenae, Doechii, Talia Goddess, Zyah Belle, Peyton, Planet Giza, Flwr Chyld and Ojerime to name a few.
Dami: Newark isn’t really known for having many “mainstream” artists. How’s it been like pushing music as a Jersey artist?
LOTYS: Put some respect on Newark!! We have Whitney Houston and Redman to come out of my city. And in the surrounding area-- Lauryn Hill, SZA, Coi Leray, Joe Budden and that's just off the top of my head. I think it's really cool to be from Jersey because everyone is loving Jersey Club music in the mainstream. I want to see all of my fellow underground artists win. We have so much talent and community in Jersey and I think our time is coming.
Dami: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
LOTYS: I see myself being happy doing more of what I love in music and maybe even branching out to acting as well.
