Music is more than art for a self-described eclectic fairy princess; it’s a means to expel anguish and relive memories she never wants to forget. Raised in a troubled environment within a single-parent, mixed-race household, Lori’s mother battled substance abuse and passed away from cancer when Lori was only 21. “These things shaped me. Music was always there. Through my good times and sad. My mum passed away to ‘Here Comes The Sun’ by The Beatles, and that song will forever now hold such a pivotal moment in my life.”
Lori’s musical taste was influenced by her mother, with 80-90s icons like Madonna and Whitney Houston becoming her idols. Her musical palette extends to grunge and ’70s psychedelia, reflecting a deep appreciation for various genres. “I have always loved music of all genres, and I believe that reflects in my music. I like to defy genres and experiment with lots of different sounds.”
Emerging as a rising star in the Bristol and Brighton underground hip-hop scene, Lori appreciates the supportive community. “Everyone supports each other in a big way. In terms of major artists, Massive Attack is one of my favourite bands, they are hailing from Bristol. Their mix of Hip-hop, Indie, and Psychedelia is something that I admire massively.”
As a young woman navigating the music industry, Lori acknowledges the progress in women’s representation while sharing her own encounters with harassment and intimidation. She encourages young female and LGBTQ+ artists to speak up if something isn’t right because targeted abuse of vulnerable groups is just too prevalent. “I believe the bad encounters I had really made me scared of the industry and scared to pursue music as a full-time career. Now I am much wiser, and I believe people understand that being independent might be better.”
With her music, Lori seeks to offer listeners an escape, providing solace, even if temporary. The music video for ‘Never’ delivers ethereal comfort to those who need it. “I hope people can take away that money doesn’t mean anything. The more you worry about such things, the more it becomes an issue.”
What started as performances with a live band evolved into a fusion of UK Soul, R&B, and Hip-hop, along with producer collaborations and shows with backings. Lori has recently returned to performing with a full live band while preserving her hip-hop and soul influences.
Connecting with the audience is important for Lori, as she believes her power lies in relatability. “They can feel the vibe that I am just a normal girl, a mother expressing herself on stage. With my theatre roots, I do believe a performance consists of movement, eye contact all that jazz, I do believe that my songs do sound slightly different live, as every time I sing a song, it is a slightly different version, letting the vibe take me to experiment with my voice and lead me to where it wants me to be.”
Lori’s upcoming projects and collaborations promise an angelic sound escape. She is currently working on ‘Sugar Free,’ a fully live-recorded project composed entirely by Lori and the boys from Will and The People, which has already had an exclusive play on BBC 6 Music.
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