I really love jazz, but I will never be a jazz musician as much as I dream. But, I think that the jazz music I love is there in my music. – Laura Mvula
I love church buildings, particularly cathedrals, and I like living in spaces that remind me of music or evoke that creative energy. – Laura Mvula
I have a younger brother and sister who actually play in my band, and we were always into Disney music, big time. The first time I heard myself sing was when I recorded myself singing a Disney song. I remember it because it was awful, and I didn’t expect to hear that. I think it was ‘A Whole New World’ from ‘Aladdin.’ – Laura Mvula
It’s important for any artist – particularly female artists – to feel completely comfortable and to know what they’re trying to do. – Laura Mvula
My parents encouraged us to commit to things, so if we wanted to learn an instrument, it was all the grades and all the theory. – Laura Mvula
I got into the habit of filtering out all the good in my life, focusing on only the negative. I’m not sure why I did it, but it’s a pretty depressing state. – Laura Mvula
Being a pop star is something I don’t think I’m very good at. I’m worried it’s making me too paranoid, because all of a sudden, life has become this constant assessment. When you put something out there and people get to hear it, then those people react to it, socially, culturally. – Laura Mvula
I listen to a lot of choral stuff at home, but I’m also liking Labrinth, Emeli Sande, Tom Odell and Wretch 32. – Laura Mvula
My parents were quite strict; we couldn’t just listen to whatever music we wanted. It was very much like they monitored what we listened to. – Laura Mvula
I thought I had to help people get me, but I don’t think they need to be spoon-fed. If you connect with me, that is cool. I don’t need the whole world to feel like I am a soul angel. – Laura Mvula
I’m not like my siblings, who are musical but can turn their hands to other professions! I’d always wanted to be involved in music – I’m a great believer in doing things that fulfil you. – Laura Mvula
I don’t talk about Amy Winehouse as a ‘singer.’ She’s a pioneer. I listened to her endlessly when I started writing. – Laura Mvula
Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did, and I’d say, ‘Well, it’s kind of jazz, soul, classical’ – but that makes no sense to anyone. – Laura Mvula
I come from an African Caribbean background. I’ve been influenced by a reggae church music style, contemporary gospel, and rock all fused together. – Laura Mvula
I regrettably wasted time at university by being overwhelmed and intimidated by the talent of other composers. I felt stuck and didn’t know what I was doing there. I enjoyed my experience, but I didn’t grab it in the way I would now. – Laura Mvula
‘Mvula’ is my married name, but for some reason my nan calls me ‘McVula.’ I’m not sure if it’s one of those jokey Caribbean things, or whether she’s just getting it wrong. – Laura Mvula
I had a very thorough grounding in music; I’d grown up around songs. My parents listened to a lot of music. My dad was majorly into jazz, which was absolutely a big influence on me, even if it was more subconsciously as a kid. – Laura Mvula
If I’m playing a gig in London, it feels so important. The adrenaline rush here is bigger than anywhere else. I kind of like the pressure that London puts you under. – Laura Mvula
I don’t think I always look in people’s faces, like, as – I think especially when I’m doing my more intimate songs that are quite personal, I always feel it’s a bit accusing if I stare in someone’s face when I singing quite a personal lyric. – Laura Mvula
If I’m uncomfortable on stage, everybody can see it. I’m not very good at hiding it. I like long, loose jacket dresses – anything that I can literally have room to move in – not that I’m a very big dancer, but because sometimes I’m sitting down at the keyboard, and then sometimes I’m standing. It just has to feel good. – Laura Mvula
I’m by no means a pianist. I think that’s safe to say, but the piano, for me, I would say it’s the enabler. It gave me what I needed and gives me what I need in order to write a song. And I think playing or improvising on the piano is where I feel most liberated and sort of less conscious of all my insecurities or inadequacies. – Laura Mvula
I love my complexion, but like so many of us, in the early years at primary school, I grew up thinking that my dark skin wasn’t a great thing. I’ve found freedom in music and songwriting, which has given me a freedom in how I present myself. I’m glad I’ve got makeup to celebrate that with. – Laura Mvula
I think, when I started writing songs, my voice just became another tool. It wasn’t something that I was going to try desperately to woo a listener. As long as I’m using my voice in a way that helps people understand what I’m trying to say, then I feel like I’m doing all right. – Laura Mvula
I envy those who can wear red lipstick or any bold lip colour, really. My top lip just doesn’t seem to take colour – there’s nothing I can do to change that, so I usually just use a nude on the bottom lip. – Laura Mvula
