Lolene is a name that if you don’t know now, you’ll definitely know her very soon. She’s been creating a sensational buzz and garnering attention for her attitude-heavy, pop songs like “Sexy People” and “Rich (Fake It ‘Till You Make It)”. Hailing from London with a skew of impressive song-writing credits under her belt so far. Lolene’s debut album, “Electrick Hotel”, is set to shake up the music industry. Between prepping for a U.S. tour, promoting “Elecktrick Hotel”, and being drop-dead gorgeous it’s an honor and an wonder that Lolene, the self-professed ambassador of love, had the time to talk to Greedmont Park about her new music, off-beat style, and dance.
“Sexy People” is a slinky pop song that dropped in late ’09. It seems to have been dusted off with glitter and lust because the track is not only ear candy, but genuinely irresistible. I asked about the buzz that the track got and if she expected it. “I think it’s a diamond, dance song and it celebrated sexiness. Who doesn’t want to feel sexy?” “Sexy People” was a show-stopping number, but “Rich (Fake It ‘Till You Make It)” is just as sexy, but the attitude is heavier ten-fold. I had to figure out what was the inspiration behind the tune. She responds,
“It is about living your life like you have made it even if you haven’t. You have got to believe in yourself and live like a billionaire even when you’re flat broke.”
Being flat broke seems like a problem of the past with comparisons to fellow pop mavens like Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. She takes the comparisons in stride and says, “I think we as brave female artists making pop music are always going to get compared just like Madonna and Cindy, Britney and Christina. It is a great time for pop music, right now. It’s something that I have been making for a few years, so I’m blowing lots of pop bubbles in my bubble bath!” Unlike her pop counterparts her roots aren’t American, she originally hailed from the U.K. I decided to inquire about the difference between the U.S. and U.K. in reference to fashion and music. She jabs, “Musically, the biggest difference is how segregated the radio stations are.” She quickly lightens the mood and comments on European versus American fashion and says, “With fashion, I think Europeans tend to wear fewer clothes!” with a giggle. She describes her own style and fashion inspiration simply as “With fashion [and style], I am inspired by London and whatever fits.”
Lolene cites Kate Bush, Rick James, Madonna, and Ace of Base as some of her musical inspirations that reasonably leaves me to ponder what direction her debut album, “The Electrick Hotel” will take. She speaks on her project sharply, “You can expect an eclectic mix of inspirational pop music that is going to have you dancing, but also music you can relate to for the times in your life when shit happens” she cites some examples, “Like not being able to pay your bills or a bad break up.” On the actual concept and title of the album Lolene shares that she wants everyone to be a guest in her special kind of hotel. “It is a concept I conceived two years ago. It means I am a hotel of music and you are my audio guest. Check in; check me out and you will never want to leave.” You’ll hear all of her inspirations in her music, genuinely. “I grew up in 90’s music culture, dance and pop so you can definitely hear this authentically in my album ‘The Electrick Hotel’.”
Lolene isn’t new to the industry. She has collaborated with paramount names in the industry making danceable, pop music for the world to bop their heads to from Makeba Riddick (Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyonce), Evan Bogart (Beyonce, Leona Lewis), Danja (Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado), and Harvey Mason Jr. (Chris Brown, Jordan Sparks) to name a few. With more noteable collaborations with Kanye West, T-Pain, and Rick Ross too. With her now signing to Capitol/Emi and being full-throttle in the pop machine where image sometimes overrides content, I had to ask about how important in the pop world does she feel it is to be able to write your own hits. “A lot of artists making pop music don’t write their own music and that’s okay, but for me it’s super important as I consider myself an artist and that doesn’t involve someone else holding my brush.” No one is holding Lolene’s brush at all, and I had to ask her about not only being a artist, but now being the focal piece in the Louvre of entertainment, so to speak. “I have always been at the forefront of my front room.” She giggles and continues, “It feels natural, I was born to perform, and it is what I have always wanted. Love lifts us up where we belong.”
Lolene has small requests from life, but that’s partly because she’s living her dream, now. She talks candidly about what she wants people to get from her music and performance. She invisions people saying, “Damn, she’s dope!” she laughs and sums it up quite eloquently, “There is someone who takes her music and blessings to the limit and continues to push boundaries and be fearless, brave and unstoppable.” Unstoppable, indeed. Lolene is not just an ambassador of love, but great pop music for confident and smart ‘sexy people’ looking for the new cool. Look out for Lolene near you. Lolene will be on tour in the U.S. this Summer, exciting videos, and Miss Foo Foo Inc. madness. I can feel the love and the wealth.
- Myles E. Johnson
