Lusaint talks about fashion and touring in France for the first time | Interview

“Self Sabotage was written at a time in my life when I was feeling a little vulnerable, and the journey towards my next steps was unclear,” explains Lusaint. “I wanted to explore every small detail that was creating those problems and solve them through lyrics and melody. After creating a few voice notes on my phone and singing melodies that were slightly outside of my comfort zone, yet fell so naturally, ‘Self Sabotage’ was born and the dots quickly started to connect.”

Lusaint is a outstanding vocalist, surprising songwriter, and absolute kind-hearted individual. As she’s traveling for her very first Europ tour this fall, here’s an insightful interview, on her songwriting approach, the thrill of playing in France, and her experience at the Chanel fashion show.

The Manchester-born singer-songwriter released her captivating new EP ‘Self Sabotage’, on September 13th this year, featuring the emotionally-charged final single ‘Remember Me’, marking her original music debut.

The EP, produced by Blue May (Joy Crookes, Kano, George Fitzgerald), includes ‘Dark Horse‘, a track described by Wonderland Magazine as « brimming with emotional resonance and raw honesty.” It’s about “a past relationship that fell apart unexpectedly”, explains Lusaint, and was written with the legendary Eg White (Adele, P!nk, Florence and the Machine).

Also on the release is the upbeat jazz-infused ‘Fool For You‘, which has racked up over 1 million streams, 140,000 Shazam’s globally, received support from BBC Radio 1’s Victoria Jane and in Italy, reached #31 on the Top 100 Shazam Chart and #41 on the Italian National Radio Airplay chart. There’s the floating and introspective ‘Dream Life‘, ‘Sweet Tooth‘, which compares love to sugar addiction, and ‘Sober’, which explores the complex nature of letting go of a toxic relationship.

‘Remember Me’, is the final twist in the tale of this compelling narrative. It’s an unrelenting Bond-esque cinematic showstopper that fittingly rounds off proceedings with explosions of Shirley Bassey-style brass and dramatic violin strings. “It’s very much about a person realising what they had now it’s gone. The whole story is about those memories you created over a long period, and just how quickly they can be taken from you. Like all of my songs from the Self Sabotage EP, it not only stands for relationships but everything in your life. I love the fact that everybody can take their own meaning from the lyrics.”

Lusaint’s first Europ tour, and concerts in France!

Hailing from Stretford, Greater Manchester, Lusaint is about to hit the road and meet the people that love Soul music as much as she does, all accross the world.

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Go and meet Lusaint for the first time, with her full band!

• November 20: Le Makeda (France, Marseille) 
• November 23: Casiono Barriere (France, Deauville) 
• November 24: Le MeM (Frances, Rennes)
• November 27: Casino (Luxembourg)
• November 29: La Cigale (Paris) 
• December 1: Circolo Magnolia (Milan, Italy) 

Interview: Lusaint opens up about songwriting and touring in France

It’s s a great pleasure to address you a few questions for the making of SELF SABOTAGE EP and the preparing of your tour. Hopefully we’ll have the delight to meet up sometime during your tour in France, probably at La Cigale, in Paris. In the meantime, let’s make this a great moment. 

Marcus Gon: You’ve worked with Blue May for your debut EP,  who’s contributed to Jorja Smith and Joy Crookes latest works.
What did you love the most about Blue May, as a producer for your music?

Lusaint: I think his authenticity when creating sounds with bands is really unique. The blend of vintage sounds with modern production is something he can do well. It was great to have him for my first EP! 

Marcus Gon: We’ve seen your appearances on Taratata and RTL. Tell us about the thrill of these first gig experiences in France. 

Lusaint: The television appearance was my first time so the pressure was on, but as soon as I stepped foot on stage it was such a magical moment, almost out of body! And RTL too, moments I will never forget. I love performing the most, so to do this on very prestigious radio and tv, was so special 

Marcus Gon: You’re having your tour in France. Besides, this is not your first tour here. What do you want people to remember from your show? 

Lusaint: This tour is the first time with full band so I’m really excited for that, finishing at La Cigale with horn section too! I have some new songs i would love to share with the audience and really hope they love the music just as much live!

Marcus Gon: You were invited to the French designer exhibition, the Gabrielle Fashion exhibition. What fascinates you about the Chanel design and impact? And how well do you imagine Fashion and Music work together?

Lusaint: Chanel has and always will be my favourite designer so to have this invite really meant a lot. The timelessness, tailoring and inspection to detail has always inspired me. Not following certain trends and staying classic is also the one thing that has always made me love the brand.
Fashion and music together have always been a huge interest. The art behind both of them, merges in to something so beautiful.

Marcus Gon: Love your writing concept for Sweet Tooth, going from a sweets and candy related topic to an actual unhealthy relationship after effect. What does this song mean to you today?

Lusaint: I always love to sing this song the most on stage. As we ended up writing about a toxic relationship after starting the session on a lighter note, I always feel so much passion and aggression on the chorus. The ‘hate’ is real. Haha

Marcus Gon: Sober stands among my top favorite from the EP. Which one is yours and why?

Lusaint: Ahh thank you so much! I think Fool For You. This was the first song I wrote for the EP. And the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone to become myself as an artist. So I think for that reason, it will always be my favourite song

Marcus Gon: Finally, talking about growth, after looking to solve inner problems through this Self Sabotage EP, what have you learned about yourself?

Lusaint: I think while writing the EP, I wasn’t aware of how much I needed to write the music. And to move on from something I was going through. There are so many times I sing these songs, and I realise i no longer feel the same as I did,  but will always stay with me. I’ve definitely learned so much about myself in the past year! 

Marcus Gon: Thank you so much for your time, 

All the best.