It’s a typical grey Monday as my laptop trills out the video call ringtone. I’m meeting rising jazz soul artist, Lusaint, who soon pops up on my desktop, all blonde topknot and radiant smile. After some banter about miraculously managing to both see and hear one another despite being equally inept technophobes, Lusaint soon brightens up my morning with her infectious vitality and devotion to creativity. Keep reading to discover more about the Mancunian musician’s recent releases, creative process, and upcoming events.

Lusaint! It’s a pleasure to meet you. How are you feeling about your recent releases?

Hi! It’s great to meet you too. It's all very new to me, having original music out there. So, it’s been an experience, but probably my favourite thing to happen to date. To just have my own music out there - it feels completely different from anything I've done before. When you’ve got music that you’ve written, and it's out in the world, it's quite scary at first, but when you see people connecting with it there's no better feeling than that. So, I'm super happy!

It's great to hear your excitement, thank you. Could you share with us your earliest memory or experience with music?

I've been doing music for my whole life, but it probably first started when I was in primary school. I was part of choirs, and even though I was very shy as a young girl, I knew that singing was my way out. I put everything into that, and it was almost like a release to know that I could have that in my back pocket. I joined choirs, and I remember one day, my teacher heard me and asked me to audition for a solo part. After two weeks of overthinking, I was so, so, shy, but I did it, and I got the part. And it was only for a school play, but that was the start of something at least. Throughout secondary school, I didn't do much singing, but I knew it was there. From where I'm from and the school I went to, singing wasn't really something that you did. But in college, I made some CDs and handed them out to a few restaurants. Within two weeks, I got gigs all around Manchester, and it became my job very quickly. It was something that I never thought could be an income, but it became that.

I'm curious about how you gained confidence to move from the school play to doing live performances. It seems like a big step up - I'm interested to know how you made that leap?

I think over time, I gained more confidence and experience from being in front of people. Singing for me is something that I'm very confident with now. I still struggle with shyness socially and generally, I think, but when I sing on stage, it's a completely different feeling. It feels like the norm, and it's very calm.

As you mentioned earlier, singing has been a way for you to pave a path for yourself in life.

Yeah, it's a massive escape for me. It's like I'm allowed into a different world, even if it's just for a little while. When I'm writing or performing music, it's like I can step into this alternate reality that's not bound by the stresses of everyday life. It's amazing how it helps me cope with the everyday stressors, and now that it's essentially becoming my every-day life, it feels like a huge accomplishment.

Amazing. Okay, so, tell me about your covers. Your cover of ‘More Than Friends’ featured on Love Island gained significant attention and led to you getting signed. How has this impacted your career and your approach to making music?

That was about a few years later, I must have been around 20, I started doing covers – I recorded ‘More Than Friends’ with a friend of mine, actually. I released a bunch of these covers on various platforms like Apple and Spotify, and while I was doing gigs on the side, I was also working part-time in a retail store in the stockroom. At the time, I remember thinking, ‘Oh, it’s not going to make me any money, it’s just something I’m going to do as a hobby.’ The person I worked with told me to be patient, saying that eventually, I would start earning from it, but I was sceptical. But I kept at it because I loved it so much and I loved being able to sing and put it out there online. After releasing my fourth or fifth track, I started to gain heat and was able to quit my job. I remember being in the stock room thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m actually going to be able to leave this horrific job that I hate so much.’ I'll never forget that moment because it was a real proof to myself that I could make it as a musician.

Wow, that must have been an amazing feeling.

Yeah! And although I've always wanted to release original music, I didn't know how to start. Doing covers was a way in for me, and I tried to make them as original as possible by changing them up and making them my own. I never wanted to lose that original feeling towards music. Recording covers is something I'm super proud of, and it got me to where I am today. I know that there’s a lot of stigma behind being a ‘covers artist,’ but I think everyone has to start somewhere in order to make it.

Can you talk about your creative process when it comes to writing your own music?

I usually start with the melody. Throughout my day, I record voice notes of melodies that come to me. It’s different every time, to be honest, but sometimes I write with my partner, and he helps me select a few different melodies from my recordings. Then, we get together and he plays the guitar while I go through the voice notes. We try to piece things together and create the verse, bridge, and chorus. As we do that, I start to bring in the lyrics. Sometimes, I subconsciously come up with lyrics while recording the voice notes, so I try to incorporate those into the song. Although I write about specific things, I find that on a normal day, I am unconsciously thinking about something and then base the song on that.

Tell me more about your first single, ‘Dark Horse’. Can you share with us what inspired the song and your musical influences that shape your sound?

I think that track came together when we were in the studio all day. The lyrics were the main focus of the song – I mean, I’m just going to go into detail. I've kind of gone into detail about this before, but not specifically. The song was inspired by a past relationship of mine that ended quite unexpectedly. It took me a long time to get over it, and I found myself obsessed with the person even though I knew it was toxic. It’s that general experience of walking down the street and just hoping they’d be there, or walking into a café, like I wrote in the first line, and just looking for any traces of them. The song is about holding onto something that isn't good for you but is comfortable and familiar, and trying to find your way back to a normal life. When I wrote the song, I wasn't in a good place at all, and I felt really vulnerable. I think the lyrics reflect my desire to bring that person back into my life, even though I knew it wasn't healthy.

Do you feel that during moments of vulnerability or when you're going through a difficult time, you become more creative? Is it possible for you to channel negative experiences into something positive in the end?

Yes, I believe that when I am feeling those intense emotions, I become very creative in the moment. Strangely enough, I find that not just writing but other creative outlets like reading, film, art, and fashion become a huge factor in my life. They help me express my feelings, and I find myself gravitating towards these things to cope. It's like a way out or going back to what I said before about being in that other world. These outlets take me somewhere else, and when I’m writing music or engaging in other creative activities, I can go deep into myself. It's a whole different feeling when I am creating music compared to when I am in a good place. As strange as it sounds, there are a lot of positive things that come from being in a bad place because when I eventually get out of it, I have created something that I never thought I would have. So, while it may have its super low points, something good can emerge from it.

That's amazing! It's nice to know that even when something difficult is going on, it's possible to use it to create something positive. Speaking of which, your most recent single came out just over a week ago. Can you tell me about the inspiration behind the song?

The song is about being in a toxic relationship and going back to that person despite knowing it’s not good for you. I wrote it on acoustic guitar, and it had those dark elements thrown in, but I like the fact that it’s got band-led now, because it’s almost like a juxtaposition of the lyrics, in a way. My inspiration for the track came from artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, who are artists that I listen to constantly to be honest, and when I was invited to have the band behind me, I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to step further away from those kinds of cover style things and enhance that story in the EP. I love performing covers too, but performing my own music with the band feels amazing. I've only done one gig with them so far, but it was an unreal experience.

Was this the performance at the Dior event? Can you share with us your experience and what it was like to perform for such a prestigious brand?

Yes, it was an amazing experience performing at the Dior beauty event - celebrities, influencers, and other guests were invited on the Belmond Royal Scotsman train and one of the stops was at Gleneagles where I performed. It was my first show doing original music and I was absolutely terrified, but everyone in the room stopped to listen which was a huge moment for me. The venue was incredible, and it was a surreal experience.

How would you say that being signed has opened up more doors for you in your career so far?

Prior to signing, I was posting songs online once a week and my manager saw them and requested a meeting. We've been working hard to make sure the music is right, and we've explored different sides of my music. I wanted to explore my anger and move away from the ballads into more of a Jazz Pop lane, which was a risk, but it's something I feel confident about. My EP is a turning point for me and I'm excited to release more songs that mean a lot to me.

Great to hear! Are there any modern-day artists you draw inspiration from in your move towards Jazz Pop, or is it mostly old-timers?

I mostly draw inspiration from old-timers, but artists like Joy Crooks, Liane La Havas, and Celeste are also great examples of the band-led and jazzy style I'm pursuing. It's not easy to stand out in today's music industry, where a lot of music is electronic and produced with samples, which is still amazing. But for me, when I listen to old-time music with a band, I feel the lyrics and sound is more authentic, and you can feel that they wouldn’t have had it any other way. It's not just about the music, but also about the fashion, artistry, and how I come across online and on stage. All these things reflect who I am as a person, and I want that to be apparent to my audience.

You mentioned earlier how film, art, and fashion can be outlets for creativity. How would you describe your style, and do you have any other creative outlets aside from music, or is art and fashion a part of that world for you?

From a young age, fashion has always interested me because it provided an outlet for self-expression without revealing my personality as a shy and quiet person. I used to think that if I dressed the way I wanted, people would see me in a different light. My fashion, like my music, has a timeless quality and is something that stands strong as a representation of a strong, no-nonsense female. As a female artist in the industry, it can be challenging to come across as strong and focused on my music.

Absolutely – where do you find inspiration for your style and art?

I spend a lot of time in art galleries and other creative outlets to become the artist that I am. It's difficult to pinpoint what I gravitate towards, but I tend to do whatever I feel on that day. Sometimes, I need inspiration, and last night, I couldn't find anything on TV, so I went to the cinema alone and watched ‘Air,’ the new Jordan film, which was very inspiring. It was just what I needed to get through the night, and after watching the film, I came back and started writing music again. These creative outlets take me to another world, which I need a lot, especially at the moment.

How do you deal with writer's block or lack of inspiration? What advice would you give to aspiring artists who may be struggling with writer's block or a lack of inspiration?

For me, when I feel trapped or lack inspiration, I find it helpful to get out and experience different things. Going into nature, visiting an art gallery, or watching a film can be inspiring and I try to do something like that every day. I used to think that staying indoors and working was the right thing to do, but I realized it wasn't helping me mentally. Exercise is another thing that helps me, even if it's just going for a walk or run. When I have writer's block, I've learned that changing up my routine is important. Our bodies get used to the same things every day, and if we don't make changes, we become numb to them. I know it can be difficult to break from routine, especially in my line of work, but getting outside and being creative helps me be the best version of myself. Any aspiring artist should try to find what inspires them and make time for it, whether it's through nature, art, exercise, or any other means.

What about the idea of romanticizing your life and making yourself the main character – I know it’s a bit cringy but it’s like, if it works for me, I’m going to be the main character and pretend that I’m in a movie!

It's a great way to escape and benefit your mental health. Romanticizing your life and imagining yourself as the main character can be amazing for your brain health. Of course, it can be challenging because many people on TikTok who create videos about romanticizing their lives may not actually be doing anything romantic or positive. Nonetheless, I love the concept. As a creative, if you're not feeling inspired and creative, it can lead to bad mental health. That's why it's essential to get out and be as imaginative and creative as possible.

Sometimes, people believe that creativity needs to have a specific purpose or goal, but being creative just for the sake of it is crucial.

I realize that I need to prioritize doing things for myself, like going to the cinema on my own. It was actually my first time watching a movie alone, but it turned out to be a thrilling experience. I wanted the film to make me feel a certain way and it did, which made me so happy. And then after the movie, when I was walking home, I was able to reflect on everything without having to worry about anyone else's thoughts or op

Okay, we’ve got a couple of minutes left – can we expect a tour?

There will be a tour - there's no dates in motion yet, but the first gig that I do have coming up is at The Troubadour for this EP, and it will be on the 17th of May.

Lusaint, it has been a pleasure to meet you. Thanks so much and have a great day!

You too, thank you!