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10 Questions with ... LoLo
October 3, 2016
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1. You have been driven to be a songwriter and singer since you were 15. Tell us about that and how it got you to L.A.?
I had very supportive and risk taking parents who understood my desire to create and believed in my commitment to it. So they helped me move it L.A. when I was 16. I had been traveling back and forth to Nashville to write with people there starting at 14, but I didn't want to focus on Country music. After enough hard work and begging they put a plan together with me to move to L.A. I was very lucky.
2. Did you enjoy the years where you performed in a "Broadway" setting? What did you learn from that?
Being a part of Spring Awakening was one of the most fun things I'll ever do in my life. What I learned is what my limits are. Eight shows a week is hard on you and you learn right away how to take care of yourself, so you can always be at 100%. It was helpful to learn that early.
3. It is said your rediscovered your roots when you recorded your first album, Wasted In Jackson. Tell us how that came about?
After living in New York and doing a Broadway show for three years straight, I wanted to talk about where I was raised in Tennessee and how it shaped me into who I am.
4. What were some of the experiences you've had that informed the songs on your new album, In Loving Memory Of When I Gave A Shit?
Most of it is too personal to tell -- the truth is I was going through a depression which was kick-started by some awful shit and I realized the only way across the water was to swim. I couldn't ignore it. I had to just dive in and deal with it. And in that process, I couldn't do anything but be who I am.
5. Tell us about the recording process with Jake Sinclair and the musicians involved.
Jake is the boy wonder! He is unstoppable and when you work with him you feel the same way! Our process was crazy; the writing was mostly the two of us. We got a few of our friends involved (Patrick Stump, Mike Viola, Mark Batson) on the writing side for a couple of tracks. And then on the actual recording side, we had a dream team in the room. It was crazy. I was on the road and they were cutting the tracks live with a band in a studio in L.A. and I was cutting vocals on top of that wherever and whenever I could. It was a lot of fun.
6. Any of the songs stand out as special to you?
They're all like my babies so it's hard to choose, but my favorite at the moment is "Dandelion."
7. How do you get your greatest pleasure in making music?
Singing brings me the greatest joy, always has, and I find constant joy in doing that. Also being able to collaborate with people, whether it's writing together, playing, sharing music with other artists. I love it all.
8. What is the toughest part of your job?
Staying healthy.
9. What has been your biggest career highlight?
I've been lucky to have a few highlights so far. The most recent one is having the Panic! At The Disco album, Death Of A Bachelor, that I contributed to, go Gold!
10. What are your touring plans?
I've been on the road since October 2015 and that will just keep rolling on. We are just finishing a run supporting the talented guys that make up Thirdstory, and I'm in the process of putting together a tour for the beginning of next year!
Bonus Questions
How did you get the stage name LoLo?
It's been a long-time nickname (thanks to one of my best friends Alex Stamm) and if you know me it suits me.
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