The WAVE: JUNE '17

Leona Lee Lou
Tell the readers who you are and where you’re from?
My Name is Leona Cuffy, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire
in the UK. Leona is my music name.... Lee Lou
is my modeling name. So now I've become known as
Leona Lee Lou.
Musically how would you describe your style?
I would say my musical style is silky, soulful and easy
listening I balance big vibes with soft vocals.
You are a very diverse artist. You cover multiple genres
such as hip hop, DnB to Soul / RnB. How are you
able balance all of those different styles?
I grew up belting ballads with my family my Caribbean
roots obviously influenced my love for music. Over the
years really singing loud everyday would bug my mum
and the neighbors so I began learning how to float
with a silky vocal instead so that I wouldn't be heard.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Musical influences...to name a few: Leanne Le Havas,
Dusty Springfield, David Bowie, Billie Holiday, Andrew
Sisters. All different, but all bringing something
@leonaleelou
@revolverandleona
unique to the plate.
What does Leona want to accomplish in this industry?
This industry is tough. It can chew you up and spit you
out. So being part of it you need thick skin. All I want
is to wake up and know that I left a legacy musically. I
have so many lyrics and melody lines in my head that
I dream about it I even started an impromptu jam session
with people that have never met to see if strangers
skills but with no project outline could create musical
fusion together and it worked so so well. Revolver and
I called them the Subliminal Jam Sessions. So I just
want to keep making music. It feeds my soul and clears
my mind....It’s what I do.
If you had to pick one genre of music to work in for the
rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I love many genres and so never stuck to just one type
of genre to listen to. If I had to pick one genre? That’s
easy Drum and Bass. It’s influenced by so many genres.
So yeah, easy choice.
f you had a wish list of artists to work with, who would be
your top 4… in order?
Top 4 artists… hmmn. 1) Leanne Le Havas her jazzy
guitar lines and soulful vocals sooth my ears. 2) Chris
Martin. ColdPlay. Their first Album blew me away. 3) Sia.
I have followed Sia since I heard the track Breath Me. She
isn't vocally the best artist out there but her unique sound
and weird quirks make me love her. 4) BLUMARTEN.
These guys are like Drum and Bass God's to me. I'd love to
be a vocalist for them just one time. I'd die happy
You are also an actress. Any projects coming up that you
would like to share?
I am acting for movie shorts that are being submitted for
various film festivals.
If you had to make a choice would it be acting or music?
I’m naturally creative and so the opportunity to be part of
creative projects inspires me in a different way than music
does.I however could never choose between the two.
Music is my love and my passion. Acting is me flexing my
creative “extra” personality.
What is the next thing on the table for Leona Lee Lou?
On the table for me are a few mini projects with IN:DEEP
a sick Drum and Bass label based in Austria. Music with
the Soulful Muwamba, from Texas, and more recently
some music with BossCode out in Ohio. The really juicy
projects however, are the ones that Revolver and Leona
create. We have been creating our sound for the last 5
years and after a little break we will be back with some
super dope beats...trust me it’s going to be a real treat and
that’s what y’all need to be holding out for.
50 | @thewaveX
If you could work with any artist in their prime, just 1,
dead or alive who would it be?
If I could work with anyone dead or alive taking stock of
some of the amazing talent this world had to offer it would
be too hard to choose. I think I’d have to say… a tune with
Burt Bacharach would be awesome. Who knows what
would happen!
Who are you listening to right now?
Right now I’m listening to Calibres new album. It’s too sick
you should all grab a download.
Where can we see and hear more of Leona Lee Lou?
Catch me here:
www.facebook.com/leonaUK
www.soundcloud.com/leonauk
www.soundcloud.com/revolver_and_leona
Instagram @leonaleelou @revolverandleona
@wavemag | 51