An Interview With The Musician, LO BRITE on Her Baroque Style Pop Soul Music and More!

In September, the musician, Lo Brite released her debut self-titled EP. The collection was produced and recorded with Tim V. Hutton in the musically historic and mystically laced twists and turns of Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon at The Canyon Hut studio which is co-owned with his brother Dash Hutton (drummer for HAIM).  The EP was mixed by Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty, Ryan Bingham, Johnny Cash) at Plyrz studio and mastered by Richard Dodd (Gavin DeGraw, The Lone Bellow and Iron and Wine) in Nashville. “Lo Brite” captures a landscape contrasting darkness and light, transporting gentle and unrestrained melodies into baroque style pop.

Originally from the heartland of Indiana, Lo Brite grew up in gospel church. Her father, a pastor, would mash the keys of an out-of-tune upright piano in their dining room while her mother sang gospel tunes alongside. Early in her childhood, Lo began listening to albums by Nina Simone, Otis Redding, Carol King, Donovan and Michael Jackson.

Her interest in music finally led her out of Indiana, to the bustling cityscape of Chicago, and then to Los Angeles. Lo Brite was born from a collection of songs written on a Casio keyboard while living in a Los Feliz cottage.  In 2012, she began making amateur recordings and performing acoustic shows, launching her path as a recording artist and the release of “Lo Brite.”

Learn more about Lo Brite in the following All Access interview:

Congrats on releasing your debut self-titled EP last month! What did that feel like finally putting that out into the world? How long had you been working on that collection?

Honestly, it was a long time coming so it felt really good.  I wrote a large collection of songs while living in a cottage in Los Feliz and “Know When To Quit” came out of that collection.  I then moved to various places in LA – three times in three years and wrote “Sunset”, “Surrender” and “Runaway.”

Can you describe the process of putting the EP together? What was the inspiration for the songs on it?

Prior to recording, I had always performed these songs alone on a piano. So, creating what is now the fully realized arranged versions took some time and sonic play with my collaborators.  I was very fortunate to be surrounded by talented musicians who understood what I was trying to communicate.

I’ve been writing songs for quite some time so it was definitely a challenge to choose which 4 to include on the EP.  I feel like the songs that landed on it, chose me in a way.  Each song is very personal. When I shared these particular songs with people either at home or live – there was an immediate connection with listeners.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before?

I started calling it baroque style pop soul because people kept asking me what type of music I play. It is dramatic, sometimes melancholic pop, with soulful words and sounds.

What was your musical upbringing like? How did you first get started performing? Was your family always supportive of this passion?

I grew up in a gospel church – electric guitars and bass, upright piano, drums, saxophone, multiple tambourines, harmonic vocals.  Incredible music really – full of power and soul.  I listened to a lot of R&B records that belonged to my parents.

I first got into performing at an early age through the community theater.  I loved musicals and singing – It was a great feeling to escape into another world. I took piano lessons for a very brief time and played clarinet in school as well.

My family has always been very supportive of my artistic passions.  They encouraged me to do what I love and share my heart.

What artists have consistently been inspiring you and your music through the years?

So many…from singer songwriters Patty Griffin to Sia – Pop geniuses from Michael Jackson to Whitney Houston – Classic R&B artists such as Nina Simone and Etta James – Rock artists such as Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty.

Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

Well, I am slated to work with the incredible Jim Scott on the full length. I definitely would love to work with Paul Epworth too.

How often are you performing these days? What do you think makes a perfect show to you?

I’m starting to play shows around LA.  I played the EP release show on Oct. 17th at an intimate Russian bar in West Hollywood called Bar Lubitsch. The perfect show is a room full of people who want to listen.

What do you hope is the message of your music? Is there anything that you hope listeners take away from your songs?

That we are all connected in the heart – there is an internal understanding that only transcends through music.  I hope listeners take away a personal truth.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Music is my way of dealing with what life gives you.  It can make the greatest times even better and the worst times seem possible to survive.  Everything in between, is just that.