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The Alternative R&B Duo LO BOII Discuss New Music, Favorite Collaborations So Far and More!
Posted On 22 May 2019
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Lo Boii is an alternative R&B duo comprised of producer/writer Aaron Kleinstub (aka Aalias) and vocalist/writer Corey Latif. Hailing from Philadelphia (Corey) and Cleveland (Aaron), they have amassed an impressive list of songwriting/production credits with some of today’s biggest names in music: Rihanna, Usher, Eminem, Chris Brown, DJ Snake, and more.
Both former Berklee students, they met in NYC while Aaron was continuing his music education at Juilliard.
Citing bands like Depeche Mode, Human League, Fine Young Cannibals, Outkast and Tears for Fears as major influences, they have combined many genre and eras of music into an incomparable new package.
Lo Boii recently released their debut track “Floor Seats.” It is an excellent r&b and pop mash-up that incorporates a subtle interpretation of Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.”
Learn more about Lo Boii in the following All Access interview:
Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day for you both?
Discussing video treatments with our awesome creative director, Lauren Kessler, for our upcoming single Sweeter, and potential follow-up singles for our album.
Now that we are well into the 5th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 is treating the band so far? What are some goals that you have for this year? How are those New Years Resolutions going?
2019 has definitely been good to us. The reaction to our first single “Floor Seats” has exceeded our expectations so far. Some of our goals include having a project release on both coasts, and to be performing by mid summer. We don’t really believe in New Years Resolutions because everyday is an opportunity to seize the moment!
Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this band together? Has anything surprised you about this musical journey so far?
Absolutely, like it was yesterday. The first time we wrote a song together without having the constraints of writing for someone else, we made something that felt uniquely ‘us’. That’s when we knew we had to form a band of our own.
How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you both carry yourselves in this band?
Both Philly and Cleveland are places with a rich musical history. Inspired by great people and real life situations we try to capture in our music.
Why would you say that you two work so well together? Where is one of you weak where the other is strong and vice-versa?
We both have a deep appreciation for music’s culture and technique, and we speak complementary yet not entirely overlapping musical languages. We also both want to bring what we’ve learned and loved to the ever evolving new wave of music.
Let’s talk about all your incredible songwriting credits. It’s quite an incredible list of musicians. Which one or ones would you say that you proudest of right now? Or which ones really stand out to you?
We’re most proud of Lo Boii but we’re certainly very fortunate to have worked with some amazing artists. For Corey, Chris Brown and Musiq Soulchild were both musically great to work with in their own ways. For Aaron, DJ Snake and Eminem.
How do you prepare mentally before you write a song or produce with a particular musician?
For other artists, we like to put in work ahead of time and study them and their music. We work out the fundamentals, which is trying to understand everything from their vocal range, to where they’re at in their lives and the things they need to say. The process for our own music is easier because we don’t have a third party to answer to, we just do what we feel.
What was it like recently releasing your debut single “Floor Seats”? What was the inspiration for this track? How did it compare to working with others on their music?
To finally put out music is such a release, we have so much of it and we wanted to come off strong. When you put out your music, it’s hard to convey just how much love was poured into the process. The inspiration was flipping one of our favorite songs, but by making it our own. It’s an experiment in self discovery. Having something to say, and getting to be the ones to say it, is an inimitable feeling.
Where do you think you are both happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?
Both studio and live music are equally enjoyable for us – they are exercises in the introverted and extroverted parts of performance. Sneaker stores and taco trucks also excite us.
What do you think makes an ideal performance for this band?
The ideal performance is when the fans can receive the music in that perfect singular way our favorite artists have made us feel. When the sound, visual, and delivery all demand the attention of everyone in front of us.
How do you think being musicians and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?
The goal as an artist is to guide people to feel as close to your emotions as possible, by creating something outside of yourself that is absolutely a part of you. Being able to do that, and make a living in the process, is a dream.
We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?
For now we just want to make people feel good and explore love. In a way, that statement can span the realm of the personal as well as political, if you allow it to. If we think love doesn’t affect politics, we underestimate the power of love. There are plenty of great artists speaking explicitly on the politics of today, and we are certainly fans of the ones who do it well. Kendrick, Cole, and Chance to name a few, they’re holding that down.
Who would you love to work with in the future?
Kaytranada, Nao, H.E.R., Drake.
Where would you love to hear your music being played? A TV show, a movie, in your favorite store, etc…?
We’d love to have one of our songs in the right movie as a theme song. We’re really inspired by classic 80’s movies (anything John Hughes). We even have a song called Time that we wrote while specifically imagining it to be a theme song in one of his movies.
What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?
We encourage people to interpret the songs how they want to. Every song speaks uniquely to each individual. At the same time we hope that people do connect with our intent in creating the music, which is spreading love and freedom.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about your music?
Stream it! The debut project will be out by the summer, but we have so much more in store.