Interview with musician and vocalist Leslie Loh

Leslie Loh took recently some time to answer a few questions about her latest release, Metamothosis. This disc has lots of beautiful harmonies combined with great songwriting and an avant-garde sensibility make it a multi-layered and multi-dimensional CD that is a very enjoyable listen. Loh’s voice is powerful when it needs to be and just as capable at conveying an almost ethereal mood when the situation dictates. The musicianship is fantastic and the instrumentation is fresh, innovative and highly creative. Here is what Loh had to say about Metamothosis.

Your brand new CD Metamothosis was released on May 11th. Now that it is complete how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Leslie: Pretty elated! It’s not been an easy journey. Even though it’s not taken years to come to this stage, it’s been a very intense period from the time I penned the first track for the album. A lot of things happened on a personal level, like my nephew being in a fatal car accident, then my grandparents’ passing one after another, and finally my Mom suffering from a brain hemorrhage during their funeral. It was all getting a bit too much to bear and I honestly thought I would need to take a long break if I were to carry on. But then I started feeling very inspired and had much to express, so I decided to put all the pain to good use! Metamothosis is really a docudrama of that journey I made. I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome. After all, everything came straight from the heart, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent it’s 100% me. And on top of that, I’d like to think that after all’s said and done I’m hopefully just at the beginning of a long and scenic journey!

Give us some insight into Metamothosis and the meaning behind its title?
Leslie: Metamothosis depicts the metamorphosis of my heart and mind throughout a relationship from the beginning right to the end. The 12 songs express the different stages from lust, love, pain to release. The title combines “metamorphosis” and the Chinese myth on moths. It’s believed that moths are the souls of our loved ones who have just passed away. It came about soon after the passing of my grandma. A moth the size of my hand flew into my room and the pattern on its wings resembled the pattern of my grandma’s favorite brown jacket! I was so intrigued that I went on-line to find out more. Then I got even more hooked as I found that we are all pretty moth-like in affairs of the heart. Like a moth to a flame, most of the time we dive blindly into a relationship and carry such blind faith that we ignore all the alarm bells! So, I thought it’s the perfect title for the content of this album, and I also get to pay a little tribute to my roots!

What can fans expect when they pick up a copy of Metamothosis?
Leslie: Great melodies… Visual lyrics… Cinematic arrangements… Raw emotions! You will find that you can’t really pigeon-hole my music, it’s a bit free form. When I write music, it’s straight from the heart, no preconceived ideas, just purely mood-based. On the whole, my music is melody-led which when scripted, delivers a cinematic experience. P.S. Oh, and the cover ain’t too shabby either!

How quick are you in the studio? Can you usually knock things out in a couple takes?
Leslie: Well, I’ve earned the nickname of Miss Speedy Gonzales, although that’s strictly applied to the studio scenario! I can usually finish writing a piece of music in less than 10 mins, if it’s just purely on the piano. Most of the time it’s best when I don’t think too much about it, just let the fingers wander around… And if I’m super inspired I get into a flow and all the instrumentation comes together in half an hour or so. Now if I’m not super inspired I just won’t bother till I hear the calling! When it comes to singing, it’s the same thing. Just flow and it comes!

What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Leslie: The toughest lesson for me tends to be outside of the studio! The studio is kind of like a haven to me, so it’s more like when I’ve had a tough time that’s where I go! As for the stage, I’ve learned to keep going no matter what happens. I was once invited to be the guest performer on a rather big fashion show (won’t name names here) in the Exhibition & Convention Center. I was playing my electric violin whilst standing in 5-inch heels on a revolving stage 7-feet high. I was right in the middle of the set and the crowd was getting extremely euphoric.

The organizers first switched the spotlight off me. That didn’t take away the attention, so they decided to mess around with the revolving of the stage so it was starting and stopping the whole time. That didn’t stop me even though I was really pi**ed off. Then they cut the power, so my electric violin couldn’t function. Well, I carried on but just making more elaborate gestures. Till the end, the crowd was out of control, they were never going to shut me up! After the show, I was so mad that I kicked down the changing room door! The next day, they called and apologized, stating that they were only trying to appease the fashion houses because I was stealing the limelight. That’s an example of the show must go on even if the ceiling falls down!

Are the any tracks on this disc that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
Leslie: The entire album is a depiction of one big story, my story! So everything is personal and means an awful lot to me. Throughout the course of writing this album, I went through shit! My heart was trodden on by what felt like a million stiletto heels! 2 songs manage to get my tear ducts working every time I perform them without fail: This Is Me & Mark of Honor. The former happened in a phase where I had had enough of the idiot galore that were coming in and out of my life. It’s a very honest song, but to be honest you have to be open and that’s when you feel all the pain the most. The latter happened right after my nephew got into a fatal car accident. I remember when I got the call from my brother I was just getting ready to go into the studio. I had already a melody in mind, but the lyrics were purely inspired by what happened and to this day it still affects me.

What’s your musical background?
Leslie: I’m a classically trained musician. Mom was a classical music teacher, so as the youngest of 5, I followed my sisters’ footsteps and picked up the piano and violin at the age of 3. Then I trotted the natural path and went through all the grading with the Associated Board of Music in Hong Kong. After a few awards at the annual Music Festivals, I went to St. Leonards – Mayfield School in the UK, regarded as one of the most musical schools in the country. That was when all the passion and technique came together. I was able to join an orchestra and performed regularly, eventually being the Head of Orchestra. Then later I was selected to be the first violinist in the National Youth String Academy and also went on to play in the Symphony Orchestra in Bristol University. From then till now, I’ve immersed myself in other music styles from R&B, rock to hip-hop. Along the way, I’ve developed a very strong passion for scoring as well.

Are there any contemporary musicians that you admire?
Leslie: Well, there are a few, where do I start? I appreciate different artists for different things. One of my favorites is Alicia Keys. I love the way she plays the piano and her soulfulness. I relate to her as she’s also classically trained and her melodies are outstanding! I also like Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Tori Amos, pretty much anyone who plays. I also admire the greats in film music, like Hans Zimmer. His ingenious instrumentation and addictive melodies have my creative juices flowing!

If you could jam with any famous musician, dead or alive, from any century, who would it be and why?
Leslie: Now that’s a million dollar question! I’m a bit greedy I’m afraid I can’t set my heart on any one. I grew up listening to Bach and every time I performed his oratorios or having to dissect his chords and highly theoretical structure in my music course I’d say “I’d love to meet this guy!” When it comes to someone more contemporary, I’d say Seal. I think we would make a good team!

What has been the most memorable moment of you career so far?
Leslie: I guess nothing beats knowing my fans in the UK were dropping everything to follow me on a tour across the nation that lasted best part of a year. I still remember when I was backstage before my show in Dublin, Ireland, when I was told some fans were waiting for me outside. As I was a newcomer to the scene at that time, I thought there was a mistake and that they were there for another act, until they pulled out my poster and asked for my autograph! They had followed me up and down the country!

Do you have any touring plans for 2010?
Leslie: Yes, some festivals in Europe and a few gigs in the States. Other than that, I’ll be focusing on the promo for this album, and starting recording my next album!

Any closing words?
Leslie: Don’t even think about getting into this business unless you’re crazy, dripping with passion and a tendency to charge ahead like a mad bull!  [ END ]