Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did, and I'd say, 'Well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical' - but that makes no sense to anyone. Laura Mvula More Quotes by Laura Mvula More Quotes From Laura Mvula I respect hippos. They just look the way they do; they can't do anything about it, but they don't seem bothered. Laura Mvula hippo looks way My songs are very personal, which means they are fantastically therapeutic to write, but performing them night after night is emotionally draining. Laura Mvula writing song mean Who made you the center of the universe? Laura Mvula center-of-the-universe universe made I really love jazz, but I will never be a jazz musician as much as I dream. But, I think that the jazz music I love is there in my music. Laura Mvula dream love-is thinking My parents encouraged us to commit to things, so if we wanted to learn an instrument, it was all the grades and all the theory. Laura Mvula instruments parent theory I always said when I was younger, I wanted to write film music, and I think that's what my ultimate dream is. Laura Mvula dream writing thinking You don't have to aim to be the best of everything, thinking that one day you're going to be the top of the world; I don't think it exists. Laura Mvula one-day world thinking I don't talk about Amy Winehouse as a 'singer.' She's a pioneer. I listened to her endlessly when I started writing. Laura Mvula amy pioneers writing I love church buildings, particularly cathedrals, and I like living in spaces that remind me of music or evoke that creative energy. Laura Mvula space church creative I like pastels and lighter shades on darker skins. I feel like it lifts everything and accentuates being chocolate. Laura Mvula shade chocolate skins Lizz Wright is my favourite singer. Her voice moves me and takes me to another place. She also grows her own food and that inspires me. Laura Mvula voice inspire moving London audiences have this reputation for being a bit too cool for school. Laura Mvula reputation london school I write songs from the heart, and I don't hold back. Laura Mvula heart writing song I remember listening to Miles Davis in the car with my dad. I had just done my Grade 5 piano exam, and I was quite cocky. I said, 'It sounds like he's played the wrong note there.' I remember the look of horror on my dad's face, and thinking, 'Wow, I have to figure out why that is not acceptable.' Laura Mvula cocky dad thinking Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did and I'd say, well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical - but that makes no sense to anyone. Now I say I just write my own songs. I thought I had to help people get me, but I don't think they need to be spoon-fed. If you connect with me that is cool. I don't need the whole world to feel like I am a soul angel. Laura Mvula angel writing song 'Green Garden' is about beauty and joy and lush green and dance and excitement and smiling from within. Laura Mvula green dance joy beauty I have a younger brother and sister who actually play in my band, and we were always into Disney music, big time. The first time I heard myself sing was when I recorded myself singing a Disney song. I remember it because it was awful, and I didn't expect to hear that. I think it was 'A Whole New World' from 'Aladdin.' Laura Mvula myself music brother time I envy those who can wear red lipstick or any bold lip colour, really. My top lip just doesn't seem to take colour - there's nothing I can do to change that, so I usually just use a nude on the bottom lip. Laura Mvula nothing envy red change I regrettably wasted time at university by being overwhelmed and intimidated by the talent of other composers. I felt stuck and didn't know what I was doing there. I enjoyed my experience, but I didn't grab it in the way I would now. Laura Mvula talent experience time way Topshop is one of my favourite shops, and I love shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti. There's a graduate fashion designer called Kate Falcus who makes me beautiful commissioned pieces - one of my favourites was the white Glastonbury dress she made me with the puffy skirt. Laura Mvula dress me beautiful love
