5 Things You Need To Know About Musician Lianne La Havas

Soulful singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas made her Hong Kong debut last week at the second instalment of The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental's MO Bar Unplugged series. Playing an acoustic set in the cosy setting of the hotel’s MO Bar, it was an intimate performance that really allowed la Havas’ star to shine as she played her hits, a few b-sides, and an incredible cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Say A Little Prayer”. Aside from her obvious talents, la Havas’ unguarded and sweet demeanour made the show an even more memorable experience. We had the chance to sit down with the Grammy-nominated artist before the show to learn more about her, including the inspiration behind her very personal album, 'Blood', and why she chooses to live cruelty-free:

1. She was born into a musical family

Above Photo: Courtesy of The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental

“I think you’re born musical, and by that, I mean certain people naturally lean towards being able to sing and play music. I do feel like music is in my blood somehow. My dad plays music, one of my uncles is a singer, my other uncle is a classical guitarist and everyone on my dad’s side of the family plays the piano. I personally love learning a new instrument—it’s very therapeutic.”

2. Her album ‘Blood’ is about her Jamaican heritage

Above Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

"My mother and I went to Jamaica in 2014, which was around the time I was making my second album. Despite being half Jamaican and being raised in a very Jamaican environment, I had never actually been to Jamaica, so it was really special for us to go together. It was amazing—truly breathtaking—one of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

It was also weirdly familiar; I knew all the food, I understood Jamaican Patois, and the homes were decorated the same way my aunties and grandparents had decorated our home back in England.

I had the opportunity to make some music out there with a guy called Stephen Mcgregor—who is the son of legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor—at their home studio in Kingston. It was a strange feeling. There I was in Jamaica feeling like "this is my culture", but of course England is also a big part of my culture. In the end, it was in the studio where I felt most at home; where I truly felt like myself."

3. She was nominated for "Best Female Solo Artist" at the 2017 Brit Awards 

Above Photo: Courtesy of The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental

"I was in New York, and it was 2 am when I got a phone call from my manager. When he told me I was nominated for a Brit Award, I screamed. I was really happy. I couldn’t believe that I could be nominated even though my album came out back in 2015.

It was a different sense of pride from the Grammys, which was huge, but I felt really proud to be acknowledged in Britain as a British female artist."

4. Her favourite movie is The Big Lebowski

Above Photo: Courtesy of Working Title Films

"I was on the flight over to Singapore, a 12-hour flight, and I just wasn't tired. I thought, OK, I'm just going to watch all the movies and one of them was one of my favourite films of all time, perhaps one of the greatest cult films ever made—The Big Lebowski. I watch it at least once a month, I just love it."

5. She's vegan

Above Photo: Courtesy of Peggy Chan

"I'm passionate about living cruelty-free. Back in London, one of my favourite places to eat is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant called Mildreds—there are three of them now—and they serve really delicious, hearty food that doesn’t feel forced. It’s not focused on any kind of weird fad or diet. It’s just focused on staying delicious and not using any animal products."

Listen to Lianne La Havas on Spotify here, and stay up to date with events at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental's events here.

Topics

Music Hong Kong The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Lianne La Havas

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