Page 103 - July ONLINE VERSION_Neat

ZGP: Do you believe there is a connection Sometimes you just need something to intervene Share - Follow - Like - Subscribe - Join
between music and the soul? Whether to change your mindset. Even if I was just writing
you are the performer or the listener. a song for an hour, I would feel better and want to
LOLO: While I'm a performer, I am also a listener; take a shower. Which was a big deal in those mo-
as a matter of fact, I was a listener first. It is what ments of depression, I did not want to do anything.
led me to want to make my own art. There is this The most helpful thing about writing songs was the L
ongoing conversation about the creation of things. ability to see what you are feeling on paper. Music
Music as osmosis can be scientifically explained in has always been the purest form of me showing my
theory, but in practice, how do we explain Beetho- heart. It is still often difficult to sing Shine. Now I
ven or Dolly Parton? There just seems to be some- have a little person and a husband. We are this force
thing bigger guiding that composing and writing. raising this little dude; there is a part of me that O
fears the day that my little man will be burdened
ZGP: Let's talk about the song “Shine” with anxiety and depression because it does impact
because I know personally that it is a very everyone. Sometimes, for a couple days and some-
powerful, inspirational song. I was very times much longer.
moved and received a renewed sense of
encouragement from listening to the song. ZGP: Where are you heading musically? L
LOLO: It was a personal song to me because I've LOLO: I am in the process of making a new album,
suffered from anxiety-induced depression. When being released the first quarter of next year. I've
this song was created, I was not doing well, living in given myself a lot of time to work because of the
NYC, and it was the end of 2014. Going into 2015, I little one and hopefully by then we will be able to O
was still struggling and not ok. I basically woke up tour more. I have a bunch of singles coming out,
one morning, phoned my then manager, and I was videos, I'm also writing two musicals, and another
like, I must go back to Tennessee and my parents. I musical slated on stage in Boston in spring of next
wasn't suicidal, but things could go wrong quickly if year. Raising my little dude and attempting to open
I hadn’t done something different. I was drinking so a Cat Café – Rock-A-Billy Cat Café’ and Rescue - in
much, and I have epilepsy, so drinking in excess is downtown Jackson, Tennessee. There is a huge cat
not good for my health. problem in our area and while we have plenty of
dog rescues, there is a lack of such a thing for cats.
At the Café you can visit the cats, adopt one, have a
snack, coffee, or an adult beverage. I’m super busy
but it feeds my ADHD is being used in a positive
and healthy way.

After coming home, I was doing a writing exercise
with a friend in NY – we would take turns exchang-
ing random words, and you would use that word to
create a song, a jingle or whatever. It was my turn
and I picked shine. And then I just sat down and
wrote it quite honestly for myself. I had to accept LOLO is a phenomenal
that nobody else can overcome this for you, you are woman and compassion-
going to have to do this. I wrote the song quickly ate humanitarian, willing
and made a demo and sent it to my manager. At to share her past sufferings
first it was difficult; I couldn't get through the first so that collectively we can
verse. It was a struggle to stand before people and all heal without compe-
wear your heart on your sleeve. It was very hard to tition. She has an intense
be that honest about my struggles. love for family, friends,
and cats. Lauren, Colton, and Xander
www.zoegracepublishing.com
102 www.zoegracepublishing.com ZGP Magazine ZGP Magazine lolomusic.com 103