Introducing Interview: Lizbet Sempa

Previously featured as a ‘Discovery of the Week’ on Gigslutz, Lizbet Sempa is making waves with her smooth voice and natural vocal ability. In this interview, the London-born singer was kind enough to share her thoughts on her jazz heritage, internet successes, and motivations for making new music in 2016.

Hello Lizbet, How are you? What have you been up to this week?
Hey, I’m good thanks – just finishing off my last week of drama school.

Talk us through the process of writing and recording your single ‘All The Things’. Was it a quick or an arduous process?
It was quite a quick process. I had the idea all planned out – melodies and lyrics – and brought it to Tim Kellet. He loved it, and we both worked on it for an hour or two. Ben then worked his magical production on it.

You’ve had great success with the single, and you’re due to release an EP in early 2016. What can listeners expect from this release? Which track are you most excited about sharing?
More of me, and what I love. A track I’m really excited about releasing is called ‘Deep Inside’. I’ve been working on it with Alex Burey for a while now, and we’ve finally wrapped it up!

In a recent interview, you mentioned that your grandfather was part of the successful ’50s jazz band, Kampala City Six. To what extent does this musical heritage influence you?
Well, my Grandad played saxophone, sang and played jazz guitar and my other Grandad played the trumpet, so I guess playing musical instruments has been a big part of my musical heritage. I didn’t find out ’til really late that they were in a jazz band together, so then I started to understand why I composed the way I composed my music. Definitely in the blood.

You have over a million followers on your Soundcloud account. Do you think achievements like this define ‘success’ for a modern artists? What’s your own definition of ‘success’?
I think Soundcloud’s a good platform to share music all over the world, and I definitely do think this is a good online achievement. There are loads of modern artists getting mad plays on Soundcloud, really getting their music out there, and I think it’s great. It’s even opening new paths for musicians, landing them deals etc. So, I think you can make what you want of it.

Success to me in the industry is truly making the music I love. It’s easy to get lost in the clouds or watching what other people are doing and comparing yourself; I’m not interested in that. Success to me is about being consistent, constantly growing and developing musically and mentally. Having people listen to it and reach out to me is amazing too, and it touches me that I inspire others.

You supported Ghostpoet on tour after reaching out to him through social media. Are there any bands or artists you’d like to be approached by via the internet?
Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Taylor Mcferrin, Hiatus Kiayote, Jamiroquai Quadron, Kendrick Lamar… The list could go on and on.

Are there any bands you’re looking forward to seeing live before the end of the year?
I really want to see Hiatus Kiayote.

In three words, describe your musical ambitions…
Growth, Truth and Gold.

Huge thanks to Lizbet for answering our questions!

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut