LENN
English singer/songwriter LENN released her new single “Cheap Talk” on June 1st.
The Bristol-based artist unveiled her authentic pop sound with the debut single “I Know How” released in March, followed by her latest single “Cheap Talk”.
The 22 year old singer/songwriter recently unveiled the “Cheap Talk - Remixes” which includes remixes from LENN’s collaborator Lex (Starley, SIGMA, Kamille, Hannah Jane Lewis, TS Graye and Rothwell), as well as London-based production team HANNIE on the second remix, and a remix from MÜNE, a 23 year old producer from India.
“Writing this song was therapy for me. I suppose I had a build-up of feelings that I didn’t know what to do with, but after a good vent, ‘Cheap Talk’ was formed….and now I’m over it [laughs],” explains LENN.
“Cheap Talk” is now available worldwide.
Introduce yourself.
Hey, I’m LENN. I’m 22 years old (soon to be 23), living in Bristol, working full time and making music whenever I can.
Tell us a little bit about your childhood. What’s your story?
I grew up north of London in Hertfordshire. I am the second oldest of five siblings and we’ve had lots of pets, so there was always something to do.
When did you realise you could sing?
During a music class at school we had to recite a tune. Most people played it on piano, but I decided to sing it and everyone looked a bit surprised and, to my surprise, my music teacher told me I sang really well!
What got you into music?
The first thing that really sparked my interest in music was watching The Aristocats when I was 9 years old and I started getting lessons on the harp as a result.
When did you start writing songs?
When I was about 14. I started teaching myself the guitar. Before you ask, no I never got any good and don’t play it anymore, but it was a good tool to start writing my first songs to the only chord progression I could play - C G Dm…
You recently released your latest single “Cheap Talk”? How did this song come about? What’s the story behind it?
‘Cheap Talk’ is about a relationship that I was in a while ago and the way that things ended. I started ranting about it in the studio and that heated discussion became the foundation for the lyrics. We started playing with some chords and melody idea and we had a piano demo by the end of the day.
Watch the “Cheap Talk” lyric video here.
Describe us your writing process. How do you usually work?
My co-writer, Lex, and I will usually chat through an idea that has been floating around in one of our heads. From there we make a Google Doc to list a whole bunch of lyric ideas down, make a playlist of songs that inspire the vibe we’re after and then Lex (who is also the producer of my music) will get some chords down and we’ll gradually piece together melody which helps form the lyrics. We’ll go over and over an idea, being super picky and keep refining it until we’re both really happy with what we have. If one of us isn’t completely loving it - then we believe there’s something better out there and we just need to find it.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
It varies! People around, situations, other musicians, things that niggle at me… My Spotify playlist ‘In My Ears’ has all the songs that I’m listening to and loving at the moment - I (try my best to) update it every Friday.
How would you define pop music?
I don’t buy into the whole ‘pop is cheesy’ or ‘it all sounds the same’ thing. For me it’s what is good and what people want to listen to… therefore POP-ular (!)
What makes a good pop song?
For me a good pop song is one that has the kind of melody you can’t help but sing along - the ones where not knowing the words doesn’t stop you getting into it.
Who’s helping you shape your career? Who are you currently working with?
I’ve worked closely with Lex from the start - around a couple of years ago. We work really well together. I recently did some writing with HANNIE, who are awesome. They did a remix for ‘Cheap Talk’ which is a lot of fun - hopefully we’ll get writing together some more soon.
You are from Bristol. How do you like living in this town? What do you like the most about it?
I’ve been in Bristol for the last one and a half years and I’m loving it. Do you know what, my absolute favourite thing here is the hot air balloons. Where I grew up if we saw a hot air balloon my mum would yell to us and we’d all rush to the window to see it, because it was so rare. The first time I saw one here I got so excited, I just love them.
How would you describe the music scene in Bristol? Any artist(s) you’d like to recommend?
To be honest I haven’t had loads of time to explore the local scene much. I have met some great musicians here and it was really fun performing on local radio. Rothwell and TS Graye are releasing some great music at the moment they’re both from Bristol and are definitely worth checking out.
What’s the hardest thing about being an artist? And what is the best thing?
The hardest thing for me is getting enough time in the studio to keep moving at the pace I want to. Working full time to support myself and my music, whilst not letting that steal all of my energy is an almost impossible balancing act.
The best thing is when you get to that one point in a writing session where something happens - maybe a melody or lyric idea or production idea - and it all just clicks and you can’t wait to get back to working on it.
Any upcoming project(s)?
The next single is being produced as we speak - I’m so excited for this one to come out, it’s my favourite so far. The single after that is half-written at the moment and I’m at that point with it where it’s starting to feel really good.
Listen to the “Cheap Talk” Remixes here.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
People communicating better with each other.
What’s your purpose?
To do my best with what God gave me and make music that people enjoy and can relate to.
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