Lorna Blackwood: Self Discovery Is A Beautiful Thing

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04/11/24 • 37 min

In this week’s episode of More In The Moni Ben Hughes chat’s to music industry singing legend Lorna Blackwood. Lorna stands at the forefront of vocal production and coaching, boasting an impressive list of clients that includes the likes of George Ezra, Tom Walker, Dua Lipa, and more. Her expertise spans from warming up techniques to preparing for major TV performances. Some of her renowned clients, such as Tom Walker, Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, Grace Carter, Mabel, and George Ezra, have praised her work. Dua Lipa even humorously claims that all she needs is "Honey, Lemons, and Lorna.”
Her innovative approach to vocal coaching has led her to work with industry giants like Years & Years, Rae Morris, Dan Caplen, The XX, Sampha, Tom Misch, and more. She has honed the vocal talents of artists such as Tom Grennan, Taya, Grace Carter, and Youngr for their performances and sessions. Recent additions to her roster include Maisie Peters, Mae Stephens, Baby Queen, Victor Ray, and Michael Aldag.

Whether artists require vocal coaching or expert guidance in vocal production, Lorna possesses the expertise to unlock the full potential of their voices and help them cultivate a lasting and invaluable musical tool. “You have to do the practice yourself, ten minutes here, ten minutes there, make sure you’re doing 3 workouts a week, make sure you’re doing a cool down, make sure you’re doing a warm ups every night.

Listen to this latest More In The Moni episode and tune in to the game changing interview where Lorna reveals many industry insights, top tips and gorgeous goss.

https://linktr.ee/yehyehben

Listen to this latest More In The Moni episode and tune in to the game changing interview where Lorna reveals many industry insights, top tips and gorgeous goss.

https://linktr.ee/yehyehben

Previous Episode

John Garrison: Leave Your Ego At The Door

This episode of “More In The Moni” features musical powerhouse John Garrison, bass player for James Blunt, Robbie Williams and producer for Ed Sheeran...to name a few things. I first met John Garrison in 2011. We’ve been friends ever since and we bump in to each other once in a while when we’re not busy! John knew from a very early age that music was his calling. His father, a brilliant violinist and head of the music department at Warwick University, had a profound influence on him. Growing up on the campus of Warwick, John would walk through the halls and witness kettle drums, harps, and grand pianos waiting to be played. Music surrounded him, but he had a particular love for pop music, even though his father's taste leaned more toward classical compositions.

Years later, John founded the British alt-rock band Budapest, among numerous other incredible achievements. I had the opportunity to catch up with John online while he was on tour in Europe with James Blunt. Reflecting on his journey, John shares some valuable insights gained from his experiences. He revealed, "I realised that sometimes, you can want something too much. That was definitely the case for me when I was younger. I was desperate for a record deal, and when I finally got one, I realised it was just a small piece of the puzzle.”

In recent years, John had an eye-opening experience during an audition with James Blunt. He discovered that it wasn't solely about his bass playing skills but also about the way he conducted himself. John recalled, "James is a military man, and respect and discipline are ingrained in him. It didn't matter how talented I was as a musician; what mattered was how I carried myself. It was the night out with James that sealed the deal. There is no room for egos in his world. I learned early on to leave my ego at the door. We're all on the same team.”

John's journey highlighted the importance of perseverance, humility, and being prepared for opportunities. It wasn't just about talent; it was about cultivating a strong work ethic, forming connections, and treating everyone with respect. Tune in to the full incredible interview now!

https://linktr.ee/yehyehben

Next Episode

Steve Berry: "Open Your Mind, Open Your Ears!"

Welcome to this episode of “More In The Moni”! I’m thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the illustrious Head of Jazz and Improvisation at the Royal Northern College of Music, the one and only Steve Berry. Steve, a powerhouse in the world of music, is celebrated for his mastery as a jazz double bassist, composer, and educator, boasting a career that spans decades across prestigious institutions in both the UK and the USA.

My personal connection with Steve runs deep, having had the privilege of being his student for three transformative years at the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts. His profound influence on how his students perceive and explore music is truly remarkable.

Steve’s musical journey has intertwined with an array of internationally acclaimed jazz artists. From performances alongside luminaries like Scott Hamilton, John Surman, Tal Farlow, Art Farmer, Ian Carr, to Lew Tabackin, Steve’s versatility and skill shine through. His commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering musical growth led him to his current role as Head of Jazz and Improvisation at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2019.

In our conversation, Steve delves into his approach to improvisation, his philosophy on education, and the roots of his musical odyssey.

Reflecting on his own musical beginnings, Steve shares, “I think you have to understand my own journey into music to grasp how I approach teaching it. As a self-taught singer-songwriter, notation was foreign to me. It was all about learning by ear, drawing inspiration from recordings. There's a unique thrill in stumbling upon a new chord shape and feeling like you've unearthed something groundbreaking. Yet, there's also a possessiveness that comes with it, a feeling of 'this is mine.' But encountering fellow musicians who understand and dissect these sounds, you realise music is a shared language with rich origins.”

Don’t miss out on this mind-blowing interview! Tune in now to gain insights from the maestro himself.

https://linktr.ee/yehyehben