LU has teamed up with World Vision to help the welfare of children and families in rural communities.
Full details can be found on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lu-Cozma/267440988509
LU's album RED is now available through http://www.charitygift.ro/ and costs 25RON. All proceeds will be going to World Vision Romania to help children from the 'Colinde' group in Ialomita make their first CD of Romanian folk songs.
Please support this worthy cause and buy a CD. Charity comes naturally and only takes a few minutes to go online and make an order...
There is also an article on LU's partnership with World Vision with Avantaje magazine http://www.avantaje.ro/Timp-liber/Stiri-si-evenimente/Lu-Cozma-canta-pentru-familiile-din-comunitatile-rurale.html?a=6023/1258636
Many thanks for your constant support and friendship...
LU
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
LU's music clips available on e-cards...
Lovers, lovers, lovers...
Valentine's day may be over but the lurv month of Feb' continues in Romania with Dragobete.... Whoohooohooo!
Music clips from my album RED are available on e-cards through http://www.feminis.ro/
Scroll down to the end of the page on audio clips/photo's and take your pick, then send to your loved one.
Cu dragoste...
LU
Valentine's day may be over but the lurv month of Feb' continues in Romania with Dragobete.... Whoohooohooo!
Music clips from my album RED are available on e-cards through http://www.feminis.ro/
Scroll down to the end of the page on audio clips/photo's and take your pick, then send to your loved one.
Cu dragoste...
LU
Monday, February 8, 2010
LU's RED video now on youtube....
Hi y'all,
Peter Smith's itouch drawing of RED has now been put in movie format and can now be seen on youtube via this link :-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvC03QmAtY
It's unusual and eye catching and is based on sketches and drawings Peter made of me... well actually my 'shadow' whilst performing in Holland last year on stage.
Many thanks to Peter... it's been so exciting to see the drawing come to life.
:)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
English translation of Eugen Istodor Interview with LU...
Why are you singing?
My father is a singer and I’ve heard his voice in my ear since the time he hushed me to sleep as a baby. He left the family home when I was very small, but the connection of music and singing has always been strong between us. The Irish have a strong affinity toward music, so I guess it’s in my genes too.
I sing because without it I feel not total or whole. It’s more than enjoyment – it’s a need.
What are you thinking when you’re singing in public?
I’m very aware of course of the audience and paying public who come and see me perform, so I get nervous before-hand because I care about what I’m doing and want everyone to enjoy what I do. But there comes a point where I totally become the song, where I become absorbed in the words and the meaning and somehow become slightly oblivious to anything but the story, words and music.
How is it helping you the thing that you’re British and you’re singing with Romanescu in Romania?
I assume no preferential treatment because I’m British. My main criteria is quality in everything I do, which means who I chose to work with and associate myself with and that also can be said vice versa. Romanian musicians top in their profession see that I am a good performer and chose to work with me. Being British is irrelevant. Sorin Romanescu and I have a good synergy and we read each other’s next move musically, so every show is slightly different because we can improvise or divert from our routine. This is terribly exciting and keeps our performance sharp and fresh. It’s a joy to work with such an artist as Sorin Romanescu.
In which language are you thinking? What do you think about Romania in this language?
I think, dream and speak in English! Romanian is a beautiful language and pleasant to hear - I wish to speak it more fluently. Presently I’m able to understand a little more than I can speak.
How would sound a song about your Romania?
Romania has been good to me over the years and I have had many wonderful memories and experiences here. So my song of Romania would quite naturally be one about friendship, good times and happiness.
What kind of music do you use in order to inspire you for your music? What kind of music do you forgot in order to build your music?
Music with emotional content, words with meaning and story are also important. I listen to a very diverse range of music. I’m influenced, I suppose by many genres of music – music from my youth and from my family. There are many ingredients to how I write music, sing it and perform it, but primarily I am ‘me’.
How can you be a brand new presence in a world made of Xerox copies?
It’s not a question of how I can be a new presence. I already am.
Commerciality is important, the same can be said for finding your own niche and to have awareness of market value, but I also hold a firm belief in making music that is true and has meaning with individuality and integrity.
What’s more important: your voice or your person?
The two can’t be separated but if one day I have the terrible misfortune of not being able to sing, then I hope my character would be strong enough to carry me through the rest of life!
My father is a singer and I’ve heard his voice in my ear since the time he hushed me to sleep as a baby. He left the family home when I was very small, but the connection of music and singing has always been strong between us. The Irish have a strong affinity toward music, so I guess it’s in my genes too.
I sing because without it I feel not total or whole. It’s more than enjoyment – it’s a need.
What are you thinking when you’re singing in public?
I’m very aware of course of the audience and paying public who come and see me perform, so I get nervous before-hand because I care about what I’m doing and want everyone to enjoy what I do. But there comes a point where I totally become the song, where I become absorbed in the words and the meaning and somehow become slightly oblivious to anything but the story, words and music.
How is it helping you the thing that you’re British and you’re singing with Romanescu in Romania?
I assume no preferential treatment because I’m British. My main criteria is quality in everything I do, which means who I chose to work with and associate myself with and that also can be said vice versa. Romanian musicians top in their profession see that I am a good performer and chose to work with me. Being British is irrelevant. Sorin Romanescu and I have a good synergy and we read each other’s next move musically, so every show is slightly different because we can improvise or divert from our routine. This is terribly exciting and keeps our performance sharp and fresh. It’s a joy to work with such an artist as Sorin Romanescu.
In which language are you thinking? What do you think about Romania in this language?
I think, dream and speak in English! Romanian is a beautiful language and pleasant to hear - I wish to speak it more fluently. Presently I’m able to understand a little more than I can speak.
How would sound a song about your Romania?
Romania has been good to me over the years and I have had many wonderful memories and experiences here. So my song of Romania would quite naturally be one about friendship, good times and happiness.
What kind of music do you use in order to inspire you for your music? What kind of music do you forgot in order to build your music?
Music with emotional content, words with meaning and story are also important. I listen to a very diverse range of music. I’m influenced, I suppose by many genres of music – music from my youth and from my family. There are many ingredients to how I write music, sing it and perform it, but primarily I am ‘me’.
How can you be a brand new presence in a world made of Xerox copies?
It’s not a question of how I can be a new presence. I already am.
Commerciality is important, the same can be said for finding your own niche and to have awareness of market value, but I also hold a firm belief in making music that is true and has meaning with individuality and integrity.
What’s more important: your voice or your person?
The two can’t be separated but if one day I have the terrible misfortune of not being able to sing, then I hope my character would be strong enough to carry me through the rest of life!
English translation of Kudika Interview with LU ...
1. Coming from Britain, where the industry as far as alternative music’s concerned, is a lot more competitive than here, how do you find Romania in terms of your own opportunities to get seen, “discovered” as it were? Do you think you’ll have to work for it less than you would’ve in Britain?
All genres of music are highly competitive in Britain and Alternative is no different. The music climate has changed there purely because artists are frustrated with the way the industry operates. Artists are therefore doing a lot more for themselves and taking control of their own destiny rather than waiting for a record deal that might never happen! I think the same is true for artists here in Romania. But of course there are problems with this - the difficulties primarily are having to deal with self promotion, self funding, finding the gigs, making contacts etc. It can become quite wearisome and actually absorb a lot of time and effort that could be better spent actually creating and making music! I share the same challenges as Romanian artists have in this regard.
I haven’t the luxury of working less here for my opportunities. Making music and selling it is never easy. I came to Romania not knowing anyone in my profession, so I had to find my own path. There is a curiosity about my music, who I am and where I come from. But I don’t assume any preferential treatment or easier way in, just because I’m English.
2. Do you consider this relocation experience a success, and would you do it again, pick up and move, if you had to?
Relocating is pretty stressful at the best of times. I knew more or less what to expect in coming here due to having a long connection with Romania, but still, living in a different country no matter how prepared you think you are, always brings surprises!
For the most part the move has been a success. I’ve made some brilliant friends here and from a professional & personal view point I’ve had a fruitful time so far and expect lot’s more exciting things to come.
Would I pick up and move again? Hmmm, I’m settled here, so I have no plans to uproot again, not for the foreseeable future anyway!
3. Tell us about your daughters! Are they old enough to be proud of their mother’s career? What do you most love/ find most challenging about being a mum... and in a new country, with a different educational system and so forth?
My eldest is thirteen and my youngest is eleven.
Although they are half Romanian, my daughters were born and brought up in England, so they are very English in their character. I can see so much of my husband and myself in them but they are both equally individual. They’re artistic; creative and intelligent kids and have me laughing out loud with their sense of humour. We’re a close family. We love each other’s company – we make a good team the four of us.
It’s something I haven’t really asked them, but I think they’re proud of what I do. My daughters except their mums got a different job than most. I was singing whilst pregnant and was working within days of having my babies. I selected my work more carefully of course when they were very small, but basically what I do is so normal to them.
I chose to give birth to my second daughter at home. The pregnancy and labour were healthy & I really wanted to have a natural birth, so that’s what I did. Motherhood is important to me and my kids take priority. A happy mum makes a happy child, so although I felt it important to be at home for the children as much as possible – I felt strongly about this - I also felt it necessary to continue to sing and write. Doing this certainly had its difficulties and frustrations, especially when I was writing songs and rehearsing. It’s hard to find inspiration and head space when you have a baby and toddler crying and demanding your attention, but for our family it was the right decision and I have no regrets.
Both girls have adapted very well to being in Romania and enjoy being near family and being more connected to their father’s culture. They do miss England and get homesick sometimes but they get on with it and usually it doesn’t last long. They’re being educated through the British school curriculum as they will eventually return to England to study at University.
4. I have to, absolutely HAVE to, ask you this, since I have a feeling my readers won’t believe their eyes when I post a photo of you along with this interview – how do you do it, what’s your secret to looking like a 20 year-old?
Gosh, I’m very flattered. Erm... I’ve aged well I suppose, like a fine wine?! I can’t quite believe that I’ll be celebrating my 40th birthday in a couple of month’s time. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun.
I’m enjoying my life much more than I did when I was in my twenties and actually feel better in myself. Maybe I’m confidant more, happier to be in my own skin, less self conscious and generally able to just go with the flow easier with life.
I was happy for my teens and twenties to pass to be honest. I woke up on my 30th birthday and felt relieved and very ready for a new era of my life – I embraced it. Now I’m approaching another pivotal era in my life and I’m quite excited about what the next ten years might hold. God willing.
5. Did you have any knowledge about the whole ‘faulty childcare for orphans’ debacle, the dim view Baroness Emma Nicholson took of Romania’s handling of international adoptions etc. – when you decided to come help the orphans in Vaslui? And if you had heard about this, did it play any role in your decision?
Frankly speaking, at the time I wasn’t terribly interested in what was said, who said it, how things came to be or who was to blame. Seeing the children’s plight through media compelled me. So I decided to find a way to come here with a determination to do what I could, even if it turned out to be miniscule in the grand scheme of things. It was probably very naive of me and not terribly well thought out, but often good things come out of spontaneous reactions to situations.
Furthering the protection of vulnerable children worldwide is of paramount importance. What measures are taken to ensure this, often become quite complex in the process. Focus should always be in firm position and done with sensitivities to the wider issues.
6. If you were to characterize yourself and your music in just one word (or phrase), what would you choose to sum it all up? What drives both you and your music to constantly evolve, progress? In other words, what’s your “muse”?
Attitude - on stage, definitely that’s the word. Sometimes off stage too!
I am my music and music is me. When I sing, I become the song. It’s something that I don’t really think too much about because it just ‘is’ and always has been. Singing and performing are integral parts of my being - for me to be whole and fulfilled I have to feed this part of my need.
7. I was reading your MySpace profile and one of the things that caught my eye was your definition of heroes – you say that they’re those “who can survive life and still smile.” How is it that you’ve come to such a deep, and ultimately dark, understanding of life?
Most people have a story to tell and most people have encountered tragedy of some kind in their lives. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t been untainted by life. To see life as beautiful and smile through the bad times as well as the good is heroism and I respect and admire such people – ordinary people; neighbours, friends, teachers, hospital workers, train drivers, rocket scientists...
Superman is a hero, but he’s fiction! AND he wears his underpants outside his leotard... need I say more ;)
8. Seeing that I’ve only ever heard you sing live on stage twice, and both times you were sharing the limelight with the Romanian band byron, I was wondering how you guys found each other, musically in tune as you are; also, where do you see this collaboration going – a joint album perhaps?
A good friend of mine is a fan of byron and asked me to go to a concert with her last spring. I’d never heard of byron, but thought I’d go for a night out. Well, I was blown away, so much so that I sat down that very same evening and wrote a gig review about the show. I’d managed to speak with Dan Byron after the gig and get his number with the intention of arranging an interview, which we did about a week later.
We hit it off immediately and after the interview we chatted for ages about music, our view points and experiences and actually realised that we had many things in common. We stayed in touch and later in the year I got a call to ask if I’d be interested in doing some guest vocals on their new album ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’ – hell yeah! Then byron asked if I’d like to appear at their album launch party, to which I again replied, hell yeah!
All members of the band are great musicians and they complement each other seamlessly. The lyrics and musical content are intelligently put. They have originality, can write songs of epic proportions and at the same time be radio friendly, which is so rare in this day and age, especially in alternative rock.
I have quite a deep range to my voice, so when Dan and I sing together there’s an unusual edge, but yet we fit.
There’s been talk of us working on songs together in the future. It’s a strong possibility.
9. What type of British music do you listen to, and who would you have play some gigs here in Romania, if you could call anyone from back home? And, btw, could you actually do that? :P
I like to try and keep up with what’s going on in the UK charts – listening online is an essential part of my daily routine. But actually I prefer all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff, indie, alternative, electro, sometimes punk, post punk.
I’m enjoying some single releases from ‘Chew Lips’, ‘Vampire Weekend’, ‘Mumford & Sons’, ‘Delphic’, Biffi Clyro.... there’s so many.
One of my fave bands at the moment is ‘Does It Offend You, Yeah?’ They’ve gone from strength to strength recently. A good friend of mine, a producer I worked with in England has worked with them (one band member is his son) and I’ve mentioned whether they’d be interested in coming over to Romania. Anything’s possible I suppose, if the timings right.
10. I’ve been wondering, about the which came first – was it the Elbow song that inspired you to name your album “Red” or was it after naming it that you thought a cover of Elbow’s “Red” would work – as we could all see it did, when you sang it with Byron at Fabrica?
Elbows song never came into my thinking when I wrote the title track to my album RED. In a way the lyrics I wrote to Red are nonsensical, but I liked the imagery of being ‘painted in red’ or ‘showered in red’ – it’s kind of sensual, rebellious and slightly dark. Both Steve Askew (co-writer) and I thought a one word title to the album would be more catchy and memorable and that’s how ‘Red’ came to be!
When I told Dan Byron about the concept behind my new show ‘Acoustic Red’, he mentioned Elbow’s Red track as a kind of joke, but then we thought we’d try it out and hey presto it turned out to be a fabulous choice for both our voices.
All genres of music are highly competitive in Britain and Alternative is no different. The music climate has changed there purely because artists are frustrated with the way the industry operates. Artists are therefore doing a lot more for themselves and taking control of their own destiny rather than waiting for a record deal that might never happen! I think the same is true for artists here in Romania. But of course there are problems with this - the difficulties primarily are having to deal with self promotion, self funding, finding the gigs, making contacts etc. It can become quite wearisome and actually absorb a lot of time and effort that could be better spent actually creating and making music! I share the same challenges as Romanian artists have in this regard.
I haven’t the luxury of working less here for my opportunities. Making music and selling it is never easy. I came to Romania not knowing anyone in my profession, so I had to find my own path. There is a curiosity about my music, who I am and where I come from. But I don’t assume any preferential treatment or easier way in, just because I’m English.
2. Do you consider this relocation experience a success, and would you do it again, pick up and move, if you had to?
Relocating is pretty stressful at the best of times. I knew more or less what to expect in coming here due to having a long connection with Romania, but still, living in a different country no matter how prepared you think you are, always brings surprises!
For the most part the move has been a success. I’ve made some brilliant friends here and from a professional & personal view point I’ve had a fruitful time so far and expect lot’s more exciting things to come.
Would I pick up and move again? Hmmm, I’m settled here, so I have no plans to uproot again, not for the foreseeable future anyway!
3. Tell us about your daughters! Are they old enough to be proud of their mother’s career? What do you most love/ find most challenging about being a mum... and in a new country, with a different educational system and so forth?
My eldest is thirteen and my youngest is eleven.
Although they are half Romanian, my daughters were born and brought up in England, so they are very English in their character. I can see so much of my husband and myself in them but they are both equally individual. They’re artistic; creative and intelligent kids and have me laughing out loud with their sense of humour. We’re a close family. We love each other’s company – we make a good team the four of us.
It’s something I haven’t really asked them, but I think they’re proud of what I do. My daughters except their mums got a different job than most. I was singing whilst pregnant and was working within days of having my babies. I selected my work more carefully of course when they were very small, but basically what I do is so normal to them.
I chose to give birth to my second daughter at home. The pregnancy and labour were healthy & I really wanted to have a natural birth, so that’s what I did. Motherhood is important to me and my kids take priority. A happy mum makes a happy child, so although I felt it important to be at home for the children as much as possible – I felt strongly about this - I also felt it necessary to continue to sing and write. Doing this certainly had its difficulties and frustrations, especially when I was writing songs and rehearsing. It’s hard to find inspiration and head space when you have a baby and toddler crying and demanding your attention, but for our family it was the right decision and I have no regrets.
Both girls have adapted very well to being in Romania and enjoy being near family and being more connected to their father’s culture. They do miss England and get homesick sometimes but they get on with it and usually it doesn’t last long. They’re being educated through the British school curriculum as they will eventually return to England to study at University.
4. I have to, absolutely HAVE to, ask you this, since I have a feeling my readers won’t believe their eyes when I post a photo of you along with this interview – how do you do it, what’s your secret to looking like a 20 year-old?
Gosh, I’m very flattered. Erm... I’ve aged well I suppose, like a fine wine?! I can’t quite believe that I’ll be celebrating my 40th birthday in a couple of month’s time. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun.
I’m enjoying my life much more than I did when I was in my twenties and actually feel better in myself. Maybe I’m confidant more, happier to be in my own skin, less self conscious and generally able to just go with the flow easier with life.
I was happy for my teens and twenties to pass to be honest. I woke up on my 30th birthday and felt relieved and very ready for a new era of my life – I embraced it. Now I’m approaching another pivotal era in my life and I’m quite excited about what the next ten years might hold. God willing.
5. Did you have any knowledge about the whole ‘faulty childcare for orphans’ debacle, the dim view Baroness Emma Nicholson took of Romania’s handling of international adoptions etc. – when you decided to come help the orphans in Vaslui? And if you had heard about this, did it play any role in your decision?
Frankly speaking, at the time I wasn’t terribly interested in what was said, who said it, how things came to be or who was to blame. Seeing the children’s plight through media compelled me. So I decided to find a way to come here with a determination to do what I could, even if it turned out to be miniscule in the grand scheme of things. It was probably very naive of me and not terribly well thought out, but often good things come out of spontaneous reactions to situations.
Furthering the protection of vulnerable children worldwide is of paramount importance. What measures are taken to ensure this, often become quite complex in the process. Focus should always be in firm position and done with sensitivities to the wider issues.
6. If you were to characterize yourself and your music in just one word (or phrase), what would you choose to sum it all up? What drives both you and your music to constantly evolve, progress? In other words, what’s your “muse”?
Attitude - on stage, definitely that’s the word. Sometimes off stage too!
I am my music and music is me. When I sing, I become the song. It’s something that I don’t really think too much about because it just ‘is’ and always has been. Singing and performing are integral parts of my being - for me to be whole and fulfilled I have to feed this part of my need.
7. I was reading your MySpace profile and one of the things that caught my eye was your definition of heroes – you say that they’re those “who can survive life and still smile.” How is it that you’ve come to such a deep, and ultimately dark, understanding of life?
Most people have a story to tell and most people have encountered tragedy of some kind in their lives. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t been untainted by life. To see life as beautiful and smile through the bad times as well as the good is heroism and I respect and admire such people – ordinary people; neighbours, friends, teachers, hospital workers, train drivers, rocket scientists...
Superman is a hero, but he’s fiction! AND he wears his underpants outside his leotard... need I say more ;)
8. Seeing that I’ve only ever heard you sing live on stage twice, and both times you were sharing the limelight with the Romanian band byron, I was wondering how you guys found each other, musically in tune as you are; also, where do you see this collaboration going – a joint album perhaps?
A good friend of mine is a fan of byron and asked me to go to a concert with her last spring. I’d never heard of byron, but thought I’d go for a night out. Well, I was blown away, so much so that I sat down that very same evening and wrote a gig review about the show. I’d managed to speak with Dan Byron after the gig and get his number with the intention of arranging an interview, which we did about a week later.
We hit it off immediately and after the interview we chatted for ages about music, our view points and experiences and actually realised that we had many things in common. We stayed in touch and later in the year I got a call to ask if I’d be interested in doing some guest vocals on their new album ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’ – hell yeah! Then byron asked if I’d like to appear at their album launch party, to which I again replied, hell yeah!
All members of the band are great musicians and they complement each other seamlessly. The lyrics and musical content are intelligently put. They have originality, can write songs of epic proportions and at the same time be radio friendly, which is so rare in this day and age, especially in alternative rock.
I have quite a deep range to my voice, so when Dan and I sing together there’s an unusual edge, but yet we fit.
There’s been talk of us working on songs together in the future. It’s a strong possibility.
9. What type of British music do you listen to, and who would you have play some gigs here in Romania, if you could call anyone from back home? And, btw, could you actually do that? :P
I like to try and keep up with what’s going on in the UK charts – listening online is an essential part of my daily routine. But actually I prefer all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff, indie, alternative, electro, sometimes punk, post punk.
I’m enjoying some single releases from ‘Chew Lips’, ‘Vampire Weekend’, ‘Mumford & Sons’, ‘Delphic’, Biffi Clyro.... there’s so many.
One of my fave bands at the moment is ‘Does It Offend You, Yeah?’ They’ve gone from strength to strength recently. A good friend of mine, a producer I worked with in England has worked with them (one band member is his son) and I’ve mentioned whether they’d be interested in coming over to Romania. Anything’s possible I suppose, if the timings right.
10. I’ve been wondering, about the which came first – was it the Elbow song that inspired you to name your album “Red” or was it after naming it that you thought a cover of Elbow’s “Red” would work – as we could all see it did, when you sang it with Byron at Fabrica?
Elbows song never came into my thinking when I wrote the title track to my album RED. In a way the lyrics I wrote to Red are nonsensical, but I liked the imagery of being ‘painted in red’ or ‘showered in red’ – it’s kind of sensual, rebellious and slightly dark. Both Steve Askew (co-writer) and I thought a one word title to the album would be more catchy and memorable and that’s how ‘Red’ came to be!
When I told Dan Byron about the concept behind my new show ‘Acoustic Red’, he mentioned Elbow’s Red track as a kind of joke, but then we thought we’d try it out and hey presto it turned out to be a fabulous choice for both our voices.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)