INTERVIEW // BRI NG SCHWARTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY // MALLORY TURNER
For those who’re like me, struggling by way of the freezing temperatures of an East Coast winter dreaming of sunshine, Lulu Simon’s summer-like soundscape is precisely what you want. With 2025 marking her greatest yr but, Lulu continued to outline her sound and stay presence from embarking on Aidan Bissett’s Shut Up and Love Me US Tour, to releasing her folk-pop single “Summer time Canine”. A shift from her dance pop roots, “Summer time Canine” builds on the slower, acoustic sound she launched us to with singles launched in 2024.
Lulu closed out her yr with an acoustic set at Los Angeles’s El Rey opening for Ben Barnes, and by chatting with us about touring, embracing change and growing artistic routines.
This Fall, you went on tour with Aiden Bisset. What had been essentially the most memorable elements of that have?
The entire thing was a lot enjoyable as a result of it was my first actually huge tour, I in all probability might have stored going and going endlessly — & I really like placing my little wig on each evening, it makes my hair look so lengthy. A spotlight was in all probability the Salt Lake Metropolis Present, which was so insane. They had been absolutely popping off, opened up a pit and had been doing again flips.
Had been there another stops that both you look ahead to if you’re on the highway?
New York was enjoyable as a result of it was a hometown present.
You’re an East Coast woman, similar to me! Do you will have any favourite venues to play within the tri-state space?
I don’t actually take into consideration issues like that, however I’ve performed Child’s All Proper, the Mercury Lounge and Irving Plaza. Irving Plaza is enjoyable as a result of there’s lots of people. I simply love with the ability to carry out in any respect, irrespective of the place it’s.
You wrapped up 2025 with Ben Barnes’s present on the El Rey. I’d love to listen to extra about that present and what that have was like for you.
That was additionally very enjoyable. I imply, each present is enjoyable, aside from those the place folks don’t chuckle at my jokes.
My buddy Kevin Burke performs in Ben’s band and has for a really very long time, so he referred to as me up and requested if I needed to open. That was the primary acoustic present that I’ve accomplished in a very very long time and I used to be nervous as a result of when it’s simply me and a guitar, if I mess up, it’s apparent. However that crowd was so good and I liked them, so I had a very good time.
Your single “Summer time Canine” that was launched in September was closely impressed by rising up together with your pets. How did you connect with your internal youngster throughout that writing course of?
In 2021, my mother and father offered my childhood house and in 2022 the final of my childhood pets, Django, died. And I used to be like “Oh my God, that’s the dying of my childhood throughout. There’s nothing there anymore.” I pulled from that as a result of you’ll be able to’t return and bodily revisit any of it. You may solely give it some thought. All of this stuff had been altering, and so I used to be eager about the inevitability of change and the way uncomfortable it’s.
There’s that saying “let go, or be dragged” and I’m actually a creature of behavior. I don’t like change in any way. I’ve a routine and I stick with it religiously. So when issues change, I’m so uncomfortable. However there’s such permanence in these two main modifications that occurred the place I used to be like, “I can’t sit right here and wallow. I’ve to maintain going regardless that it’s uncomfortable and I don’t prefer it.”
Being a creature of behavior, do you will have any artistic rituals or issues that you simply do to get centered earlier than moving into the studio or right into a artistic observe normally?
I actually like writing exterior. I believe that that’s in all probability the place it’s best for me and the place I’m most impressed. Actually, once I’m swimming I give you lots of my lyrics. I’m a Pisces. I get my guitar, I get out my little pocket book and I attempt not to take a look at my telephone. I do have a tough time. This previous yr I began embroidering rather a lot and so if I really feel a bit caught, I’ll begin embroidering and considering, then return and take a look at once more.
To speak somewhat bit extra about your loved ones and your upbringing, you come from a very musical household. Not solely your mother and father, however your siblings too. How would you say your loved ones has influenced your inventive voice?
They’re all so gifted that there’s a sure degree of excellence to aspire to. Once you hear one thing that’s so good, it makes you assume, “Okay. I believe I can do higher with my work as a result of they’ve accomplished so effectively. It’s doable.” It’s not like taking a look at a random artist that you simply admire, it’s taking a look at somebody that you simply’ve recognized endlessly. My older brother is so gifted, and I ship him my stuff on a regular basis.
Did you develop up understanding that you simply needed to get into music, or did that come later?
It began on my sixth birthday. I had a Barbie birthday cake, and I wanted that I had written the tune “Fortunate” by Britney Spears. That’s once I realized that needs don’t come true, I didn’t even actually perceive tips on how to articulate the sensation of desirous to do it till I used to be round 10 and stated “Okay, let me attempt my hand at this and see what occurs.”
What or who would you say is inspiring your inventive voice at the moment?
I don’t know if there’s any particular entity. I believe it’s extra that I’m rising up and my style is sort of like a revolving door. Listening to any sort of music, if it’s good, makes me wish to write music. This previous yr, this report referred to as Downhill From Right here by Anna Vaus got here out and it was my most performed report of the yr.
Do you will have any new yr’s resolutions?
After I’m on stage, I don’t really feel unfastened and free. My intuition is to simply stand there, and I believe that has to alter. I have to learn to transfer my physique and enhance my stage presence.
By way of music, what can we count on coming down the pike?
I’ve received lots of stuff that I’ve been engaged on, and a few that’s accomplished already. I’ve been attempting to keep up a greater work ethic the place I power myself to sit down down and write. Seems sitting right down to work really produces work, so I’ve received a bunch of songs which can be being cooked up as we communicate. I’m excited to share.
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2026 is certain to mark one other memorable yr for Lulu. Whether or not her new releases get us on the dance ground or in our emotions (or each), we’ll certainly discover items of ourselves in Lulu’s relatable storytelling.
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