BY DANIELLE HOLIAN
PHOTO BY FELIX LENSMAN
Rising star Logan J Parker is making her mark in the music world. As an independent artist, she is turning heads with her refreshing music that she writes, records, and produces herself. Having released her debut self-titled extended-play in 2019, she is back with her latest release of “We'll Be Gone”, an ode to the current state of affairs accompanied by a music video that was filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Unclear Magazine caught up with Logan J Parker to discuss her musical background, new single “We'll Be Go”, and much more below.
Tell us more about your story — what made you decide to start creating music?
Logan: “I was born in Portugal, by the sea. I used to be a surfer girl carrying my surfboard and guitar around and four years ago I decided to move to London and get serious with music. It has been tough for someone brought up in a never-ending summer but I guess I needed a challenge and I must say it has been the biggest challenge of my life, though I am happy here. I think I started writing music at the age of 17 when my parents got me my first guitar. I think that's how it started. It was automatic, I started learning chords and suddenly I was writing a song even without having a clue what that meant at the time. It just felt natural or it was my instinct. Every time I started learning a new song, I would end up wandering through the chords in complete awe with the sounds my fingers were creating and then suddenly I was singing something and I just took notes of it in an old notebook. I remember my first composition, it was terrible but I sat down in the kitchen I played it for my mum and she was so excited saying it sounded beautiful. Mum's are the absolute best! Her approval made me want to write and play more.”
Who or what are your musical influences?
L: “I love Screaming Jay Hawkins, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Betty Everett, Amy Winehouse, Vaya Con Dios, Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Rolling Stones, just to mention a few. I really love those tape recordings, their warmth is just something that lifts my soul up.”
Can you tell us more about your new song “We'll Be Gone”, and what’s the story behind this release?
L: “Two weeks ago, I was in bed and I couldn't sleep. I picked up my guitar and started playing with a couple of chords and there it was, I composed the melody in less than an hour. I was feeling sad really, worried and afraid for the future. That day I went out for some shopping and I was looking around and I couldn't believe it. The world looked so grim and hopeless. Things didn't taste the same, the sun didn't feel the same. A few people walking by and they had the look of fear in their faces. I remember wondering to myself — how did we get to this point? And I ended up blaming us, humans, for this. There are so many things we need to learn. We have an amazing planet, we are a wonderful creation and we can do so many great things, but still, sometimes we waste it all away because we don't treasure this gift from nature. I hope these hard times will make us reconnect with our inner nature and I truly hope we will change things and we will stop being greedy for power and money and focus on what really matters. ‘We'll Be Gone’ is a call for action; I hope this song will ring the bell and make us ready to embrace changing our priorities.”
Typically, how do your musical sessions go when creating a new song?
L: “It's crazy. It can happen anywhere. Once I was in the shower and a new song starts forming in my mind. I had to stop, wrap myself in a towel quickly, pick-up my guitar and start writing it. Sometimes it can be a really fast process but at times it can take days or even months. It's a very emotional process I suppose. It is hard to explain but usually, I guess there is a pattern, the melody mostly comes first and then the lyrics but there are exceptions to this rule as well. Being a songwriter is rolling up and down in a roller-coaster, constantly on the edge of your emotions and then when you write a new song, there's a momentary relief and then you are ready to go again. It's addictive and the adrenaline of creating something completely new is incomparable.”
What do you want the listeners to take away from your music?
L: “I want the song to talk to them in their own language, I hope it can soothe their hearts and souls.”
Why did you choose to be an independent artist rather than seeking out a record deal?
L: “Well, I like to be in control of things and so far life has only presented me with one record deal which I refused. I think finding a team to work with you in the music business is pretty much like finding a soulmate, very difficult and very dangerous. My music is the most important thing in my life, you see? So if I ever end up signing a record deal, I hope to make the right choice and work with someone who will really understand and respect my art.”
Do you have any stand-out moments in your career, thus far?
L: “The day I released my debut EP, on September 13, 2019. Also when I played for Extinction Rebellion in a big pink boat in Turnpike Lane, that was epic! My first international live stream on Discovr TV last month, that was super cool. One day I was busking in Convent Garden and an elderly lady who didn't approve of my performance threw water on me, it was actually refreshing 'cause it was a very hot day in summer.”
How has your music evolved since you began?
L: “If you ask my mum, she would say it has been great since the very beginning which I strongly disagree with. Well, it started by sounding really bad and it has been improving since then but I feel like I still have so much to learn. Nevertheless, I believe my music is maturing with me and I feel like I am finding the right way to express myself, really. I learned one big lesson from life recently: you can't let your insecurities stop you from being naturally yourself. I stopped worrying too much about what others think.”
What drives you forward as an artist?
L: “The thought that my music can make people feel good somehow. That's the reward.”
And what can fans expect next from Logan J Parker?
L: “You never know. I am in the middle of an exploratory journey of self-discovery.”