News, analysis and comment - performing arts 

Lu Cozma

ArtsHub | Tuesday, July 13, 2010

  

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A nun, then a soldier but as soon as I got a taste of music I was smitten. I suppose singing like an angel and fighting like a warrior in the music business are good qualities to have...

What did you become?
An angel and a warrior...

What's your official title?
Singer. Performer. Musician. Mother. Wife. (Not in any specific order of course).

What's your background - how did you end up here?
In Romania? I believe through a parallel universe - transported by a heavy dose of fate, adventure and a dash of crazy circumstance.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
Well, it's best to chat over such subject matter at length over a beer or two, but I would best describe it in brief as an often eccentric, unpredictable an unfathomable business made up of eccentric, unpredictable and unfathomable people... Thankfully!!

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
Coffee, emails, coffee, songs, arrangements for gigs - studio.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
There is a word... changeable.

Who or what in the arts world most inspires you?
Antony Gormley. Giotto,

What's the toughest challenge you've dealt with on the job?
Waiting...

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given for your career?
Don't be a musician, get a proper job.

What are the top three skills you need in your particular role?
Determination. Belief. Vision.

What's the best thing about your job?
Meeting the fans.

And the worst?
The jorney home after a gig.

And if you had to sum your working life in a word or phrase, what would it be?
ADVENTURE

Lu Cozma’s official website.

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BIOGRAPHY

Lu Cozma, the British born singer / songwriter is back in the studio writing and recording the follow up to her critically acclaimed debut album RED, and back on the road touring throughout Europe in 2010/11

Lu Cozma: Her compelling vocals dexterously move from soft and seductive to ballsy and impassioned.
Deftly penning songs that interweave the rootsy genre of folk with the commercial hook of pop music, Lu Cozma has created an infusion that is mainstream, whilst retaining the signature sound that is uniquely her own.

RED, was recorded with support of her friend and fellow musician and producer, Steve Askew. As the guitarist of global conquerors, Kajagoogoo – one of the few British bands ever to have ‘cracked’ the United States – his vast insight and knowledge of the music industry endures as an invaluable source of inspiration and motivation for Lu.

"We began to write and things quite naturally fitted into place," she says. "We knew as soon as we got the first few songs off the ground that we were creating something new and interesting. Our album RED after a short gestation period was born."

"Making something unique, yet approachable to an audience isn't necessarily the easiest thing to get right, but what we do is organic and it works.”

Red was produced by legendary former producer of The Human League, Martin Rushent.
Rushent says in describing Lu’s vocals “ Sometimes, in the unexpected places a voice blows your head off.”

Following the release of RED, Cozma and Askew extensively toured the United Kingdom and with Askew supported “Breaking Glass” singer Hazel O’ Connor on the UK leg of her “Hidden Heart” tour.
Recently Cozma collaborated with some of Romania’s most esteemed musical sensations, with the celebrated musical excellence of Sorin Romanescu, Cozma was also invited to guest vocal on alternative rock band Byron’s new album, A Kind Of Alchemy.

She says: “Well, when you have an opportunity to work with one of Romania’s best bands, you say, hell yeah, without hesitation!”

After receiving radio airplay in Romania and appearing on television, Lu is fast becoming something of a hot property in Europe.

With Galadriel looks, a captivating stage presence and a voice that can break your heart or have it beating like a battle drum, Lu engages and embraces her audience as a company of friends, sharing her adventures and discoveries as she establishes her place in Europe’s burgeoning independent music scene.

"I'm not searching for a niche or trying to fit into one," says Lu. "I'm making one that's suitably tailored to who I am. I’ve always believed this attitude brings honest, true, communication - no frontiers between artist, audience or listener.”

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