My first memory was seeing my mum walking up the rubble street on the way to my grandma’s house in Colombia where we lived, I was standing on the front porch waiting for her.
When I was four we settled down in the UK. I was going to my dad’s salsa gigs from that age. You don’t really have a say at that age whether you want to go to these things, but at some point I was going because I wanted to, not because I had to.
My parents completely loved each other, they were two completely different characters, one was strong and tough, the other gentle and refined, and it worked. They married in Colombia, I was the ring-bearer, a cute one at that. They’re still together to this day.
From my father I inherited his creativity, from my mother her attention to detail!
When I got the BRIT school acceptance letter I leaped so high, my father shared my joy with pride, he was extremely happy for me. I never expected to get in. My friend got accepted too! That was the icing on the cake. I owe everything to The BRIT School. Who I am as a performer, as an artist.
As a Colombian growing up in the UK, I consciously take on the best of both worlds. The music scene here is rich and so influential! I see here goal-driven attitudes, and no time-wasting. The mentality here is also open. I love being able to go to the corner shop in flip flops and not be seen like a crazy woman for example haha.
Finally I feel I’m owning my sound. We all feel insecure about whether our craft is good enough, or if it will be accepted. I finally realised, there’s an audience for everything and everyone! My focus suddenly switched from wanting to please people to fulfilling myself as a creative, and to make sure that money was not the motor.
Being Colombian opens up many musical genres, but being ‘Latin’ widens the range even more. The same as the UK. I am a Colombian, raised in the Uk, and take the best of both worlds into my music. Being colombian opens up many musical genres, but being ‘Latin’ widens the range even more. I can mesh a tango with rock, or a salsa with soul, or a cumbia with tech music. Because I represent all of these cultures. The possibilities are endless!
The pandemic helped me aquire a new outlook on life which gives me the most pleasure. I met a very special person during this time and I’ve realised the importance of living the ‘today.’Compared to the pre pandemic phase, my life became a lot less hectic, a lot more relaxed in terms of my attitude towards the same situations that existed before and still exist now.
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome was working hard to get my name recognised within the live sector. It takes a while for people to know who you are and what you do. But the hard work has paid off
‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’. That’s what I believe, EVERYTHING in excellence, be it big or small things, and in dedication to God and yourself, not others.
Have you ever slipped seconds before you greet someone? Well, this happened on a boat. With heels, I couldn’t save myself out of this one.
My most memorable encounter with a stranger in London was not long ago actually. A guy was sitting in pain and dozing off, people were ignoring him. But my partner and I decided to approach him just to talk. Turns out he had some pretty bad plans for himself that evening and just by talking with him, it altered his plans and we were able to give him a reason to smile again.
My Top three favourite places in London are Greenwich park, at the top of the hill where you can see the sky line, he view from the Shard and Beach Blanket Babylon
My favourite word in English. is Essence.
The word I most dislike in English Scum.
I would tell my younger self…Don’t base your decisions on your emotions. This one really hurt.
Luisa's latest single is available at www.maninthemorning.com
