At the age of 29, singer Lola Lennox is finally ready to release music and show listeners what she's all about. She was raised in the perfect environment for that to happen. Her mother is singer Annie Lennox, from the pop duo Eurythmics, who has had major stardom with hits such as "Sweet Dreams ( Are Made of This )" and "Would I Lie to You?"Her father is movie producer and director Uri Fruchtmann. Her sister Tali is a successful model and actress.
She discovered legendary artists like Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald as she grew up and signed up for singing lessons at eight years old before attending the Royal Academy of Music.
Television producer Simon Fuller asked Lennox to contribute on Discovery Channel's Serengeti with actress Lupita Nyong'o narrating and Godlfrapp's Will Gregory creating the score. Each animal is featured in its own song with Lennox singing on this six part docuseries set in the plains of Tanzania.
On April 18 of this year, Annie and Lola took part in Global Citizen One World: Together at Home to support essential workers and the World Health Organization with a duet of "Must Be an Angel ( Playing with My Heart. )"
Releasing four songs is the game plan that's set for 2020. Her latest track is called "Pale" and she called from quarantine in LA to discuss it.
Windy City Times: Start off with how you grew up with music.
Lola Lennox: My interest in music, in particular singing, started early. I really loved music in school with concerts and singing competitions.
When I was 17, I went to the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. I did vocal undergrad in classical singing. I just did that for the heck of it. I didn't want to be an opera singer. I quit eventually and got a band together. I wrote a lot at home and played a little bit around London.
I moved to LA a few years ago. There is a huge network of musicians out here and I am so grateful to connect with them, because in London I didn't feel I had the same access to other musicians.
I spent two years in LA, honing and crafting my songs with other writers and musicians. This year, I am ready to share my music. I released my first single "In the Wild" in February. I released my second single "Pale" about a month ago.
WCT: Did you ever consider a different career besides singing?
LL: I actually didn't, no! ( laughs ) It was a bug that bit me from a very early age. It's such a joyful thing. There is so much depth to music, so it really captured me.
WCT: Your family all has their own talents. Was your family life a reality show growing up?
LL: When it's your family, it's all normal and relative to you. As a unit, we are pretty grounded in our own way.
It was definitely inspiring. My mom was writing and creating things since I was a baby. I grew up knowing how much one gets when they tune into their creativity. That's how I express myself and I see the world through creative eyes.
My mom never pushed anything on me, but I was affected by her work and passion.
WCT: When did you notice all her gay fans?
LL: We would go on the road with her on tour. There would be a lot of LGBTQ fans at the shows, typically the most enthusiastic I would say! They would be dancing and having a great time. There were a few Annie Lennox lookalikes in drag, which was awesome.
My mom has always had a supportive gay fan base. Not to generalize, but for the most part, you are all pretty passionate, joyful people. I don't like speaking broadly, but many have a creative spirit and great taste!
I used to live in West Hollywood, right in Boystown. I went to Pride every year. I loved living there. There was always great energy in the community.
WCT: Your mom has been such an activist for HIV/AIDS. Do you see yourself in that lane?
LL: I am still finding my footing as far as activism. My stepdad has his own charity called mothers2mothers, which is supporting mothers and children in South Africa with HIV/AIDS. My mom has done so much for the cause, I have grown up seeing the tragic affects it has on people's lives. I will always do whatever I can to help people who need it.
WCT: Talk about singing for the World Health Organization.
LL: It was incredible to contribute in that way. Everyone is going through a global pandemic and music is a way to show support. I got to sing "Must Be an Angel ( playing with My Heart )" with my mom. I love that song. It felt like a beautiful family moment that we could share with people.
WCT: How do you distance yourself from your mom in terms of your career?
LL: I don't think of myself that way, but I do try to express myself in the most authentic way. When you are authentic musically and putting everything you have into making beautiful art, lyrics and singing, then the music will speak for itself.
WCT: You worked on "Pale" with Annie, so talk about that.
LL: I wrote "Pale" a little while ago. It was a tough time in my life. I had lost someone very close to me. It was a lot to process, not just because of the loss, but how to reintegrate into the world after that loss.
It had been a demo for a while and we decided to finish it. I went to the studio with my mom and Scott Salinas, an incredible producer and film composer. We felt this was not a typical pop song. We wanted something atmospheric and emotive.
It was incredible to collaborate with my mom in that way. I had such a deep, personal connection to the song and we have that collaboration as mother and daughter.
I am so happy with how it came out. I hope it can touch people, especially in a time with Covid-19. I just finished the video today, so that will be coming out. I had to do that through the boundaries of Covid-19. I shot it in my apartment with my boyfriend. He was the director and we worked our butts off to make it work without professionals. I'm happy with how it came out!
WCT: Andy Stochansky was Ani DiFranco's drummer and co-wrote "Pale?"
LL: Yes. He was with her for a long time. He has released several albums as a solo singer/songwriter. We are good friends and have written plenty of songs together.
WCT: You have a new song "Back at Wrong" ready to be released?
LL: Yes, it will be out this summer. It's a 180 from "Pale." It is high energy, raw, rough and fun!
WCT: Are you an animal lover from working on the Serengeti project?
LL: I am an animal lover from afar, because the truth is, I have the worst allergies. I have a huge respect for nature. Environmental awareness is a huge thing for me to be a part of. We should take care of the planet and Serengeti allows us to realize there's a bigger network of life out there than just us.
WCT: Is your mom making new music?
LL: She is releasing some live versions of past songs while she is on lockdown in her home studio.
WCT: What do you want to tell people about you as an artist that haven't heard you yet?
LL: I want to tell LGBTQ people that they rock. I love their passion. I hope they can come onboard this crazy musical journey of mine and enjoy it with me!
To learn more about Lennox, visit LolaLennox.com .
