Trying to find your place in the world is something we all struggle with, especially as teenagers. I had the chance to speak to Luisa (stage name Lui$a), who at only sixteen is already becoming an accomplished musician. Born in New York but now based in Kosovo, Lui$a fell in love with music when she was just a toddler. I found her passion and determination to create a name for herself in music incredibly inspiring and wanted to know all about her story. We talked about her biggest inspirations, being recognised in the music industry as a teenager, her ambitions for the future and more.
Read the full interview below:
Q. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?
"I am LUI$A, I started singing since I was a toddler, I play the piano. I produce and am currently learning music theory. I started releasing original songs since 2019, My first cover was “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse in 2014. I was born in Long Island, New York and lived in Queens, New York. After a while, my family and I moved back to Prishtina, Kosovo. My style of music is very diverse. I used to listen to a lot of heavy metal and punk music. Both of my parents are musicians (my mom is a soprano and my dad is a music producer)."
Q. When did your passion for music begin?
"Both of my parents are musicians and music was played all the time around the house. I guess that helped me get interested in music. I started singing since I was little and started making beats in 6th grade, I play the piano so music is a big part of my life."
Q. Describe your sound in three words.
"Vibrant, Vivid and Smooth"
Q. What do you think separates you from other artists?
"I am a very diverse artist, I sing, produce, and write. I experiment with my style a lot and not afraid to try something new. I am willing to create a new sound, target all audiences, and inspire as many youngsters as I can."
Q. Who are your biggest inspirations?
"Currently, my biggest fashion influences are David Bowie, Dennis Rodman, and Rina
Sawayama. While my music is inspired by Jun Fukamachi, Rina Sawayama, Sade, A tribe
called quest and Asap Rocky, each of them displaying a different and unique type of style,
all of which can be recognized on my tracks, thus presenting a contemporary yet ageless
sound to the mainstream scene."
Q. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
"I would love to work with artists like; Steve Lacy, Rina Sawayama, Kim Petras, and Brockhampton."
Q. What’s the music scene like in Kosovo where you are living?
"People don’t listen to R&B, funk, and jazz in Kosovo. They are more into dancehall and especially Hip Hop. I don’t think the music scene in Kosovo is for me but I still get support from my peers and colleagues."
Q. Are you finding it difficult to create a name for yourself/be taken seriously in the music
industry as a sixteen year old?
"No, on the contrary, I am finding it very easy to create a name for myself as a sixteen-year-old. My parents have taught me since I was young and I still take music classes for me to learn more and perfect my craft. I work 24\7 so, I think the work pays off."
Q. What is a typical day in your life like at the moment?
"I have music theory three times a week and work at the studio every day. I go out once or twice a week. I’m not really into going out, I usually skate at the basketball court near my house. My best friend lives near me so we hang out in our neighborhood most of the time. I also like eating cup noodles in the balcony at 6 PM (it is very therapeutic to me)."
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years?
"I would like to produce, write and compose songs for other artists, have my own concerts and influence the youth to produce and create, accept their flaws, and unleash their creativity through art."
Q. Any goals for the near future?
"I would like to release an Album, release my EP that I’m currently working on, and hopefully make songs for other artists."
Q. Finally, do you have any advice for other teenagers trying to be heard in the music
industry?
"Try starting the career a little more early and find ways to get heard through media platforms. Always work on your craft and try to perfect it."
If you want to check out Lui$a's music, you can find it on major platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and Amazon.
Big thanks to Lui$a for taking part in this interview.
Photos by Andi Deçani (@andidecanivisuals)
Interview and article by @poppymaeg
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