If you're looking for alt pop with an edge, Lefturn's Animal Style is for you. As an artist that hasn't previously been able to share her voice, Lefturn is using hers to take pride in her queer identity and to encourage others to speak.
"I love being eccentric and dramatic and I channel that through my artist persona. I don’t have any fear when doing that as LEFTURN because if someone says “LEFTURN is a bad artist” it doesn’t bother me because”LEFTURN” doesn’t exist, I made them up."
Animal Style is the natural progression after your debut album AGENDA. What was the writing process like for Animal Style?
Animal Style came about super authentically. I was just playing my guitar one morning and the riff instantly came to me and I knew I had to make it into a track straight away. The whole thing went so quickly and effortlessly and was written and recorded in less than an hour.
"If I’m having a bad day, I turn to music. If I’m having a good day, I turn to music."
The confidence and energy of this track is addictive, alongside your underlying message for equality, what other messages are there in your music?
I think the most important thing for me to be as an artist is myself and do that unapologetically and honestly. This way I can be the representation for people who are like me. As a queer person every move you make can be a message to other queer people that they can do it too and they should be proud of themselves.
What feelings did you want to evoke when writing this song?
I wanted evoke that side of yourself that is fearless and confident. I wanted to be able to pump you up when you’re feeling a bit below it and hopefully I’ve done that. Also as a lesbian, talking so frankly about the women I love and what I love about them in my music can hopefully excite other people if they feel the same way. Representation is so exciting.
"There are so many talented women and gender non conforming people that deserve way more exposure and love."
You talk about how you are quite a shy person, how does this contrast to your stage persona?
There is quite a drastic difference between my artist persona and my personal persona. When I told my family I was going to perform my first show they couldn’t believe that I wanted to being such a shy person but I love being an artist. I love being eccentric and dramatic and I channel that through my artist persona. I don’t have any fear when doing that as LEFTURN because if someone says “LEFTURN is a bad artist” it doesn’t bother me because”LEFTURN” doesn’t exist, I made them up.
What does music mean to you? Music means everything to me. It’s honestly my passion and I can’t imagine my life without it. If I’m having a bad day, I turn to music. If I’m having a good day, I turn to music. I just love everything about it and there’s always so much more to learn and discover and that’s my favourite part.
What keeps you in the music industry?
Mainly the act of writing and recording songs to be honest. Some parts of working in the industry I’m not a huge fan of but the good far outward the bad. Hearing that I have inspired someone or they feel seen through my music is incredibly motivating too.
How would you like to see the music industry change for women and gender minorities?
I’d like to see more opportunities across the board. There are so many talented women and gender non conforming people that deserve way more exposure and love. I hope to see us all supporting each other and lifting each other up.
What advice would you give to a woman who wants to enter the music industry? I’d say firstly, are you passionate about music? If the answer is yes then throw yourself into it. If the answer is maybe, also throw yourself into it, you might love it and find your passion. You’re probably going to have to work harder than your male counterparts to get the same results but I know you can do it.
"As a queer person every move you make can be a message to other queer people that they can do it too and they should be proud of themselves."
What female artists are you digging right now?
I am loving Little Simz and Snoh Aalegra at the moment. They occupy my earphones the most.
Dream collab? There are so many people I’d love to work with. I’d like to work with Stevie Wonder because I feel like we both pay attention to the groove in similar yet completely different ways and I feel that could make something amazing.
What qualities are you most proud of in yourself?
I’m most proud of my determination. If I want to do something, I’ll do it and I’ve always been like that since a child. I’m also proud of my self sufficiency. If I need something doing, I’ll learn to do it myself and give it a go.
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