Laura Mvula

There's nothing I love more in the world than layering voices.

— Laura Mvula

Who made you the center of the universe?

— Laura Mvula

London audiences have this reputation for being a bit too cool for school.

— Laura Mvula

I write songs from the heart, and I don't hold back.

— Laura Mvula

My songs are very personal, which means they are fantastically therapeutic to write, but performing them night after night is emotionally draining.

— Laura Mvula

I love church buildings, particularly cathedrals, and I like living in spaces that remind me of music or evoke that creative energy.

— Laura Mvula

My parents were quite strict; we couldn't just listen to whatever music we wanted. It was very much like they monitored what…

— Laura Mvula

'Green Garden' is about beauty and joy and lush green and dance and excitement and smiling from within.

— Laura Mvula

I grew up playing in youth orchestras, so they were my most treasured memories, so to be in front of an orchestra…

— Laura Mvula

Fame hasn't really affected me. I have a really close knit group around me, and my sister is always with me, so…

— Laura Mvula

I respect hippos. They just look the way they do; they can't do anything about it, but they don't seem bothered.

— Laura Mvula

The first time I sang in church, when I was ten, the applause was so overwhelming that I started to weep. My…

— Laura Mvula

I regrettably wasted time at university by being overwhelmed and intimidated by the talent of other composers. I felt stuck and didn't…

— Laura Mvula

What I wear is everything - from how I carry my hair to what I'm wearing on my feet. I have to…

— Laura Mvula

I've always had this passion to be creative, and wanted to sing or be in bands and make music, but I didn't…

— Laura Mvula

Lots of people think I'm telling porky pies when I say how nervous I get about singing. I was good at working…

— Laura Mvula

I think, when I started writing songs, my voice just became another tool. It wasn't something that I was going to try…

— Laura Mvula

I remember listening to Miles Davis in the car with my dad. I had just done my Grade 5 piano exam, and…

— Laura Mvula

I envy those who can wear red lipstick or any bold lip colour, really. My top lip just doesn't seem to take…

— Laura Mvula

There was always a piano in the house when I was growing up - my dad played, and I thought it was…

— Laura Mvula

My aunt is the director of the acapella group Black Voices. I was so struck by them as a child. They sang…

— Laura Mvula

If I'm uncomfortable on stage, everybody can see it. I'm not very good at hiding it. I like long, loose jacket dresses…

— Laura Mvula

For me, a wake-up playlist completely depends on what mood I'm in. If I need to get into action pretty quick, it…

— Laura Mvula

Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did and I'd say, well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical…

— Laura Mvula

I'm by no means a pianist. I think that's safe to say, but the piano, for me, I would say it's the…

— Laura Mvula

I really love jazz, but I will never be a jazz musician as much as I dream. But, I think that the…

— Laura Mvula

I always said when I was younger, I wanted to write film music, and I think that's what my ultimate dream is.

— Laura Mvula

Limitlessness is important for me; I want to be able to use every opportunity to push me forward onto the next thing.

— Laura Mvula

It's important for any artist - particularly female artists - to feel completely comfortable and to know what they're trying to do.

— Laura Mvula

My parents encouraged us to commit to things, so if we wanted to learn an instrument, it was all the grades and…

— Laura Mvula

One of the things I haven't been ready for is how male-dominated the music industry is. I just didn't have a clue.

— Laura Mvula

I got into the habit of filtering out all the good in my life, focusing on only the negative. I'm not sure…

— Laura Mvula

I don't talk about Amy Winehouse as a 'singer.' She's a pioneer. I listened to her endlessly when I started writing.

— Laura Mvula

I listen to a lot of choral stuff at home, but I'm also liking Labrinth, Emeli Sande, Tom Odell and Wretch 32.

— Laura Mvula

I don't think I've ever been chatted up, and I don't think I've ever chatted anyone up. The Fresh Prince has the…

— Laura Mvula

I like pastels and lighter shades on darker skins. I feel like it lifts everything and accentuates being chocolate.

— Laura Mvula

You don't have to aim to be the best of everything, thinking that one day you're going to be the top of…

— Laura Mvula

Lizz Wright is my favourite singer. Her voice moves me and takes me to another place. She also grows her own food,…

— Laura Mvula

I come from an African Caribbean background. I've been influenced by a reggae church music style, contemporary gospel, and rock all fused…

— Laura Mvula

Taxi drivers used to ask me what kind of music I did, and I'd say, 'Well, it's kind of jazz, soul, classical'…

— Laura Mvula