Check out our interview with London based multi-talented musician Logan J Parker who will be releasing her first Christmas track “Sweet Songs of Love” on December 25, 2020.
Being a singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist, and pianist, her compositions are a blend of old Blues, Soul, and 60’s Rock and Roll with a touch of modern-day sophistication. Logan is part of the Extinction Rebellion’s musical arm Music Declares Emergency. Fiercely independent and a copyright owner, Logan is ready to take the world by storm.
Follow Logan @loganjparkermusic
Hi Logan, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! I am a London based singer-songwriter and I play the guitar, piano and ukulele. I can’t live without coffee. I love everything that’s romantic and poetic. Art is my shelter and I wouldn’t know what to do if I had to face the world without music in my life.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Kind, Stubborn and Eccentric.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I suppose if you’d ask me how I got into music, that would be an easy one but the industry is a little bit more complicated. Something I am starting to learn as I go. It’s not a pleasant job to be honest, it’s not fun at all. I feel like as an independent musician I’ve been forced to learn about the business and its rules and as boring as it may sound and truly is, I am starting to see some outcome which makes me very happy. Although sometimes I wish someone could do the business for me while I focus entirely on creating my art. But answering your question, I formally joined this industry in 2019 when I released my debut EP. Truth is I was lucky enough to meet Viv Broughton, CEO of the Premises Studios and since then he has taken me on board and provided me with a platform where I can record and release my music independently. Viv is a great supporter of all arts and a music trustee. He has taught me so much about this business. I don’t think I would ever have done it without his precious advice.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Sophisticated, original and nostalgic.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
My grandmother Maria was a great influence to me, she was a musician and she was truly inspiring. My mum Rita who believed in my musical talent before I even knew it existed. All the Jazz, Blues and Soul legends I grew up listening to such as Ray Charles, Memphis Minnie, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Vaya con Dios, I guess these are my core influences. I didn’t choose to make music, as cliche as this may sound I think music chose me. I tried to steer away from it but it kept coming back to me.
Do you ever get nervous?
Yes, especially when I am recording. It’s funny but I always get more nervous before a recording session then when I’m about to perform live. It’s the responsibility of the moment, the realisation that you are creating something that will last for all time. That can be overwhelming sometimes, especially if you are trying to get it right, with all the necessary emotion.
Tell us about your new single “Sweet Songs of Love?”
I think it’s one of my best songs. It’s filled with romance. It talks about being away from someone you love over the Christmas season. The song itself is a vehicle of emotions. I was trying to shorten the distance with every chord of my guitar.
What’s the story behind this song?
Two Christmasses ago I was in love, my boyfriend at the time was away with work in Indonesia and I was missing him a lot, so after I wrote the song and recorded it on my phone I sent it to him on WhatsApp. A few days later he broke up with me via text message. I guess he didn’t like it! (laughs) I think I haven’t found a man strong enough to accept me the way I am. The fact is he later came back apologizing saying he was scared. I forgave him and I wished him well but he wasn’t meant for me.
Did you have plans/concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interaction with your fans?
I did have my first festival in the USA, ‘Springboard Festival’ in Memphis to be more precise. I was super excited but it got cancelled due to the pandemic. We ended up doing an online version of it but it’s not quite the same. I started doing regular live streams from my Facebook page. So every Monday at 7 PM GMT I jump on facebook and play some live music for my fans. It’s getting quite popular. It’s a very different sort of interaction compared to a live gig but it’s worth it.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
I want to play a gig in a mental hospital or do a tour through several mental institutions. I feel like music keeps my mental health in check and I wish I could help other people cope with their issues. My aim as a musician is to make people feel good so I am always embracing charity work cause I believe every single action generates a reaction and that can change lives or it can even change the world. That’s pure magic. I think music heals and in a way I feel like a healer.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
It’s so much fun to perform live and get people’s reactions, get them singing along, dancing or even simply tapping their feet. It’s love in its purest form, back and forth. There’s a connection between musician and audience, something so magical it gets addictive after a while. It’s fun to make records and share that joy with fellow musicians and recording engineers. It’s fun to mix these records and see them growing like babies becoming adults. It’s fun to open your email or social media and find what people are saying about you, whether it’s good stuff or simply nonsense (laughs). Something that isn’t fun: not being able to make enough money to earn a living with your music or being broke, or being away from your family for long periods of time, or not knowing what’s gonna happen tomorrow, will you still be able to keep making music? Will you be able to afford it? I truly hope people and when I mean people I mean the fans will come together and support independent music. I have many friends who expect me to send them my songs or Cds or Vinyls for free, they never think of purchasing them. We indie musicians are all by ourselves, so if you want to keep listening to our music you better buy a CD, get your downloads on apple music or get some merch on our websites. This is the only way possible. Otherwise and considering the extremely difficult times we’re going through, indie musicians are at risk and the world needs us.
What’s next for Logan J Parker in 2021?
An album in 2021. I’m confident to say it out loud. Good things are on the way.
What is your favorite song? And why?
My all time favourite song is ‘Got to Make a Change Blues’ by Memphis Minnie. It’s my life in those lyrics. I love Minnie, she taught me how to sing and love the blues.
Any loves other than music?
I love surfing. When I was living in Portugal I used to surf every day. Being in the water was like a second home for me. I miss it terribly. The freedom and the joy of being one with the ocean. I wrote songs about it.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Prince Harry, it’s not that I have a crush on him, well I had (laughs) but I feel like he is such an inspiring man, super kind and generous and also the ultimate romantic. I would like to have a chat with him and maybe write a song about it.
Best advice ever given?
‘never leave something unsaid’ by my lovely mum Rita.
How’s a typical day in your life?
At the moment it is quite boring without live music but I wake up every morning (never early) and I drag myself to the kitchen. The first thing I do is to make myself a cup of coffee. Without it I can’t function. I try to follow a routine, I start with social media, instagram and facebook, I post whatever I have prepared for the day, then I answer fan comments and messages, there are always quite a few so it takes some time to get back to everyone. I like to individually reply to everyone as I feel very lucky for having such great fans as I do. They’re absolutely amazing and without them I wouldn’t be here. I like cooking so that’s naturally a part of my day. I love practicing sports so I also spend a couple hours swimming or working out if we’re allowed in the gym, if not I just go for a run. I try to practice music everyday, so I tend to practice the piano, ukulele and guitar. I also record new songs with my sound interface. I have so many new songs, I am blessed to be a very prolific songwriter. The songs come naturally and they’re all beautiful. Well, I’m suspicious to talk because I feel they’re my babies and I love each and every single one of them. Usually, I go to bed late hence the fact that I wake up late. I feel very productive in the nighttime. That’s when I get my best ideas. I like working at night. It’s really cool. The house is silent and time passes by without me even noticing it. Some nights I don’t sleep at all, especially if I have a deadline or if I’m worried about something, I just keep going. I was taught that if you want to achieve something you have to work really hard for it, so that’s what I do. I like reading a book in bed, it helps me relax. I think I am very lucky to do what I love. I had so many other jobs in the past that weren’t music related and I remember my days being so sad.
Name one of your strengths?
I am brave.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Waking up late to the smell on pancakes and the sound of Bill Withers – lovely day.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Shania Twain – Man! I feel like a woman.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness is when the world understands you and you understand the world.
Do you support any charities?
I do, I support Extinction Rebellion and Music Declares Emergency. I am also planning to do more on this level in 2021.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love soup and vegetables. I used to be a vegetarian but I started eating fish this year so I guess I am now what they call a pescatarian. I love everything that’s organic and fresh. I like to believe I’m a good cook.
And your favorite cheat food?
I really love chocolate and fries. Can’t resist a veggie burger either. Vegan lasagna is definitely on the list as well.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
I think if my date told me he is into Charles Bukowski he would definitely get a hug. I never met a romantic man. They were all trying to be romantic and failing at it. It’s like the poet I just mentioned said: ‘if you want something go all the way’. If you want a woman you have to deserve her. I feel like men make no effort nowadays or maybe I’m just too old fashioned.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I want to be married and have a baby. I also want to do a world tour and I feel the two things are slightly incompatible. Maybe I will choose the world tour (laughs).
How would you describe your fashion style?
Temperamental. I like to wear clothes that reflect my spirit. I love to overdress sometimes, I can’t help it. I like to get people confused. I hate being predictable. I love wearing things that make me feel comfortable or sexy or simply clothes that make me feel beautiful.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think it’s a great tool if well used. I also think it’s slightly overrated. A friend texted me the other day ‘oh I don’t even need to ask you how’re doing cause you’ve been smashing the social media’. May I tell you that those are very different things. Social media doesn’t represent your life. If you’re a musician like me, it represents your music career. I can post a great photo of me talking about my next single and I may be going through sad times. People need to understand this difference. It’s good to ask how your friends are doing, it’s also really good to go see your friends in person. Social media is a tool, it’s not your real life. That’s how I see it.
Where can we follow you?
On Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify. But if you visit my website www.loganjparker.com you’ll find all the links.
Quote: “My soul is a hidden orchestra; I know not what instruments, what fiddlestrings and harps, drums and tamboura I sound and clash inside myself. All I hear is the symphony.” Fernando Pessoa
Movie: La Vie en Rose – Olivier Dahan
Travel Destination: Scotland
Sports Team: Benfica and Arsenal
