Carmen Lees Talks Single ‘Cocoon’, Her Voice And More

Dec 26, 2023 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Photo Credit: Supplied By PR

North London-based singer-songwriter Carmen Lees has a single entitled ‘Cocoon’ out now and will release more in 2024. She spoke to JLTT about her sound, voice and more:

You have released your new single ‘Cocoon’ which you also produced yourself. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

Cocoon was produced and written by Moghul Miz and Myself. This song was the first I’ve been heavily involved in the vocal production, musical production and mixing. I wanted to make something that was dripping in harmonies and had a classical twist.

I’ve always been a massive nerd over jazz chords and intricate vocal melodies and therefore whenever we make any song I prefer to always focus on that element rather than lyrics. The lyrics followed later and mainly focussed on the feeling of being very introverted.

Where is your hometown and can you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is right on the border of Wales. I’m in London a lot for my work but I love my hometown, it’s a beautiful place. If I had to describe it in 5 words – Beautiful, calm + lots of sheep.

What music/artists do you enjoy listening to?

I used to listen heavily to a lot of older classics and the legends in R&B music but with the rise of independent artists being way more accessible my attention switched. I really enjoy listening to music in languages I don’t speak myself – I like being able to focus on the melodies rather than the meanings. At the moment I have Zeina, Colette Lush and Rimon on repeat.

How do you look after your voice?

I should really do more haha. Lemon and ginger tea is a gift. I have a bad tendency to get bored with exercises so I like using improvisation as a way of using my voice. I have a friend who is an amazing vocal coach so she gives me little tips and tricks now and then.

Do you have any plans to release more music either as singles, an EP or an album?

I’m releasing three other songs within the next year.

In doing some research I read that you have previously worked with Robin Banerjee – Amy Winehouse’s former guitarist. How did the pair of you meet and what was that experience like?

We actually met at a jam night at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club. A drummer I knew introduced us, I recognised Robin from footage I’d seen of the Back to Black Tour. We instantly got on and Robin really helped me bring life to the songs I was making. It was a fun period of time, running around London doing gigs. Any live performance or session I was with Robin – what we were creating was a level above anything I’d made before.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments/pedals/effects?

Strings! I think strings make a song come to life and give it a romantic edge. The song was a bucket list moment as I’ve always wanted to play around with a bigger range of instruments on my songs.

What is the best piece of advice that you have received (so far)?

Someone said this to me and it’s always stuck with me. You should never compare yourself to others because you either end up gaining an ego or losing an ego and neither option is good. Just that sentence helped me just focus on myself and what I’m up to and my progress in my own journey.

What makes Carmen Lees happy and what makes you unhappy?

Any situation where we get to turn out phones off and be in a studio or somewhere relaxed and get to be present and create is what makes me the happiest.