ROZALLA Talks New Music, 2024 UK Live Dates And More

ROZALLA is a dance music performer / artiste. Her worldwide hit Everybody’s Free in 1993 went top 10 in over 30 countries. With a packed schedule including Superboxx Festival at Rochester Castle, Kent on 6th July, Reminisce Festival in Liverpool on 7th September and Biggest Disco Arena tour which takes in Wembley, Birmingham and Glasgow later this year she kindly chatted to JLTT about her plans:

When did you first start performing and songwriting?

I began performing at a very young age in Zambia.

Do you have any live shows in the UK coming up in 2024? 

Yes, I have several dates in my diary for gigs this year in the UK

Your new album ‘Turn On The Light’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the record?

When Gary Simmons (head of my label) began chatting about my album Turn On The Light’ we decided we didn’t want an only hands up in the air album, But one that had mid tempo song, Covers that were done years ago and ballads. Something I’ve hardly done.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I recorded the album/vocals in Wood Green with a producer called, Paul Miles. And then the stems for the vocals were sent to different various producers and mixers to take the songs to the next level. 

What is your earliest musical memory?

I used to love listening to Aretha Franklin and still do.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Growing up, I enjoyed listening to Diana Ross, The Jackson’s, some African artists called Letta Mbula and Miriam Makeba

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To know that the people who have watched my shows feel happy and I’ve left the stage with

A smile on my face.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love the feel of holding a microphone, it’s tells me it’s showtime.

You previously toured Europe with Michael Jackson. What was that experience like and did you get to speak to him/did he give you any advice?

The experience of performing with Michael Jackson will forever remain one of the highlights of my career.  And I got to meet him to and he came across a good person and a very talented one. It was him who asked me how I look after my voice.

Where is your hometown?

I live in Surrey. 

A lot of people will know you and your voice from the Nineties anthem ‘Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)’. How did the opportunity to sing on the track arise and how do you feel about the song given how popular it has become?

Tim Cox and Nigel Swanston, loved my voice and when I went into the around with them, Nigel had me singing over the musical instrumentation, EBF over and over in different trying out different melodies, till he/we were happy we got the chorus, then he proceeded to write the verse to match the chorus’s story. It’s quite surreal how EBF has stood the test of time and has afforded me over thirty years later to have the career that I do.

How do you look after your voice?

I always try to warm up my vocals before a show, so I don’t strain or force it, and though it can be difficult when you have lots of shows to do, but ultimately the best thing is to keep quite and rest the voice and also steaming helps.

What makes ROZALLA happy and what makes you unhappy?

Walking in the woods makes me happy. Mind you walking most places I enjoy.

And what makes me unhappy, is not being able to go round the corner to have a cup of tea with my Mum/family in Africa, because they’re so far away. But equally happy to know they are fine and thank goodness for the internet.