Ivy Lo

R’n’B songstress Ivy Lo is the Louisiana talent that should be on everyone’s radar, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter is set to take the music world by storm with her soulful vocals and meaningful lyrics, as she explores the sweet sounds of R’n’B and Neo Soul. After turning her childhood dream of becoming a musician into a reality in 2020, Ivy Lo delivers her latest 6-track EP ‘Keep it Off My Mind’, which seems to be her most personal body of work to date.

Neo Music sat down with Ivy Lo, who delved into heartbreak, reflection and growth, which are all common themes on her most recent EP ‘Keep it Off My Mind’. Ivy Lo is a force to be reckoned with, proving you can do anything if you put your mind to it, 2024 is set to be a stepping year for the rising musician.

Firstly you have such a beautiful voice, did you always want to become a Musician?

I think when I was younger I had ambitions of being a singer, however, it was nothing that held much of any weight to it. It was wishful thinking and something that was brought forth from my childhood. To give it more context, think of how kids may say, “I want to be an astronaut!” or “I want to fly!” It was from this area that I was pulling my ambitions of wanting to be a singer as a child. I had a hobby of singing but that’s as far as it went. I didn’t know until my young adult years in college that this is something I would enjoy doing as a career.

Your vocals are so soulful, which songs, in particular, influenced you growing up?

A lot of Sade songs inspired me growing up. I think about “No Ordinary Love” and “Soldier of Love”. I loved the dynamic of these songs, and how her heavy yet sultry voice captured the lyrics in a manner that showcased

her determination through any arrangement of lyrics. I love how she spoke about love, it was very simplistic but you could still feel that it was true. I also love the song “Wading” by Jhene Aiko. It felt like a full-blown production when I heard it the first time. Her mellow tone and soft runs have inspired me when creating my music. I can mention many other songs like “A Long Walk” by Jill Scott or “Whoa” by Snoh Aalegra. However, the common denominator is the undeniable soul within these songs that tug at me. These artists, in my opinion, capture it the most. I have learned so much from them and I try to show it when creating my own music.

Your latest EP ‘Keep it Off My Mind’ tell us about it, what was the process? Are the tracks based on your own experiences?

The process of creating this EP was fast-tracked and swift by intention. I was energised and ready to release another project showcasing my new-found growth and wisdom within the genre of Neo-Soul. Originally the

EP was supposed to be five tracks, but I was going through a breakup while trying to release this project and told my producer to send me another beat so I could reflect on the emotions I was feeling at the time.

This would go on to be my song “Run Away” which made it onto the EP as the sixth track and outro. This alone stipulates that my project incorporated some of my personal experiences. However, the other tracks on the

project highlighted my thought process and emotions more passively and relatively discreetly. I pulled inspiration from myself, from others, and through others. For instance, my song “Jonathan Please” is very direct,

and anyone would assume that I have had some type of relationship with Jonathan, but in reality, Jonathan is not real. Jonathan was just a name I pulled from somebody, but the storyline does relate to me through

the actions of someone else.

Your latest project has themes of self love especially on tracks like ‘No More Love” and ‘Girl You Used to Know’, would you say your music reflects where you are in your life?

Yes, I would 100% agree that the theme you hypothesized of self-love speaks to the position I am in currently Dating has a way of showing you what type of person you are. Speaking from a young woman, I have learned

that this is the time in my life when I should focus on loving myself the and loving my purpose and my passions - such as music - the most. I have also learned, more than ever, that people come and go. However, I am stuck with myself for life. Therefore, I have to love myself harder than I have ever loved anyone. I have to give grace to myself the way God gives grace to me, I have to speak positivity over my life the way a good friend would. I need to be everything that I need; complete and whole. Self-love is God’s love. Unconditional.

What is your favourite track from ‘Keep it Off My Mind’?

“No More Love" is my ultimate favourite track on my EP “Keep It Off My Mind”. I think it’s because it was rooted in what felt like my reality at a certain period in my life. You can hear the defeat I felt and the bitterness in the tone. I was in a space where I would continuously allow others to dictate my emotions, which in return would dictate my quality of life. The alternative for me was to shut my emotions off completely, as I did not want to get hurt. Taking a risk for love was no longer a risk I was willing to take. I was burnt out, over it, and completely convinced I had nothing left. I am proud of this track because I believe I apprehended this sentiment

cohesively through the production, acid-like lyrics, and downhearted Melody.

You’re inspired by the likes of Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild and Janet Jackson, who are the artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

I would love to collaborate with J. Cole, Frank Ocean, Floetry, and especially Jill Scott if the opportunity ever presents itself. I think my vibe would mesh well with them all. We would create a hit, for sure.

What can people expect from you in the future?

People can expect more singles, unreleased singles, and more authenticity from me in the future as it relates to my music. I have been very general within my musical journey, by choice, but this time around I want to tell my

story and be unapologetic about it. My goal then was to be relatable. My goal now is to be more personable. I want to express it through my lyrics, through my performances, and in my overall life. The dynamic has changed and I feel more comfortable in my artistry. Expect me to step into more of

who I am in the future!

Interviewed by Jadene Rogerson