Leo Waves

Born and raised in East London, Leo Waves is a singer-songwriter with a longtime passion for making up melodies and songs, even since her early school days. Leo makes music she describes as being Wavy through her ambient, unique tone and distinct melodies. The vibes she provides are of different energy, and the versatility within her music varies from soft bedroom vocals to elements of rap but transferred into singing.

NEO: Hi Leo Waves. Congrats on your newest single ‘In My Soul’! Could you tell us a little bit about it and what inspired you to write it?

LEO: In My Soul is a song that encapsulates the feeling of struggling with your own mind, and how things can often feel like they have become too much to carry. I describe it as a heavy feeling in my soul because as much as we can't see it, we know it's there.. just like some would describe the soul. Others may refer to this as their energy, some may say things are affecting their vibe, but overall, it all refers to the same thing, the things we are carrying are becoming too heavy to hold. I wrote this song when I was 18, so my music has changed a lot since then, but even to this day I am still able to relate to the lyrics, because I think we all have had this feeling at one point in our life.

NEO: Where did your artist name come from?

LEO: Originally I had shortened my name and just went by ‘Leo’ back in my early soundcloud days when I was 16. Even then I would describe my music as ‘Waves’ and ‘Wavy’.      When I made a music account where I would post my music ideas, I saw that every artist on instagram had their username and then the word ‘music’ next to it to show people that they were an artist. I remember thinking “I don’t want to just say I make music because I would describe what I do as making waves”. So I made my instagram name ‘LeoWaves’. I was then approached to do a live show when I was 17 and they called me up on stage referring to me as ‘Leo Waves’, as I guess that's what they thought my name was judging from my soundcloud coverart and instagram handle. At that moment I just knew that Leo Waves was going to be my artist name. 

NEO: Who inspires you musically?

LEO: I have always had a love for Kid Cudi from a very young age. I used to listen to his album ‘Man On The Moon’ on repeat when I was 12. I knew sonically he was good with melodies and that he had this thing that made him distinct from other rappers. He would apply these melodies using hums and a cadence in his voice that really made his music hit. I also loved Jhene Aiko when I was in school, she has such sweet vocals, but also this energy about her songs that you could really feel in your soul. I think those 2 artists heavily inspired me. I believe my music is a mixture of these types of genres where I can apply sweet bedroom vocals in verses but also apply the energy of rap through singing.

 NEO: If you could pick any three artists to collaborate with, who would it be?

LEO: It would definitely be Kid Cudi first. I would also love to work with the American rapper Russ as I have been told many times on Tiktok that the singing freestyles I do are in line with the kind of flows and music he makes, and I think that would be cool to see what we could make. I also really do love this artist called Dounia. She's insanely talented, and when I found her music a few years ago I really felt like I’d found someone on my vibe who is in line with the kind of music that I make.

NEO: What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

LEO: I think when people see me they just think I am this little girl who sings. They underestimate what I can do. People might judge my music based on one thing I might do, and then not know how much I am really capable of. I can freestyle singing melodies and lyrics at the top of my head, probably better than a lot of rappers out there, but if you didn't know that you might just hear a song and think that this is all I can do. When I do freestyles, people will say how they were shocked I can do this or they will think I’m lying about freestyling until I prove it. I think it's funny because you never really know what an artist is capable of just from hearing one song. 

NEO: What is the most memorable moment in your career so far?

LEO: I think last year when I started to get a following on Tiktok and a few of my videos were doing really well at one point. The comments and engagement was something I never had to that degree before, and it made me remember there is a real target audience out there just waiting to hear music like what I make.. They just haven't found me yet. That gave me so much more confidence to push forward with even more work ethic. I am completely independent so I direct and edit all my music videos and do all my PR and promotion. I think when you get a great reaction, it reminds you who you are making this music for. So now even when views are not as high, I have that feeling that I've captured and I know I can get it again.

NEO: If you could travel to one of the planets, which planet would you go to?

LEO: I would go to Mars just to see what's up. Maybe I’ll show the aliens my music and then they won't take over earth because they liked my vibe.

NEO: How would you describe the music that you typically create?

LEO: WAVY. I never really saw myself as a typical artist who studied music theory or knew how to sing like Adele. I saw myself as a girl who liked to make melodies and always had a skill for songwriting from a young age, who has now figured out she can sing and can make this sweet sound. That, and the fact that I have always had a love for making different kinds of melodies, WAVY MUSIC is what I’ve always identified with.

NEO: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

LEO: I just graduated from Uni so I know I’d be working, which at the moment is a given as my career hasn't taken off.. (Key word: yet). But I just know even if It wasn’t for music I’d always be doing something creative, as I have a love for editing my own music videos and making something out of nothing, so I think that is just a part of me. I also would love to write songs for other people at some point because I know it's a skill I have.

NEO: What do you hope to achieve by the time you reach 50 years of age?

LEO: When I’m 50 I want to have released a lot of music with a full body of work, have built up a loyal audience who resonated with my sound, and work with people I have always looked up to. It’s about finding people that like the same kind of music I make and making music for them. I am slowly growing so I know I will find my people. It would be amazing to make a full-time career out of this. I strongly feel one of my songs will do well at some point. It’s just a numbers game.

NEO: Finally, let us know where to find you, on your social media!

LEO: You can find me on Spotify at Leo Waves, I have a youtube channel where I have edited all of my music videos which are also under ‘Leo Waves’. My Tiktok and Instagram handle is ‘LeoWavesx’. Thank you!

Make sure to give Leo Waves a follow and keep up with her journey!