TALK OF FAME: LIRA – eine ästhetische Erscheinung in jeder Hinsicht Interview und Fotos: Andrea Beckert Während des „South Africa in Colours“-Festivals Ende Juni in Wien begeisterte eine faszinierende Sängerin aus Südafrika: Lira. Wie kaum eine andere Persönlichkeit wurde die Chartstürmerin ihrem Ruf als singende Stilikone gerecht. Mit ihrer intensiven, kristallklaren Stimme zog sie ihre neuen Wiener Fans sofort in den Bann und sorgte mit ihrer Musik – einem Mix aus Afro-Pop, Jazz, RnB und Soul – für einen Ohrenschmaus. Weiter zur Diashow (17 pictures)... Grund genug für uns über die charismatische Künstlerin mehr zu erfahren. Lira erzählte uns aus ihrem spannenden Leben und natürlich standen auch ihr aktuelles Album „Return To Love“ , ihre Karriere, sowie Tradition, Erfahrungen, Mode und vieles mehr im Mittelpunkt des Interviews: How are you? Where are you at the moment? I’ve recently come black from my US tour, I’m in chilly South Africa! Africa is very well known for traditional. You represent the modern South Africa. Did you grown up in a more traditional or more modern way? I consider myself as an Urban African. I grew up in the township where we had roads, electricity, mixed cultures and loads of ambition. Some traditions were retained but people in the townships adopted to city life and some things were not passed on to us, the children growing up in these environments. In which age did you get in contact with music for the first time? And when did you desire the passion for music? Music has been around for as long as I can remember. My parents tell me that I was already singing and performing at age 4 however, my earliest memory of consciously connecting with music was when I was 7 years old. What’s fascinating about music for you? I was amazed by the impact music had on the adults around me. I saw how it seemed to create a world of escapisms for them during the apartheid era. It also seemed to me that music gave words to the things they were feeling but could not articulate. As I grew older music also made me feel good and so I wanted to be able to continue doing exactly that… Making people happy through music. How does your working-day look like? My career is a full time commitment. I run my career as a business so besides all the preparation needed for performances, I find myself having to spend a few hours a day responding to emails and doing a lot of forward planning. Sometimes I’m working well passed midnight to try and get through everything. My day is typically filled with interviews, meetings and rehearsals… everyday is just so full of activity. I try to work out at least 3 times a week but its hard because my days are so erratic. Which kind of music and when are you listening music? I listen to all kinds of music. It depends on my mood, I like African songs from old days from Mirriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu. I also like Khandja Nin. I also get in the mood for Jazz from Liz Wright and Dianna Reeves, yet I also listen to our local Kwaito music which is dance orientated… its great to get the day going with this music. Please tell me something about your new album „Return To Love“? „Return To Love“ is my 4th studio album. In this album I solidify the Lira sound of Afro Soul. It is soulful, vibrant, mellow and groovy at the same time. It has influences of Jazz, Soul, RnB and Funk. It is very reflective of the space I am in. I am expressing my love for all the things that I LOVE, this includes LOVE itself, dancing, life and the journey of pursuing my dreams. What is the idea behind the album, why did you choose this title? The album is directed at reminding people to return to the things that they love and enjoy – LOVE is a verb. Did you write all songs by your own? I write all the words to the songs I sing and then I also develop the melodies for the songs. I then get together with my composition team which includes my producer and manager Robin Kohl, Victor Mngomezulu who plays keyboard and Tshepo Sekele who has played bass guitar for my band for many years. Where are your inspirations coming from?  I observe people and how we respond to life… I find this very intriguing. I also write about my own experiences but often in relation to other people in the hopes that they may relate to my messages. How does a creative part look like? It is very random, sometimes I’m inspired by an experience, sometimes I write songs after a good performance, some songs come to me while I’m trying to fall asleep and mostly I write about things I see in people that impact me or intrigue me. ...   Which song do like most and why? I have written and published over 50 songs… its hard to pick a favourite. It depends on my mood and also on what is currently happening in my life. This week, I have been enjoying the song „Believer“. I guess it is because I took the chance to introduce my music to the USA and I had an amazing experience – this song touches me very much right now! Do you remember your first gig, and how was your experience? Yes I do, I was a shy performer, but the crowd cheered for me which slowly helped me come out of my shell. It made me fall in love with live performing, because you create a connection with your audience in the spur of the moment. What can people expect from your live shows? I’m always striving to get better at what I do, so as we rehearse we get better and better. I think what makes me unique as a performer is that I open myself up to my audience and engage with them… I love that. A live show must be an experience that invigorates and inspires you. People come to the shows to forget their worries and feel good, I always hope that they leave feeling inspir- ed and energised as well! Your dress on the South Africa in Colours-opening gala was gorgeous. Did you design it be yourself or which designer created it? A wonderful designer called Cavid Tlale who showed his collection on the same night. After what do you choose your clothes? My clothes reflect my personality – the colours and the flowing skirts are important to me. I like to be feminine and African. I like my dressed to by light and flowing because I have fun with them on stage that way. What do you like most in your life? I love the fact that I’m truly living my dreams. I actually appreciate it. Is there something negative in your life? I miss being able to walk into a mall and do whatever I need to do without taking lots of pictures and signing autographs. Or not being able to ride a bicycle or take a walk in my neighbourhoods in peace. It’s not so negative but sometimes I miss being unknown. Perhaps what is negative is that sometimes I work too much. You are travelling a lot around the world. I’m sure your met a lot of interesting people, who impressed you most? I enjoyed the Italians, they are very much like Africans. They are loud and expressive, I also like the fact that they love life and appreciate beauty! The Spaniards like to party! The Germans love African music! I love that! What was the most outstanding compliment you have ever got? The most recent one in the US was after one of the shows in California. One gentleman said he enjoyed the fact that I was a singer and dynamic performer who also included humour in my performance and made the audience feel like they mattered. I like that because that is what I have been striving to achieve. Finally, what is upcoming next? I have been working consistently for 7 years, I would like to slow down and Tour more of Europe and the US. The pace of my life when I’m on tour is much calmer than when I’m in South Africa. And I thoroughly enjoy seeing new places! So far I have a 60 day tour in the US in February, I hope to spend the summer in Europe touring. I hope you return as soon as possible back to Vienna for a further concert. ;-) Thank you for your time! Enjoy your life! Thank you, Vienna was my favourite place because it was the cleanest city I have ever been to. I took a city bike and explored the city and I enjoyed my self very much! It was easy for me to get around with a map and the people were very helpful. I also enjoyed the shopping ha ha ha.