This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. Music saved me. I only had my first tour in 2021. So just like a few years ago now. And then I would meet people after the merch booth and they'd say like, Oh, like this really, I feel like you wrote this about me or like this really touched me. And then I guess I kind of realized like, whoa, I guess I'm affecting people. And it was a little bit surprising to me because I just never like experienced that or knew that that was possible in that way. Welcome back to Music Saved Me, the podcast where we explore the transformative power of music and the stories of artists who have found hope, healing and connection through their art. I'm your host, Lynn Hoffman. And today we are joined, I'm so excited by a truly special guest, Lolo. Now Lolo is a singer, songwriter and rising pop powerhouse. We're talking like 35 million streams already on, that's just on Spotify alone. Her raw honesty, her infectious melodies and the way she turns real life heartbreak into hope and into unforgettable songs is like nothing I've ever heard before. My personal fave, hot girls in hell. And it's just unbelievable. From our early days as a self-proclaimed theater kid in Toronto to making waves on TikTok and touring with pop punk legends, Lolo's journey is literally as inspiring as her music is. Now whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering Lolo, where have you been? This conversation is a testament to the power of music to save, connect and uplift us all. So turn up the volume and join us as we dive in to the story of how music saved Lolo. Lolo, welcome to Music Saved Me. I'm so psyched to meet you. Hello, so nice to meet you. Thank you so much for having me. Can you share a little bit about your musical journey with our listeners? What first drew you to music as a form of expression? Well, I guess it would be a mix of two things. I don't know how I ended up with this as a child, but I just remember my first CD was a Green Day CD. It was American Idiot. And I just used to like be obsessed with that. I was obsessed with that and Everlovine. But at the same time, I was also a huge theater kid. And I remember I was like in all these like, I used to watch actually Shirley Temple videos with my grandfather. And I just like wanted to be her. I happened to have the exact same hair as her. My natural hair is really curly. Wow. And at the time it was short and curly. And I was like, oh, I have to just be that. And so I like begged my mom to put me into singing lessons and tap dancing lessons and acting classes. So that kind of is where I started out. So I was like this like like punk music, I guess, but also like super theater kid. So it was kind of like a mix of both, which I guess kind of, you know, makes sense of the person I am today. So yeah, but Shirley Temple, I mean, that's that was a very unexpected answer. Yeah, I yeah, my grandfather used to show me all the videos and I was like obsessed with her. I thought she was so cool. Her and Billy Durham Strong. I was like, oh yeah, those. Yeah, perfect combination. Like who would have ever put that together? That's like not chocolate and peanut butter at all. But yeah, no, it's so random. But like, I think it really did end up affecting me. And like, I I feel like I was influenced by both of those things. And I feel like today I'm kind of just like, you know, I like to rock out, but very emotional and dramatic. And so just a little bit. What's the most interesting or unexpected place your music has taken you so far? Interesting, like like actual place that I've visited. Yeah. Well, actually, I just found out today that I'm going to be going to Newfoundland, which I'm super excited about because as I said, theater kid, and I love the play come from away. I think it's amazing. So I'm really excited to do that because I heard that like you actually get to go and kiss the fish and do all that stuff. So I would say that is an unexpected but very exciting thing that I'm doing. But I mean, music is taking me all over. Like I've been to so many cities in Europe and all over the US, Canada. But I mean, for some reason, Newfoundland just sticks out as cool. Yeah. It's unexpected. Yeah. You're about to embark on a massive US tour that is what I heard is sold out. That's an incredible feat for a new artist. Like that's huge. Yeah. Does that make you nervous at all? Or are you excited to? Yeah. Well, so actually I did my US tour, which was sold out. So that already happened. But I have a US tour this summer with Simple Plan opening for them, which was another one of my idols growing up. So it's just so exciting. But for my own show, like, yeah, I had so much anxiety, honestly, because I have been an opener so many times and I wasn't sure, like, can I sell tickets to my own show? Because you never really know. Like you don't know if you have like passive listeners or their fans of you, but, you know, they'll go to see you open for someone, but they don't necessarily want to go to your own show. So I was a little stressed out putting that up for sale, but it all sold out. And it went amazing. And it was honestly even more rewarding, obviously, than opening because it was like my own show. All of the whole room was filled with my fans, you know, everyone is screaming my lyrics. So it was quite the experience. I bet. Congratulations on that. Thank you. Do you have a go-to song or artist that always lifts your spirits when you need it or when you're having a bad day? Honestly, I kind of go back to that Green Day record that was my first CD. I don't know if it's because, like, it's nostalgic as when I listen to it, I kind of like feel like a little kid that had no worries because I was like a seven-year-old. And it kind of reminds me of that, maybe. But that is definitely something like normally, if I'm ever upset or stressed, I kind of just like press play on American Idiot and listen to it front to back. Also, really random. The song Grace Kelly by Mika always gets me going. I know that's such a random answer whenever people ask me that, but there's just something about that song I really like. Well, speaking of something about that song, you have a new EP out called Possibilities. That was the deluxe version of my album that got released called Falling for Robots and Wishing I Was One, but Possibility was the single. Yeah. Great artwork on that, by the way. Not just the video, the artwork on the album, which like these are just small details that get so lost nowadays that are coming back. And I'm so grateful to you for doing that. Can you tell us a little about the song? Yeah. So the song is basically about the possibility of someone hurting you because, you know, you're kind of scarred from before. And you've found someone that you're into or in love with or whatever, and it's going great. But there's just like this little voice at the back of your head that's like, well, you know, they could hurt you. It could end up terrible. And it kind of starts to almost taint and ruin like something that's good. And it's kind of like about that battle within yourself to, you know, you should just be able to relax and be like, I'm happy now. Everything's fine. But like sometimes I know I have this a lot. Like there's just this voice in the back of my head being like, well, it could go wrong any second now. And so it's kind of about that. It's about like I'm in a happy relationship now. And something about that is really scary because I'm like, well, any second, he has the power to just like hurt me. And something about that is really terrifying. Yeah. When you mention that, I think anyone can go back in their life and think about moments like that. And, you know, it is scary. It's scary to take a risk on someone else. Yes. And you just explain that so beautifully in your songwriting. How do you approach writing or performing music either or when maybe you might be experiencing something like that emotional or a mental health challenge? Honestly, I try to just be like as authentic as possible and just kind of go for it. Where like and not hide anything and kind of just like put myself fully out there. I find that to be like the most therapeutic for me. And like it ends up, I'm going to say ironically, but I guess it's not ironic, but like it ends up being the most therapeutic for my audience too when I do that. And when I like just, you know, write exactly what I'm feeling and not trying to sugar coat it or, you know, water it down or anything. I feel like that's when people relate the most weirdly. I mean, not weirdly, I guess that makes sense. But in my head, I would be like, oh, maybe this is too much, whatever. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I feel like anytime I just end up going for it, it just kind of works. Oh, you go for it. And I think that's what really gets people is that you're so fearless. Thank you. Not only just in your writing, but in your performance of the song. You're telling us exactly how we're feeling. Did you know that that's what, I mean, when was the first time you sort of realized that your music really touched on that nerve in people? I guess I didn't. I didn't realize that honestly until I started performing the songs and meeting the fans after. So like, I only had my first tour in 2021. So just like a few years ago now. And then I would meet people after the merch booth and they would say like, oh, like this really, I feel like you wrote this about me or like this really touched me. Then I guess I kind of realized like, whoa, I guess I'm affecting people and it was a little bit surprising to me because I just never like experienced that and or knew that that was possible in that way. And it's funny because I used to try to write songs. Like I used to make a conscious effort back in the day. Like I need to make this relatable and like what other people would understand. And I feel like I did try to like dumb it down or water it down. And I wasn't going into such specifics with my older music. And then when I, you know, hot girls and hell, for example, what you mentioned, I'm so specific talking about such a specific person and such a specific instance. And I feel like that was the first song that everyone was like, you wrote this about my ex, like this, I, how, how are you in my brain? And I'm like, wow, that was like the most specific first verse ever. And for some reason it really hit people. So now I'm just like, okay, I guess we all kind of lived a shared experience or something about being specific to me just hits people. I guess like they could see it for themselves, which is really cool. So that's, I think called being completely authentic. Like there's, there's no, you know, fake stuff or, you know, like you said, watering it down to, it must have been a shocking moment for you to realize that though, that you could be that raw and real and not worry about the consequences and feel that back at you. But I mean, I'm old and that song took me back to when I was, you know, in high school and, you know, this guy was being a total jerk and, you know, I didn't know what to do about it. And, you know, I can only imagine the experiences that you had, but it definitely spoke to me years later. So there's your audience right there. Well, I love that. I love to hear that hate to hear about that guy, but love to hear that. I know who cares, whatever happened to him. What was, what would you say is a pivotal moment in your life that, you know, shaped who you are as an artist today? Can you pinpoint any one moment? Honestly, I feel like this first headline tour that I just did, so it started in October of 2024. So just like six months ago, I guess. That was the first time that I kind of really like, I've performed sets before, like 30, 40 minutes, but that was the first time that I really, I think, like brought my album to life and like made a show of all my music and, you know, it kind of like had a story all to it. And that was the first time that I like looked out into the audience of full, filled with people that were there to just see me and that were connecting with my music. And I was kind of like looking out. And I remember like the first night I was really fucking nervous. So I was like, oh my God, like I get really bad imposter syndrome. I'm always like, oh, well, this isn't, this isn't a real concert because I'm performing. So there's no way like this isn't the kind of concert that I would go to because I'm performing. So it's like a fake concert. It's like not as professional. I always think that in my head for some reason, but I was kind of just like, nope, this is a concert. And I was, I would every night before I went on stage, I started the first night because it made me feel better, but I would just picture like young me, like dancing in the basement and or singing performing to my parents, the Green Day record, and just her freaking out and being like, oh my God, like, are we doing this? Are we about to get on stage in front of all those people? And I'm like, yeah, you got this girl. And then I would go on stage and it would just really help me with the nerves and stuff. Just be like, I got this, I got this. But that was a really pivotal moment, I think, that I realized like, oh, like I actually, this is a real concert and I'm a real artist and I can't have imposter syndrome. So I would say that would, that whole tour would be the moment. Yeah, especially that first show in October. Do you think music has healing powers? Oh, 100%. Like no doubt. I mean, I hear it from everyone. And even if I didn't hear it from people about my music, I know like I have personally been there with other people's music. So like, it's so interesting doing this and being on this side of things, because I feel like for so long, like growing up, I was on the other side and I was a fan and I was going to concerts and I was getting saved by other people's music. So that's why it really hits even harder to think that I could possibly be that person for other people, because I know how it feels to be on the other side and I'm like, holy shit. And that's where the imposter syndrome really comes from, because I, it's crazy to think like, it almost sounds like cocky to say or like weird to say like, yeah, I'm affecting people. That's a weird sentence to say for me, because I feel like I've been on the other side. So no, the imposter thing I can relate to, I had a job once in television years ago, VH1, and I was so scared. I almost called them to tell them I didn't want to come in, because I felt like I was an imposter. I told my whole family, I'm like, I'm just reading a script here. I don't know what I'm talking about. No, it happens to a lot of people and you're not, that's not a unusual thing. And I'm so glad you're past that now because wow, you are not an imposter. What inspires you to keep creating even on the hard days, like when it's really hard to even be inspired? I would say just, well, there's a few things. One kind of knowing that there's other people wanting me to create and waiting for me to create, which is a little bit like pressure. I feel like sometimes I feel like, oh, like what would happen if I just like quit music today? There would be a lot of people that would be sad or like expecting things from me. But then that's also not healthy because I need to do things also for me. But what inspires me to keep going, I guess, and creating on days that I don't want to create is that like, I feel like creating is the only thing that kind of makes me feel better. So when I am in those slums of like not wanting to work or feeling uninspired and just like feeling mentally not there or like down or whatever, I know that writing it out is honestly going to make me feel better. So just creating in general ends up doing the trick always for me. I just like am that kind of person, I guess. So that would probably be the main thing. And what messages do you hope listeners take away from your music, you know, especially those who might be facing their own challenges? What would you like them to know? I hope they know that it's just like they're not alone in any of this. We're all kind of going through it in our different ways. And you know, my whole album that I put out last year, it's called Falling for Robots and Wishing I Was One. And it's about like either having experiences with people who don't seem to have a heart or wishing that you kind of didn't have such a big heart yourself, because sometimes it's really hard to feel things so hard. And it's like, I wish I was just a little bit more numb so I could just like go through life and I could be a robot. But I feel like the whole theme of the album and something, a message that I really want to push through is that like, it's okay to feel things, it's okay to not be perfect and to just have all these emotions or be sensitive because that is what makes us human. And it's normal. And that's his life. So I hope that they listen to the songs and realize that they're not a robot, they're human, and we're not perfect and we feel things and that's okay. Well, that's a beautiful thing to end this podcast with today. It is truly an honor to be able to talk to you. And I'm gosh, so excited to watch your star continue to rise. Although I'm not sure that there's much room to go up any higher. I hope so. But keep that energy that you have and don't lose it because it's always hard when you feel like you have to reinvent yourself. But when you're truly authentic, like you, you're never going to have a problem with that. Best of luck to you, Lolo. Thanks for coming on Music Save Me and keep in touch. For sure. Thank you for having me. This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.
