Ousu Leigh will deliver RnB on an international level. After a year and a half as a musician, with two singles under his belt, he has already started to get attention from the industry.
/ 05/04/2019 / Kristian DugstadOusu Leigh will deliver RnB on an international level. After a year and a half as a musician, with two singles under his belt, he has already started to get attention from the industry.
Photo above: Akam1k3
Name: Ousu Leigh
Age: 20
Current with: The single "Run From" was released in March.
TONO member since: The start of 2019
Who is Ousu Leigh?
I am a young artist and photographer from Grünerløkka in Oslo.
What is your musical background?
I've been actively involved in music for about a year and a half. I played drums when I was a kid, but I didn't get too deep into it.
You are also a photographer, and have been one longer than you have been involved in music?
Yes, you could say that. Or, I tried my hand at music before photography, but I never took it that seriously. I started photography at the end of 2015, and then I just fell completely into it and was 100 percent dedicated to it for the next three or four years.
How did the path from photography to music go?
It probably started with me realizing that I could use photography as a tool to get closer to the music world in a way. Through the camera, I got access to concerts I was actually too young to go to, and I ended up being around so many artists and music people that I was really inspired to start making music myself.
What is the difference between the photographer and the artist Ousu Leigh?
I've done a lot of concert photography, and as a photographer on stage I'm pretty quiet. Then I try not to take up too much space, to be able to let the vibe and the moments I'm trying to capture be organic and real. And I'm maybe a little more concentrated and aware of what's happening around me, to try to see what might be a cool photo. You become a little "mysterious" in a way.
As an artist, especially on stage, I'm very outgoing, which I usually am anyway. I feel like I'm losing the fear you can sometimes have when it comes to talking about yourself and personal events and feelings. It's a pretty unnatural and scary thing to stand in front of a lot of people and talk about the things you feel are the most personal. But it's worth it when you experience such a good response, and notice that people like it.
What was the name of the first song you ever wrote, and what is it about?
Hahahaha. The first song I wrote was called "Dragon," and it was kind of an anthem for the after-school club I used to go to after school. There was a music program at the club, and in the end it was just me and two girls in my class who were left. Then the three of us wrote the "Dragon" song. We were maybe nine or ten years old.
How does your music come about today? How do you write?
I'm most comfortable writing at home, late at night. Lately, I've been in the studio a lot with producers, trying to get comfortable writing in the studio. For some reason, I still write best when I'm all alone.
Does your background in photography influence how you work with music?
Not really, but since I've been working visually for so long, I often get visions for covers, music videos, and press photos that can visually match how songs sound.
Tell us about your latest single, Run From?
Run From is a laid-back RnB song about being there for someone who has a past that they are trying to leave behind, or get away from. Unlike my first single, Notice, which is a bit more uptempo and trap-inspired, Run From is a bit more laid-back. I wanted to release it early, to show that I like to do a bit of different things within the genre.
You have only released two singles so far, but have already started to get a lot of attention. You were recently named Unheard of by NRK P3. What does that mean to you?
Getting the Untouched of the Month was a blast, and I had no idea I would get it so early, so I was really surprised. It's cool to see that people who dedicate their time to finding new music have such great faith in me and what I do with my music. It inspires me to keep delivering.
You have said in previous interviews that you want to fill a musical void in Norwegian music. What do you mean by that?
I feel like there is a huge lack of RnB in Norway right now, especially in English. I think a lot of the RnB we have in Norway is watered down and "pop". I want to be one of the few who delivers RnB on an international level, like many of the bigger artists we listen to from, for example, the USA, Canada and the UK.
What are you working on now? What does 2019 bring for you?
Right now I'm in the studio a lot, making new music, finishing songs and planning what to release during the year. I'm also going to play more live throughout the year, and I recently signed with GR:OW, so now the guys and I are actually plotting.
What is your career highlight so far?
So far, it must be my second show at By:larm. The whole family was there, an incredible number of friends and acquaintances, and a lot of strangers! So all in all, it was a good atmosphere, and I got a lot of good feedback.
Do you have an instrument or other equipment that is indispensable in the writing process?
I really just need a Mac and a mic. As long as I have something to write on and something to put down ideas on, I'm good.
What do you do when you're not making music? (or taking photos)
Trying to disconnect. Working creatively is mentally demanding. It's nice to not think so much sometimes, and just chill with friends or watch a series or something like that.
What is your greatest musical experience?
Until now, it must have been when Karpe played three days in a row at Spektrum. I was there as a photographer and documented all the concerts. It was just crazy to see that a concert could be done on such a large scale, at least three times in a row!