In this exclusive interview, Lorna James joins us to talk us through her creative process for music production, giving us insight into her artistic journey so far and the goals she hopes to achieve with her music. As she blends elements from across genres, including House and Classical, Lorna James crafts a signature style that appears as unique as it does original, striking out with powerful music that no doubt resonates with listeners worldwide. So, discover more about the artistry and creativity behind this captivating talent as we sit down in conversation with Lorna James.
Hi Lorna James! How are you?
I’m great, thanks. Thank you for having me!
To start, tell us about your journey into Electronic Music production; what first inspired you to start experimenting with Dance music?
Dance music has been the soundtrack to my life since the early 90s. I love some of the early Acid House sounds. I have always composed music and used to experiment on GarageBand many years ago, but it was only in about 2021 that I started recording Dance tracks. My first piece of Electronic Music was an ode to the early 90s; ‘Dance Would Be a Fine Thing.’
With your love for films, do you have a dream to place your ambient dance tracks in a movie one day? What would be one of your favourite cinematic background pieces?
There are several tracks on my new album ‘Stratosphere’ that would work well in movies; each track is inspired by a different place in the world. I have some music going into films, but I would love to be commissioned to write the soundtrack for an entire movie.
Which DAW is your favourite?
LogicPro X.
How did you learn to compose music?
I was never formally taught to compose music, I just played and experimented on the piano a lot. Over time I learned to trust my ear and gained confidence in what I was creating.
What does your usual production process look like as a pianist? How do you approach creating a new track? Do you start off with a chord progression?
It really varies. I might hear a vocal sample that inspires me to write a track around it (e.g my track ‘Footprints in the Sand’), or I might watch a movie and want to make a soundtrack to the emotion it’s left me with, and more recently I have begun to make Dance tracks out of my own classical compositions.
How do you find the inspiration to create and produce music? Is there a vocal reference track that helps you bounce back ideas when creating?
This will sound strange, but I don’t think my music really comes from me. It just comes out! If I force something out, the result tends to be fairly average. Quite often I’ll just sit down in my studio and start putting things together, I’m quite surprised at the result at the end.
What are your favourite plugins and effects? Are there orchestral soundscapes or synth patches you use as your go-to?
I tend to use Kontakt 7 for my orchestration, and there are some great atmospheres on Splice that can create a fantastic vibe for a track.
Which pieces of equipment would you say are essential to your production process?
My Yamaha piano! I couldn’t do anything without it.
What brand of music gear do you find yourself purchasing most often?
I don’t align with a specific brand per se, I’ll just buy what I need at the time.
What would be one piece of advice you would give to another pianist and Producer trying to break ground in Electronic Music?
Trust your ear, write consistently, and practise, practise, practise.
We conclude our interview with Lorna James by thanking her for her time and providing us with a behind-the-scenes look into her creativity when it comes to producing music. As she continues to pave her way within Electronic Music, Lorna James surely remains a talent to keep an eye on, so make sure to follow Lorna James across social media to not miss the next captivating production from this talented Artist.
Lorna James Online
