Interview with Taloula: showcasing her new visual and album
Courtesy of Amy Lauffer Neff
22nd July 2024
Taloula is an exciting multihyphenate emerging across the R&B music landscape right now. Based in East London-based she is an independent singer, songwriter, musician, producer and visual artist.
I was able to ask her some questions as she shares the captivating new visual for her single ‘TIME IS MEDICINE’, out now.
Courtesy of Amy Lauffer Neff
Lawrence Green: For the music video for ‘Time Is Medicine’, why did you choose to shoot in the black and white analogue as opposed to colour?
Taloula: I had this dream, I was sitting on a high chair, with a hairstyle resembling a tree and a dress decorated with leaves. This imagery made me feel deeply connected to nature and grounded, which resonates with the essence of “TIME IS MEDICINE”. I was so moved by the dream that, while I was in Florida, I collaborated with my aunt, a crazy creative creature, and we crafted the dress I envisioned. I co-directed the video with BilanSu, a London based talented creative director, and worked with a very talented DOP from Paris, Hugo Ghnassia. Their expertise and vision were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Choosing black and white was a deliberate decision to symbolize the balance of yin and yang, the interplay of shadow and light. This visual contrast reflects the healing journey in “TIME IS MEDICINE" showing the emotions and transformation in the song. The black and white look adds a timeless quality, which I believe makes the message more powerful and moving.
The visual was made in collaboration with creative director Bilan Suliman and was captured on film as a one take shot. It’s wonderfully captivating- Taloula greets you immediately sat upon a chair making direct eye contact. The camera is close to her and as the track progresses, we pull back to reveal more and more of the space around.
LG: Like the video for Quick Fix Love, the Time Is Medicine visual is filmed in one take. I personally love the theatrical feel this gives us - I feel so much more connected to you and your craft, but it can be limiting in some aspects of creative direction. What about the continuous shot format do you like?
T: I really love one-shot videos because they’re raw and authentic. It's like going to see an artist on stage or attending a play at the theatre, where everything unfolds in real-time without edits. This format brings a unique and intimate feeling to music videos that I really enjoy. However, the choice to use a continuous shot also depends on the song and the message. For example, in my songs "Quick Fix Love" and "Time Is Medicine," there’s a rawness and an authentic deep message that aligns perfectly with the one-shot format. While this approach can be limiting in terms of creative direction, I feel it allows my genuine emotions and spontaneous moments to shine through. It helps me connect with the audience in a more immediate and heartfelt way, making the experience more powerful and personal.
Courtesy of Amy Lauffer Neff
LG: Did you have a certain character or physicality you wanted to embody for this video and how did you prepare for shooting?
T: It’s actually the first time I chose not rehearse or prepare any specific movements with my body because I wanted to improvise and trust what would come naturally. Since t’s a one-shot video, I wanted to be raw and authentic, aligning with the message of the song.
This approach allowed me to fully embrace the spontaneity and genuine emotions of the moment. I believe that it makes the performance more real and true to the essence of the song.
Taloula’s new album ‘T.E.O.T. II’ (The Evolution Of Taloula II) embodies authentic R&B and soul while balancing psychedelic textures co-produced by Taloula that feel as nostalgic as they are contemporary.
LG: This being your first album, what are you hoping it communicates about who you are as an artist and what music you make?
T: After releasing 4 albums under a different name in France, making mainstream music, I felt like I needed to create something that truly reflects what my soul wants to express. For so many years, I wasn't listening to myself. I was more focused on making other people happy and often put my own needs aside.
So, after 8 years with a big record label and a full management team, I moved to London, changed my artist name, and handled every aspect of this project on my own from producing some of the songs myself to co-direct my music videos… I'm so proud to have released an entire album independently. For me, just being able to make it is already a huge win.
With this album, I decided to focus on my own happiness and peace. It’s about my journey of evolving and transforming from Tal to Taloula. I released my first EP in December 2021 called “The Evolution of Taloula” and this album is the continuity of my first EP. That’s why I called it “T.E.O.T. II” which is “The Evolution of Taloula Part II”. This album is a genuine expression of who I am now, both as an artist and as a person.
I also made this album available on vinyl, which adds a special, tangible quality to it. This album is a true reflection of my personal and artistic journey.
Courtesy of Amy Lauffer Neff
It’s a powerful origin story and I believe that the experiences had in France as Tal will make Taloula’s work even more authentic and impactful. Empowering vulnerability and the exploration of our existence, Taloula’s sonic journey towards inner peace will continue the heat surrounding one of London’s key new names crashing into wider consciousness.
LG: What’s your favourite song on the album and why?
T: This is a hard question because I actually have many favorites! But I think “Diamonds in the Rain” is a special one for me. The environment where Caleb Kunle, Alessandro Ionna, and I created the song plays a big part in that. We were at my mom’s place in the countryside of France, enjoying fresh vegetables and eggs from her garden, listening to the birds in the morning, and taking walks by the lake. Those moments were so important for our creative process.
This song reminds me that there’s always a glimmer of hope, even in the darkest times. It helps me shift my perspective on things that can feel hard to handle or experience. “Diamonds in the Rain” is a source of comfort and hope for me, making it a very special part of the album.
LG: As an artist myself I know I’m always thinking of my next projects, what are you most excited to explore going forward now this album is out in the world?
T: Being independent is challenging, to be honest. I've struggled to organize myself, figure out who to reach out to, and how to get my music heard by more people etc… But despite these challenges, I’m looking forward to performing on stage. That’s my ultimate goal. My mom used to sing on stage while she was pregnant with me, and I’ve always felt a magnetic pull towards performing. My purpose is to share my music live, travel all around the globe, and connect with people.
Courtesy of Amy Lauffer Neff
L: What music or specific artists are inspiring you right now?
T:My taste in music is very eclectic. I can listen to soul/R&B, classical, jazz, pop, rock, and even meditation music. I think it really depends on my mood. At the moment, I’m obsessed with Willow’s latest album “Empathogen” and Cleo Sol’s two most recent albums “Gold” and “Heaven”. Their work has been a huge source of inspiration for me. They’re so raw, honest, real and authentic. I can hear their soul in their music.
LG: Why do you make art, and why do you think you make music specifically?
T: I think I never really asked myself "why." It’s just in me, it’s in my breath, my energy, my essence. I make music because I was born to make music. Before I could speak, I was already singing at 3 years old. I grew up with a dad who plays guitar, a mom who sings, a brother who used to produce, an aunt who is a percussionist and singer, a cousin who studied music at Berklee… It’s just in our blood. Making music for me is like eating food when you’re hungry. You need it to live.
Sonically, the track is a sultry, pop infused slice of R&B heaven, with hints of 2000’s influences in her vocal delivery. About the lyrical message of the track she says, “It’s very healing for me and I hope for others. It’s the type of song that I will listen to when I feel lost again, or when things don't happen as we planned. It’s like a reminder that with time everything will go in the right place. With time, we can heal and understand ourselves more.”
Her effortless storytelling envisions past hardships that left her affinities in disarray, while a deep-rooted perception allows time to heal and grow the inner spirit rather than seeking instant gratification from intoxicating temptations.
I encourage you all to go watch the new visual accompaniment to ‘TIME IS MEDICINE’, which is out now, and then listen to the rest of Taloula’s new album. It’s a wonderful piece of art by an exciting artist that I’m keen to hear more from.
Editorial credits:
Photographer: Amy Lauffer Neff
Stylist: Katie Gill Harrison
Look 1: White Embroidered coat and short set - Pernilla Weinholz (@yourbestpennycillin). Red Tights & White boots - stylists own.
Look 2: Purple Trousers with cotton detail - Pernilla Weinholz (@yourbestpennycillin). Glitter boots & White gloves - stylists own
Talent & HMUA: Taloula