Lianne La Havas

Biography

Lianne La Havas, born Lianne Charlotte Barnes on August 23, 1989, in London, England, is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for her blend of soul, alternative R&B, and pop soul. Raised in Tooting and Streatham by her Greek father and Jamaican mother, La Havas was deeply influenced by her parents’ diverse musical backgrounds—her father, a multi-instrumentalist, taught her the basics of guitar and piano, while her mother exposed her to soul and R&B. She began singing at age seven, wrote her first song at eleven, and sang in her school choir, though she did not learn guitar properly until she was eighteen[1][2][3].

La Havas’s musical journey began in earnest after meeting musicians in college, leading to her involvement in the duo The Paris Parade and later singing backup for Paloma Faith. Discovered on Myspace in 2008, she signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2010 and spent two years honing her songwriting before releasing her debut EPs and her acclaimed first album, 'Is Your Love Big Enough?' in 2012, which was named iTunes Album of the Year. She has since released two more albums: 'Blood' (2015), inspired by her heritage and travels to Jamaica, and the self-titled 'Lianne La Havas' (2020). Her career is marked by collaborations with artists like Prince and Rudimental, and she has been nominated for Grammy and Brit Awards, establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary British music[1][2][3][4].

La Havas’s music is characterized by its soulful vocals, intricate guitar work, and introspective songwriting, blending influences from folk, soul, and pop. Her legacy includes not only critical acclaim and festival appearances but also a reputation for authenticity and emotional depth, inspiring a new generation of soul and R&B artists[1][2][3].

Fun Facts

• Prince once played a private concert in Lianne La Havas’s living room in London and later featured her on his album and on Saturday Night Live[1].
• Her stage name 'La Havas' is derived from her Greek father’s surname, Vlahavas[3].
• She was discovered on Myspace in 2008, which led to her first record deal[3].
• La Havas did not learn to play guitar properly until she was 18, despite writing songs from age 11[1][2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Henry Vlahavas - Her father, a Greek multi-instrumentalist, taught her the basics of guitar and piano, shaping her early musicianship. (Early songwriting and musical foundations) [Childhood to teens]
• Paloma Faith - La Havas sang backing vocals for Paloma Faith, gaining professional touring experience and industry exposure. (Touring and live performances) [Late 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Christian Pinchbeck - Co-writer and performer in the duo The Paris Parade; also designed artwork for her 'Lost & Found' EP. (The Paris Parade, 'Lost & Found' EP artwork) [Late 2000s–2011]
• Prince - Prince played a private concert in her living room, featured her vocals on his album, and performed with her on TV. (Prince's 'Art Official Age' album, SNL performance) [2014]
• Rudimental - La Havas contributed vocals to two songs on Rudimental's album. (Rudimental album (unspecified)) [2015]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging UK soul and R&B artists - La Havas’s blend of soul, folk, and pop, as well as her authentic songwriting, have inspired a new generation of British musicians. (Influence evident in contemporary UK soul/R&B releases) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Green & Gold (Blood)
2. Can't Fight (Lianne La Havas)
3. Bittersweet - Radio Edit
4. Say a Little Prayer - Live
5. Paper Thin (Lianne La Havas)
6. Stream of Consciousness
7. Bittersweet (Lianne La Havas)
8. Please Don't Make Me Cry (Lianne La Havas)
9. Weird Fishes (Lianne La Havas)
10. Starry Starry Night (Loving Vincent (Original Soundtrack Album))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-pop, #folk, #r&b