L-FRESH The Lion
'L-FRESH The Lion' is a young rapper from South West Sydney. An avid fan of Cricket, Basketball and Rugby Union, in his spare time (if there is such a thing for him) he helps out at 'The Street University', which is located in Liverpool. The foundation's aim is to help the local youth realise their abilities and capacity to change their future for the better, a cause that 'L-FRESH The Lion' is wholeheartedly behind. To find out more about the organisation, just click on the link above.
Having seen 'L-FRESH The Lion' on a collabration video of a mutual acquaintence (Cedifra), I scoured the internet and social media feeds and finally found a way to contact him. To be honest it really wasn't that difficult, I just like to make out I have great journalistic skills. After an introduction he graciously agreed to be interviewed for the site, and below is what transcribed.............
Having seen 'L-FRESH The Lion' on a collabration video of a mutual acquaintence (Cedifra), I scoured the internet and social media feeds and finally found a way to contact him. To be honest it really wasn't that difficult, I just like to make out I have great journalistic skills. After an introduction he graciously agreed to be interviewed for the site, and below is what transcribed.............
The Interview
1) In a pre-interview email you have stated that you use music as a way to find yourself. Can you describe how the creative process helps you find yourself? People often see music as an outlet for self expression. What many tend to overlook is that music is also a means of self-exploration. It's a powerful tool for self-exploration. Writing a song is like therapy; it's a re-telling of stories, a creation of ideas, or a collection of thoughts. By understanding what I was writing and creating, I allowed myself to open a door into my mind. I understood the power in song-writing; the power that's bigger than writing the next big hit, best verse or catchiest chorus ever.
2) Most things, when you do them often enough, can become monotonous to the point you get disillusioned and stop. How do you make sure you do not get bored with what you are doing? By being aware of what you're doing. If you're aware of each process, then you can figure out what's working and what isn't working, and also how to refine your process, or how to reshape your process. We tend to chase excitement and thrills. We think about the end rather than focusing on the present. And most of the times, when we get to the end, we either celebrate what we've created (which is often rare) or we get upset because it didn't turn out the way we wanted. Shift your focus to what you're doing at present. Have an idea of where you want to go, no doubt, but don't live for that end. Enjoy the moment.
3) A lot of musicians use negative emotions and experiences to fuel the creative process. You have stated in an email the first song you wrote was “World of Discrimination”, which is obviously not about happy experiences. Do you find it easier to draw material from negative emotions and experiences than positive ones? We tend to use negative experiences more than positive ones. They are easier to write about, not because they suit the song-writing process better, but because in life, we generally focus a lot more on the negative. Most people, very rarely, take the time to become aware of their thought processes. I think most of us give more weight to negativity than to positivity. As an artist, that then manifests itself as a song about a negative experience. So I'd say it's not easier, it's just what we're used to.
4) In most households, regardless of their cultural background, parents will try to discourage their children from pursuing a creative career path. Was this the case when you realised what direction you wanted to take? If so, how did you push past the wishes of your parents? If not then how did they support your decision? My parents have always been supportive of me. I've been blessed. Sure, there was resistance. Naturally, they want what's best for me. So they pushed me to achieve in education and employment as well. 9 years on from the beginning, they now realise that this is no joke for me. This is not a hobby. So their support is greater than ever. I balanced their expectations with my dreams when I needed to. I kept doing music while I was studying my Arts degree and my Law degree and while I was working. It kept me focused and grounded. Now having finished my studies, my focus is all on my dreams. It's my time now. They know it. They can't stop it. So they support it. I wouldn't let them discourage it.
5) What, if any, other creative hobbies or interests do you have outside of music? I'm a big sports fan; basketball, cricket, and now rugby union. Sports motivate me. I draw from what professional athletes do, in terms of their training, mental preparation etc, and apply it to my creative pursuits. Take the mind state of Michael Jordan and apply that to preparing for a live show. That's powerful right there.
6) Finally, what advice do you have for people wanting to take a step in the direction of a creative career? Become aware of what drives you and what motivates you. What's your vision? Write it up on the wall and then ask yourself why you want it? Really get to the core of it. Keep asking yourself why until you get to the roots. Be brutally honest with yourself. Embrace every part of yourself; the fear, the doubt, the insecurities and the shadows too. They can be your friends if you know how to use them. If you're aware of yourself at that level, then good luck to anybody out there trying to stop you.
*****You can visit 'L-FRESH The Lion' webpage by clicking HERE
2) Most things, when you do them often enough, can become monotonous to the point you get disillusioned and stop. How do you make sure you do not get bored with what you are doing? By being aware of what you're doing. If you're aware of each process, then you can figure out what's working and what isn't working, and also how to refine your process, or how to reshape your process. We tend to chase excitement and thrills. We think about the end rather than focusing on the present. And most of the times, when we get to the end, we either celebrate what we've created (which is often rare) or we get upset because it didn't turn out the way we wanted. Shift your focus to what you're doing at present. Have an idea of where you want to go, no doubt, but don't live for that end. Enjoy the moment.
3) A lot of musicians use negative emotions and experiences to fuel the creative process. You have stated in an email the first song you wrote was “World of Discrimination”, which is obviously not about happy experiences. Do you find it easier to draw material from negative emotions and experiences than positive ones? We tend to use negative experiences more than positive ones. They are easier to write about, not because they suit the song-writing process better, but because in life, we generally focus a lot more on the negative. Most people, very rarely, take the time to become aware of their thought processes. I think most of us give more weight to negativity than to positivity. As an artist, that then manifests itself as a song about a negative experience. So I'd say it's not easier, it's just what we're used to.
4) In most households, regardless of their cultural background, parents will try to discourage their children from pursuing a creative career path. Was this the case when you realised what direction you wanted to take? If so, how did you push past the wishes of your parents? If not then how did they support your decision? My parents have always been supportive of me. I've been blessed. Sure, there was resistance. Naturally, they want what's best for me. So they pushed me to achieve in education and employment as well. 9 years on from the beginning, they now realise that this is no joke for me. This is not a hobby. So their support is greater than ever. I balanced their expectations with my dreams when I needed to. I kept doing music while I was studying my Arts degree and my Law degree and while I was working. It kept me focused and grounded. Now having finished my studies, my focus is all on my dreams. It's my time now. They know it. They can't stop it. So they support it. I wouldn't let them discourage it.
5) What, if any, other creative hobbies or interests do you have outside of music? I'm a big sports fan; basketball, cricket, and now rugby union. Sports motivate me. I draw from what professional athletes do, in terms of their training, mental preparation etc, and apply it to my creative pursuits. Take the mind state of Michael Jordan and apply that to preparing for a live show. That's powerful right there.
6) Finally, what advice do you have for people wanting to take a step in the direction of a creative career? Become aware of what drives you and what motivates you. What's your vision? Write it up on the wall and then ask yourself why you want it? Really get to the core of it. Keep asking yourself why until you get to the roots. Be brutally honest with yourself. Embrace every part of yourself; the fear, the doubt, the insecurities and the shadows too. They can be your friends if you know how to use them. If you're aware of yourself at that level, then good luck to anybody out there trying to stop you.
*****You can visit 'L-FRESH The Lion' webpage by clicking HERE
The Music
Never
This is the song 'Never' from L-FRESH The Lion's album 'The Lion Speaks'. You
can purchase his EP's from here and take a look at his branded clothing here.
can purchase his EP's from here and take a look at his branded clothing here.
***Do not forget to use the 'Like' and 'Tweet' features below to help spread the word about the artists and talents you see on the site.