‘We are all the sun’, according to SOLIS, a young singer who has started making major waves in the creative scene and is known for her smooth vocals and bohemian visuals. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, her musical journey, which started as early as 5 years old, is one of expression and exploration. When asked about her early influences, she cites Amy Winehouse and Sade Adu as two artists who inspire her art. She has an adventurous spirit and a passion for music, but you could also often find her watching tv shows or writing in her downtime. In our interview with her, we discuss everything SOLIS.
So first off, what got you started in music?
Music is something that’s always been a pretty innate part of who I am, it’s been there all along. I started singing when I was about 5 years old, I started writing music when I was 7 or 8, so music is something that has always come from within. I’ve never thought about it or planned it before. It just happened.
Awesome, so you started relatively early.
Yeah my first song was called ‘Why can’t we be friends?’ and I wrote it when my best friend and I had just gotten into our first major argument. Hahaha, I still have the book I wrote it in too.
How would you describe your songwriting process? Is it more serious/focused or light-hearted and free-flowing? & how has it evolved over time from when you were young?
My songwriting process differs but for the most part, writing for me is a super intimate experience where I just release whatever it is that I’m feeling. Whether pain, joy, love or heartbreak and other times I just freestyle where I allow myself do whatever in the moment and structure my music from there.
You come across as having quite a holistic approach to your creativity. Like, in addition to singing, you’re also quite visually imaginative and experimental. Can you tell us more about that?
Yeah, I guess you could say that. I’ve always been in love with art and the ubiquity and various interpretations of it. I also think art is fluid and no one should ever limit themselves to one art form because it’s a language and to understand means to explore all/most of it. I love film, music, colours, designing, directing, performing amongst other things and I explore them through my music. Plus no one can execute my visions as clearly as me.
You’re clearly ambitious to break boundaries and bring out your best self. So tell us, what was the lockdown like for you?
Lockdown was an entire experience in itself, there were some really amazing times and also some really dark, hard days. I think what was most important was waking up every day & trying to be better. Also, not knocking yourself down completely when you’re not.
It was an incredible time for self-reflection and really looking inwards and working on yourself and just realising more about the world, I’ve learnt so much about the world, time, relationships and the concept of self since being in lockdown.
Okay back to music, are your lyrics generally experience-based? Or do you tend to create different characters and personas?
They’re mostly experience-based but I’m also inspired by the world, people’s relationships and I’m a dreamer. So, I like to indulge in fantasies and projections sometimes- create a life I’m yet to live or a love I’m yet to experience through music.
With that being said, what’s the story behind your new EP?
It’s simply an exploration and celebration of the different facets of my nature, expressed through astrology. It’s essentially a fun ‘get to know me’ tag for my supporters. I also didn’t know I was creating the project until it was done and I had a fully realised body of work staring at me in the face.
That actually leads nicely to my next question. Astrology seems to be a prominent theme for you, particularly, the sun. Can you tell us more about that?
I’ve just always felt connected to the universe and all things considered otherworldly and I’ve found myself through them. I personally think the only way to truly find oneself and purpose is to connect to everything that has been created. I found myself in the sun. We’re all the sun though, the moon and the stars, all of it. We’re all one consciousness.
So, any plans going forward in music and other creative pursuits?
My plan is to continue creating, just to keep creating as much as possible in order to discover self and to keep passing on the message, which is love. And just to continue to elevate and grow as an artist and then eventually get to contractual relationships and getting a label and management and all of that stuff.
Another thing that’s evident about you is your style – you clearly write your own rules. So, what are your thoughts on fashion?
My motto is ‘do whatever you want!’ My style is a direct expression of what I’m feeling in that moment in time. One minute I could feel super feminine and wear the prettiest dresses and another minute I feel like an oversize suit jacket expresses exactly who I am. Fashion is just another expression of self.
You’re stuck in an outfit for a year. What is it?
OMG, you can’t ask me that! I couldn’t even pick a top 10.
It would probably be a really cute oversize t-shirt tbh and baggy ass jeans I hate to be a basic bitch lmao. Or a really pretty sundress.
What shoes?
Probably the blue Obsidian Jordans or Doc Marten boots.
Pick 2 accessories only.
My infinity ring that I always have fun and a nice pair of sunnies
We love that. Especially sunnies
Finally, 3 words to describe Solis.
Love. Softness. Strength.
Follow her on Instagram (@solis4evr)