L.A. Salami, a Slow Evening, and a Campfire
Madeline Redding Subject to ChangeImage via Interview MagazineI adore L.A. Salami. The 32-year-old English artist first won me over in his most recent single “We’ll Solve it After”, which prompted me into a long Salami binge. Here are my initial reac...
Madeline Redding
Subject to Change
Image via Interview Magazine
I adore L.A. Salami. The 32-year-old English artist first won me over in his most recent single “We’ll Solve it After”, which prompted me into a long Salami binge. Here are my initial reactions to this artist.
Lookman Adekunle Salami is primarily a storyteller, then a musician. His music favors folk lyricism over the strong riffs and melodies in other styles of music (I am slowly becoming obsessed with the folk style).
His sound feels detached from heavy production, opting for a more acoustic feel. This results in an intimate experience. Imagine sitting next to a friend on a slow evening as he pulls out a guitar and starts casually plucking and telling you a story. That’s the experience Salami gives us throughout his work.
Image by Diane Sagnier
“We’ll Solve it After”, his most recent single released just last week, tells the story of a love that is destined to soon end. The lyrics combined with his gentle strumming and bright accompaniment of keyboard place you in the space with him. You can feel yourself in your bed with a lover, not worried about the separation soon to come, but happy in the last moments with someone you love.
“Must I put aside this dream / Is it fear that will take your words away / It’s a problem that we grasp as our hearts beat faster / But you say - hey, forget it / We’ll solve it after”
His 2018 album “The City of Bootmakers” doesn’t stray from the storyteller narrative. However, this album has a prominent campfire vibe. For me, his use of many different folk instruments creates a youthful community feeling. In this world, I am comforted by a group of my close friends getting together and playing together while Salami speaks for us with his consistently captivating lyrics.
This album touches on many different themes: including the traditional love and life narrative, but also political and international issues, and even some songs on the state of humanity. Conglomerating widely different themes in this way often don’t work, in my opinion. However, the consistency of his musical narrative saves him. It’s almost as if that campfire of friends are sitting and talking about love, life, and the world. It’s an interesting dynamic, but I love it.
Image via The 405
Finally, I need to tell you about this voice. It’s not particularly beautiful, but it captured my attention immediately. He has one of those expressive voices where you can hear the expression on his face. When he’s smiling or expressing in a particular way, I noticed myself expressing the same way. He’s contagious. I’m obsessed with it. I think this extra element in his music brings a strong sense of humanity to his sound.
Indulge in this musical storyteller. I beg you.
Also omg he’s a visual artist and is publishing a poetry book. Check out his website here: https://www.lasalami.com/live
My show “I wanna talk about Frank,” airs on WMUC FM Mondays at 1 pm. Come vibe to some old 60s classics with me.
Give me a follow or tell me who I should talk about next
Instagram: @madel.ne
Twitter: @maddieredding
Subject to Change
Image via Interview Magazine
I adore L.A. Salami. The 32-year-old English artist first won me over in his most recent single “We’ll Solve it After”, which prompted me into a long Salami binge. Here are my initial reactions to this artist.
Lookman Adekunle Salami is primarily a storyteller, then a musician. His music favors folk lyricism over the strong riffs and melodies in other styles of music (I am slowly becoming obsessed with the folk style).
His sound feels detached from heavy production, opting for a more acoustic feel. This results in an intimate experience. Imagine sitting next to a friend on a slow evening as he pulls out a guitar and starts casually plucking and telling you a story. That’s the experience Salami gives us throughout his work.
Image by Diane Sagnier
“We’ll Solve it After”, his most recent single released just last week, tells the story of a love that is destined to soon end. The lyrics combined with his gentle strumming and bright accompaniment of keyboard place you in the space with him. You can feel yourself in your bed with a lover, not worried about the separation soon to come, but happy in the last moments with someone you love.
“Must I put aside this dream / Is it fear that will take your words away / It’s a problem that we grasp as our hearts beat faster / But you say - hey, forget it / We’ll solve it after”
His 2018 album “The City of Bootmakers” doesn’t stray from the storyteller narrative. However, this album has a prominent campfire vibe. For me, his use of many different folk instruments creates a youthful community feeling. In this world, I am comforted by a group of my close friends getting together and playing together while Salami speaks for us with his consistently captivating lyrics.
This album touches on many different themes: including the traditional love and life narrative, but also political and international issues, and even some songs on the state of humanity. Conglomerating widely different themes in this way often don’t work, in my opinion. However, the consistency of his musical narrative saves him. It’s almost as if that campfire of friends are sitting and talking about love, life, and the world. It’s an interesting dynamic, but I love it.
Image via The 405
Finally, I need to tell you about this voice. It’s not particularly beautiful, but it captured my attention immediately. He has one of those expressive voices where you can hear the expression on his face. When he’s smiling or expressing in a particular way, I noticed myself expressing the same way. He’s contagious. I’m obsessed with it. I think this extra element in his music brings a strong sense of humanity to his sound.
Indulge in this musical storyteller. I beg you.
Also omg he’s a visual artist and is publishing a poetry book. Check out his website here: https://www.lasalami.com/live
My show “I wanna talk about Frank,” airs on WMUC FM Mondays at 1 pm. Come vibe to some old 60s classics with me.
Give me a follow or tell me who I should talk about next
Instagram: @madel.ne
Twitter: @maddieredding