Podcast Summary: "Music Saved Me with LOLO: Finding Possibility Through Song"

Podcast Information

• Title: takin' a walk
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Music Saved Me with LOLO: Finding Possibility Through Song
• Release Date: May 14, 2025

Introduction In this heartfelt episode of "Music Saved Me," host Lynne Hoffman welcomes Lolo, a rising pop sensation with over 35 million Spotify streams. The conversation delves into Lolo's personal and artistic journey, exploring how music has been a source of healing, connection, and empowerment for her and her listeners.

1. Lolo’s Musical Journey Lolo opens up about her early influences and how her diverse interests shaped her as an artist.

• Initial Inspirations:

  • [04:44] Lolo recounts, “my first CD was a Green Day cd. It was American Idiot. And I was obsessed with that and Avril Lavigne.”
  • She combines her love for punk music with her passion for theater, describing herself as a “super theater kid” with a “mix of both,” which contributes to her unique artistic identity.

• The Influence of Family:

  • [05:45] Lolo shares, “My grandfather used to show me all the Shirley Temple videos, and I was obsessed with her. I even had the same curly hair, so I begged my mom to put me into singing lessons and tap dancing lessons.”

2. Breakthrough Moments Lolo discusses pivotal moments that defined her career and personal growth.

• First Tour Experience:

  • [07:13] Lolo reflects on her first headline tour, which sold out, marking a significant milestone. She mentions, “I had so much anxiety because I’ve been an opener so many times and wasn’t sure if I could sell tickets to my own show.”
  • The success of her tour was “even more rewarding” than opening for her idols, as she experienced the joy of a room filled with fans passionately engaging with her music.

• Realization of Impact:

  • [12:09] It was during her 2021 tour that Lolo realized the profound impact of her music. She states, “I guess I didn’t realize until I started performing and meeting the fans...they’d say, like, this really touched me. It was surprising because I never knew that was possible.”

3. Songwriting and Authenticity A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Lolo’s approach to songwriting and the importance of authenticity.

• Authentic Expression:

  • [11:02] Lolo emphasizes, “I try to just be as authentic as possible and just kind of go for it where, like, and not hide anything.”
  • She believes that raw honesty in her music not only serves as therapy for herself but also resonates deeply with her audience.

• Specificity in Lyrics:

  • [12:09] Discussing her song “Hot Girls in Hell,” Lolo explains, “I was talking about such a specific person in such a specific instance, and it really hit people because they could see it for themselves.”

4. Overcoming Challenges Lolo candidly talks about her struggles with imposter syndrome and anxiety.

• Imposter Syndrome:

  • [14:33] Reflecting on her first major tour, Lolo admits, “I get really bad imposter syndrome. I always think this isn’t a real concert because I’m performing. It’s like a fake concert.”
  • She combats these feelings by visualizing her younger self and affirming, “I got this,” which helps her overcome nerves before performances.

• Balancing Pressure and Personal Well-being:

  • [17:56] Lolo discusses the tension between creating for her fans and creating for herself. She shares, “Sometimes I feel like, what would happen if I just quit music today? There would be a lot of people sad or expecting things from me. But I need to do things for me as well.”

5. The Healing Power of Music Lolo passionately believes in music's ability to heal and connect people.

• Personal Healing Through Music:

  • [16:27] She affirms, “Music has healing powers. I’ve been saved by other people's music, so it hits harder to think that I could be that person for others.”

• Empowering Messages:

  • [19:07] Lolo hopes her listeners understand that “they’re not alone” and emphasizes the importance of feeling emotions. She articulates, “We’re not perfect and we feel things and that’s okay.”

6. Future Aspirations and Authenticity Looking ahead, Lolo remains committed to genuine self-expression and connecting with her audience.

• Staying True to Herself:
  • [20:24] Lynne Hoffman encourages Lolo to “keep that energy” and remain authentic, to which Lolo expresses optimism about her future endeavors.

Notable Quotes

• Lolo on Authenticity:
  “I try to just be as authentic as possible and just kind of go for it where, like. And not hide anything and kind of just put myself fully out there.”
  [11:02]

• Lolo on the Impact of Specificity:
  “I feel like everyone kind of lived a shared experience or something about being specific. To me just hits people, they could see it for themselves.”
  [12:09]

• Lolo on Music as Healing:
  “Music has healing powers. I’ve been saved by other people's music, so it hits harder to think that I could be that person for others.”
  [16:27]

Conclusion In this inspiring episode, Lolo shares her journey from a theater-enthusiast child to a celebrated pop artist who uses her music as a tool for healing and connection. Her commitment to authenticity and her ability to turn personal experiences into relatable art resonate deeply with listeners, demonstrating the transformative power of music. As Lolo continues to rise in the music industry, her story serves as a testament to the idea that music not only saves individuals but also brings communities together.

End of Summary