Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Lerumo: I was born in Austin Texas and grew up in a small city in Massachusetts called Worcester. That’s where I fell in love with music and decided to dedicate myself to it. I learned how to produce and write and started singing too. It just stuck, I believed in myself before anyone and now it’s paying off.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Lerumo: It’s my actual name. It’s cool, I thought it was unique so I just ran with it. I thought of fun stage names though but Lerumo was “lowkey savage” aha, it was the one.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Lerumo: I think it’s a great thing. I did that for a long time while building my fanbase and learning where I wanted to go with my art. Now my catalogue is on iTunes, go get the sauce!
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Lerumo: yeah, definitely start out with doing open mics. It’s a good way to get comfortable with your stage presence. Then after that, become a people person and socialize. You never know, your new girlfriend could have that uncle whose a famous booking agent. This industry is amazing, things just happen like that sometimes.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Lerumo: No, I love it. But sometimes things are out of my control, like when the mic levels aren’t right or the speakers are too low in volume. That can bug me out, but usually you just have to handle it and kill it anyways. People understand these things. They’re part of live experience.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Lerumo: it didn’t happen yet but I’m working on making it happen. Talking to a few people who can put something together. We’ll see what happens.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Lerumo: From my alien friends, up in the stars (laughs). I can’t tell my secrets or else i’ve give away my secret weapon.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Lerumo: Yes, Lerumo.com and i’s also use all social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, those are the main ones but I’m on a few others as well. I try to really extend my reach while keeping it retained.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Lerumo: Nothing, I study everything on my phone. It’s all really diverse Pop & R&b, and a little Rap. You can find artists like Delilah (The singer from the Uk) all the way to Terror Jr from the US.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Lerumo: I’d invest, invest, invest! I can’t say it enough. You have to put your money in avenues that are lucrative in a never ending way. Thing’s that’ll keep money coming in for at least 30 years. That’s the smart way to do it. Alotta people party their money away, but I’m a future businessman. Business comes first.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Lerumo: I’m working with a new engineer out of Atlanta named Ivan. He’s so talented and what’s cool is he gets my sound, what I want to achieve. But I love working out of different studios as long as the vibes are right!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Lerumo: Marketing through social media, social media is so crazy. It’s literally a tool that if you master, can be a big part of success.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Lerumo: It’d be at those huge festvals and arenas people like Justin Bieber and One Direction play at.The energy on stages that huge must be amazing. I’ve always wanted to goto the UK. It looks so beautiful and would be sweet to play there.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Lerumo: Yes! I have some major singles I’ve been working on with some really talented people. It’s a blessing to have their support. They’re helping me shape the sound of tomorrow. Getting me ready for the next step.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Lerumo: To keep it 100 I’d be an entrepreneur. I’ve always been attractive to key aspects of business. That’s what I’d be doing.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Lerumo: Get Rich Or Die Trying! That was the one, it was pretty sick. 50 was the man. I also was a Britney Spears fan. She was huge and still is!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Lerumo: I’m fortunate enough to have taught myself how to balance it at a early age. I always put it first in a way so it never feels like I’m behind. I have a schedule of how much to do every month to keep myself going but not be overboard with tasks. It works out nicely!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Lerumo: Go and get some awesome new songs on ITunes! I dropped the Talismanic EP online in early spring along with new visuals filmed exclusivly by Adin Penner from ItsFine Photography on Lerumo.com, but I’m nowhere near finished! I’m working with a various amount of extremely talented producers. We’ve been working on new singles for the whole year. This year I didn’t want to rush anything, it’s important to enjoy the process. I’ll release new material when I’m ready, right now I’m finishing the polishing.
