Amalgamating soul, jazz, boogie, funk and gospel influences, Lynda Dawn makes music that effortlessly channels ‘70s and ‘80s nostalgia. A self-described music-head and an old soul, her music oozes a sense of authenticity born from passion and an intricate musical upbringing. Her EP At First Light, released back in 2019, features infectiously groovy songs like ‘Move’ alongside more R&B-led tracks like ‘Any Way You Want’, with her sensational vocals layered over rich instrumentals throughout. Having recently released remixes of her tracks ‘Fonk Street’ – reimagined by Mndsgn – and, more recently, ‘Roses’ – by XL Middleton – Dawn is gearing up for the return of live performances and working on her much-anticipated sophomore project. We sat down with the vocalist to discuss her formative years, what the future holds, and the importance of creating a sound that feels genuine.

Would you say that musical upbringing influenced the style of music you make today?

For sure. I still don’t really know how to describe my type of music. I’ve seen quite a few publications brand it as soul, jazz, boogie or funk, but personally I feel like it’s a bit of everything. It’s kind of hard to put it in one box because I take inspiration from loads of different genres and I try to incorporate that in my sound as authentically as I can.

Can you name a few artists who shaped you?

A lot of them are more old school, so we’re looking at Patrice Rushen, Flora Purim, Fred Hammond, Chaka Khan, Brandy… I’ve always been told I’m an old soul and I just feel there’s a kind of authenticity and magic to the music from that era that I just can’t put my finger on.

How do you collaborate on projects whilst keeping them authentic to your vision?

For my EP, the collaboration was quite organic. It was myself, Al Dobson Jr. and my brother Jason, who helped out on a lot of the keys and additional instrumentation. I feel very blessed to have a family that I can create music with; I think that’s what keeps my sound authentic. My collaborators know me, they know what I’m trying to achieve, and they help me bring my vision to life.

Have you had any struggles in your career with others trying to influence your sound?

Unfortunately, yes. I feel like it’s quite common for a lot of people in the industry, particularly for young women. Women are always dictated on their looks, what they wear, if they dance, their age… I’ve had a few naysayers who have said my music is dated and pastiche, telling me I need to get with the times. I appreciate other opinions, but it took a while for me to really accept what I wanted to do, and stay true to what feels natural to me.