We recently connected with London Beck and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, London thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I feel that empowering and loving the universe and those within it has always been my destiny if you will. As early as I can remember, I’ve always possessed the vein of ambition and felt as though the only limit I would encounter was the one I had set for myself. At 4 years old, I was belting out whatever was on the radio during car rides with my mother. There was a time she had purchased a little radio or cassette player with a microphone attached. I would spend the longest time belting my heart out the summer we moved from our family home into an apartment. And then, at 5 years old, I woke up looking for my mother for help getting ready for kindergarten and I found her on the floor, unresponsive and staring at me with longing, sorrowful eyes. I used the emergency training I had received in preschool and found my way to our house phone to call 911. She passed away a week or so after.

Shortly before my mother’s passing, My father picked me up from school without warning and dropped me off with my grandparents, which he lived with at the time; he did not show much interest in raising a child he had only seen here and there since the divorce. He had a knack for disappearing days at a time to be with whichever girlfriend he needed company from. When he would return, our bonding oscillated between what he wanted to do (i.e. designated me as his golfing caddy) and physical, mental, and emotional abuse to ensure I was always and only compliant to his word. As an adult, I wonder at times if he was so lonely that he wanted someone like him in this world to commiserate in whatever dark secrets and hurt he may or may not be hiding.

My grandparents took me in with open arms and were committed to undoing the tragic yet inevitable pain we must all feel at one point or another. I did not talk often and became a very quiet yet angry child. As much as there were several times they felt I deserved the punishment of a spanking or two as their old-fashioned teachings had prescribed, my grandmother was invested in teaching me how to heal. I will, by the way, be forever grateful and indebted to the compassion, encouragement, and genuine love that these two very special people poured into me. In what I had seen at the time as my solitude, I began the attempt of remedying my fresh wounds by singing. My grandparents quickly took notice of this and realized that maybe music was the salve that could help stitch their grandchild’s aching heart. They were right.

At about 10 years, I entered my last year of elementary school. The school district requires children of this age to choose an instrument. I gravitated toward the viola because there are already plenty of violinists and cellists – I wanted to stand out and do something different. My curiosity and eagerness to get my hands on this four-stringed instrument earned me my first solo at the end of the school year. My nervousness erased some memory of my 1-minute rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ but what I do recall is the boisterous round of applause I received afterward. And it was at this moment that I began to thoroughly envision myself on a stage. I loved the attention and power of performing, but most of all I loved that sound started to feel like love. The love I had felt from my mother and that which I felt safe in from my grandparents.

And this was the beginning of London Beck.

London, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a creative jack of all trades! First and foremost, I’m a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (viola, piano, guitar to name a few). I also wear the hat of producer, sound engineer, graphic designer, and occasionally private teacher for my classical string family. Shameless plug – be on the lookout for my record label/production house, Renivere Recording, to launch this fall!

I’ve been making music for as long as I can remember – I come from a very musical background on both sides of my family and so it’s safe to say that it’s part of my DNA (I wouldn’t have it any other way!) Recording a song or performing on stage brings a certain serenity and safety that isn’t as tangible in the everyday. It fills my spirit beyond comprehension to use the power of music to uplift and inspire others. Some of my favorite memories as a performer consist of getting off the stage to be greeted by young ones and their families who have been moved by glimpses of my story I have been so honored to share. With the launch of the record label, I aim to work with artists to ensure this feeling remains at the forefront and that they know there are safe spaces that uphold the integrity and the love of the craft.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I strive to be the best I can now so that the innovators of tomorrow know that there is space for them. I will say that my journey as a creative has been easier than most – I started headlining shows right out of the gate and I’ve been successful at bringing the classical side of my artistry with the other sides by keeping connections to my roots alive. But as a Black, queer musician who exists in the current times, the road has still had its potholes and bumps. I understand that my existence as one, half, or all parts of this identity is seen as either threatening or unworthy in some eyes. LGBTQIA+ and Black folks are still fighting to be seen as human. And in the realm of classism, there are some who look down their nose at creatives because they don’t think it’s a viable career.

It is incredibly important for people to see representation. There’s a reason why so many non-White children are ecstatic about the live-action Ariel that is currently in theatres. When you see yourself in various forms, it makes it so much easier to believe that the sky is the limit. And I want to ensure that the next generation is able to breathe hope and vision into their dreams because we need them to fix this world.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the best lessons life has helped me unlearn is that I need a seat at the table – someone’s table. During my grade school career, I was such a social floater and part of that was because I thought I needed the validation of others. When began to take my music career seriously in my late teens and early twenties, I felt helpless so many times. I felt like I’m pouring so much of my heart into these tracks and I don’t really have a platform for people to hear my story. I sent out so many emails asking to perform at this venue or that festival. No one would ever respond. I’d release music – wouldn’t score hardly any streams. I questioned my talent a lot. I rebranded I don’t know how many times which I’m sure did not help in terms of listeners grabbing ahold of my artistry. But then when I rebranded as London Beck (before I knew I was actually evolving into more than just the artist), a lightbulb went off. Why do I need someone else to open the door for me?

In the late 2010s, I worked for and eventually managed a vegan restaurant. The owners were longtime neighbors who lived across the street for me. Close to my 21st birthday, I decided I wanted to throw a party. One of my neighbors gladly shared his house for the occasion. I’d spend the entire day making appetizers and ensuring other elements of the party were all set. Toward the end of the night, I would perform new music for my friends and co-workers. This late-night concert then evolved into another for my 22nd birthday. Then my neighbor introduced me to Jenny Jones (of Sadie Madden Music) who I will forever thank for opening my third eye so-to-speak and helping me reorient myself and what I wanted out of being an artist. A couple of months later, I was preparing for my first show as the headliner.

I pride myself on being resourceful, which is why I tend to wear so many hats. When it feels like I’m struggling to read my next chapter, I remember that I have the power to write it myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: londonbeck.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lndnbck/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLondonBeck

Image Credits
Photo 3, Kyla Preissner Photo 4, Doug Coombe