HONDURAN AMERICAN SINGER EMPRESS OF IS ALL ABOUT DIVINE FEMININITY
Honduran American singer Empress Of has taken her love for her hometown LA and combined her Latin culture to make music that not only is beautiful to hear, her live performances are even better. Empress Of took time out of her busy schedule to sit down with us to discuss how she got her stage name, her latest album, “For Your Consideration” and much more!
Your name is Lorely, but you go by the stage name “Empress Of”. Tell us about how this name came about and what it means to you.
My name comes from the first ever Tarot Card reading I had. The Empress card was the first card pulled out and I love what it stood for, creation, divine femininity, care. I called myself Empress Of because I couldn’t imagine being The Empress…I like the open ended-ness.
Are you still into getting tarot card readings? If so, what did your most recent one reveal?
I do still do readings occasionally. My most recent reading said that I had to stop stressing out because it would make me physically sick. I guess that’s important advice.
Dress: Aliona Kononva
Jewelry: Alexander McQueen
Shoes: Simon Miller
You graduated with a degree in sound engineering from Berklee’s College of Music back in 2011. Have you always known you wanted a career in music? Talk to us about your journey as an artist.
I think I am still convincing myself daily that I’m doing this as a career, even though it’s been years. As a hobby? My entire life. I love making music and I know if I wasn’t a pop star I’d still be singing and writing songs. It’s just luckily also my job.
What do you love most about your Honduran culture? Favorite meals, songs, talk to us about your favorite aspects of your culture.
I take so much pride in being Honduran. Whenever I eat the food, I feel instantly comforted. The plantains, the baleadas (tortillas stuffed with black beans and cheese), it’s home and its heaven. The music is fast, and the dances are even faster. Look up “punta”, the famous music style of Honduras to see for yourself!
How do you incorporate your culture into your music?
I think I am my culture. I am defining what it means to be a modern woman making Latin music. I pay small homage through technical aspects of music, but the real magic is in existing between the worlds of pop culture and being a Latina in the intersection of genres.
Boots: Alexander McQueen
Earrings and Cuffs: Ayana Designs
Necklace: Simon Miller
You recently released your 4th studio album. “For Your Consideration”. Out of all 11 tracks on this album, which one is your current favorite and why?
Lorelei. It’s my name, sort of. It’s my favorite as far as production goes. I love that’s it’s also my take on the song Jolene.
What was the overall inspiration for this album?
My voice. The breath. The immediate feeling of joy and comfort and wanting to feel good. Los Angeles. Fame. Recognition and that feeling of already giving myself that, so I don’t have to seek it in someone else!
Let’s talk about your lead single, “What’s Love” featuring MUNA. How did this collaboration come about?
This one came about the old classic way- the DMs. We had been following each other for years and I wrote them one day with a link to my album and asked if they’d want to be on a song! They chose “What’s Love”. The vocal performance is truly so beautiful, more than I could imagine.
Dress: Aliona Kononva
Jewelry: Alexander McQueen
Shoes: Simon Miller
For anyone who’s never heard an Empress Of song, what is the first song in your catalog that you would play for them?
I would tell them to listen to “Woman is a word”. It’s a good intro to my music. I produced it and the lyrics are so cathartic. You get the feeling of liberation from this song!
Being an LA native, we see the influence LA has on you with it being the background of your new album cover. Talk to us about some of your fave things to do and go to in the LA area.
My fav things to do in LA is go to a small Latino or Thai restaurant on the east side, have an early dinner and find some cute bar to go to with not that many people. On the opposite end, I could end up at sunset tower and have a martini and spot celebrities lol.
What would you describe your musical genre as?
Alternative pop. I love pop music and I feel like it’s always been left of center.
Dress: Aliona Kononva
Jewelry: Alexander McQueen
Shoes: Simon Miller
What are your current favorite hair products?
I love Ouai hair oil. I have curly hair so I gotta keep the locks moisturized. Also, Oribe but it’s so expensive so if anyone from Oribe is reading this and wants to send me anything, I love you.
What’s a random fact about you that you’ve never shared with anyone before?
Lol. I am allergic to eggplant.
Are you going on tour this year? What can your supporters expect from you for the rest of 2024?
I am! There’s gonna be a big tour for this album. I’m so excited to play these songs live. It’s always one of the best parts of an album cycle. Expect lots of DANCING.
Jewelry: Ettika
Shoes: Dolce Vita
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
Photographer: Michelle Gonzales (@enfoque_lumiere)
Location: Hype Studios LA (@hypestudios.la)
Wardrobe: Nathan Figueroa (@iamnathanfigueroa)
Hair Stylist: Elsa Cañedo (@elsahair)
Makeup Artist: Nick Lennon (@itsnicklennon)
Photo Assistant: Bryan Martinez (@b_m.photo)
