Shropshire Star

Birmingham's Laura Mvula in hometown gig

Hometown hero Laura Mvula will return to her beloved Birmingham when she headlines the O2 Institute tomorrow.

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The soul singer, who grew up in Selly Park and Kings Heath, will celebrate the success of her debut album Sing At The Moon and this year's follow-up, The Dreaming Room.

Mvula became a prize-winner at the MOBO Awards in 2013 for best female act and best R'n'B/soul act, as well as winning an Urban Music Award for best female act.

She has also been nominated for a BRIT, Ivor Novello and Q Award. Mvula moved to London once her career took off, though she has suffered from crippling levels of anxiety.

"I was living with my assistant, which was super intense for both of us. So between my family and my management we made a decision that I would try to take steps towards independence and get my own space.

"I still get help though. There's a lady from a carers' agency who stays with me."

Mvula's panic attacks mean she is often terrified to be by herself – the carer is there to be a support and look after her in that sense. "She stays every day, but it's temporary. Hopefully, for a few months while I get on my feet. It's baby steps. Having my own space has brought some of that mundaneness back to my everyday life.

"There's some normality, it's really precious. I got a kitten three weeks ago and caring for another living thing and something else being dependant on me has really helped shape my focus. It has really made things feel like there's less of a magnifying glass over my head. The carer thing is an enabling process, so I'm not smothered, it's my space."

Mvula has drawn on her own experiences while creating her first two records, drawing inspiration from the likes of Nina Simone, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauren Hill. The Dreaming Room was written following the break-up of her marriage.

"I felt ashamed that I had failed. Also, I experienced very real heartbreak. I split up with my husband a couple of years ago, then I had a relationship I thought was the most real thing I had ever experienced and it turned out not to be.

"That was actually my first real heart mash-up. I had never experienced anything like that. I'm not defined by these amazing or terrifying experiences. Whether it's amazing or leaves you on the floor. I'm still me and I'm excited for the future now," she said.

"Everyone knows I struggle with depression, I was great at spiralling, having an 'oh no, I'm not getting up today' tantrum. I think the album helped me a lot. Music is so life-giving to me personally. I'm fuelled by it."

Mvula has drawn support from other musicians, particularly Michelle Williams, of Destiny's Child, who constantly checks in. "She is someone who has spoken openly about struggling with depression," Mvula says. "When she was in the UK recently she had asked to meet up with me – gosh, I'm getting teary – and I was having one of those mornings where I couldn't get out of bed. Imagine, this is a woman I haven't met yet, we have just spoken a lot over the last two years and she says, 'I'm here. Let's meet up', and I can't get out of bed.

"But she was like, 'I totally understand where you're at. Even if you're in your pyjamas, I can come to you'. She was so gracious and so kind. It made me feel understood," she said.

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