Photos by Kenneth St. George of ‘Visuals by KSG‘ for Okayplayer.
Sheila Moser is one of the reasons why First Look Friday remains one of our most entertaining and engaging franchises here at Okayplayer. For the past few years this Baltimore-to-Philadelphia transplant has taken over the underground scene with her silky, yet sturdy vocals and soulful feel. Impressively, she’s better known around these parts as Lee Mo, one of the most appreciated voice talents doing it right now. Her appearances on stage in the Philly area alongside Eric Roberson, Jeff Murrell and George “Spanky” McCurdy, to name a few, are noteworthy moments in her life that have only raised her stock amongst music snobs.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Lee Mo is the culmination of the city’s deep-rooted history in music + theater. Inspired by her gospel roots, she cultivated a love of jazz and soul from her her mother who helped to turn her on to soulful singers such as Yolanda Adams, Whitney Houston, Kim Burrell and Ella Fitzgerald. Those legends influenced the budding talent to deliver standout appearances on song like Zach Ambroise‘s “Unseen Perception”. As a former member of the world-renowned Baltimore City College Choir and the Baltimore City College Marching Knights, Lee Mo has traveled the countryside as one of the band’s primary featured vocalists.
Her debut single, “Don’t Have A Reason,” has been on repeat, blaring throughout our speakers at OKP HQ. If you haven’t heard this song, don’t hesitate to press play and rock out with Lee Mo. As we sit down with her for this week’s First Look Friday, we polly with one of the future stars of soul music about the music scene in Philly + Baltimore, her thoughts about Prince’s Freddie Gray-tribute performance and premiere her funky, exclusive cut, “One Last Chance,” which you can listen to below. In short, Lee Mo is an artist that knows what she wants from the music, and now it is up to you to embrace the freedom presented in her voice. Enjoy!
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Okayplayer: To music snobs the world over, you are making an impact on both sides of the U.S. What is it that Baltimore and Philly are seeing and hearing that the world has yet to discover?
Lee Mo: I think everything that makes up who I am as a person causes my music and my artistry to be unique. I am a young black girl from East Baltimore, raised in church and I have been emotionally and spiritually connected to music for most of my life. The way I see and experience life allows my delivery to be something the world hasn’t yet heard, but I feel they remember—through those artists and voices who have come before me.
OKP: For those who have a passion for music, they honed their skills and practiced their craft. Who are your most cherished influences in music and why?
The post First Look Friday: Witness The Future Of Soul In Lee Mo appeared first on Okayplayer.
