Known for his mesmerizing remixes, Swiss-Nigerian artists Laolu is now stepping into the spotlight with original music and exciting collaborations – “After years spent mainly remixing other artist’s songs for various labels, my desire now is to release original music and collaborate with others,” says Laolu. “I’m launching my label Siembra to be able to put out projects at my own pace and have full artistic control, from the music to the visuals.”

Siembra, which translates as “the action of sowing,” reflects Laolu’s vision of planting creative seeds and nurturing their growth. The label will primarily focus on releasing club music, with its first singles and the ’TRY’ EP, featuring artwork inspired by ‘Magic Carpet,’ a painting created by Laolu’s late father in Nigeria in the early 80s. This artwork serves as a heartfelt homage to his father’s legacy and artistic influence.  

To commemorate the label launch, we welcome him to our Main Mix series with a lush, layered showcase of his unparalleled technical and selection expertise. Plus, we chat to him about all things Siembra, the standout singles, and more! Enjoy!

WWD: Laolu, congratulations on the recent launch of your label – SIEMBRA. Tell us a little about the label, and why you felt that now was the time to create your own platform? 

Thank you! Launching Siembra felt like a natural evolution for me as an artist. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to release music on some amazing labels, but I’ve always carried this idea of creating a space where I could fully express my vision without boundaries. Siembra means “to sow” in Spanish, and it symbolizes planting seeds for growth, both musically and artistically. I wanted a platform to release music that feels truly authentic to me, whether it’s dancefloor-driven or more introspective. Now felt like the right time because I’m in a place creatively where I trust my instincts more than ever, and I wanted to give space for that to flourish.

WWD: Your ’Try’ EP, the debut release for the label, features three beautiful vocal lead tracks with intricate production and live instrumentation. It feels fresh and exciting. Give us a brief insight into how you linked with each of the vocalists and what drew you to them?

I’m really proud of how the ‘Try’ EP came together. Each collaboration felt organic and brought something unique to the project.

Nomvula, who’s featured on ‘You Don’t See Me,’ has this soulful, emotive voice that immediately struck me. I first discovered her on Caiiro’s remix of Amore Profondo, and as soon as I heard her, I knew I wanted to work with her. There’s a tenderness in her voice that connects instantly.

Starving Yet Full on ‘Creature of the Night’ brought this deep, haunting energy that perfectly matched the mood I was aiming for. His voice carries so much weight and character, it added a whole new dimension to the track and really pushed it into darker, more emotional territory.

Working with SeeMeNot on ‘Try’ was a journey. It took us a while to land on the final version, with lots of different reworkings along the way. But her vocals have this raw, powerful quality that kept inspiring me to explore more live instrumentation and intricate textures around her voice. It was worth every iteration to get it right.

I’ve spent most of my career doing remixes, and this is the first time I’m writing original songs. Collaborating with these artists pushed me to approach my production differently, and that’s what made the EP feel so fresh and exciting.

WWD: Your music can often sit sweetly between Dancefloor and Listening. Do you approach your productions with a specific idea and end goal? Or allow the process to lead you? 

If I have one specific idea in mind, it’s that I want my music to be enjoyed both on the dancefloor and at home. Maybe that’s why it can feel a bit sophisticated at times, but that’s exactly what I’m aiming for. Beyond that, I really let the process lead me. When I’m in the studio, I try to think as little as possible, just let the music flow and capture the vibe of that particular moment.

WWD: We understand that the artwork designs for each of the singles and EP are very special to you…can you share why?

Yes, the artwork is deeply personal. It’s inspired by a painting my late father created in the late 70s, which we then vectorized for the vinyl covers and digital releases. My father was an artist, and having his work tied to Siembra feels like a tribute to him, and a way to carry his legacy forward. The visuals reflect the music, rooted in something personal, yet open to interpretation. This artwork will embody a series of four EPs, making it an ongoing connection between the music and his art.

WWD: What are your plans for Siembra in 2025??

2025 is going to be an exciting year. I’m planning to release more original music, keep doing vinyls, but I’m also thinking about opening the label to other artists whose sound aligns with the vision. The idea is to create a home for music that feels honest, whether it’s electronic, organic, or somewhere in between.

WWD: Where can we catch Laolu over the coming weeks? 

I’ve got a busy schedule ahead! I’ll be at Rumors London this Friday, followed by a show in Madrid, then heading to Lagos for the first time at the end of the month. After that, I’m taking some time off in March, with a couple of shows in the US before heading to Asia in April. I’m really excited to play at Sing Sing Theater in Bangkok, and then return to Café Del Mar Phuket and Savaya Bali.

WWD: Amazing! Thanks for the chat and congrats on the label 🙂

Thanks to you!

The ‘Try’ EP is available here

Laolu: Instagram // Soundcloud