Releasing a single is hard work – and that’s when you’re not launching your own record label as well! … In anticipation of the release of Invincible this August and his performance at BT London Live with Magic FM, we caught up with singer/songwriter Lemar at K West Hotel & Spa after a little well-deserved pampering!

So, you have been holding out on us – your last album was in 2010 … what have you been up to?

A lot of living life really!  I have been travelling and spending time in LA, writing a lot of songs, working with producers and in between writing some of my own music as well, and spending time with family!

Your new single Invincible is out on 12^th August – what is it about?

The song is layered like a lot on the album – it has a personal element and a romantic element about facing adversity together – that’s what makes you invincible.  There is also a wider message though – I was born and raised in Tottenham and with the riots there last year and also the Olympics coming to London I think that message also applies to communities sticking together.

You are also launching your own label – what made you want to do that?

It just feels like a natural move at this stage.  I had five albums with Sony and having chatted to them and other labels the other option was to work with that team and also bring in my own people.  After 10 years in the music industry it just made sense.

You are performing at BT London Live with Magic FM on 6^th August – what are you most looking forward to about that?

Performing!

Is that your favourite part of your work?

Yeah, the two best bits about music are creating and performing; the idea of writing something that might help someone, a total stranger is a big part of it, but it wouldn’t be so fulfilling if I couldn’t perform – get out on stage, connect with the audience and do my thing!

You have spent the afternoon at K West Hotel & Spa – what did you think?

It’s absolutely great!  Spas have a way of smelling nice and making you feel like ‘Yeah!’  It was much needed as well – I am as busy as I have ever been and I can’t remember the last time I went to a spa – it must have been a year ago! … So today was more than welcome.

You also had the Russie Blanche treatment – how was that?

It was great – they do a massage at the start with a body scrub, then you have a shower and then a full body massage.  The first half was good, the second half – wow!  You feel like a baby’s bottom at the end of it – I don’t know if it’s the products or the techniques they use, but I fell asleep – the therapist massaged one leg and the next thing I knew I was waking up!

It is supposed to increase energy, relieve stress and boost concentration … are you feeling relaxed and energized?

I definitely feel relaxed, to the point I could have a glass of water and go to sleep on the couch here – I have an event to go to later, so I am sure it will mean I am energized for that!

You’re a busy guy, what is your idea of the perfect day of relaxation?

*Thinks* … I don’t get time to relax in periods like this; when I am preparing an album relaxation falls to one side.  Occasionally I walk the dog which gets me outside for 20 minutes, but if I am not working I am doing the family thing [Lemar has a daughter aged four and a son aged two].

Do you get much time to relax with your kids?

Not as much as I would like at the moment.

Are you a fitness fan as well?  How do you stay in shape?

I use the gym, which I enjoy, but I don’t go as much as I used to – I was a gym freak as a teenager!

Do you have a favourite pampering product at home or are you more of a boy’s boy?

I am a bit of a boy’s boy really … I use, what’s it called?  Dermalogica all the time at home on my face …

Does your partner buy that for you?

Ha, yes!  But I know I like it!

When are you at your happiest?

When I am hanging with my little girl and boy … and a close second is being on stage.

What’s your top tip for looking and feeling your best when you have a hectic schedule?

It’s important just to stop – some people are just go go go, but it’s important to have time out – whatever that is – walking the dog, reading a book, going to the gym – it’s important to step away for a moment.

We know we all enjoy your singing, but do you think music is a good for mind, body and soul?

Definitely, I had an appointment at a school recently where they asked if there is connection between music and the Olympics – I think they have the same effect – in those three minutes a song has the power to make people forget about race and worries and just be in the moment.  It can take you to a particular moment – sport in the sense of big events – a World Cup or the Olympics does the same thing – it brings people together and makes them forget everything else.

We giving Spabreakers the chance to win TWO tickets to BT London Live with Magic FM on 6^th August as well as the chance to MEET Lemar when you book a spa day or break with us before the end of July 2012!  For full details visit Spabreaks.com!

Click here to pre-order Invincible!

Interview Photography by Kobbie Kessie.