Sejo is an Italian triple threat who is ready to take on the world with her fusion of dark pop, RnB, electro and soul.
Real name Valentine Ottoboni, Sejo recently released her debut single, ‘Too Young’. Combining tropical beats with an irresistible drop, ‘Too Young’ is the new dance-pop anthem that needs to be on your playlist.
We recently caught up with Sejo to talk about ‘Too Young’, its music video, her inspirations and much more.
Hi Sejo, thank you for your time today! First off, we love your debut single ‘Too Young’! What was the inspiration behind the track?
Many thanks to you! When I read the song’s lyrics and listened to the song I decided to perform it because it inspired me light-heartedness and joy. Too young, so young that I could do something crazy, like dancing in the streets.
The video is dreamy and features you dancing along the streets of NYC. What was the filming experience like?
It was very funny! Most of the scenes were improvised, the idea is to involve the viewer and make him feel like a tourist while I dance around the city of New York. It’s been a beautiful experience, many scenes aren’t rehearsed at all and they show real reactions to what we were doing, I say we because the director and his assistant were with me and I grew particularly fond of them.
As a trained dancer, how much input did you get into the choreography?
The choreography is almost all improvised, but more than a choreography it’s a set of free movements. The very few rehearsed choreographic sequences were quickly conceived together with my dancer and choreographer friend Nicolò Besozzi just before leaving for New York.
In the beginning everything was planned but during the shooting I decided to let myself go and dance freely, to make everything appear fresher and more real.
We hear you are also working on some choreography videos from ‘Too Young’…can you tell us more about that?
It would be very nice to create a new dance routine with a group of dancers.
You’ve had a creative spark ever since you were a young girl. At what point did you realise that you wanted to do music as a career?
When I was a kid I always thought I would become an artist, even though this belief evaporated over the years. The fateful moment in which I realized I would have done anything to actually become an artist was when I was around 19.
Who are your current musical influences, and who influenced you musically when you were growing up?
I’ve always listened to classical music, jazz, soul, blues, r&b and soundtracks, besides pop music, thanks to my parents. Upon reaching the age of 15 I started listening to rock, metal, prog and gospel. From then on I got into dark pop and ambient. I am not into genres, I listen to any genre as long as it’s good. It’s nice to take inspiration from everything. Nowadays all genres are blending together.
Has your Italian culture influenced your music at all?
Of course it did, particularly the lyrics. Italian literature is one of the richest and most complex and this surely affected me and inspired me in a positive way.
Out of the songs you’ve written, is there a particular lyric which stands out as being your favourite?
I don’t want to reveal anything for now! I hope my lyrics and my future songs will be released soon to make you listen to them.
Can we expect some live shows from you soon?
I hope so, as soon as possible!
You’re a true triple threat, as you’re a singer, dancer and actress. You’re currently combining your singing and dancing skills, but would you like to do more acting work in the future?
I would really like to!!
What does the rest of 2017 have in store for Sejo?
I hope ‘Too Young’ will explode and that I will sing dance and write new music.
Thank you to Sejo for her time. ‘Too Young’ is available to stream on Soundcloud now.
Keep up to date with her on Facebook and Instagram.