Northern Soul Gal Levanna Mclean: Interview

Internet sensation and great friend of mine Levanna Mclean has agreed to do an interview, which I am very excited to share with you all. Levanna is a beautifully talented dancer gliding across the floor like an ice dancer, she's one of the nicest people I've met. As well as a great dancer she has a wide knowledge of the Northern Soul scene, going to all the popular and well known Nighters, Dayers and Weekenders. I'm sure you'll get the chance to meet Levanna at an event at some point in the year but for now you'll just have to read about her.

 

How did you get into the Northern Soul scene?
As a young teenager, I listened to artists such as Amy Winehouse, The heavy and The specials who were pretty much in the mainstream and never really knew or understood what the strange music that my mum listened to. She called it Northern Soul and that was about it. It wasn’t until after hearing Amy Winehouse’s release of ‘our day will come’ that my mum, who had been onto Northern Soul most of her life, showed me the original song by Ruby and The Romantics. Hearing the original really made me think what else have I been missing out on all this time? So I went through all my mum’s records and soon enough I was asking to go to my first all-nighter. I knew as soon as I walked into that room, I had found where my heart needed to be. 

Would you say you think it’s something everyone should consider looking into?
Soul is a very special thing and isn’t for everyone, I understand that. It is a state of mind and a way of life, once you’ve experienced the scene; it’s hard to stay away. When you realise that every one person on the scene is so different yet so similar, that is when you realise just how special Northern Soul is. At first, Northern Soul is really hard to get your head around but it is an alternative for those who are bored of today’s music and want something more. The music has heart and it gets in touch with your emotion, that’s why I love it, however it’s more than just a love of music, its appreciation.

How long have you been dancing for and how did you learn you moves?
You may find it hard to believe, you might not. My first night out dancing was somewhat embarrassing and I most certainly was not elegant on the dance floor, but you know what? I didn’t have a care in the world, the music took over and I just did what I feel. That is the best way to be on the dance floor. Of course having all the fancy footwork and floor work looks amazing but in my opinion, if you’re having a good time and you’re feeling the music, that is when you know someone has soul! 

What is your favourite Northern Soul night?
That is such a hard question! I would have to say the 100 club because you can just feel the history of all the people that have been there every month for 34 years and quite simply, the music is phenomenal.

What is your favourite song?
My favourite song changes every week one day it’s Roy Merrell – Tears of Joy and the next it’s Betty Lloyd – I’m catching on. I still have so much more to discover! 

What inspired you to start making YouTube videos?
The first video was just a spare of the minute sort of thing, I had just come back from the 100 club and it was off to Moscow so didn’t really have time to come down from that amazing night, so I still had my dancing feet on! We came across the slippy floor of the statue and find myself dancing away whilst singing along in my head. My mum thought it would be funny to film me and after looking back at the footage, decided to put it on YouTube with some music over it. I didn’t anticipate such a big, positive reaction. 
if someone was trying to get into the Northern Soul scene what would be the best way of going about it? are there any websites/forums you can suggest?
Just listen to the music and if you like it, you like it. If you don’t, that is fair enough! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Looking to try out some moves on the dance floor? Soul Source is a good way and finding some of the big events that might be close to you.

A massive thank you to the lovely Levanna for doing this interview for my blog, as I know she's been busy since her YouTube video has reached half a million views!! To view all of her Northern Soul Girl Dancing videos check out her YouTube page 'IfThisIsLev'.