Laura Izibor: From Laura to Miami

VH1's "You Ought to Know Artist" Laura Izibor drops in on Miami for the Downtown Concert Series at Bayfront Park's Tina Hills Pavilion. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

VH1's "You Ought to Know Artist" Laura Izibor dropped in on Miami on Friday, November 13th for the second season of the Downtown Concert Series supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation at Bayfront Park's Tina Hills Pavilion. Premier Guide Miami met up with Laura at the Hilton Hotel on 16th and Biscayne right before her show.

On first impression she could be the girl next door who you simply had to have as a friend. Dressed in a black top, blue jeans and big hoop earrings with an electric blue scarf over her afro, this Ireland-bred singer-songwriter looked as much a star in all that casual style.

PGM: How do you like Miami? Is there something you've always wanted to do here?

LI: Of course I love Miami. The main thing is the weather — it is so ridiculous. Something I have always wanted to do? Jet skiing. I have never been jet skiing and I figure if there is a good place to do something like that, it's here.

PGM: What do you hope to do differently with the Miami crowd?

LI: We bring the same show but our energy changes with the different crowds. I have a feeling the Miami crowd will bring that fun and energy — they just want to enjoy the moment. So I think if anything we just multiply ourselves to meet that same energy and hopefully elevate the show even more. Plus the weather is so warm. We just came from a cold place — New York.

PGM: How has the album changed you from where you started?

LI: I didn't imagine it would be this way. I think when you make your first album you have lots of expectations and you don't really know what to expect. I've just grown up an awful lot and fallen in love with music more so than I even did before. I was 17 when I started and only singing three or four years. It was all so new to me.

PGM: What do you know now that you wish you knew then about music?

LI: I understand it more now. I see how rare it is in this industry. When I was making the album, we worked with the attitude of being very authentic — just letting the songs breathe. But then when we released it I realized how so many people don't do it that way. In a way I learned we were a lot more brave with the album than we actually thought.

PGM: Are there any collaborations coming up or artists you would like to work with?

LI: Any time I go on tour with somebody I say "I want them on my album." Maxwell, India Arie, John Legend — I love Jill Scott, I think she is incredible. Also Alicia Keys, which would be very fresh. That would be a real dream come true, maybe next album.

PGM: What do you love about Miami so far?

LI: The energy walking around the street is just so fun. A lot of places I go are great and very pretty but it's so hard to find the energy, it's hard to find a vibe. Miami has that same kind of New York energy where you are walking down the street and you feel people's energy. So that on top of the sun just puts you in such a great mood. My band just walked out of the van and everyone instantly had a smile on their face.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .