INTERVIEW:
laye
___________
THE awesome laye…
has been telling me about her latest track, milk n honey, and what its background is. I ask the Canadian artist whether there is more material coming up and whether she is always learning new things – I wanted to know how early music came into her life.
Laye reveals her favourite albums and touring plans; what advice she would give to artists emerging; a rising act worth checking out – laye shares her favourite musical memory.
__________
Hi, laye. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi. I’m good, thank you. Sleepy. My week’s been nice. Had a few shows in Toronto and B.C. and I’m now back in Montreal.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
My name’s laye and I’m an artist from Montreal. The last two-three years I’ve been working on music and I’ve recently started releasing it (go put it in your ears). I think my music always has a sort of longing feel underneath it all and a darker Alternative-Pop production to it.
milk n honey is your new single. Can you reveal how it came together and what its story is?
I was out in L.A. and I had a session with FnZ (Finatik N Zac) along with Lauren Christy - who co-wrote the song with me which was amazing. She wrote a lot of Avril Lavigne’s music that I loved growing up. We wrote the song pretty smoothly together and it was a really good feel.
Will there be more material coming next year do you think?
More material coming this year. I’m back in the studio finishing up my album and I’ll be releasing a song on October 5th that I wrote two years ago. Getting nervous about that one: it’s coming up fast but I’m very happy about it finally coming out.
When did music come into your life? Which artists did you fall for at a young age?
My dad would have Alternative music radio stations playing that definitely impacted me somewhat as well as my mom played a lot of Dido and Norah Jones. I think, in terms of my own exploration of music; that only came later. I didn’t have a phone or laptop for a lot of my growing up and, when I did, I started listening to a lot of acoustic sessions on YouTube and singer-songwriter-type music.
As an artist; are you always learning new crafts and sides to the industry? Is music a learning experience?
Definitely. This year has been a huge year for growth. I’m currently self-managed so I’m learning a lot about the whole industry as well as on the creative side of things - I’ve gotten to experience so much more than I expected and meet so many new people. I’m constantly learning.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
I want to get to a spot where I feel that I have the team I need around me to go full force in 2019. I want to release a lot of new music, new visuals and start doing shows. I don’t want to slow down. This year, I’ve started to finally put music out and, by the end of 2018, I want it to feel like it’s just the beginning and be happy where I’m at but without getting comfortable.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
I just recently flew out to Vancouver to play Westward Festival - opening for Cigarettes After Sex - at The Vogue. I never would have imagined that happening. That’s going to stand out for me for a bit.
Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?
That’s something that’s always going to change for me but, right now, I’ll say these guys:
Kodaline - In a Perfect World
Really helped me through a tough patch.
Leon Bridges - Coming Home
It is a good way to start the day.
Dido - Life for Rent
My mom played it a lot when I was younger and two of the songs off of that album were the first songs I sang in front of people.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
There would be so many different artists I’d love to tour with. Some of them don’t really make sense because of our musical differences, sonically. However; I’d hope our paths cross at some point. I think Lorde would be amazing; Locals Only Sound, Daniel Caesar; Leon Bridges and SZA.
Rider: wine and a warm blanket. Cozy.
Might we see some tour dates coming up? Where might we be able to catch you play?
No tour dates just yet - hoping to start playing some small shows in Montreal, Toronto and wherever else it takes me right now.
How important is it being on stage and performing? Is it the place you feel most comfortable?
It’s funny because you would think that it should be. For me, I’m getting used to it. I love it, but I love it once I get pass the fear - and there’s still a lot of fear there for me. I want to get to the point where I have nerves but I’m confident enough to enjoy it.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Don’t get down on yourselves - it’s so easy to. And, if you do, try to recognize it and get out of it and keep pushing forward. Only you can be you so, as long as you’re doing that, nobody else is.
IN THIS PHOTO: Locals Only Sound
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Locals Only Sound. A duo/collective from Toronto. They have some stuff out right now and a lot more on the way that’s really exciting.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Right now, things are pretty go, go, go but, when I do have downtime, I want to read more…and Netflix and wine. I just recently started and finished Game of Thrones so, if you have any recommendations, let me know (or books too, I guess) I also started getting into production myself, so downtime is sometimes still music for me - but, getting to work on my own things and explore other aspects of it.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
I’m gunna go with If This Is Love - Xavier Omär
___________
Follow laye
