In Conversation With #170 - Kyla La Grange
It has been seven years since Kyla La Grange released her last album, but she has returned in style with her latest collection of songs - ‘While Your Heart’s Still Beating’. It is undoubtedly Kyla's most forward thinking songwriting to date, a truly incredible insight into the emotional rollercoaster of your 30's and returning to the creative mindset. She took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Kyla, how are you? So it’s been years since your last album - how does it feel to have this one finally out there in the world?
Hi! I'm ok thank you. I took quite a few years away from music. For a long time I just didn't feel like writing, and then it came back to me really slowly, and then it took so long to put all the pieces together, and I was doing a lot on my own this time around, so it all just crept forward in tiny increments. I'm just so relieved and proud to have it out. I was so unsure about myself for so long, I nearly didn't make this record. But it feels more my own than any of my other albums, not just literally (coz I own the masters this time ha), but also emotionally, I think so many of the decisions about how to do everything were made by me, and that was so scary and I felt so out of my depth at the start, but it's also made me realise I can do more than I think I can. I still have meltdowns, but I'm learning how to be a bit calmer. It's nice, I do a lot of gardening.
It is called ‘While Your Heart’s Still Beating’ - what is the meaning behind that?
It's a line from Neverland, the second single I released. It just seemed so perfect for these songs, because a lot of them encompass themes from childhood and adolescence, and I had this sense that there were things I wanted to say while my heart was still beating, and while the people I wanted to say them to were still alive too. So that I didn't leave it too late. A lot of us want to say things to the people we love and we never get round to saying them. But it's also about making sure you really live. That you make the most of the tiny amount of time we get given. That you do things, make things, spend time with people that matter, meet new people. Just being open to it all, the beauty and the sadness and everything in between.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process?
Half of it was recorded at The Laundry in Hackney with Liam Howe, and half down in Cornwall with the Mr BJ Jackson. They're both brilliant producers, and people I feel very comfortable with, which was so important for songs like these, when a lot of it is pretty raw, personal stuff. Behind the scenes stories... let me think. My dog Bug had a sudden fit when I was recording with Liam and he called an emergency vet and they ran through the streets of Hackney trying to find us and it was horrendously terrifying but then he suddenly snapped out of it (Bug, not Liam) and seemed absolutely fine afterwards. I don't think we did any more recording that day. I guess Bug just doesn't like sad bangers.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Self-doubt, childhood, adulthood, sadness, growing up, not growing up, fear. I don't know about influences because I don't really listen to music anymore, which is silly, because music is quite good isn't it. I probably should listen to some.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
Oof good question. Maybe 'Everybody's making babies, but I just want to sit on your roof and watch the city lights collide', from Neverland. Just paints a really visual picture. Of not wanting the parties and nights out with friends to end, and the fear of settling down and growing old.
Now the album is out there - what next for you?
I'm really looking forward to playing the songs on this album live, I think they translate really well to stage, and there's an EP I've written that I'd like to to try and get out this year as well if I can. I have an idea for a video that I want to make, but it's probably a bit too ambitious and might involve the impersonation of a police officer so we'll have to see about that.
