In Conversation With #273 - Lola Wild
London artist Lola Wild continues to put us under her spell with her unique blend of Americana dream pop with new EP ‘Get Up’ - which is out now via Top Top Records.
With a blend of alternative indie, folk, and dream pop, Get Up is a captivating journey through Lola's retro influences and personal experiences. Inspired by legends like Roy Orbison, The Beatles, and Billie Holiday, Get Up evokes an otherworldly nostalgia for fans of artists like Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and Weyes Blood. The EP was recorded in East London’s Strongroom Music Studios with producer and multi-instrumentalist Jim Wallis (member of the acclaimed band Modern Nature and touring drummer for Still Corners).
She took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Lola - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Quite Cathartic actually. I spent so much of my music career holding on to tracks, hiding behind bands and collaborations, an attempt to protect my craft from that fear of failure. In some ways I’m proud of myself for finally putting myself out there and biting the bullet.
It is called ‘Get Up’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Since the tracks were written from my mid 20s to now. A lot of the lyrics and songs carry a melancholic weight inspired by a time I had a lot of interpersonal difficulty, like most young’ens, I made a lot of questionable choices to block out certain aspects of life, I guess. Eventually it just got to the point where I needed to “get up” from certain stages of grief, move on and fix my life up.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
At Strongroom studios in Shoreditch with producer Jim Wallis. I think about 2 songs into the recording process Jim mentioned the room was used by Professor Green soon after I made a comment about the grey velvet interior and rhinestones in the vocal booth. He has fabulous interior choices that's for sure.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
I suppose their are a lot of nostalgic undertones of the 1960s vs 1980s sonically and both visually. I’ve always wanted to create music in the same way I enjoy surreal vintage cinema too. One peculiar influence that I idolise is the choreographer and film director Bob Fosse, who influenced the choreo in the single Rendezvous. I wanted to make music in the same way that Fosse created an entire dance signature style through embracing insecurities and experiences, ditching emulation and embracing individuality.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Paris, Texas. I guess the melancholic undertones of this EP is me reconnecting with myself and society after a turbulent youth similar to the lead character Travis Henderson story. It would have been a DREAM to be involved on the soundtrack of this film.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
Probably the first lyric to Get Up - "I’m too scared of dying young, I don’t like company but I hate being alone". I feel like a lot of socially anxious and ambiverted personalities will be able to relate to this one.
Now the EP is out there - what next?
Some fun collaborations and an Album en route. I hope to do a fair bit of gigs and festivals this year too. Watch this space tehe
