Kyla La Grange is currently on a UK tour which culminates tonight at London’s Scala. Kettle grabbed five minutes with the singer/songwriter ahead of tonight’s show.
Kyla La Grange is currently on a UK tour which culminates tonight at London’s Scala. Kettle grabbed five minutes with the singer/songwriter ahead of tonight’s show. You can stream Kyla’s debut album Ashes here.
Hi Kyla, how’s the tour going?
Really well so far! It’s an amazing feeling going back to places second time round and seeing double the number of people there – feels very special.
Where’s your favourite place in the UK?
I used to live in Cambridge, and there is a beautiful walk along the river that you can do, to a place called Grantchester. I used to go for runs along in all the time, to clear my head and think, and it is a place I miss now.
Tell me a bit more about your big show tonight– what can people expect?
Well for all my headline shows I like to decorate the stage – my music artwork has always been woodland-inspired so I like making the stage look a bit wild and overgrown, and full of strange objects. Tuesday will be an even more exaggerated version of that, with trees, skulls & bones, lights and circus performers. I really love making gigs feel a bit magical.
It’s been a whirlwind year for you – how have things changed since this time last year?
I suppose the major difference is that the album has come out now, so i feel like I can move on and spend time writing new things. I think my band and I are also a lot more confident – the best thing about having toured a lot is that is makes you so much more comfortable on stage. I don’t think I’ve really changed much at all though.
Please pick a track from the album and tell me the story behind it.
I try not to talk about the meaning or story behind my songs because they are about specific people and moments and I’d rather keep the particular details private, sorry! But to pick a song at random, Heavy Stone is about wanting someone you’ve hurt to be able to forget you.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Major Lazor – ‘Get Free’ (featuring Amber of Dirty Projectors). An unbelievably beautiful song.
Who or what inspires your music?
Being sad, pretty much. I only write songs when I’m sad or angry, sometimes about people and sometimes just because I wake up feeling like that.
What’s next after the tour?
I’m going to spend a bit of time working on new songs and recording some demos. Then we’re off to tour in Germany and Switzerland.
Describe your music in ten words or less.
Oh God, I’m terrible at this question sorry! It’s a mix of folk, rock and pop…and none of it is very cheerful.
For more information visit Kyla’s official website here.
Kyla La Grange plays Scala London tonight at 10pm
