a chat with laye about visuals, goals, and her new album 'lonesome'
Interview by Amelia Zollner
Despite the fact that laye, a talented new dark pop artist, has only a handful of singles and her debut album lonesome available to stream, she has already garnered a dedicated fanbase thanks to her cohesive aesthetic and enthralling sound. I had the chance to chat with laye about the visuals behind her music, her goals for the future, and lonesome.
EU: Just this summer, you released your album lonesome. How would you say people have reacted to the album so far?
laye: It’s been really nice. I’ve received lovely messages and a lot of warmth. Happy with it!
EU: What would you say was the overall concept/inspiration behind lonesome?
laye: Being that the songs were done over a few years without an album in mind I thought that it would be hard to really find a concept with all the final songs that meant something to me, but the theme of ‘loneliness’ was one that came up often in multiple songs and it helped me shape where I wanted to go with it all.
EU: Visuals seem to be a very large part of your music — especially in your music videos. How would you describe your aesthetic and how would you say it ties into your music?
laye: My aesthetic is in a way a reflection of who I am. I think that the more the two line up, the [truer] my art is. I’m constantly working on finding my team moving forward people that make art in the way I imagine my music to be seen. I think that visuals are an incredibly important extension of the music and can add so much more feeling to the songs and I want to do that in the way that I imagine.
EU: Do you have a specific setting in mind for your music? For example, do you hope people listen to your songs in cars, at parties, etc.?
laye: Anywhere and everywhere!
EU: I read that you started making your own music in 2015. Over the past four years, how would you say you've grown as a musician and songwriter?
laye: I’ve grown a lot in my writing- just being able to write on the spot and at any given time. And I’ve [learned] to express myself better in sessions- which I think is very important.
EU: You've recently had the chance to work with a number of talented, well-known producers. How would you say they've helped you as a musician?
laye: I think that working with different producers has really taught me that knowledge in different genres is important to have. They’re so flexible in genres because they create for different artists every day so they can pull inspiration from anything- I want to be able to do that too.
EU: Finally, as an up-and-coming artist, are there any cities or venues you aspire to play in one day? What else do you hope to accomplish musically?
laye: Man, I don’t even think about that yet because I still feel like I’m trying to accomplish making the music that I love love love. I’m looking forward to album two and what it’ll bring - the shows and venues that will come with it. I just want to keep moving.
Most recently, laye released the stunning music video for "sicker", one of lonesome's most well-received songs. Although she has already developed an addictive sound heard throughout her songs, she's just getting started, so make sure to keep up with her to hear any future releases she might have in store! For now, find her debut album lonesome below.