LYRA

By starrymag | August 7, 2024

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Big, emotional, dark pop, gritty, heartbreaking.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Sia, I mean have you heard the pipes one her wowowoow. Also, Adele because she had the art of telling a story through her voice which I find amazing.

Stevie Nicks, her songwriting is just next level not to mind the uniqueness of her voice.

 

Q) In 2016 you picked up a record deal with Polydor and relocated to London. The first Polydor-release single “Falling” garnered great interest, with strong radio play and a Choice Music Prize Song of the Year nomination in 2019 alongside acts like Hozier, Roisin Murphy and Lankum. What has it meant to you to be getting more recognition for your music? 

A) It’s been amazing to feel like people are enjoying my music. At the end of the day that’s all I want – people to hear my music and feel something, to feel a connection, feel like dancing or feel like crying. It’s the connection with the audience that is the true recognition.

 

Q) Your manager Caroline Downey (credited for discovering Hozier) put you in contact with Burns (Lady Gaga, Charlie XCX). And he invited you to LA for writing sessions in Max Martin’s studio to kick off the process of making the album. What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I mean that was a pinch me moment! I could not believe I was there in the presence of some of the best songwriters in the world.

For me, it starts with the emotion. It’s whatever feeling I want to explore in that moment that dictates the song. Whatever I have most recently been through always becomes the main theme of the song also. For example, after the breakup I just wanted to write sad songs because that’s all I was feeling. This then developed through the stages of a breakup and as I started getting over it my songs started to become more empowering and then as I started finding love again the songs became more like love songs, dance songs. I was in a happy space, so it reflected on my songwriting.

I’m very heavily involved in all the processes of my music from songwriting, production style, mixing and sometimes mastering. I give it my all as it’s a very personal journey for me.

 

Q) Your self-titled album is out, and it includes 14 tracks with songs like “America,” “Drink Me Up,” “All Over Now,” “You” and my personal favorite is “I’ll Always Be the One.” Do You have a favorite song or one that was more emotional to perform for you?

A) I love them all so much they are my babies. “Queen” for me hits different live. It’s a real confidence anthem. I can feel every word the fans sing back to me for this one and it’s such an amazing feeling.

 

Q) Collaborators on the album include Dan Priddy (Bastille, Rag’n’Bone Man), The Nocturns (James Arthur, Maisie Peters) and Phil Cook (Lewis Capaldi, Ellie Goulding). How did you connect to work with them and what was your experience like?

A) We were able to set up a writing session via our managers and just hit it off so kept the relationship going. I feel like I write my best material when I’m with people that I’m comfortable with. This group is definitely that.

 

Q) What song has challenged you the most creatively?

A) “Love Me” was definitely the most challenging to Rach. It’s very raw and I was still extremely heartbroken after my ex dumped me. It took me a while to get the lyrics out as it’s about a very vulnerable time during the breakup where I begged him to take me back and asked him who I would have to be in order for him to keep loving me.

 

Q) The album is the perfect mix between lightness and depth, and fragility and strength, which immediately enriches the emotion in your words. Raw and powerful vocals are put to exacting use: lyrically, the album offers snapshots of past relationships – specifically one turbulent end and its liberating aftermath. What do you hope people take away from it?

A) I hope people get to know me a bit more via this album. I think it’s very important as an artist to have a strong relationship with the audience as at the end of the day the fans are the ones who dictate our careers, so I want to let them in and get to know me a bit deeper. This is something I really want people to get from this album.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Beyoncé would be cool. Taylor Swift for something a bit different. Bon Iver for his silk vocals. Calvin Harris to bring out a new Irish dance anthem.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why?

A) Taylor Swift, simply because she is absolutely everywhere, and I admire her song writing.

 

Q) Why is social media such an important way for you to connect with your fans? 

A) The joy about social media is it can bring your fans behind the scenes and talk them with you on your journey.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) From the bottom of my heart thank you. I would not be here without you and please never forget how grateful I am for your support and love throughout this journey. Thank you for showing up for me. I will always show up for you and give you my everything.