Introducing Get To Know… LALA LALA
Meet the Chicago-based indie rock project of Lillie West.
Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… With two new acts a week, the feature pretty much does what it says on the tin: getting you a little bit closer to the buzziest new acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
We’ve recently introduced you to Austin-based singer Molly Burch, Newcastle via London newcomer Brooke Bentham, Amsterdam’s Spill Gold and brilliant Stockholm-based newcomers Viagra Boys . Today we’re with Lala Lala, the Chicago-based project of Lillie West.
From the more upbeat, shoegaze-y ‘Water Over Sex’ to the more quiet and nostalgic-sounding ‘Scary Movie’, Lala LaLa makes direct indie rock that delivers an emotional punch and has recently released second album ‘The Lamb’ via Hardly Art.
“’The Lamb’ was written during a time of intense paranoia after a home invasion, deaths of loved ones and general violence around me and my friends,” Lillie says of the album. “I started to frequently and vividly imagine the end of the world, often becoming too frightened to leave my house. This led me to spend a lot of time examining my relationships and the choices I’d made, often wondering if they were correct and/or kind.”
Watch the video for Lala Lala’s latest song ‘Scary Movie’ below and get to know her a little better with our Q&A below.
Catch up with all our Get To Know… features here.
Describe your music to us in a sentence.
I would describe it as ‘guitar secret mud music’.
What’s your earliest musical memory?
I remember a guy would come to my pre-school and play guitar. I don’t remember if I liked it. Otherwise I remember watching Top of The Pops with my mum on Friday nights with fish and chips.
Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?
Bands like Guerilla Toss, Miami Dolphins, Jamaican Queens, Supermagical & The Funs that I saw in DIY spaces all showed me that music doesn’t have to be one certain way and you can make your own passion and your world however you want it to be.
You’re based in Chicago - what’s the music scene like there at the moment? Are there other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
I would describe the Chicago music scene as “full.” There’s so much going on in all different genres and everyone is super supportive. My current + constant favorites are Sen Morimoto, Bunny, Kaina, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Richard Album, Choral Reefr, DEHD, Malci & Grapetooth.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
Sam Herring (Future Islands) or Adrienne Lenker (Big Thief).
Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to in 2019?
I’m looking forward to writing more music and spending time alone not in a car.
If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
Be your weird self + try not to worry as much as I do.
Read More
Lala Lala shares new single ‘Prove It’
Her new album lands next month!
7th September 2021, 12:00am
Lala Lala unveils new single ‘Color of the Pool’
From her forthcoming album, 'I Want The Door To Open'.
11th August 2021, 12:00am
Lala Lala announces new album ‘I Want The Door To Open’
Check out lead single 'DIVER' now.
13th July 2021, 12:00am
Porridge Radio team up with Lala Lala for ‘Good For You’
The collaborative track was written and recorded remotely in lockdown.
2nd July 2020, 12:00am
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