News Kyla La Grange: ‘Suitably Odd, Dark And A Little Bit Funny’

It’s been a busy few months for Kyla La Grange, releasing three singles, recording a debut album and playing her first string of headline dates. When we heard she was set to release her fourth single, the currently Rebel Playlisted ‘Vampire Smile’, next month, we tracked her down for a quick catch up and an exclusive stream of the track below.

Hi Kyla! It’s been a while since we spoke to you last, what’s gone on with you over the last twelve months, catch us up?
Hello! I released three singles, played my first headline gigs, and did a bunch of festivals. Feels like it has gone by very fast.

You’ve just announced the March release of your forthcoming single, ‘Vampire Smile’ via Chess Club Records. Are we right in thinking they’ve released your previous singles as well?
Yes, Chess Club are ace. Before I knew anyone involved in music in London I used to sit on my computer and go to the Chess Club page and think what a cool little label they were, I loved so many of the bands they released, and I never thought I’d get to end up working with people like them, so it’s really nice.

It’s your fourth single release, is there an album on the cards?
There is, it’s pretty much close to finished now. All the songs have been written and recorded for a while but it was just about whittling them down to the ones that should go on the album and re-recording things that I wanted to improve. It should be out around this summer, fingers-crossed…

The track itself is slightly older than some of your other material. What made you chose it as your next release over newer tracks?
It’s my oldest song… I never really thought of it as a single because it’s not really immediately a ‘single’ type song, it doesn’t have a normal verse-chorus-middle eight type structure and it’s got sort of slightly worrying lyrics. But then it had been on Youtube and out and about for ages, and people kept asking me to play it at gigs, and I realised it was a lot of people’s favourite song of mine, so it seemed like a good idea to release it and send it out into the world properly.

‘Vampire Smile’ has been picked up by both Jo Whiley and Steve Lamacq’s Rebel Playlist. What was it like hearing your track on the radio for the first time?
I don’t ever really like listening to myself so I don’t usually go back and listen to the show that played it! It’s so nice to hear that it’s on the radio though. I just feel really cringey and awkward listening to myself sing unless I’m in the studio or playing live, I don’t know why. The worst is watching videos of gigs, I can’t do it, makes me squirm!

Lyrically, there’s a few less than, erm, radio friendly terms in there. Was that ever an issue for you when deciding whether to release the track?
No, not at all, we just knew we’d have to make a radio-friendly version!

Do you have any targets for the track or anything you’d like it to achieve?
I’d like it to stand the test of time for me - I want to still like it in ten years’ time.

Are you planning a video? If so, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, we’ve filmed it already, it’s suitably odd and dark and a little bit funny. We filmed it in a freezing wood at night with a group of strange creatures, some had stilts and one had the head of a bird.

You’re about to head on tour with Dog Is Dead. Looking forward to it?
Yes, so much! I’ve seen them live twice and they’re brilliant. Can’t wait.

Do you find it very different preparing for a support slot in comparison to when you’re headlining a show?
It’s definitely different because I think you have to be sympathetic to the fact that it’s not your audience. Because I have some rockier songs and some folkier songs, I tend to slightly tailor my set to the audience, e.g. if we’re supporting a folk band I’ll play more of my folky stuff and maybe just one or two of the louder songs. I like being able to do that - it gives each gig a different feel. Also I think support acts should always play for slightly less time than they are allotted - most audiences prefer a shorter set if they don’t know your music yet.

Finally, what else do you have planned for the year?
‘Vampire Smile’ is released in March, I’m doing a little headline tour in April, the album comes out over the summer, and then a lot more gigs after that. I’d also really like to buy a small dog that would be happy to come with me on tour.



Kyla La Grange will release ‘Vampire Smile’ on 12th March 2012 via Chess Club Records