Article for magazine

After a four year break Layla is back with a new album and an exclusive interview in this issue of Landslide. At one point Layla was one of the biggest rock stars in the world, her music played everywhere and everyone knew the lyrics. So how has a major star transitioned to a fizzled out rock star? Will her new album be a hit with old fans, or is she aiming for a younger demographic? In this article Layla opens up about all aspects of her life including new music, tours and her long battle with substance abuse.   

 

Your new album is coming out very soon, are there any similarities between this album and your previous albums?

 

In my opinion albums from the same artists always have similarities. It has the same sound and feel as there will always be in my albums but I have decided to take a slightly different route for this album. I am very excited about it if I’m honest.

 

Does a new album mean a tour?

 

Well you never know. I want to get the feedback and see how people respond to this album but yes I would love to tour soon.

 

You have been in the music business for a little while now; do you think you have changed as a person as your music has evolved?

 

Yes definitely I have changed just like every other person has. I also believe that my music reflects that but there will always a hint of my original self and style in everything that I do.

 

Your personal life has been made very public throughout the years and your ongoing struggle with substance abuse has been made very apparent. Do you think this has made an impact on your music?

 

Yes of course it has. I mean it was a big part of my life and the fact that it was plastered on every magazine didn’t make it easier. However, when I started to come out of it all the support I received was overwhelming. When you are in this business you are introduced to all sorts of things and people, unfortunately I was gullible enough to fall for it all. This is reflected in my music because it follows my journey from being an addict to surviving it all and emerging as a stronger, more independent woman.

 

What has been one of the biggest struggles with being in the music industry for so long?

 

Well I would probably say the expectations and the invasion of privacy. It is expected that I will have the same sound and look forever. So when I decide that I want to go in a different direction with a song or an album everybody suddenly hates it and says I’ve changed too much, but of course I have changed everybody changes.

 

Are you a fan of up and coming artists or do you prefer more classical types of music?

 

Personally I will always prefer the more classical music. Bands like The Rolling Stones, Free and Queen will always be my favourite and I don’t think that will ever change. However, music is always evolving and changing, even if it isn’t always for the best.  Bands and artists work very, very hard to create their music and I think they work even harder than what I used to because there is so much competition. I would never choose to listen to Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift but I will always appreciate the work that they put in.

 

 

So, do you think music has changed for the worst?

 

It is sort of split 50/50. In some ways music has improved and a lot of artists like Ed Sheeran has some of the most poetic and meaningful lyrics that I have ever heard in any other song. However, music has almost become just a way to make money and it isn’t about how the artist actually feels. Music is supposed to be a way to express yourself and release powerful emotions. I am aware that not everybody feels that way but music should never just be about making money but making the music itself.

 

You said earlier that some of your favourite bands include The Rolling Stones, Free and Queen; do you think these bands have influenced your own music? And if so how? 

 

Yes I think they have definitely influenced my own music because a lot of the lyrics of my songs reflect the feeling I had when I first listened to these bands songs. Just like these bands the lyrics to my songs will always have a meaning and a purpose. Even some of my lyrics were written to reflect how I interpreted other bands and artists music.

 

What is the process of writing a new album? Do you just have an idea and work from there, or is it something different?

 

Well first of all I will never start writing a song with the intention of bringing out a new album. I will never say to myself “I have to have an album out by the end of the year or I won’t have any money.” I will write when I feel inspired and if it turns out to be a hit with the fans then that’s a bonus. There have been many songs that I have started and never finished just because I feel that it has lost its meaning or will end up like one of them album filler songs that everybody skips past on their iPods.

 

That’s great, so what do you have planned next?

I am looking forward to the response to the album but until then I am mainly planning on enjoying the rest of the year and spending time with family really. I would love to go on tour again within the next year but nothing is set in stone. I just plan on moving forward and working hard.