Kyla La Grange is a singer/songwriter from the UK, who released her debut album Ashes in 2012. Following her debut release, Kyla, who is part Zimbabwean and South African, took park in the project Africa Express. Africa Express is an organization created to promote artistic collaboration between African and western musicians and to widen the appreciation of African music and culture. "Cut Your Teeth" is her newest single with a sophomore album on its way in 2014.
Do you think the arrival of Laura Marling on the scene a few years ago was a watershed moment for girls like you who wanted to write accessible pop-folk music — or do you think it has made it harder to stand out?
"It was great that Laura Marling got the press and recognition she deserved, especially since folk can be seen as quite niche and is often overlooked. Anyone who thinks another songwriter in a similar genre is going to make it harder for them is being a bit stupid I think. There are, and always have been, lots of people making similar music at similar times. That’s how music scenes arise and thrive. It’s always hard to stand out, you’ve just got to hope your songs are good enough and that people respond to them. It’s amazing how many r’n'b and commercial pop singers sound like complete clones of one another and the industry can’t get enough of them. Yet as soon as someone puts their head above the parapet in a less commercial genre, anyone following in their footsteps is immediately criticized as jumping on a bandwagon. The music industry is made of bandwagons!" -Lazy Brighton.
Do you think the arrival of Laura Marling on the scene a few years ago was a watershed moment for girls like you who wanted to write accessible pop-folk music — or do you think it has made it harder to stand out?
"It was great that Laura Marling got the press and recognition she deserved, especially since folk can be seen as quite niche and is often overlooked. Anyone who thinks another songwriter in a similar genre is going to make it harder for them is being a bit stupid I think. There are, and always have been, lots of people making similar music at similar times. That’s how music scenes arise and thrive. It’s always hard to stand out, you’ve just got to hope your songs are good enough and that people respond to them. It’s amazing how many r’n'b and commercial pop singers sound like complete clones of one another and the industry can’t get enough of them. Yet as soon as someone puts their head above the parapet in a less commercial genre, anyone following in their footsteps is immediately criticized as jumping on a bandwagon. The music industry is made of bandwagons!" -Lazy Brighton.