INTERVIEW: LAOISE — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

LAOISE

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THIS is the second time I have…

PHOTO CREDIT: Lucy Foster

included LAOISE on my blog. I spoke to her last year and, a few months on from that; she tells me about her new single, Bother – and how it differs from her previous track, Rich. I ask what we can expect from her forthcoming (second) E.P.; what the scene is like in E.I.R.E. (where she resides); why the people of Dublin are very important to her; whether we will see her play in the U.K. – the artists and albums that have inspired her.

I wanted to know what it was like working with producer Chris Bubenzer on her current number; whether she has a standout memory (memories) from her career to date; how she spends time away from music; why artists like Kate Bush and David Bowie are important to her – and why this week has been a busy one!

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Hi, LAOISE. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello! I’m so great, thank you.

My week has been crazy; exciting getting ready for my next release on 7th February!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am LAOISE. I’ve just turned twenty-one - and I’m an Electropop artist from Ireland.

Bother is the new single. Can you reveal what inspired that song?

Out of all my songs; Bother was probably the hardest for me to write. I wrote it about a relationship that went horribly sour and it really messed with me. It took me a while to get myself back - and it was when I bumped into that person a while after we had ended that I realised I was me again…and that they couldn’t hurt me anymore.

Chris Bubenzer produced the track. What was it like working with him?

Yes! Myself and Seán (A Place Called Kai) were so excited to work with Chris on this track. He is so talented. I can’t get over how much he changed this song for me: it feels so much more celebratory now. Working on a track that is quite personal with someone new can feel daunting. But; Chris and I just clicked instantly - and I think you can hear that in the track.

Bother follows the track, Rich. Your music is getting a lot of love in Ireland! How humbling is it knowing your new music is getting such love?

Ireland has been the sweetest and most open-armed community to release my music. All the support has been so humbling, definitely, and I really notice it when I play live shows; people are there for the love of music and it’s obvious.

At the end of the day; Ireland is my home - and it always feels that way.

You are getting passion from U.K. sources, too. Any plans to come here later in the year?

I’m dying to play in the U.K. again! I may have a few little plans to visit during the summer. You’ll have to keep an eye out. Hehe.

I know an E.P. will follow this spring. What sort of themes and ideas will you be looking at? What was the creative process like?

The creative process for this E.P. has been so different to my debut. I’m still finding myself delving into deeper themes like expressing my anxiety and such but, more than anything; I feel such a sense of clarity and peace in my writing today that I’ve never experienced before. I think stepping into adulthood has really shifted my perspective on life and it’s made me see the world in a new bright light.

My songs have become more alive, energetic even, and I’m really enjoying it.

It will be your second E.P. Have you noticed a shift in terms of sound and confidence since Halfway?

Completely. When writing the Halfway E.P., I was a little timid at times: maybe worrying about how people would think of my music. But, with this new E.P., every decision I’ve made has felt very authentic to myself. I’ve really just been challenging myself to further develop my Electropop sound.

So; I guess you could say this E.P. has become a little bigger and better.

You grew up in Galway. Was there a music scene there at all? What sort of music were you exposed to?

The music scene in Galway is great. I got to see many acts like James Vincent McMorrow and Little Green Cars there when I was younger - and they’ve always stood as my favourite live experiences. But, away from that; I grew up playing traditional Irish music and would play in small pubs with other musicians. I think, because I was exposed to other musicians at such a young age; I learned that music was something I was unquestionably going to pursue...

I hear shades of Kate Bush and David Bowie’s enigma and changeable creativity. Are these icons people you were influenced by at a young age?

I’ve always loved Kate Bush. I still remember the first time I heard Wuthering Heights’ chorus and I had never heard anything like it before: it completely transcended little seven-year-old me to a new world. With David Bowie; well, I had never seen anything like that before! I was a little older when I started listening to Bowie - maybe fourteen - but his creativity on stage truly inspired me to find my own sound and style.

They both really taught me how to express myself in my own way; be it through fashion or music…

IN THIS PHOTO: Bülow

Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?

Oooh…so many. I’ve been listening to German-Canadian artist bülow a lot lately. Her voice is gorgeous. Also; SHY Martin. She’s an incredible songwriter.

PHOTO CREDIT: SHY Martin

If you had to choose the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?

Ah. I always think of this - and I always change my mind!

So; I think Lorde’s Melodrama is very important to me right now. Being the same age as Lorde: I feel so much of what she’s purging - and the album really does purge you. It’s fresh and courageous music and it’s really inspiring me to write more.

Secondly; Warpaint’s self-titled (2013) album has made a lasting impression on me because of the originality and personality in their music. Their voices are so expressive and you can feel such a vigorous sense unity in their songs.

Lastly; The Altar by Banks has massively impacted my crossover from writing Folk songs to Electropop songs. I love that she’s balanced her emotion so well with her production: every song feels so carefully thought-out and her lyrics really hit home for me.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

A small tour later this year is definitely on the cards. I’m announcing a very special show in Dublin super-soon and I’m SO excited for it.

Looking back on your time in music so far; are there favourite memories that come to mind?

I think playing Forbidden Fruit Festival last summer stands out the most when I think back on the past year. We arrived at the festival early to set up, and we were only a few metres away from Bon Iver soundchecking (I’m a HUGE fan, so that was crazy) but, when it came time to play our show, the tent completely packed-out.

It was the first show I played where I felt such a strong connection with an audience.

How do you spend time away from music? Any hobbies or favourite ways to chill?

There’s a small island off the west coast of Ireland called Inishbofin. I used to travel there every summer with my family. It’s pretty remote so it’s a great way to take a break from my laptop or my phone.

I haven’t been in a while - but it’s the most beautiful place to refresh my mind and relax.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Just because it’s way too much fun to say: Babooshka by Kate Bush (“BABOOSHKA")