The shy kid in the back of the class scared to death be called upon to read anything aloud. That’s a scene many of us can 100% say was our childhood. It was mine, perhaps it was yours and it was LALKA‘s.
A singer that sees the path everyone else is taking and heads straight towards anywhere else but wasn’t always so brave. She notes, “A lot of people are surprised when they find out that I perform because I’m such a reserved, shy person in real life but I feel so powerful and so at home on stage.”
Whatever gives her the power to break out of her shell, we’re all for it because without it we’d be void of her genuine abilities. Like her latest single, “Shut Up.” We talked about the idea of it being a feminist anthem, her team and more in this back and forth between us and this Brisbane artist.
Kendra: Every day I hear of more and more artists from Brisbane and the surrounding areas. Would you say you guys have a pretty vibrant music scene that stacks up to the likes of Nashville and New York City?
LALKA: Brisbane’s definitely got a healthy music scene going on. Brisbane’s usually more known for its guitar-heavy rock bands. Lately, there’s been more and more electronic artists on the scene, which is super cool.
Kendra: You’re not about the trends or fads but were you always that way or is there one trend from your younger years that got you?
LALKA: As an artist, it’s important that I stay true to who I am through the work I create. So I don’t try to jump on whatever the latest trend is. That said, it would be pretentious of me to say that I’m not influenced – at least subconsciously- by trends that are happening around the world. Like most people of my generation, we were raised by the internet so it’s impossible to escape global influences.
Kendra: “Shut Up” is such an energetic piece of music that really grabs hold of listeners in an instant. You’ve noted that it’s this feminist anthem. Do you feel current events and this shift towards women not taking any shit anymore has helped push female artists to be more vocal about feminism as a whole?
LALKA: I don’t think I wrote it specifically as a feminist anthem, but if that’s what people take away from it, then great because I’m a feminist. It’s important to keep the discussions about misogyny, racism, and xenophobia in the forefront. Especially in the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential elections in the US, and current events around the world. Women (all women) need to better support and fight for one another. It’s really easy to get into faux feminism. I’m trying to educate myself on issues that affect everyone, especially people of colour and gender-nonconforming individuals.
As a female artist, especially a female artist of colour, I see my existence as a political act in itself. I used to feel uncomfortable when people labeled me a “political artist” but silence itself is political. I write about my experiences and my observations. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the political climate that we live in. So it’s natural all of that’s reflected in my lyrics.
Kendra: Sticking with the feminist prowess, your creative team behind the video was chalked full of girl power. Was that accidental or a happy coincidence?
LALKA: Happy coincidence, but I also make it a conscious decision to include and lift up fellow creative women.
Kendra: What’s next for you? I know you have a show on May 18th, but what else is on the horizon?
LALKA: I’ve been in the studio putting finishing touches to new music to release later in the year. I’m constantly trying to outdo myself, always write better songs!
