Having already been featured on sites including Galore, Ladygunn and AU Review, Lila Gold is well on the way to being a stand-out talent for 2016. With her debut single “China Chalet” offering listeners a slice of raw and sonically visceral music for their ears to enjoy, she’s also steadily racking up the fans and followers across social media. Due to release an EP in the very near future and with dreams of playing Glastonbury, she kindly agreed to this interview to talk song-writing inspiration, the power of social media and upcoming shows.
PW: Please introduce yourself.
Lila Gold: Hi, I’m Miss Lila Gold.
PW: How would you describe yourself and your music in a few words?
LG: Restless, bittersweet, a little bit mad.
PW:
How and when did you first discover your love of music? Was there an album you bought or concert you attended that inspired you and made you think ‘yeah, I want to do that’?
LG: I can’t pin point one moment. I’ve never questioned not doing music… it’s always been instinctual for me and in my nature to create. If my hands aren’t getting dirty or my heads not emerged in something then I can’t survive. There was a moment when I was about 10 years old seeing N.E.R.D live and being the youngest one at the show. The crowd and energy was mental. I knew I wanted some of that. Or all of that.
PW: Which bands or artists influenced you growing up and have those influences changed over the years?
LG: I listen to everything from grunge, hardcore, punk, hip hop to rock and pop. Patti Smith has always been sacred to me. I take more influence from the energy and intention of other artists than sound or lyrics.
PW:
Is there a band or artist you might say you’re similar to?
LG: I can’t say actually, but I’m heavily affectionate for the 90’s and that era of music and any riot girls.
PW: Who or what most inspires your song-writing?
LG: Everything close or far from me. Pleasures and pains, especially growing pains and the trials and tribulations of being young and heavy hearted.
PW:
In your opinion, which is the greatest song ever written and why?
LG: “I Wanna Be Adored” by The Stone Roses. Without a doubt. It’s salacious, infectious and the build-up sonically is mesmerizing.
PW: Tell me about your single “China Chalet.” Is there a story behind it?
LG: Kind of. It was written from collected moments and sensations from one night out in NY.
PW: How did you come up with the concept/story for the video?
LG: I had a really strong intention of encapsulating a dreamlike state. A bit of beautiful mayhem. I romance over my close girlfriends, they’re my heart. So I wanted to have them in the video just doing us.
PW: The song is taken from your upcoming EP. Without giving too much away, what can you tell me about it?
LG: There’s bite but there’s a sweetness to it. It’s a little taste of more to come. I pushed myself sonically but I’m now thinking about my second EP and how to match my first one. It’s all guitar based, with a 90’s influence.
PW: Could you pick a favourite track on the collection?
LG: I love them all. But I’m looking forward to shedding them, getting them off my chest, letting them breathe and into other people’s ears. I think I’ve become too close to them. But “You’re All Talk” is definitely my favourite.
PW: What are your upcoming tour/ performance plans?
LG: Jumping on as a support act for another artist would be sick, but to come home to Australia and do the circuit is going to be ace. As well as grinding it out here in the states and shaking up some spots. I wanna to do it all!
PW: If you could share a stage with three other bands or artists who can be living or dead, who would they be and where would you play?
LG: I’m going to reach big and say The Cure, Frank Ocean and Wolf Alice. Glastonbury would be sick.
PW: What are your thoughts on social media and to what extent has it helped you establish yourself as an artist? Would you agree it’s a necessary tool for those in the entertainment industry?
LG: I use social media as a creative outlet for both my music and my label China Girl. For me, I don’t get too attached to it as I know it doesn’t hold my worth. It’s a tool and it’s a soundboard for visuals and an insight into my world.
I think it depends on the artist, pick your poison you know? I think every artist needs an audience there’s no denying that. But there’s a lot of artists that don’t use social media and still pull the gaze of the Internet. I like to play with it and not take it too seriously. I’m heavily into visuals though. So it’s on my side.
PW: What else does the rest of the year have in store for you?
LG: Slugging and grinding it out in L.A. And getting ready to release my EP and go on tour. I also have my project with my label China Girl that is on the forefront of my mind and desires. Season 3 is about to come out. I’m excited to watch it grow and see how far and where I can that as well as push myself as an artist.
PW: Finally then, what’s your ultimate ambition as an artist and with that in mind, whose career would you most like to emulate and why?
LG: To live free and ride this ride exactly how I want to. To fulfil all my desires as an artist and indulge in the fact that if I can create, then I can survive. I don’t think I’d want to emulate anyone’s career! I’m just going to make sure I have a long and crazy one.
Check out the video for “China Chalet” below and for more information on Lila Gold, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
