discover new australian music

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

I make pop music with lots of glitches and exaggerated sounds; "hyperpop" is a term often used to describe my music. When I was starting out I wasn't able to find band members to stick with me, so I depended on my laptop to make music and that's how I ended up with my sonics. Also, drum machines (unlike drummers) have no ego. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

I'm always inspired by other artists, so I can't say that I have ONE GREATEST source of inspiration. I like to make sure I'm across popular culture + music, read a lot, watch movies and stay curious.  

What can punters expect from a LÂLKA live show?

A cardio workout. Seriously. My music is not meant to be consumed standing still.  

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

I used to be really self-conscious about my singing voice, but Rromarin (Kult Kyss) helped me realise the uniqueness of my voice. She actually told me that I shouldn't take any singing lessons bc it'll just polish out all the unique qualities of my style and timbre. Rromarin is one of the best vocalists in AU (and the world) IMHO and to have her validate my voice meant a lot.  

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

Depends why they're crying?

If it's bc they're being bullied: my track 'Make U Nervous' - it's about being aware of one's own power and how it makes others wary of you. Take back your power, make them quake in their boots!

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

This might sound weird but 'Alight' by Ninajirachi. It's not a sad song, but you know how it kinda hurts when you're obsessed/have an intense crush on someone???? That sentiment of being so infatuated but it's all inside your mind and they probably don't know is kinda bittersweet. 

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'Atomic Blonde' by LÂLKA (feat. BRUX) - that drop is meant to make every ass on the DF shake. 

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

I went to a festival on Boxing Day 2020. I'm usually pretty depressed around Christmas time (it's complicated) so I decided to go to a festival and do a solo rave. It was cathartic.  

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

• Tim Shiel - his conversations always provoke me to consider my own artistic practice 
• The people who have worked so hard on independent music publications (shout out Emma from Purple Sneakers and Hayden from Pilerats, for example) - their FB pages got Zuck'ed recently, but I've always admired the way they had spent years taking the time to search for and break emerging Australian artists
• Nina Las Vegas - she is an amazing curator, and her contributions have made such an impact on the AU music scene 
• Kučka - for carving her own sonic path 
• Tkay Maidza - for absolutely killing it, doing her own thing! 

What are your plans for the rest of 2021?

I'm gonna do a worldwide livestream on 20th March of me performing new music (as in, in real-time, not pre-recorded) and with augmented reality visuals. I've missed performing soooo much after what 2020 served us, so I am really looking forward to this! After that I'm gonna knuckle down and finish my next body of work (that I've already started). On the frivolous front, I'd really like (but probably can't afford) to get a pair of high-end designer sneakers (Balenciaga is my top preference) so if there's anyone out there who feels generous, HMU. 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Our music is really a combination of what we all like listening to (The Cure, Jamie T, Will and the People, Violent Soho, Skeggs etc.) and being able to combine ideas into one to make our sound. It began with just acoustic guitar and vocals and has now turned into a 5 piece Surf Rock band with Brit Pop influence. 

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

The more I worked with different producers I gradually learnt the lingo and started producing more myself. I think my sound developed as I grew more confident in voicing my opinions and knowing how to explain what I was hearing in my head. I also found friends that I love working with and who I feel really understand the direction that I want to take my music but also allowed me the freedom to explore different avenues within alternative/indie pop. I was always a guitarist/songwriter first so since I started this project I’ve always felt confident with writing harmony and lyrics, but learning how to produce sparked a whole new love for creating and collaboration. I love the feeling of going into the studio with nothing and coming out with something you never could have imagined before you started writing it or the idea that if you tried to recreate it you never could.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Guitar. I’ve been playing since I was 8. I’ve never been great at practicing set pieces because I always end up day dreaming whatever I’m practicing into a new song. Hearing different harmonies will set the mood of the lyrics straight away & then I’ll just write words until something makes sense to me & feels like it starts telling a story.

Also finding new artists I love and hearing things that my friends have made makes me want to pick up my guitar and write. I love sharing unreleased tracks with friends and hearing what they have been making so we can inspire each other with new ideas for production or talk about lyrics etc.

What can punters expect from a Lola Scott live show?

DRAMA. Lots of mood swings. Recently I’ve been bookending my set with my moody double A side ’the night i ran away and tried to sleep at the skatepark’. My upcoming EP ‘1/4 life crisis’ brings a bit more cheek and I’m sometimes joined by dancers. You can also expect some A+ banter (my mates laugh occasionally). My guitarist will give you the best stage jumps & my drummer shakes his floppy mop head.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

'People aren’t worrying about you being perfect on stage, they just want to get amongst you vibe! The more fun you can have, the more the crowd will be into it so just go for it and don’t worry if you f**k it up'  - Bronte Public House. 

Or if I’m ever stressing over something to do with music, my Mum will remind me ‘you chose this career because it’s fun, so remember to enjoy it otherwise what’s the point, you may as well get an office job’.

You didn’t ask for it but here’s my advice:

'You can learn something from every person you meet.'

I think this especially resonates in the music world. Every time I work with a different songwriter, producer or musician I learn a lot even if the collaboration doesn’t gel well I always learn something from the session.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'Wake Up Call' by Mel Blue

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'Paint You While You're Still' - Rees Lucia

(Pretty cruel to cheer up someone who was crying and then make them cry again, so careful which order you play those tracks baha)

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'Don’t Need You' by Genesis Owusu or 'Naked' by Pleasure Coma depending on the time of night.

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

Does my own show count? Just gotta tell you the supports were sick. Two of my best buds and collaborators Beso Palma and Jerome Blazé absolutely stole the show.

I also saw Abby Bella May play recently and jumped up for a song we wrote together. Her band sounded so tight that I started messaging my band saying we need to rehearse like right now. (lucky for me they are also v tight <3) 

Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.

I’m surrounded by way too many talented friends who make music so here’s a playlist of some local shredders:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mEs4rChA21DTfeI6QywjR?si=9lLc5tSTRj6lxFXDsctSyw