Following the success of their debut single Reckless, 90s loving, denim-clad electro pop duo Lara and Lo aka Lowla return with their brand new EP Walls due for release on 30th September 2016 via DIY.
Lowla have set out to create a diverse and inspired collection of songs on Walls. Their own unique brand of fun alt pop is ever present but the meaning behind the songs is a little more serious this time around with the girls focussing on relationships and the world around them but there are still some light-hearted moments in-between.
Title track ‘Walls‘ flows with delicate harmonies, alongside grittier vocals, tribal beats and screeching riffs. Carrying topical themes of revolution and social awareness, the track is a step away from the romantic reflections of previous single ‘Reckless’ and sets out to look at the bigger picture. Of the track Lowla say: “‘Walls is all about the here and the now and the world that we live in. It’s a very personal number for us. We truly believe in the power of people getting together and making a change.”
In this spotlight, we speak with Lowla about influences, the new release, and more.
Links, Q&A, and a stream of Walls below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
We’ve grown up listening to much of the music that evidently inspired us to write the songs for LOWLA. Mixed with more modern influencers we’ve come up with a sound that channels both – the 90s and current popular sounds. We’re not too bothered about fitting in or making music that caters to current audience tastes. We just like creating the songs that make us feel something.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
Whilst we think that music is universal and you’ll be pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy listening to it, the reason we’re in the business is because we love making music. It’s really just as simple as that. When you create something you’re proud off you want to communicate it to the rest of the world. That’s just human nature. Perhaps we’re misguided in thinking we’re any good, but hopefully there’ll be some peeps out there who’ll enjoy our songs.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
They haven’t. We still like the same tracks we listened to as kids – TLC, Janet Jackson, Spice Girls etc and of course we’ve added some new ones Blood Orange, Friends. We’re both pretty open to new music and not really stuck with one genre or time. We’ll listen to anything really and if we like it we’ll press the repeat button.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Walls does carry a message of change and coming together to make those changes. The world is in turmoil as evident from recent news. Walls tries to encourage people to get up and raise their voices. Public opinion does matter and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
What was the last song you listened to?
Actually we had a rehearsal yesterday, so we’d have to be honest. It was Walls.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
MP3. Though we hate to admit it since it won’t make us any money. CDs really were far more lucrative and as a musician it matters when people buy your music and support you. Most of us DIYers spend more than we make so although mp3 is far more practical, we’d love to see a return to CD.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Youtube, because we like imagery with music. Seriously though, out of the ones above, Bandcamp is the best for musicians.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
The biggest challenge is breaking through the noise. Marketing has become an essential tool for musicians. There’s no way around it. If you don’t advertise, nobody will ever find you. There’s also some sort of stigma that signed artists must be good if they’re signed. We don’t believe that’s true at all. It takes a lot of luck and persistence to get there and that in no way devalues the product from people who aren’t snapped up by a major label. On the contrary, often those guys are far more authentic than the big pop stars.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Thanks for having us!!! And let’s start a revolution!
