Diandra Interviews Lu Kala – Discovering Love Through Writing Songs
When it comes to love and the industry, Lu Kala responds to both with strength and wonder. Giving your heart to your career and someone else is a journey of self-discovery that makes you wonder if your discoveries are “linear” or something you can concretize. In our interview, Lu Kala opens up about how she has had to maneuver through life, love, and career to find out who she is in a world/ industry where she knows she stands out.
Diandra: How would you define Love, and how does your music help you display that definition?
Lu Kala: It’s hard for me to define love, at least a romantic kind of love, because I struggle with admitting that I’ve been in love. I feel like I haven’t and so that’s what I display in my music. A major theme is about being alone and not wanting to stay here forever and hoping to just be seen by the one I like for once.
If I had to define love, I’d say it’s someone wanting to share the beauties of life and the low points with you. Someone wanting to grow with you that respects you and wants you to be happy: whether it’s with them or without.
Diandra: What is your favorite lyric, from one of your songs, that perfectly describes heartbreak?
Lu Kala: One of my favorite lyric in one of my songs that describes heartbreak would have to be in Body Knew, my newest single. In the chorus I say “ I wish my Body Knew, you’re loving on someone new, I do, I just wish my Body Knew” all of that, but mainly “you’re loving on someone new.” It’s the fact that he’s now moved on with someone new and getting physical with that new person and my body can’t process that and won’t move on truly has broken my unloved heart many times over.
Another would be in a song of mine called “Love Shit” that I have yet to release “been so low for so long, don’t wanna be alone.” Both of those lyrics get me emotional even though I’m in a completely different space now; just knowing the hurt I was feeling when I wrote them.
Nadia Reid – “Best Thing” (Official Music Video)
Diandra: When you think of Music like a childhood friend, what are the qualities you give her?
Lu Kala: I want that friend to truly feel every emotion. We live in a world where it’s not okay to tell people how you’re really feeling. People would rather you tell them you’re doing well even if you feel like you’re drowning. I would want that friend to be vulnerable, open, caring, giving, uplifting, empowering, happy at the end of the day and for her to never stop growing.
Diandra: You have talked about underestimated as an artist as you built your career. What has others underestimations taught you to fight for yourself?
Lu Kala: When you’re so used to people not truly seeing you and judging you off the bat; in that window you learn how strong you are. I’ve learned to create my own table vs begging to sit with those who don’t value me. I’ve developed a thick skin because of it and have learned my true value ,which is something no one can take away from me.
Diandra: What has been the most surprising lesson you learned about business while being an artist?
Lu Kala: Learning to say “No” to people and opportunities that weren’t for me has been a big one; as well as learning my worth when it comes to dollars because people always want to take advantage of artists, especially when they’re first coming up.
Diandra: You sing to getting over bad, sad times. If music heals what are the biggest wounds your own music has helped you heal?
Lu Kala: My music has helped me through the heartbreak I’ve gone through from a different set of eyes. Whether it’s me writing by myself and analyzing past relationships, or co-writing and speaking the about the situations that took place in the relationships out loud to strangers. Hearing the music back has truly helped me feel and grow as well as showing me what I will not accept in future relationships.
Diandra: With self-love in mind, what are the things you most love about yourself?
Lu Kala: I love how through it all I’ve learned to be confident in who I am, I love my curves, I love my mind, I love that I am able to learn from my experiences. I love that I am forgiving, I love that I have a musical gift, I love that I am passionate, I love that I am not afraid to utilize my voice and stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. I love my personality, I love my face lol and I love that I am not afraid to keep growing.
Diandra: What s your favorite music memory with friends?
Lu Kala: In 2015 I, went to watch Frank Ocean with my friends. That was such a beautiful moment. Another would be me performing, recently, and seeing all those that I love out in the crowd supporting me. I am so grateful for the friends that I have.
Diandra: Vulnerability is becoming a common term amongst artists’ descriptions. What about being an artist, currently, commands vulnerability and transparency?
Lu Kala: If you’re going to share your story, I think it is important to be vulnerable and transparent. It, at least, is to me because I write songs to heal myself and hope my fans/supporters will see themselves in me. I hope they won’t be afraid to open up and tell their truth, the next time, they’re feeling strongly about something or someone.
Yes, we’re living in a time where many would rather you say you’re doing well when asked instead of saying how you truly feel. That being said, I think some people want to hear the truth/their truths through us the artists. Some want to be seen and they use our music as their outlet. For many, music is their only safe space which is why I take my art very seriously. Being an artist and being able to tell our stories is a privilege, and something I don’t think any artist should take lightly!
Diandra: Often, you are described as defying norms as an artist and singer. What are the norms you feel you have defied and how have they reset your personal goals?
Lu Kala: I won’t sugarcoat it, I look different. I am a plus-size black woman that sings pop songs. It’s not something you see every day. So that along with the way I share my truth in my music is something people aren’t very used to digesting.
I used to think it’s something that would hurt me in this career because I didn’t have blonde hair, blue eyes and wasn’t a petite woman, but now I see it as a major plus. It’s what sets me apart and I hope to inspire women of all sizes and races to feel like they can do whatever it is they love, be whoever they’d like to be, and that they don’t have to wait for someone else to break the mold, they can be the mold.
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