Lila Gray: New Album, Creative Inspirations and Producing Her Own Music

First of all for people who wouldn’t know you how would you introduce yourself and what you do?

I'm Lila Gray, an alt-pop artist based in Vancouver, BC. If you are a fan of Lorde, Billie Eilish and Arlo Parks you will probably vibe with my music!

Congrats on the deluxe release! How is this body of work different from other stuff you’ve put out (or maybe it’s similar in your opinion)?

Thank you! I think my first couple projects I put out I was still trying to find what genre and sonic world I really wanted to sit in. I am a fan of so many genres of music that I found it challenging to zero in on what I wanted my own music to sound like. I think that I've really started to find it with this record. I feel confident in this project, and it's also kickstarted the direction I want to take my next album in.

As a producer as well, how does that inform your process? Do you usually think of lyrics and ideas first or more of a musical landscape?

I think my relationship with songwriting has really changed since I've become a producer. I feel like when I sit down to write a song now I'm thinking more of the overall tone of the song. I used to write and have no idea what the end result was going to sound like. Now it's so much more of a full image before it even goes to the production stage.

Where do you find inspiration outside of music? What sort of media are you consuming and feeding off of?

I love love love watching movies, I've written so many songs about things that happened in movies I've seen. I feel like it's one of the only other mediums that makes us feel the same way that music does. Aside from that, honestly just taking in the experiences I've been through, and those that my friends have been through. It's easy writing from a place of passion when it's something I have gone through personally, or something someone I love has experienced.

What other creative outlets do you have/do you think there’s some overlap into music with other art forms/hobbies?

To be completely honest my main creative outlet is music, and all the things that accompany it (videos, album artwork, touring and performing etc.). Aside from that I dance regularly, I try my best to incorporate that into my music videos and when I am on stage. The dream would be to have dancers up on stage with me, I just love being in pieces of choreography with multiple people.

check out Lila's album Scared of the Dark (You Should Be Too) HERE ★

I had the privilege of shooting some BTS for your latest music video and one of the main sequences was a beautifully choreographed dance sequence. What made you want to incorporate dance into your visual identity as an artist and how has that gone so far?

I grew up dancing like 13 hours a week, and being a huge fan of music videos that incorporated choreography. Since I started making music videos I have always wanted to lean more into dance centred videos. As a viewer that's something I love, and being able to incorporate another form of art that I love is an added bonus.

Finally, what are your creative goals (we’re talking shoot for the stars here)? Who would be a dream artist to work with in the future?

I mean playing Coachella, and SNL would be like an insane goal. I'll keep working till that becomes a reality. Dream artist... I'm gonna say Lady Gaga. I mean she is like the master of pop. That would be such a dream.