Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was always obsessed with music. I started learning piano at the age of 5 and would watch music videos on TV and obsess over songs on the radio.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of LÂLKA in three words?
A: Future Club Music
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: My Discord server is where I connect with my fans. We chat about everything from my work to broader topics, and it’s always interesting. I see a lot of artists just using Discord as a bulletin board, but I’ve always wanted to build a real community there. I share my ideas, ask for feedback, and get inspired by my fans’ creativity. It’s great to have these open conversations and not be stuck in a bubble.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Yuh’. Is there a story behind it?
A: The song’s about gaslighting, something women deal with a lot. People often tell us we’re crazy when we’re just angry. It’s happened to me too many times. There was one specific incident that inspired the song, and I also included some of it in the graphic novel.
The novel is set in ancient China, but it’s really about what happened to me. (Here’s the link to the graphic novel: https://lalkaonline.bandcamp.com/merch/yuh-graphic-novel)
Q: What is your favorite part of the track and why?
A: The final drop. If people have the attention span and patience to wait for that final drop, they’ll be richly rewarded. It’s just SO GOOD.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the track, “Yuh”?
A: I started with a trap beat and then added bass. I wanted the bass to have this cool swagger to it. I sampled the erhu and guzheng—traditional Chinese instruments, which are part of my heritage.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for LÂLKA so far?
A: I have to share two. First, when I opened for Charli XCX’s Pop 2 Party in Brisbane, Australia. Second, when I celebrated the release of my Romance + Rebellion EP with a laneway party. During both performances, the crowd didn’t stop dancing, and we had so much fun.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: “Die No More (My World Ended)” is my next single after “Yuh.” It references a life changing chapter of my life and is dedicated to two specific people.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into LÂLKA’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: I’m not an artist who writes music all the time. I work in phases and tend to approach the LÂLKA project holistically. There’ll be a period of writing and demoing, a period of recording, a period of visual ideation, a period of live performance ideation. I like to focus on different aspects of my craft.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for LÂLKA, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: For me, it’s all about creating an experience with my music, not just something you listen to. Live shows are where I bring the energy and get the party started! As an electronic artist, making live shows interesting can be tricky because the music is made in studios with computers. That’s why my live sets are always different from the recordings. I might change the structure, throw in some mashups—keep things interesting. Visuals are a huge part of it too. I curate the whole thing to be this cohesive, immersive audiovisual experience.
Speaking of experiences, I’m throwing a party for my fans on November 2nd in Melbourne! I’ll be performing tracks from my upcoming Willfire EP in a brand-new 360 degree set. This way, everyone gets to see how the music comes together live—no more hiding on a faraway stage for me. Tickets are up for grabs on my website, lalka.online—come join the fun!
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