Q&A: Upcoming Artist Laica Is Breaking Through the Music Industry
STAYING TRUE TO HER AUTHENTIC SOUND — Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Laica does not limit herself to one specific genre. Instead, she incorporates all of her favorite genres, including R&B, pop, soul, and EDM. Musicians often struggle with creating their sound, however Laica is not afraid to venture out of her comfort zone and experiment with new melodies and production. “I feel like I don’t have a definitive genre,” Laica said. “To me, my genre would be experimentation. Whenever I come out with new music, it might sound different, but somehow still connect.” The singer-songwriter learned that allowing herself to be free with making music can open the door to different possibilities.
In 2020, the 21-year-old artist from the Philippines released her first EP, Forever, which was a head start for her musical career. The EP consists of 5 tracks that embody Laica’s unique voice and experimental production. Her song “Nobody Else but You” has over 2 million streams on Spotify. Laica started her musical journey at a young age, but did not start releasing music on various platforms until recently. She became confident with sharing her music: “Releasing my first EP, I learned that you shouldn’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said.
Check out Laica’s latest singles, “Childish” and “Sanctuary,” and read below to learn more about Laica’s music inspiration and upcoming album It’s okay to be lonely.
LUNA: How is 2021 treating you so far? What are you up to these days?
LAICA: Right now it’s developing a game plan to get back on my feet. In a sense where COVID kinda had drawbacks where you couldn’t do shows or you couldn’t go out as much. I feel like at least during that time I got to mentally prepare myself. Now it’s, like, just getting back in the game.
LUNA: You started singing at a young age. What made you decide to start a career as a singer-songwriter?
LAICA: For me, I knew that I wanted to do music at a young age. I always wanted to be a singer but it wasn’t until societal pressures of going to college [and] pursuing a normal degree. My mom wanted me to be a nurse. Getting a 9-5 was something I decided on only because of societal pressures. But after going to college for about two years and being stuck in a cycle of, “Okay, once I get my degree, then I’ll pursue music.” When that plan just kept replaying in my head, it didn’t make sense to me. So I decided to go against that and stay true to myself and follow my own passions.
LUNA: Who were your musical influences growing up?
LAICA: It would have to be Amy Winehouse. A lot of oldies like Al Green; I like The Supremes like Motown. Also Bruno Mars and Ariana Grande.
LUNA: Would you say that your creativity in songwriting has changed since the beginning of your music career?
LAICA: I would definitely say so. Before, I felt like I couldn’t write songs unless I experienced them for myself. But after writing a bunch of songs about my own experiences, you kinda have writer’s block. I realize you can literally write a song about anything — like you write about other people’s situations or things you read in books. That’s how my writing has changed.
LUNA: Your latest single, “love u lately,” is very upbeat and has R&B/hip-hop elements to it. What was the inspiration behind the track?
LAICA: The inspiration behind it was the “dating game.” I went on this date and I was so confused about all these things. I guess there was a dating game that I was never taught. No one really formally teaches someone about how it’s always, like, the push and pull effect to keep it interesting. You have to not be interested too much. That whole game being explained to me was just frustrating cause, like, gross — just tell me you like me and if you don’t then I can move on.
LUNA: Your music video for “love u lately” is so visually pleasing and fun. What was the inspiration behind the MV? And were there any memorable moments while filming?
LAICA: Behind the MV, it was my producer that came up with a lot of the ideas. My favorite part of that whole music video — this is so horrible — but my best friend was in the music video; she was playing the guy and she got shot in the face. She was getting dragged across the floor. I think it was a funny favorite moment to film.
LUNA: Your new album I’m so fine at being lonely is coming out next month. How has the preparation been? Has it been challenging?
LAICA: The biggest challenge is, like, accepting that I’m putting out this project. People don’t really come out with albums when you’re an upcoming artist — like that’s something that really high-up artists do when you know you built a solid fanbase. But at the end of the day, I think to keep growing as an artist I’m releasing music that I’ve kept from COVID and … experiences from COVID.
LUNA: What made you decide to release an album? Not a lot of small artists release an album.
LAICA: From transitioning from teenager to 21, a lot happened, and I feel like it’s just fun to share overall. And how realizing all these things, all these pressures you’ve [been] given from your parents, everyone, and just putting it to songs and kinda defining my era — or that era of time as, like, “I’m so fine at being lonely,” the name of the project, because I’m fine being on my own and just sharing that with the world is what I wanna do.
LUNA: Can you give us a little sneak peek of your new album?
LAICA: My super favorite track is called “Helping Hand,” and that one is just about breaking through the stereotypes of being a woman. Especially when you come from first-gen parents and you’re taught these things as a young girl or female. “Okay, you need to learn how to do the dishes, you need to learn how to cook for your husband.” That song was kinda like, “You know, forget this, and I’m my own person — this is a different time.”
LUNA: After the album release, what do you wish to accomplish next?
LAICA: What I’d like to accomplish next is to go on tour, keep building my fanbase, be able to meet more people and meet people like you that listen to my music or have gotten the chance to listen to my music; keep growing as a person through music [and] outside of music, as well.
LUNA: The last question I have for you: How do you want people to remember you as an artist?
LAICA: I want people to remember me as someone that inspired them to pursue their dreams or, like, “Hey, this girl did it, I can too.” Especially being Asian-American, I feel like a lot of us are coming out in music but there’s still a long way to go.
