Milly Cundall speaks to UK Funky star Kyla…

Kyla’s made a massive impact on the Funky scene following the success of singles such ‘Do You Mind’ and ‘Be What You Wanna Be’. With the release of her upcoming single ‘Daydreaming’ we sent Milly Cundall to catch up with her to find out more.

 
You grew up in a small town in Cambridge, how did you end up get into music?
I have been singing since I was 3 years old at family parties and events then when I got older I started singing in pubs and talent shows in my local area. I decided to do my very first music video called ‘Be What You Wanna Be’ and that caught the eye of Paleface. I have always wanted to be a singer from a very young age and didn’t want to do anything else, singing is my passion.

What were your musical influences growing up?
I would say Motown was a huge influence; Dion Warrick, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder I also love listening to Christina Agularia. I can name loads hehe!

How would you describe your sound?
Infectious.

You had big underground success with ‘Do you Mind’, is there pressure to top that with ‘Daydreaming’?
Not at all, I believe that there can only be pressure if you make it like that, I’m just as proud of ‘Daydreaming’ as I am with ‘Do You Mind and enjoy making any kind of music. I think that ‘Daydreaming’ is a different kind of song to ‘Do You Mind’ and they get different kinds of respect; I enjoy performing both of them.

What was it like working with the Crazy Cousinz?
It was a lot of fun we always had a laugh and they were like my big brothers, they are very talented.

How did heavyweight producers like Sticky and lil Silva end up doing remixes of ‘Daydreaming’?
Ok, well I’m good friends with Sticky and I really appreciate all his music, he is very talented. Sticky remixed ‘Do You Mind’ and I really enjoyed it so I asked him to remix my new one, I have some original tracks with him on my album too which you will hear very soon, and with Lil Silva he is also talented and a lovely guy to chat with, he is doing really well in the Funky scene. I look at the original ‘Daydreaming’ as more soulful house and thought it would be nice to get Lil Silva to do a proper funky remix.

You co-wrote ‘Do you Mind’, are you involved in the writing process on the rest of the album?
Yes, writing is a new passion of mine, when I was young I would just sing to backing tracks to my favourite artists and then started writing a few years back. I love it and im definitely writing material for my album, I love writing, recording and listening to the end product, its great fun.

There’s a fair few females coming up on the UK Funky scene, what’s the vibe like between you all?
The vibe is great, I don’t know all the girls but I know some of them and they’re lovely: Baby Katy she is really sweet, Maleeka she is lovely to, and so are all the others. A lot of people ask if there is any bitchyness going on between the girls and I can honestly say there’s not; its lovely, I think its great that females are represented, it’s brilliant.

Are there any female artists you look up to and aspire to be like?
I look up to so many female artists: UK and US. I absolutely love Beyonce I think she has a beautiful voice and is so talented. I really like Lily Allen I think she has such a lovely voice, I hope to be just as successful as them one day.

If you could work with anyone in the future who would be in your top three?
Oh, that’s hard I have loads hehe! Ok my top three would have to be Beyonce I think she is amazing, I admire Lemar he has such a beautiful tone to his voice and Tinnie Temper he is a good friend and very humble.

Who are you feeling musically at the moment?
I really like Mariah Carey’s new song ‘Obsessed’, I’m doing my friends’ heads in at the moment because I keep putting it on repeat hehe!

Your album’s dropping soon, would you say it’s mainly for the UK funky heads?
Not at all, its going to appeal to so many people, there’s going to be funky, electro, pop, rnb, Lovers rock and soulful house. I’m really excited about the album, I don’t want to appeal to just one market, there will be songs on there that kids like, that the aldults will like and teens; I’m working with so many talented producers and they all bring something different.

Where would you like to see yourself in a year from now?
Hopefully still continuing to have a successful music career.

Words: Milly Cundall

Kyla’s new single ‘Daydreaming’ is out Monday 28th October - you can pre-order a copy here.

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