Getting To Know... babybl.u

After establishing herself as the lead singer of successful indie outfit OH LA KANADA, emerging artist babybl.u is now looking to break out on her own as she shares her glittering debut single 'highs + lows'.

Channelling a rich and dynamic alt-pop aesthetic throughout, 'highs + lows' makes for an incredibly enticing introduction to her work. Jam-packed with vibrant production, smooth hooks, and her own captivating voice at the helm, expect to hear a lot more for this one in the months to come.

So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Piano! One day in kindergarten this lady came in to play the piano for us and as soon as I got home I asked my parents if they could get me one. The bought one second hand and my life has changed. For the better.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

I remember my first favourite artists being Sean Paul and Shaggy but when I was a teen I was way more into classic and indie rock, punk etc.

What was the first album you remember owning?

I think it must have been a mixtape from those teen magazines you could get at the kiosk. Either this or it was the High School Musical soundtrack.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

That’s a very good question. I definitely can’t pick just one, but what comes to mind right now is The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

My writing style changed a lot in the last few years, especially due to my Master’s Degree in Songwriting. It used to be very eclectic and random, I’d jam over the music and whatever came out of my mouth would be the final lyrics basically. But I’ve been learning and growing loads and now I approach things differently. I sit down, take my notebook, write down the lyric focusing technique for the song and take it from there. I use a bunch of different techniques along the way like song mapping, archetypes etc. Whatever fits the song I’m working on. Of course even with this added structure I am very intuitive still and instead of restraining my creativity I shape it with the new tools I have.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I’ve been getting lots of new music from TikTok these days. I found 100Gecs through it, Mother Mother, but also rekindled the 2000s spirit as I listen to Maneater by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland on repeat lately. Generally the early 2000s teen rom coms have fantastic soundtracks and they’re definitely making a come back now.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Oh damn….out of absolute legends definitely Stevie Nicks! From newer artists Wolf Alice for sure and Lolo Zouaï.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

I think it’s gotta be people’s reactions to my music. These days it’s all online but it doesn’t change how every kind word makes me feel. It’s amazing that all this hard work we put into making music generates these positive feelings and creates this little community. I love it. It makes you feel like you belong. It’s mind blowing that people take the time of their day to listen to something I made you know? Never fails to make me smile. I am forever grateful for it.

And what is the most frustrating part?

I think navigating the industry. For the most part it’s not created and controlled by musicians for musicians but by businessmen for other businessmen. So I think there’s a lot I, and probably others, wish was different. But we’re all working on it. Slowly but surely the industry is changing and it’s really exciting to be a part of that change.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Without a single doubt: everybody has their own timeline. Just because someone achieved this and that at a certain age and you haven’t doesn’t mean it won’t happen for you or that things won’t work out at all. Things happen at their own time for everybody.

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babybl.u's debut single 'highs + lows' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.