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Blog interview: Lola Wild

Hello Lola, how are you?

I’m good thank you ❤️ Hope you’re well!
I’m great thankyou for asking!

Congratulations on the release of “Jump The Gun” how does it feel?

Thanks so much! Releasing Jump The Gun feels absolutely amazing. It’s always a mix of excitement and anxiety inducing nerves putting new music out into the world, but seeing the response so far has been incredible

What’s the story behind the song?

It certainly reflects that internal push and pull I’ve often felt, especially when it comes to impulsive behavior in relationships, both with people and more often, with myself. Rushing into decisions without thinking things through, not being able to fully express how you feel. But I also wanted to capture that duality – that instinctive urge to act without thinking and the internal dialogue that follows, where you start reflecting, questioning and trying to make sense of it all. 

You recorded it at Strongroom studios what’s your favourite memory of those sessions?

One of my favorite memories is when Jim, who produced the record, mentioned that the Spice Girls had recorded there. As a ‘90s chick, that definitely added a bit of nostalgic energy to the session that day haha. The room we always record in used to be Professor Green’s studio too, and the walls are this gorgeous chick velvet grey. Its just such a vibe to create in a space alongside some pretty big names.

What was the easiest and most challenging part of the process?

The easiest part was definitely the initial spark when I was writing the ideas out. Jump The Gun came together so naturally because the idea of being impulsive is something I relate to a lot and I was listening to a lot of 80s songs which influenced the production. The energy in the studio was great, and the song just flowed. The most challenging part was probably fine-tuning the details, making sure everything hit just right and encapsulated that retro yet modern touch. Sometimes when a song comes together quickly, it’s easy to overthink the final touches, but we wanted to keep that raw, instinctive feeling intact.

You’re an artist from East London (Waving to you from the other side of the river) how did it begin for you?

(Waving right back ) I was actually brought up in a little village in Lincolnshire where there wasn’t much opportunity when it came to music. I come from a working-class background. my mum was a single mother of four, so money was always tight. But one of those things we did have was music. She would play loads of soul records around the house, and that’s where my love for music really began.

Once I had my first laptop, I started searching for vocal warm-ups online and taught myself to sing by learning soul and blues classics. From there, I went to music college in Lincoln, and with the help of grants, I was able to continue my studies at The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

I moved to London in 2015 after university and started singing at live jazz venues like Ronnie Scott’s, Zédel, and The Ned. After a while, I found myself drawn more towards production and songwriting, and I started diving deep into ‘60s music. That eventually led me to working with bands and, finally, creating my own solo project

What did you listen to growing up?

My mum was really into classic rock, so I heard a lot of Queen Led ZeppelinFleetwood Mac, and The Rolling Stones from a young age. But she also loved soul, so there were plenty of Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer playing. All of that music shaped me in different ways, and you can probably hear little influences from each of them in what I do now despite it constantly evolving.

Playing sold-out shows at SJQ and Crazy Coqs was such a surreal experience, especially at such an early stage of my career. Those venues have such a special atmosphere, and to see them filled with people there just for my music was incredible. Performing live is where I feel most at home, so getting to bring these songs to life in that setting has been a dream

What’s been a stand out moment live?

One of the biggest highlights was definitely getting to record my debut single Rendezvous live with members of Paul Weller’s band in his studio in Woking. Especially having my friend Tom Heel who also contributed to the writing of the song—be part of the session. Recording live like that brought so much energy and authenticity to the track, and being in that creative space with such talented musicians was incredible. Definitely a moment I’ll never forget!

You’re from Hackney what are your three favourite things about it?

It’s buzzing with art, music, and a diverse culture and that kind of vibe really inspires not to mention the mix of the historic building and warehouses.There’s always something happening. You can also find amazing food, especially in places like Shoreditch, Broadway Market and the many street food stalls. As a vintage and antique fanatic I also love the opportunity to go vintage and thrift shopping in the pop up markets.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Right now, I’m really into Father John Misty’s new record..it’s got this beautiful mix of introspection and wit, and the production is just stunning. I’ve also recently discovered Goldie Boultier, and I’m loving her sound. She’s the perfect blend of modern pop with a Stevie Nicks vocal quality that really resonates with me. Doechii is also on my top listens – Denial is a River is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a while. On top of that, I’ve been revisiting a lot of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, especially since watching A Complete Unknown. Their music just feels so timeless, and the storytelling in their songs is something I can’t get enough of right now.

What are you looking forward to in 2025?

I’m really excited about performing at festivals this year and just getting out there to play more gigs. I just really enjoy the performing live element to music above all, since it allows me the opportunity to meet my growing fanbase and create an immersive experience. I’m also looking forward to shooting more videos, trying out different ideas for the visuals, and just getting more creative with that side of things. I’m working towards an album, too, which is a huge focus for me right now. And on top of all that, I can’t wait to collaborate with some new artists and producers!

Special thanks to Danielle Holian, Decent Music PR.

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