Kayla Marque
by Alex Teitz
There are few times when misfortune makes an artist stick out. Last year at Denver’s Westword Music Showcase a venue suffered a power outage. Some artists tried to continue normally and failed. A few used the opportunity to stand out. Kayla Marque caught our attention in an unamplified set that was majestic in power.
Since then she has released her debut album Live and Die Like This. Her music is a cross of R & B and alternative with emotional performance. For info visit kaylamarque.com
FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique?
KM: My technique has changed over the years, especially since adding guitar, I used to only write on piano. Now-a-days, I keep a small journal with me at all times and I write down anything that strikes me. Some pages only have one or two words, or just a phrase…then I sit down with these writings at the piano or guitar and just kind of play with them. figure out the tone, the mood the color… Before they were more concrete ideas, but my writing seems to follow my identity (or where I am in life) and right now I am sort of lost so not having a definite direction is where I am at. This process is always changing…and evolving I hope.
FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making Live and Die Like This?
KM: The hardest thing was being patient. This was my first solo project and my first time really being in the studio as much as I had to be. (I hated the studio, live performance is definitely more comfortable for me.) Going into the project I thought it was going to be done within a matter of months, and it took a couple years. I didn’t realize it was going to take a considerable amount of time to create a sound that was unique to me. I eventually learned that it could not be rushed and to be patient with the process. I couldn’t be more proud of the Album!
FEMMUSIC: How did you meet Been Stellar & Sur Ellz? What made you decide to have them produce Live and Die Like This?
KM: I’d met them years ago, both through Jon Shockness and Air Dubai. We became friends first…when Air Dubai ended Lawrence (Stellar) started producing, he first did Khalil’s Album ‘Magic’
It was kind of a no brainer, they are both genius…Khalil probably knows my music and writing style better than anyone, and Lawrence knows how to create practically any sound. Put these two together and I had a dream team! And you know what, I am blessed, I didn’t really have to “decide” it was Lawrence’s idea to take the project on, I would have been a fool to say no.
FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry have you been discriminated against?
KM: I think I am discriminated on all the time because I am a woman. I haven’t experienced any really heavy situations, but I’ve had plenty of minor ones, which I just find to be more of an annoyance than anything. Last year, I played divide music festival in Winter Park, my team and I were hanging out at the hotel pool just having some fun, I went back to my room to grab something, and in the elevator there were a group of guys…they started talking to me about the festival because they saw that I had the “Artist Badge” on, so the asks “oh which artist do you work for?” I asked why he asked that and he points at the badge and repeats himself…I tell him I am the artist and he literally says ” wow, I thought you were like some bad ass personal assistant.” So, yeah. A lot of times I am the only woman on a lineup and I am still mistaken for the ‘Secretary’
FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry?
KM: Can I only choose one thing, because I can probably think of a few! I’d like the lifestyle to be more healthy. Physical health and mental health. There has always been that lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, I have experienced some of that lifestyle first hand and what starts out as fun can quickly become dangerous. I’m not sure if that lifestyle will ever play itself out in this industry, but it is something I have changed for myself personally. Just self care in general, we as human beings and artists have so much to offer the world, and we should give ourselves the chance to be alive and well to do it!
FEMMUSIC: Whom would you most like to tour with or collaborate with, and why?
KM: I’d love to tour with my friends, it is something we’ve talked about for a while now. A small tour with Sur Ellz and Kid Astronaut would be magical! As far as people I don’t know, music acts that have strong lead women like Alabama Shakes, Banks, FKA Twigs…just to name a few.
FEMMUSIC: What have you learned now, that you wish you knew earlier?
KM: Gosh, I have learned so much already and I still feel like I know nothing lol. But one thing that I’ve learned that sticks with me, is that I am going to change a lot and that is ok. I used to think that I had to be one way all the time, now I know it is ok to be confused, lost, experimental etc, because that means I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone, which means I am growing.