LÂLKA

May 25

LÂLKA self-describes her sound as “effervescent glitch future club music”. Born in Borneo and now a resident of Meanjin/Brisbane LÂLKA’s background, visual imagination, and classical training merge with a digital landscape to create a new genre of pop that has legs to become a mainstream movement. At least we think so. As a queer neurodivergent woman of colour finding solace in digital soundscapes LÂLKA moves through trauma and into love with her new mixtape ‘Romance + Rebellion’. It is self produced, written, mixed and performed, showing us that if this powerhouse can find care in the creative, so can we.

Outside of music, where do you find inspiration?
As a child who was raised by the Internet, I find inspiration on the Internet.

Where do you think you get your personal power?
I was just born with it. I’m a natural powerful woman.

Is there something you learnt early in your career that you have now disproven?
Girls can't produce as well as guys. Well, look at me now.

Within your immediate circle of friends/family/chosen family who is your hero and why?
The word hero conjures up the image of superpowers and capes but I want to talk about heroic friendships. You know how there are friends who are there to celebrate your wins, instead of getting jealous? I love it when friends are supportive. But you know what people don't talk about as much? The friends who also show up for you when things are hard, when you're going through some tough times. They're there to celebrate and won't abandon you when it stops being fun. I think those friends are heroes.

How much of a role do other musicians play in your work?
For my first EP ‘The Way Music Looks’, I had the privilege of working with Ninajirachi, Donatachi, Muki, Oh Boy, BRUX... I chose to work with friends whose work I admire very much. I've written for other artists like Chores from NZ and Finnish DJ Rony Rex - all done purely online. I've written works for vocal groups and string players too. It's nice to be able to write outside my LÂLKA project sometimes for other artists.

“my music is so textural and detailed, I feel like visuals give another dimension to it. I'm such a visual person too, so it's important for me to tie in the visual elements with my music.”

Is there a specific sonic theme, genre or instrument that you draw pure joy from?
Any sound that makes my brain feel like how it feels when my fingers hold smooth pebbles and textured objects.

How does visual aesthetic come to play in your work?
Because my music is so textural and detailed, I feel like visuals give another dimension to it. I'm such a visual person too, so it's important for me to tie in the visual elements with my music.

What are the core values behind your art?
Make music I love. It's as simple as that.

Are there any creatives you'd like to platform right now?
If you're an electronic music or hyperpop music nerd, check out the YouTube channel Cult Figure Club. That content is so good. And Graedance, a Naarm based Asian queer designer. I want to wear everything they make.

People are coming over to dinner, what are you serving?
Y'all getting pasta because that's all I know how to cook.

If you could time travel, who are you visiting?
My former self: to tell her that it's going to work out okay.

Who are you taking on a date, and where are you going? (time travel is allowed)
I'll take my boo on a date and we are going to a rave.

What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
ALL my dreams are weird.

What's the worst lie you ever told as a kid?
I never lied.

See more from LÂLKA here