An interview with Lail Arad

Four years ago, Lail Arad released the critically acclaimed debut album “Someone new”. After a few years of touring, she wrote and recorded her new album “The Onion” in Geneva and New York, set to drop in later this year.

We meet Lail at the Trouble Club in Soho, London for a special session called “Songs in Progress”. Together with Samantha Whates, Lail gave an exclusive sneak peek into her creative process of songwriting and even shared a few unfinished tunes with the audience.

Tune Munch: Wow, it was amazing to watch and listen to you and Samantha! It must feel really exposing to do that.

Lail Arad: I enjoyed it! A strange experience, to discuss the songs and secrets.. and discover just how individual our writing processes are.

Tune Munch: What do you want to be known for? For being a great singer, songwriter, guitarist?

Lail Arad: I’m no guitarist.. but if I’m one day remembered for my songs and the shows then maybe I’ve spent my time well.

TM: How would you describe the music that you make?

LA: I find it hard to answer that question, it doesn’t fall neatly into a folder. Maybe you can give it a listen and then help me answer? My song for Leonard Cohen (1934), for example, which will be on the new album, is already already online…

TM: What do you prefer, small gigs or playing for large audiences? Do you imagine the ultimate night?

LA: I absolutely love playing small, intimate shows, and feel very comfortable in that set-up, but and I equally enjoy playing for huge audiences, it’s just a different type of high. There are many ultimate shows!

TM: What happened since you released “Someone new”?

LA: I was touring that album on and off for a couple of years, which was an amazing experience. Then when that came to an end I decided not to worry about anything other than writing songs for a while. So I took some time to concentrate on that, which is a big luxury. When I felt the songs were ready I ended up recording them half in Geneva and half in New York, and now somehow there’s a new finished album.

TM: Tell us about that

LA: The two countries were almost opposite recording experiences. I was meant to choose between the two producers but I loved both of them so I ended up doing half here and half there. I co-produced the album so it sounds like one coherent project rather than a story in two halves – there was also a lot of listening across the atlantic, sending mixes back and forth, and it all came together in that way. In New York I recorded in a very sweet studio (Tree Laboratory) in Brooklyn. It was a very calm and peaceful experience, whereas in Geneva (Kitchen Studio) I was with a bunch of crazy guys with big hair, drum kits and electric guitars. That was super fun too.

TM: Do you play electric guitar as well? 

LA: I don’t, but I want to!

TM: If you would have to choose, guitar or piano, what would you pick?

LA: I play far more guitar right now, though piano was my first instrument. When I write on piano the songs tend to come out as a romantic ballads – there’s something inherently rock’n’roll about the guitar. At least with my messy self-taught strumming.

TM: Earlier you mentioned you have some backing singers, do you have a band as well?

LA: At the moment I’m working on a setup with me and the two backing singers, who play percussion as well, but no band behind us. It’s very stripped back and keeps the intimacy of a solo show, with the vocals and lyrics at the forefront, yet still adds a load of energy, rhythm and harmony. We’re building up the new show together right now. I think it’s going to work.

TM: In a chat you had with DIY Magazine you mentioned that one of your influences was the Muppet Show.

LA: *Laughs* The Muppets were a huge influence! There are a lot of songs I first learnt through them and only later discovered “Oh, that was an ABBA cover? I thought Kermit wrote it…” They’re the best.

TM: Did anything change about that list of inspirations? Who or what are you listening to now?

LA: I do listen to a lot of new music, mainly to be aware of what’s going on. I also listen to music that my friends are making, like Samantha tonight is a good example. But the bulk of my listening time is still spent on those same few singer songwriters… Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Lou Read, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen… Nut sure that’s ever going to change.

TM: Your father is the famous Designer and Architect Ron Arad. Has his craft inspired you in some way?

LA: Undoubtedly! Perhaps most importantly in his outlook of focusing on creating the work and art itself, and not worrying too much about the business side of things… The belief that if the work is interesting, people will be interested. That’s a liberating thought to hang on to.

TM: During the session earlier at the Trouble club you mentioned that your songs from “Someone new” are very different from what you write now.

LA: To me they’re very different. Though of course in the world-scheme of things they probably still fall in the same musical country. I’m sure I will enjoy listening to them when I am 50, but right now I find them very amusing. So much has changed and developed in these few years, even my voice. Those songs were written when I was young and foolish! But no… of course it still makes me happy when new people discover that album, I don’t mean to taint your enjoyment!

TM: If you, as a Londoner, would have to choose Bike or bus, what do you pick?

LA: Well if you listen to my new single “Milo” you’ll quickly learn I don’t know how to ride a bicycle… In the video I’m trying it out for the first time in 20 years. So I definitely take the bus.

TM: What is coming up for you?

I’ve just finished a mini marathon of gigs around the single release. I think the next show is on the 8th of June at Oslo Hackney, where I’m opening for the French band Moriarty. They are superstars in France! I’m playing some festivals this summer (TM, Stay tuned for more news) and then the album’s coming out, so it’s full steam ahead!

Listen to Lail’s new Singles “Milo” and “1934 (a song for Leonard Cohen)” HERE and buy tickets to the show at Oslo Hackney on the 8th of June 2015 HERE. Give your ears a snack and listen to these tunes from the “Someone New” Album another listen.