Praised by BBC Introducing and Clash, Watford born Kayla Grace’s introductory track ‘Bird In A Cage’ positioned the 21-year-old as an artist and songwriter of immense potential. Now it’s time for Kayla to make a bigger impact as she shares her new single ‘Nobody Loves Me’, which is out now on Good Taste Recordings.

The opening line of ‘Nobody Loves Me’ quickly grabs your attention with Kayla’s simple but engaging statement, “I think my therapist hates me.” She goes on to explore the fear that she has upset everyone who is significant in her life. While she realises that her fear borders on paranoia, there’s no escaping the fact that the scars of childhood remain even when you’re finding your own way in the world.

But within the darker emotional themes of the song, Kayla Grace has discovered an uplifting sound that will provide escapism for people who are experiencing similar issues. It’s authentic, affecting bedroom pop with a vivacious emo edge.

Who were your musical influences growing up?

 When I first got into music it was just the bands my dad listened to like random American bands. I think one was breaking benjamin lol. When I started getting my own CD’s and stuff I was obsessed with Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran and specifically Superbass by Nicki Minaj which I used to perform to my family (lucky them).

Tell us about your new single Nobody Loves Me …

Nobody Loves Me is a song for anyone who’s felt alone or unwanted. I grew up with a special needs sister in somewhat of a dysfunctional family, my parents tried their best but unfortunately because my sister needed so much care and attention that meant I was in the shadows. I remember going to primary school with dirty clothes and not knowing to shower and I remember spending most of my time at my best friend’s house so that I had company. I remember thinking nobody loved me because they were too busy to care. In reality they tried their best but the weight of that emotional neglect affects me every single day. I reached a certain age of early adulthood where it’s really been hitting me hard and it’s manifested in my current life- making me doubt the love of my new friends and even my (ex) boyfriend.

We love the visuals in the video – tell us about growing up and filming in Watford…

Thankyou!! Watford is a town in the outskirts of North West London- it’s like a 15 min fast train into euston but also the complete other end of the met line so is the ultimate commuters/family area. I always felt so close but so far from the ‘action’ and when i was a kid i fantasised about living in some cool studio flat in camden or something. I filmed the video on my webcam because I spent my whole childhood playing with webcam effects and felt like it was fitting given the song vibes. An amazing artist Unlucky Penny added the characters from my artwork to the video so they could cry with me.

Describe your music in 3 words 

Fun. Audacious. Painful.

If you could collaborate with any other artist – who would that be?

I feel like it has to be phoebe bridgers for now but there are a ridiculous amount of people I would sell my soul to collaborate with.

Where do you get your inspiration from when writing songs?

I actually don’t get inspo from anywhere but my own brain honestly. Sometimes I don’t even want to write a song. I’ll just be sitting on the toilet and my brain is like OMG RUN TO YOUR GUITAR AND VOICE NOTE THESE AMAZING LYRICS ABOUT HOW AWFUL LIFE IS. I think when I’m over analyzing my thoughts/feelings or situations i’m in i just have to write a song to process it.

If you had to be remembered for one thing apart from your music what would you want it to be?

If not for my music then I wanna be remembered for having the coolest cat to exist (i love you midnight my diseased king).

What’s next for you?

EP Release time!!!!! Honestly so excited for every song in the EP to be heard.

By Siân Parker

Spotify