Layla's Making Music Moves

If you know one thing about me, it’s probably not how to pronounce my last name correctly, but rather that music means something special to me.

Music has always been a part of my life in some way. I grew up writing songs, penning some of my first originals with my cousins when we were young, somewhat begrudgingly on their part. I couldn’t get them to play pretend with me, but I managed to convince them to use the audio recorder on our Windows desktop computer together.

At age 7, my cousin Jenna and I masterfully wrote the beginning lines to a love song that is shamefully unpublished as of today:

“When I see you through your window, in the shining stars above, in the puddles, in the puddles of love…”

You could tell there was something really promising and somewhat concerning about my songwriting even two decades ago.

Thankfully, I’ve come a long way from then and it still holds true — I still really love writing music and I’m still writing love songs, but with considerably fewer puddles and a lot more feelings.

In the last ten years, I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what music means to me and for my life. In hosting, and connecting to people through music, I've learned that this expression of life is a gift, and a gift I really don't want to miss the opportunity to indulge and enjoy.

This year, I want to release the music I’ve spent so much time sharing with you and singing in your living rooms, your backyards, and the voice memos on your iPhones. Since 2019, I've hosted a yearly showcase to share the music my friends and I have made, held in the homes of beloved friends and played for audiences of strangers and loved ones. I’ve always believed in the power of sharing and connecting to people through their art and what it means to express oneself through song specifically. I have navigated so much of my twenties — the highs and lows of rejection, identity finding and way-making, intimacy, love — through writing music and have found a better understanding of myself and an increased sense of being known through sharing it with others.

Writing music has helped me uncover my emotions, process, and heal, as well as connect with others. And my hope is that as you see me more clearly through my songs, you also feel seen.

Over the next six months, I’ll be working with a team of individuals to produce my songs. I am so excited by the idea of getting to share them all with you. The total amount I’m raising will go towards all production fees and will result in a fully finished EP. What a dream!

If you’re interested in helping in other ways, I am very eager to hear your thoughts and advice on anything related to this whole music business and really do want your help! Please just email or text me, and don’t feel like it’s unsolicited, because your insight is very much needed in my life!

Again, I’m grateful to even be in a place where I can ask people to help make something that means a whole lot to me actually happen. This has been years and years in the making and I'm excited to be in a place in my life where this feels possible.

Thank you. xxx

Layla