Wilma La is a talented musician from Queensland who about to release her debut album Baby Fibonacci on the 23rd of April. She kindly answered my questions and this is what she had to say about it all.
1.What inspired the new material?
minimalism, love for the ocean and the longing for being back on stage with a band where I feel most at home.
2.What is the inspiration behind the new release?
I wanted to leave a time capsule for my children, that would have my world views and little elements of our life together. Then it tuned into more of a community project and something I look forward to inspire people with in my small home town, that are few steps behind on the same path.
3. Are you happy how it has been received?
approval and recognition would be great, but my intention was to be as authentic to myself as I can: musically, emotionally, spiritually. There are so many levels to why the album is done the way it’s done. I’d be surprised if a lot of people like it, to be honest, and I might need to get used to the catchphrase “it’s not about that” throughout 20201 🙂 Having said that, I think there are a few sing-along gems like Ocean Heart and Hey Mama! People who take time to dive into the meaning of the title track, think its absolutely amazing and they love it. Mostly, I think people find the songs really touching and personal.
4. Was the recording process different to earlier recordings?
yes, I co-produced the entire album.
5. Since live shows in public were shut down last year and slowly opening up again did that give you inspiration for what you were writing?
only for Hey Mama!, as the idea was there, but most of the verses are my “mum in lockdown” soundtrack really. Other songs were pretty ripe as they were unaffected by this at all.
6. Have you been to a gig since gigs are happening back here in Australia?
I’ve played a bunch of gigs myself, went to a few local festivals, a musical. I also sometimes help with stage set up and talking photos for other local musicians who don’t have their own stage gear. I don’t know it that classes as label services or makes me a roadie, but I can’t see a great talent without giving them a nudge to the next level.
7. How important to you are things like social media?
I wish I could keep up with everything more, but before the title “full time musician”, comes in the “full time mum”. I also prefer creating content like music videos, I need to spread out my thoughts. Short attention span things aren’t my strong suit. Posting content also ruins the state of flow during studio time and rehearsals, so it’s a tricky one.
8. What the best piece of advice you have been given?
“Make sure it’s your own dream that you follow, not someone else’s” – Kamal Musallam, former band mate from my jazz years in Dubai. I worked that thought into my song “Do We Dare” that I wrote to get into Eurovision 2015
9. What do you love about the scene where you are from?
honestly, there is a lack of industry here, and I see a lot of frustration in artists who want to record and “get somewhere” with it efficiently. I see a potential to help in there, but then it’s their own personal journey, so I can’t really do much other than advise and a positive nudge. For myself, I love small outdoor gigs like beach cafes and community festivals. I’m a daylight lover, so it works for me.
10. What is next for you?
keeping up with the momentum of what I’ve started. Giving up is very tempting at times when you see no tangible results of all the love and hard work you put in the project, but it’s the sustainable move forward that matters in the long run, whatever that may look like.
