With a name that rolls off the tongue as smoothly as eight wheels along the pavement, Lyla Foy is the sweet skating songstress whipping through open parks and sashaying down side streets in fluorescent skates, going by the name of WALL.
Never planning on making it big, Lyla’s done pretty well with her minimal pop, mellow melodies and dulcet tones making it from an orange sound wave on Soundcloud to the back of a black cab, as the first to be snapped up by Black Cab Sessions’ new record label. Her talents stretch far and wide as she sings, produces and plays every instrument on her new seven-inch, titled Magazine, but it doesn’t stop there. Here, we watch the lovely Londoner as she whips out her skating skills rolling through Kensington Park. Surely soon to be seen in a magazine, we chat boys, bass lines and Blazer Skates with WALL.
How would you describe your sound? When I started writing for this project I wanted everything to be a hook. There are multiple bass lines, muted keyboards and clattery beats. The focus is on the top line and everything else is supporting it.
What was the first subject you wrote a song about? A boy.
What was the last subject you wrote a song about? Mental illness and a boy.
Who are your musical influences? At the moment I’m listening to some Father John Misty, Starfucker, Chairlift and Beth Gibbons. I loved The Weepies for some easy listening but I just had a car crash while listening to them so that’s ruined it. Tracks: Chairlift – Take It Out On Me, Father John Misty – This is Sally Hatchet, Cat Power – Free The Shutes – She Said, Tame Impala – I Don’t Really Mind, Alt-J – Tessellate.
What’s your favourite thing about living in London? Lots of people are good at lots of things so you have to raise your game.
What’s the best way to get around London? I just had to sell my old mini which I’m sore about so now I walk, cycle or skate.
How long have you been rollerskating? I was really into it when I was younger. I skateboarded as a teenager and now I’m back to skates. Literally any park is good, the flatter the better though. South Bank is pretty rowdy at weekends and also around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where we shot the video for i-D. My blue/yellow Blazer Roller Skates are from Club Blue Room in Marble Arch. I’ve been going there since I was a kid and luckily I still fit into kids skates which are cheaper!
What’s the best place to roller-skate in London? Round the Serpentine, I need a smooth surface or my teeth get numb.
Park or Street? Park all the way.
soundcloud.com/wall100
gigsandtours.com/Tour/WALL
Text: Felicity Kinsella
Film and Photography: Oscar Hudson
