Dubbed as one of Ireland's fastest rising new talents, and already gaining rave reviews from the likes of The Independent, Clash, Wonderland and Atwood Magazine - Lilla Vargen is establishing her name firmly as an artist. 

Having recently shared the video for new track 'Cold', we caught up with Lilla to find out more about her music.

Q) Your new music video 'Cold' tells a powerful story and it has also received a great initial response. What was the main reason to use an actress (Jordanne Jones) in the video?   

A) Thank you so much! I chose Jordanne as I think firstly she is an amazing actress, and I feel like I wanted the story to be told in a more unconventional way. We hear stories of abuse and the picture generally painted is of a couple who are perhaps older. I wanted to break that stereotype and allow viewers to see that abuse can happen at any stage in a relationship regardless of age. 

Q) Touring as a guest to Dermot Kennedy must have been a good experience. Did this open up new avenues for you as an artist?

A) It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I enjoyed every second of it. Yes it did open up new avenues, mainly having more visibility as an artist and gaining some wonderful new fans from all over Europe. For me that is the most important thing I could have gained from it, as well as experience.  

Q) Do you have any favourite or standout concerts?

A) I loved them all so it's hard to choose, but I will pick two. Brussels was amazing. There were around 5000 people at that show and it was the first time on the tour that the audience lit up their phone torches for me while I was singing, it was an amazing feeling. And then the other show would have to be Dublin 3arena. 12500 people singing back to me was insane! And when they lit up their phone torches I started to cry! It was the last night of the tour and I think I was just so emotional and happy and sad all at the same time. I will never forget it.  

Q) Who are your musical influences?

A) I like a lot of older music so, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springfield, Carole King, Bob Dylan. But I still love a lot of new music like Wet, Tame Impala, Lady Gaga, Big Thief, Bon Iver - I could go on and on forever!  

Q) If you could pick one artist to work with, who would that be?

A) This changes a lot! But at the moment I would say Tobias Jesso Jr. His music speaks to me and he has also written some amazing songs for huge artists (Adele - When we were Young, Niall Horan - Slow Hands etc).  

Q) What genre of music would you best describe yourself as?

A) I would call my music Alternative pop. I think my songs are pop songs but they have a bit of an edge to them!

Q) How long have you been writing songs?

A) Since I was about 11/12. I would spend any free time I had at school or at home playing piano and coming up with melodies. It was and still is my favourite thing to do.

Q) Your headline tour commences mid April, is there a particular venue you're looking forward to playing?

A) Honestly, I can't wait for them all. I am so excited to get back on the road and see all the faces looking back at me and meet everyone after.

Q) What's the plan after your tour? Do you have more material in the pipeline?

A) I have a lot of new songs being recorded so keep an eye out for release dates! I've so much to share with everyone and I can't wait to be able to release what I have been working on!

Thanks again Lilla, and all the best for the future!

 Alternative pop 

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.