London-based artist, Leyla Diamondi, is half-Greek (father) and half-Turkish (mother). She is a representation of the good that can happen when individuals choose unity instead of centuries of cultural and racial division.
What first got you into music?
In the beginning, music chose me; it wasn’t a choice. It was my natural way of understanding my emotions and helped me connect with the world around me.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
It would either be for Kendrick Lamar or Kanye West. I feel their performances are always so creative and I feel it would push me to see how I could tell my story more interestingly live.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
A lot of my fans have spoken about their struggles, whether it be mentally and physically. When we go through hard times, it’s common to feel like giving up, but just keep going. Sometimes, we need to go through hell to get to heaven.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I feel there have been positives and negatives. The negative seems to be that music is treated more like fast food – there is less value in the actual music and more onus placed on fast-paced consumption. The positive side is if you find out what people want to hear from you, you can build a fanbase rather quickly.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
I was given some advice a few days ago that impacted me. This sound engineer from LA flew down for his best friend’s wedding in Scotland and we were discussing the industry. He told me that if you look at all the legends, their focus was always on the music, its quality and its honesty. So, no matter how far you want to go in the industry, don’t compromise the music.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can do an incredibly realistic impression of a monkey.
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
I love this question! I would be all of them and none of them.
What’s your least favorite personality trait you like about yourself?
I can get angry sometimes when I see/hear something that is unjust. I have to remind myself that it isn’t personal, that everyone is on their own journey and to just focus on myself.
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
How’s my cat Nibs doing?
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I just finished rewatching Breaking Bad. I think that series is one of the greatest examples that when we take chances with independent art, sometimes the returns can be otherworldly.
Leyla is ready to stir new energy into the UK’s music scene, effortlessly combining piano ballad elements with pop influences to create her own pristine musical stamp. Following the kinetic release of her latest track ‘My Soul Cries’, Diamondi returns with a stunning new spectacle ‘Broken Pieces’, unveiling it as the next step in her artistic blossoming.
Leyla Diamondi on ‘Broken Pieces’:
“When I was writing Broken Pieces, my intention was never to release it. My reason for writing this song was because I had a need to be completely exposed, vulnerable, bold and open. I felt in the past I was hiding behind the production because I was afraid to be honest. When I recorded the vocals with my good friend Lef at his home studio I was crying and crying, the tears wouldn’t stop. Lef was kind and peaceful, he just sat back in his chair and said, “wow, the power of music man.” To me this felt like he was trying to say, I’m not judging you and here you are safe. In that moment I really needed that. Broken Pieces has given me strength and self-trust. I used to put up walls to feel safe, because I was afraid of being rejected by the pack if you will, but now I have come to realise that being open and fluid (like water) is so much more powerful; invincible. I am not afraid anymore. This has been my songwriting journey.”
https://outnow.io/t/broken-pieces
Leyla Diamondi on Social Media