In Conversation With Lola Kirke
Photo by Zack Michael
You may recognize Lola Kirke as Greta from the critically acclaimed film Gone Girl–but the singer, songwriter, and actress has many more stories to tell and more than one medium in which to tell it. Pursuing music since 2016, Lola has recently discovered and fostered her love for country and rock music of the 80s–genres that have yet to make a real comeback in the mainstream music scene.On her forthcoming 10-song sophomore album Lady for Sale (releasing April 29th!), which includes her recent country-twang single “Better Than Any Drug”, she explores these genres as well as disco to showcase the fun, easygoing, and dance-inducing qualities of her music.
During a day off from her live tour throughout the U.S., Lola chatted with Unpublished to chat about her new releases, the inspiration behind the album, and what she loves about performing live.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What was it like growing up in a musical family, given that your dad Simon Kirke was a drummer for the English rock bands Bad Company and Free?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Chaotic! Ha. It was definitely interesting. For one, I never had to “come out” as an artist. I was very fortunate to be encouraged in my creativity. I was also exposed to a lot of music very young. I like Led Zeppelin and Motown and David Bowie and Otis Redding and the Band when all my friends were listening to contemporary hip hop, which I also liked but just didn’t connect to much.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Was there a moment when you wanted to pursue music of your own?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Even though I was obsessed with music, I never thought I could play it. My friends and I used to start bands with names like “The Split Ends” or the “The Black Taxis” back in middle school just so we could build band websites–which is a funny thing to remember–it was such a novelty to use the internet then. Gosh I’m getting old. But we never made any music. We’d just change our names and get a new website.
In high school, I begged my dad for a Ukulele. He obliged and I brought it to school with me everyday. I had these music books called “Jumpin’ Jim’s Ukulele: 60s Music” or “Jumpin’ Jim’s Ukulele: Classic Movies” and I loved playing and singing, much to the chagrin of everyone around me. The one I loved most though was the Country one. Allegedly when I was a baby, a nurse named Carmel used to get me to stop crying by singing Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” and when I saw that in the book I felt like I just had to sing it… like all the time. Which I’m sure also drove people crazy. Anyway, it was a sort of slow progression from there from it being a dream to being a hobby to being something I wanted to do professionally.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What compelled you to pursue both acting and music?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Oh god, I have no idea. I regret it now. Kidding. But I think I felt less empowered as an actress and more in control playing music. I wanted to balance that out creatively.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Are there any current acting projects that you’re excited about?
[LOLA KIRKE]: I’m working on a show for Showtime called “Three Women” based on the Lisa Taddeo book of the same name, which is very fun!
[UNPUBLISHED]: In terms of your music, since releasing your debut EP in 2016, how have you found that your sound and style has evolved over time?
[LOLA KIRKE]: In a way, I’m impressed with myself for being so bold as to put out music then because I really had no idea what the fuck I was doing. It was very instinctual and emotional for me then. Now, everything is much more crafted which is fun too. And my references have certainly evolved from more folk leaning stuff to more produced country and rock from the late 70s and 80s.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What do you specifically love about music from the 80s and why? What genres in particular are you drawn to?
[LOLA KIRKE]: I like the excess and the style and the fun of the 80s. I think country and pop and new wave were doing wonderful things then.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Who are some of your favorite musical acts from the 80s, whether solo artists or bands?
[LOLA KIRKE]: I love Pam Tillis and the Judds and Reba McIntyre and Roseanne Cash. I think Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac did some of their best work then too.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How do you incorporate your musical influences into your own music?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Austin Jenkins, who produced my record, is very reference oriented. Austin is endlessly creative and detail oriented and visionary. I feel like his attention really helped me develop this new character version of me. I came to him with my songs and we kinda talked about references and sculpted the songs to sound a lot like those references. It was a really fun way to work.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Turning now to your new single “Better Than Any Drug”, what do you love about this song? For example, is there a lyric or production element that you especially love?
[LOLA KIRKE]: “Better Than Any Drug” is a really good example of the process Austin and I developed. I wrote the song first and then Austin was like “this has a Madonna vibe,” so we kind of injected this “Material Girl” synth sound into it and voila. And I think what I love about the song is how fun it is. I love all the talking and the climaxes.
[UNPUBLISHED]: I absolutely loved the music video for the song! The black-and-white aesthetic, the fun, it felt straight out of an old 80s romance movie. What was it like to dance by yourself and essentially goof off in front of the video crew?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Oh I’m so glad. I love that video too. And I love dancing so much even though I’m not the most adept at it. Fortunately, the crew was small enough that I wasn’t so embarrassed, even though it was humbling seeing how different the choreography looked on Angela Trimbur versus on me. She’s so talented!
[UNPUBLISHED]: Even with your years of experience in front of the camera, do you still get nervous before you’re about to perform?
[LOLA KIRKE]: It depends how drunk I am.
[UNPUBLISHED]: I understand that this single is taken from your upcoming sophomore album Lady for Sale, out April 29th. Can you walk us through the experience of making the album, especially since you were going back and forth between New York and Nashville?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Austin and I spent so much time writing and demoing the album that when we went into the studio it was kind of just like re-producing the demos with better equipment. Also it’s such a pleasure working with musicians in Nashville because they are real experts in what they do–not that people in New York or LA don’t, but it's just a different beast.
[UNPUBLISHED]: If you had to choose, what would you say is your favorite track on the album and why?
[LOLA KIRKE]: I truly love every song on the record! I think “If I Win” may be an old favorite because it’s kind of the thematic genesis of the record itself.
[UNPUBLISHED]: Overall, what do you hope listeners take away and/or experience from your music?
[LOLA KIRKE]: I really hope it sparks listeners to explore some of the reference music–that moment in 80s/90s country that I think a lot of people overlook.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You’re also currently on your North American tour! What do you love about performing live?
[LOLA KIRKE]: It’s such a pleasure opening for Elle King, not just because she’s an old friend but also because she’s such a natural onstage. She is so charismatic and funny and authentic and it’s a great reminder that I have permission to be all those things too.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How do you spend your free time on tour when you’re not performing or prepping?
[LOLA KIRKE]: Going to the dry cleaners and the grocery store a lot.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is something that not many people know about you?
[LOLA KIRKE]: That I eat a giant bar of Tony’s chocolate pretty much every night!
Cover by Zack Michael