How I Got Here: Performer and artist, Leila
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible, and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
This week, we chat with Leila, a local director, producer, writer and artist who’s about to launch her newest EP Heart and Soul.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Leila – a Pop/Country singer-songwriter. I write & release my own music and perform around the ACT, NSW, VIC and QLD. I’m releasing my newest EP ‘Heart And Soul’ on the 23rd of October, and embarking on a national headline tour which commences on the 24th of October.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I’ve always dreamed of being a singer. When I was a youngster, singing was something that transported me to a different place and it was the way I communicated and understood the world, even when I struggled to walk into a room of people. Singing was my way of expressing myself, and still is to this day.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I remember just falling in love with everything about music, the way it made me feel, the way I felt when I shared my music with others and the feeling I got when being on stage. I guess I just got addicted to the feeling of playing music for people and telling my own stories through song, so that in itself lit a fire in my belly.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
There have been a few times that I’ve felt like this, not going to lie. I think the music industry is tough to navigate but if you love what you do enough, it makes the hard days easier.
What was your biggest break?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had a ‘break’ yet. I’ve had countless amazing opportunities, but I wouldn’t say any one of them has given me a ‘break’. I would say I’ve learned and evolved from every opportunity that has come my way.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The biggest piece of advice I’ve ever received is to stay in your own lane. This might be an obvious one, but in an industry like the music industry, it’s very easy to get caught up in the noise.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love the genuine connections you can make through the industry; I’ve made some really great friends and I never take that for granted. Sometimes the age/time we live in now makes me want to tear my hair out. It’s now not just about singing; it’s about social media follower numbers, algorithms and trends and this can be really tricky to navigate.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
Definitely social media. I mostly use Instagram and sometimes Facebook, although it’s a fine balance between staying in the know and having too much screen time and doom scrolling. A balance I’m still learning to navigate.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself travelling Australia performing my own shows, opening for artists and hopefully one or two albums deep. I’d love to play some big theatres and open for some big artists too. Taking my music overseas would also be super cool!
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I think if you’re a dreamer, a go-getter and someone who wants to build something from the ground up, I hope I can be of inspiration to someone reading this.
What advice would you give your past self?
I would tell myself to believe in younger Leila and not take myself and life too seriously. Everyone will have an opinion and everyone will tell you what you should do with your life, but it’s ultimately up to you to build a life you’re happy and proud of.
Leila will be performing here in Canberra on October 24, with tickets available for purchase here.
