Music Bugle Exclusive – Q & A – Layke

By Nicholas Jason Lopez

With her latest ‘Frequency’ EP now out and about into the world, Layke has used her platform as a musician to give a voice for the queer community.

Her breakout single “No One Can Stop Us” featured an all-inclusive LGBTQIA+ cast and dancers in its music video and she also openly voiced her disdain for the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that gained traction in her home state of Texas.

The ‘Frequency’ EP shines a light on her struggles, supported by a sound that has been described as “left of center pop with an extra hint of edge.” For it, she worked with Adrian and cowriters Sarah McTaggart (Transviolet) and Brandon Colbein (Hayley Kiyoko, Jojo).

The Music Bugle had the privilege of getting to chat with Layke about her career overall, the messages behind her songs and much more, which you can check out below.

Music Bugle – What makes you most proud to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

Layke – Wow, what a beautifully amazing question! To be honest, there’s so many layers to the answer. There’s not one specific thing that I can pinpoint – and that’s what’s incredible is that there are so many things, so many amazing, incredible, beautiful things, that make me proud to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. There is just such a level of support and genuine care within the community and even the word “community.” It doesn’t mean a lot to so many people, but within the Queer scape, it means everything. So many of us have come from different situations, situations where we were not always accepted and the Queer community, the LGBTQIA+ community, has shown us what family really means. What community really means. What it means to us and that’s everything, so that’s what I’m most proud of. The incredible amount of love in our community.

Music Bugle – How would you describe your newest music?

Layke – This latest EP is really a dichotomy of what I was going through throughout the past couple years during the pandemic. Half of it is like dance bops because we were all dancing around our houses (laughs) and then half of it is about my struggles with anxiety and my mental health, so I definitely think it’s the most vulnerable and exposed I’ve ever been. Also, it’s definitely the furthest I’ve ever gone into the pop realm, so it really took me out of my comfort zone and it really made me grow and become a better artist and musician and human, to be honest.

Music Bugle – Not many musicians can say they collaborated with Snoop Dogg. What was that like?

Layke – It really was such an incredible experience. He’s such an amazing human and such a professional. I was honestly very nervous because he’s legendary, but he made me feel so right at home and comfortable and was so chill and just made the process so fun and fantastic and fabulous.

Music Bugle – Which of your songs on your ‘Frequency’ EP were you most excited for people to hear? 

Layke – “XOXO” is definitely my personal favorite, even though I love all of the songs so much. Like, I’m so proud of this body of work, but “XOXO” is my dance love letter to the queer community and it’s just such a vibe, it’s such a moment and it is really special in my heart.

Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise? 

Layke – I’m a huge fan of Charli XCX. I love Rina Sawayama. She’s such a vibe. Really into Little Simz and love Japanese Breakfast. There’s just so much good music out there.

Music Bugle – What quote motivates you to keep doing what you do? 

Layke – I have it tattooed on my back. It’s from The Clash’s song “Lost In The Supermarket” – “Hearing that noise was my first ever feeling.“ That’s how I feel about music.

Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need an escape?

Layke – I live in LA, so there are so many places that are so quick and accessible, like, just by car that are amazing. I really love the desert. I’m a huge fan of the desert. There’s something about the California desert. Certain places just recharge you, but I’m not giving away any of my specific spots because those are my secrets. (Laughs)

Music Bugle – What is your next biggest personal challenge?

Layke – I think every artist’s next big personal challenge is to continue evolving. With my new EP ‘Frequency,’ I really opened myself up a lot and was vulnerable about my personal struggles with mental health. I want to continue to take that journey with my art as part of my personal growth and healing process and see where it takes me, so I think that will definitely be a challenge, but it will also be very cathartic.

Music Bugle – What is your biggest “guilty pleasure” song on your playlist?

Layke – I don’t really consider anything a guilty pleasure because I love all music and I am proud of everything I listen to. However, I definitely am a huge fan of 90s music. Like, I adore ‘Jagged Little Pill’ by Alanis Morissette and I’m a huge fan of SWV, but these are not guilty pleasures, these are legends.

Music Bugle – Where are some of your favorite places to travel?

Layke – One of my best friends lives in Split, Croatia and I visited in June 2019 and it was just amazing. We went up north to Istria, which is very close to Italy and we had such a great time. Definitely one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. I’ve also been to the Philippines and it was incredible and there’s really no words to describe my experience. It was just beyond words and it’s so different, depending on where you go, it’s really amazing.