Singer-songwriter Fallulah

She’s already a huge star in her native Denmark, and with the release of her debut UK single, I Lay My Head, she’s all set to seduce the rainy shores of Blighty. Meet Fallulah: soulful, honest and dreamy, her pared-down sound has led to comparisons with Bat for Lashes, Adele and Florence and the Machine.

Flying in the face of the manufactured pop scene, Fallulah is part of a new wave of singer-songwriters using their own personal  experiences to create raw, emotive, original music.

A world away from the ‘diva’ image peddled by so many female musicians, I found Fallulah refreshingly open and self-deprecating as we chatted about the experiences and influences behind her music, and the perils of getting lost in London.

Hi Fallulah, welcome to London! Tell us a bit about your musical style.

‘Well, my mother is Danish and my father is Romanian, so I grew up with Balkan folk music, which is still a strong influence. My songs tend to be very organic, I do a lot of hand claps and stomps; I don’t use many electric instruments. I write all my own music, and I like to use stories about my own life.’

A lot of people say that it’s easier to be inspired creatively if you’re a bit down, or having a hard time – would you agree?

‘For a long time I thought I could only write if I was really sad. When I met my boyfriend I was really scared that I wouldn’t be able to write good songs anymore because I was too happy, but actually I wrote some of my best songs after I met him.’

That’s good to know! So you don’t have to have a miserable life to be a good songwriter…

‘I guess when you’re alone you have more time on your hands! But I can still find inspiration from things that happened years ago. ‘

Is that what you did with I Lay my Head?

‘That was about my first real relationship. It wasn’t good for me at all, I tried to be this other person, I tried to be who I thought he wanted me to be, instead of just being myself. I remember, I wrote songs at the time and I was too scared to show him because he wouldn’t get it, he wouldn’t support me at all. I needed to get out, but it took me a really long time. You know how it is – with your first relationship, you think it’s going to last forever. The song is about that melancholy feeling you get when you’re alone, you miss that person, even though you know they’re not good for you.’

How about musical inspirations – is there anyone in the industry that you look up to or aspire to be like?

‘I definitely respect a lot of artists, I don’t want to be like anyone. I think that to be a successful artist it’s really important to find what you’re good at, instead of trying to be a version of someone else. I know I have a lot of weaknesses, but I try to use that in my music, I try to be very honest. I really admire strong women in music, but I just love Damon Albarn. I think he’s my biggest musical hero.’

Do you think the music industry is too focused on creating new versions of the same thing? Is that ‘manufactured’ sound still a big thing?

‘I do feel it’s very manufactured at the moment, everyone’s doing the dance thing. So many people are following instead of leading, so everything sounds the same. It’s such a shame, there are so many different people on this planet, and so much potential in music.’

Do you think the TV talent show craze is to blame?

‘Even people that didn’t take part in those shows are following the same sound, it’s a general thing I think. I’m not a huge fan of these shows because I think they get far too much attention for what they are. Its entertainment, but it doesn’t have anything to do with music. It wants to be something that it’s not.’

What’s been your best career moment so far?

‘There have been so many great moments, but it was so special for me to play at Roskilde festival in Denmark. It’s what every Danish artist dreams of. That was wonderful, but I really want to play more outside of Denmark too. There’s so much waiting out there.’

It must feel pretty great to have such a fantastic reception from your home country though?

‘It’s been wonderful. My fans are very loyal and sweet people. They’re aged from six to about 85! It’s lovely to see how my music speaks to people of all ages.’

Have you always wanted to perform?

‘As a child I was really sure I wanted to do this, but perhaps that’s what all children want! But as a teenager I was extremely shy, I almost had a social phobia, so I didn’t think I would ever be able to perform in public. It took all my courage to decide that I was going to do this. For ages I wrote songs, but it was my little secret, nobody knew I was doing it. These days I’m really comfortable on stage, but sometimes when I get off I’m this other person, still very shy.’

So you’ve been spending a lot of time in London recently – where have you been playing?

‘I’ve had a gig at the Bowery, and one in Hoxton last month as well.’

Is this your first visit to London?

‘I haven’t spent a lot of time here before, just a few days, so it’s great to really explore. I’m getting lost all the time! It’s so difficult to find your way around. I’m playing with an English band, I didn’t bring my Danish band with me, and it’s great to meet people like that. I came here not knowing anyone, which can be a bit lonely.’

Where have you been spending most of your time?

‘I’m staying near Tottenham Court Road, so I’ve been walking around a lot in Chinatown and Soho. I’m hoping that today I’ll get to go to Brick Lane. I really want to go there – last time I went everything was closed and it was raining so I didn’t get to see anything. I might go to Brighton for a day as well.’

As long as it isn’t raining!

‘Yes, that would be better. I’m waiting for a sunny day!’

Find out more about Fallulah’s music on her website and follow her on Twitter @fallulahmusic