Lola Blanc

November 15, 2013

3:59 am

Lola Blanc
Photographer / Ally Lindsay
Stylist / Erica Russell

Born in Germany to a beauty queen/puppeteer, it’s no wonder that colorful singer-songwriter Lola Blanc was destined for the drama and glitter of the pop music world. The Los Angeles-based artist, known for her technicolor style, edgy pop production, and spunky lyrics, has had one hell of a year in 2013, including co-writing a single for one of pop music’s mega-icons, Britney Spears, as well as dropping her majorly infectious debut single “Bad Tattoo” on Idolator and gearing up to launch her first music video.
We chatted with Lola about everything from her unique childhood to filming her first music video to the worst tattoo she could imagine. Check it out:
Your first official single, “Bad Tattoo,” is out now on iTunes. What’s it like finally having that out in the universe?
I’m so happy to be putting my music out. It’s addictive though – now I gotta keep doing it! This month the music video will be premiering exclusively on RyanSeacrest.com, so I’m pretty ecstatic about that too.
Walk us through the experience of filming ‘Bad Tattoo’:
We spent two days filming the video at this amazing design studio downtown. I started it off with some mild panic attacks about anything and everything – because, duh – but it was so much fun once I started shooting. I was doing things like straddling a stuffed tiger, ingesting about a year’s worth of blue frosting, singing in a pile of surprisingly uncomfortable bananas… We had a super talented crew, all working for nothing or close to it, and it was a huge honor having that kind of support. Plus, I got some sexy girls (and boys) to be in it with me, so yay!
You had a pretty unique, colorful childhood! Can you tell us a little about it?
I grew up performing as a ventriloquist – which means I made a giant lollipop puppet (named Lollipop, of course) talk without moving my lips. My mom and brother were performers too, so they’d do magic and we’d do various kinds of shows together. One time my mom and I went to auctioneer school and learned how to be auctioneers, because what else are you going to do really? I got to hang out with some legit cowboys. But music was always what I wanted to do, ever since I can remember.
In your new single, you talk about being in a relationship with a dude who’s “like a bad tattoo.” What would your worst nightmare tattoo look like?
A Chinese symbol for “live, laugh, love” juxtaposed on top of Miley Cyrus’ naked body.
Not gonna lie, girl: Your wardrobe is pretty killer! What’s the signature “Lola Blanc” style all about?
Why, thank you! The things that inspire me are ever-changing, but I’m always attracted to eccentricity and glamour. Right now I can’t get enough of 1950’s pinup, but updated in a really bold, modern way. I’m a sucker for kitsch and color with classic undertones.
You had a pretty incredible “pop music moment” this past summer when your song, “Ooh La La,” was picked up by Dr. Luke for Britney Spears on the ‘Smurfs 2’ soundtrack. What that surreal for you? Did you grow up listening to Brit Brit?
It was incredibly surreal to hear something of mine on the radio for the first time, and by such a pop icon no less! I definitely grew up listening to Britney. I loved her songs – although even as an 11-year-old I remember thinking, “I want to be doing that.”
Speaking of which, I heard that your demo of “Ooh La La” leaked last month and had a pretty cool response – over 35,000 listens! What was that like for you?
It was really rewarding to see that people liked my version so much! The comments have been incredibly flattering. The way the song was originally written was much more “me,” and it had a special place in my heart, so I was happy to see such a positive response from so many Britney fans.
What’s on Lola’s agenda for 2014?
More music! I want to start doing more collaborations this year, particularly with some amazing rappers, and I’d like to release an EP and obviously make a shit ton of music videos. Stay tuned!