Singer, songwriter, model, actress, blogger. Lola Blanc certainly likes to keep herself busy. But, as they say, rolling stones gather moss and this LA-based artist won’t be letting any greenery flourish anytime soon. Having already co-written Britney Spears’ single “Ooh La La”, starred in a video for LMFAO and enjoyed a stint of modeling, she is now primed to release her debut EP later this year. Born to a beauty queen mother and a father who was in the CIA, her childhood was by no means normal and the eccentricity of that upbringing has continued into adulthood and become infused with her style and music. Her tunes are unapologetic pop with a bold, playful edge lending Lola a platform to display her fierce artistic vision. Chasseur magazine sat down with Lola after an exclusive photoshoot to talk all things pop.
It is fair to say you have had an interesting childhood. Did the unconventional childhood inform who you are today and to a larger degree, your music?
For sure! My upbringing was colorful and weird and exciting and sometimes scary, and I think because of it I gravitate toward the extraordinary and unusual in everything I do. Normalcy just isn’t my thing.
You have done a stint of modelling. What aspects of that industry did you enjoy and what are you happy to leave behind?
Modelling has always been a way to get more exposure for my music. I’m not leaving it behind – it’s just that now when I do it, I’m modeling as Lola Blanc more than I am as just a random face. Being a nice face isn’t interesting to me.
It did land you a role in a LMFAO video. What are they like? They certainly seem to be a bit out there!
All I know is I left the shoot with Redfoo sweat all over my hair. That was fun!
Your fan base has been growing steadily and young girls and women are an important part of that. What do you feel you offer the women of the world that other artists currently do not?
I can’t really do the persona thing – who I am in my music and on social media is legitimately who I am in my life. I say the things I actually feel. I think that can be a hard thing to come by in pop music.
Let’s talk about your new song “Shangri-La”. How was it working with Jon Levine and Fran Hall? Are we right to assume the song is about love?
Writing with Jon and Fran is always awesome because we’re really comfortable together, which is so important. The song is indeed about love – the kind of love that makes you feel present and safe from the things that stress you out. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean romantic love.
The track debuted on beauty and fashion guru Michelle Phan’s latest tutorial video. Is fashion and beauty an important element in who you are as a young woman in the world today?
I can play whatever character suits my mood by changing my clothes or my eyeliner – I get to play dress up as an adult! How does that not sound fun? Fashion is just another form of expressing how I’m feeling, and strong visuals go hand in hand with my music, so it’s a big part of my life.
Can you tell us about your upcoming EP and plans for a future album?
I’m working on the EP right now for a release this year. There’ll be some fun collaborations on it, so I’m super excited. An album will undoubtedly follow, but one thing at a time, mmkay!
We also did a fun photoshoot to go with the interview. Did you enjoy that? What did you want to showcase through the visuals?
Danielle DeFoe is an amazing photographer so I was really happy to finally get to shoot with her! We wanted to do a series of portraits that showcased my look and personality in a fresh way. I happen to think we succeeded.
LOLA BLANC for CHASSEUR MAGAZINE
Photography| Danielle DeFoe
Styling | Matthew Hensley
Hair | Christine Nelli @ Celestine Agency
MUA | Jeffrey Baum @ Atelier Management