Bayla: I Was Told Early On That I’d Never Be Able To Sing (Singer, Songwriter, Canadian Billboard Top 10)

Bayla Interview

"When I got the video back from the performance, you can see some Canadian Icons clapping - from songwriting legend Andy Kim, to astronaut Chris Hadfield. I’ll never forget the experience of performing at that night!"

Q. Your debut single “Turn It Around” broke into the Billboard Top 40 in Canada—an incredible start to your career. What did that moment mean to you, especially after being told you might never sing? How did it shape your confidence moving forward?

It was so surreal! I had been told early on that I’d never be able to sing because of a vocal cord dysfunction, so seeing Turn It Around break into the Top 40 was unreal! 

I had been pursuing music for several years at that point, and it was proof that perseverance and passion can defy limits. It gave me a real sense of purpose, and from that point on, so many doors opened that I couldn’t have imagined!

Q. As someone who writes, produces, and performs, what’s your creative process like when turning personal experiences into anthemic indie-pop tracks?

These days, my ideas often start as either a melodic voice note on my phone or in the studio while working on a new beat. Ideas tend to come best when I’m not really looking for them. 

The process is rooted in trusting my first instincts and allowing myself to make mistakes. Most of my ideas stem from a melody that I blurt out (oftentimes with words that don’t make sense together). 

Then I assess the lyrics afterwards, trying to make sense of them - or, writing lyrics to match the melody and emotion I’m trying to convey. When working collaboratively, however, I love sitting down and chatting with whoever is in the room and really digging deep about what we’ll write about - almost like a little therapy session! 

So I would say it depends on if I’m writing alone or in a collaborative setting!

Q. “Monster” became an anti-bullying anthem that resonated deeply with many. How do you balance the emotional weight of your lyrics with the infectious energy of your sound?

My lyrics are often written about difficult times. I try to balance that with trying to make the music itself feel completely opposite. I also try to write in a way that changes the perspective to feel more positive. It is a balancing act between being true in what I’m trying to say, but also making it super palatable and easy to listen to and sing along to!

Q. You’ve performed at major festivals like Canada Pride, Stars & Thunder, and Big Feastival. Is there a live performance that felt especially transformative for you as an artist?

One of the most transformative performances for me was probably getting to perform at the Canada’s Walk of Fame awards show just after winning the Grand Prize in their RBC Emerging Musician Program. 

I got to perform for so many music industry professionals, and the performance itself just felt like a huge milestone. When I got the video back from the performance, you can see some Canadian Icons clapping - from songwriting legend Andy Kim, to astronaut Chris Hadfield. I’ll never forget the experience of performing that night!

Q. As an LGBTQ artist, how does your identity influence the stories you tell through your music—and what role does representation play in your creative journey?

I’m always writing about personal experiences, so naturally, I get to tell them from an LGBTQ+ perspective - which I feel very lucky about! As an LGBTQ+ artist, I often explore topics such as love, self-acceptance, and mental health - all relatable to the community. 

I also always try to show representation through my videos and visual content - trying to be as authentic as possible!

Q. You’ve grown from an independent artist to a producer and topliner working on your own music and for others as well. What has been the most surprising challenge—and the most empowering part—of taking creative control?

Taking creative control has always come naturally to me. I don’t let others get in the way of my instincts. The most empowering part about being a creative is getting to collaborate with others. 

It has been an incredible experience getting to take a bit of a behind-the-scenes role lately while writing and producing songs for other artists! It is super fulfilling!

Q. Looking ahead, what’s one dream collaboration or creative project that would make you feel like you’ve reached your next big milestone?

One dream milestone for me would be collaborating as a songwriter with some of the bigger artists I’ve looked up to for years. There’s something really powerful about helping shape a song that speaks to millions, even if you’re behind the scenes.

Bio

Bayla is a Canadian pop artist who defied the odds after being diagnosed with a vocal cord dysfunction as a child. Despite being told she would never sing, she rose to fame with her debut single "Turn It Around" in 2016, which became a Top 10 hit in Montreal and reached #24 on the Canadian Billboard Charts. The single also earned her iHeartRadio’s "Future Star" recognition for both CHR and Hot AC formats.

Following her breakout, BAYLA continued to captivate audiences with her energetic and anthemic performances at major festivals across Canada, including Stars & Thunder, The Big Feastival, Festival Du Voyageur, and Glowfair. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she’s been a vibrant presence at numerous Pride Festivals. She has shared the stage with artists like Simple Plan, Bif Naked, Lights, Karl Wolf, and Tom Cochran.

In 2019, she was named Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist of the Year and won the Grand Prize in the RBC Emerging Musician Program. More recently, she was selected by SOCAN for the TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship.

Since the pandemic, BAYLA has expanded her role as a writer and producer for other rising talents. Her behind-the-scenes contributions include work on Yung Leo’s “Habit” and Billie du Page’s “Fake Friends”, the latter hitting #1 at Quebec Radio and spending sixteen weeks on top through the end of 2024.

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Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose