b'FEATURELEAH DEPALALeah Depala is a 14-year-old British-Indian singer-songwriter, based in Dubai. Her first single, Cold, has been streamed across all international music platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. A&R scouts, take note, shes still unsigned How many songs have you written so far?Words__Darren Haynes Ive written about eight songs in total, some of which have been completed, some of which have only been written to about halfway. Whenever I get inspiration for a song, the first thing I do is turn to my piano I N T R O D U C I N Gand match the lyrics to a tune.How would you describe the music that you make?I would say the music I create is more chill L E A H D E PA L A and mellow as opposed to poppy - similar to Lorde, Lana Del Rey or Jorja Smith.My biggest inspirations and my favourite artists would definitely be Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd and Lewis Capaldi. Ive been You released your debut single, Cold,notes on my phone, until the song waslistening to these artists for years because I in September 2018. Tell us a little bitcomplete. It took me a few hours to finish thelove each of their styles individually and they about the songwriting process. song. I was incredibly proud of the outcome. an amazing job of producing and puttingnever fail to come out with such amazing together the song, in only two recordingmusic.Cold was the first full song Id everCold was produced by Ayham Homsisessions, each lasting about 3-4 hours.written. Its about a hypothetical failed(aka AY) and you have been working withWhat are your plans for the future?relationship. Once Id finished it, I knewIranian singer, Layla Kardan. How did aWho would you like to collaborate with,instantly that I wanted to release it. When13-year old - as you were then - manageor work with in the future? Im currently working on my next single but I came up with the idea for the song, Ito set up such amazing collaborations? Im hoping to release an EP, and an album sat down at my piano and played aroundMy dream would be to work with artistsafter that. I want to develop my style and find to see what I could come up with andLayla is a friend of my parents. Shelike Lana Del Rey, Khalid, A$AP Rocky ormy sound as an artist. Long term, Id love to attempted to match it to some lyrics. Imentored me and guided me throughout theThe Weeknd, as I feel their music stylesbe able to have to the opportunity to perform progressively added more and more towhole writing and recording process. Shecomplement mine and our voices wouldand sing at my own concerts; singing is just the song, while recording it on my voicealso put me in contact with Ayham. He didwork nicely together. what I love doing. 56 SEPTEMBER 2019 HEYMUSIC.COM 57'